This article is from page 43 of the 2014-02-04 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 43 JPG
A COASTAL Management Report dating back to 1989 made recommendations for reinforcement works and protection works along the coast of Clare, that still have not been implemented 25 years on.
Three members of Clare County Council – Cllr Oliver Garry, Cllr Christy Curtin and Cllr Johnny Flynn – are to attend next week’s meeting of Clare County Council armed with the document hoping to make the case that the people of West Clare cannot wait another 25 years for such work.
As the council re-count the cost of coastal damage following the storm on St Bridget’s Day, February 1, the council members are to call for emergency funding to be released by Central Government immediately.
The people of the west coast have also lost patience with central Government and are demanding immediate action, as well as a long-term strategy.
Publican and Community Activist in Doonbeg Tommy Commerford told The Clare People , “Emergency flooding must mean emergency flooding. We don’t need any more ministers running around telling us we have a problem.”
The people living along the west coast and the Shannon estuary are well aware of the problems they are facing following another weekend of high winds and high tides.
“The emergency funding must be released straight away especially for vulnerable areas,” said Mr Commer- ford.
“There should be no consultants required. This is a job that common sense can repair.”
Agreeing with Mr Commerford, Ailish Connolly from Kilbaha said a plan must then be made to address coastal erosion.
“There needs to be a coastal strategy at national level. Now is a time for action,” she said.