This article is from page 20 of the 2012-05-15 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 20 JPG
THE Ennis Town Manager has defended the price of parking in the town amid claims it is damaging businesses.
Ger Dollard was speaking at yesterday’s meeting of councillors in Ennis east electoral area.
The matter was raised by councillor Pat Daly (FF). In a motion, Cllr Daly called for the Council “to seriously look at reducing the cost of parking per hour in Ennis from € 1.30 to one euro per hour particularly due to the fact that business in the town is down substantially.”
In his response, Town Clerk Lenoard Cleary said Ennis Town Council is currently in the process of reviewing parking byelaws in the town.
He continued, “This will involve a public consultation process. The parking fees are an integral part of the income utilised to balance the Ennis Town Council budget.
“Any reduction in parking fees would reduce the budget income available and hence impact on the delivery of services in Ennis.”
He added, “If a decision were to be made to reduce parking fees, this would have to be coupled with a decision as to which services would be curtailed or withdrawn.This matter will be considered by Ennis Town Council as the local authority for this functional area.”
Cllr Daly told the meeting that cost of parking had been cited by a number of businesspeople he had spoken to as a factor in declining sales.
He said customers were now choosing to shop in large retail stores in Limerick and Galway where parking is free.
Mr Dollard said, “Ennis Town Council is very conscious of the pressures on business”.
He said that he did not accept that the cost of parking was to blame.
He said there is “very good value” to be found in the long term car parks in Ennis.
Mr Dollard explained that the price of parking in the town centre has to be higher to ensure turnover of spaces.