Simply Blue launch public consultation

THE Simply Blue Group have launched a Public Consultation for the Western Star Floating Wind Project, a proposed floating windfarm situated at least 35km off the West Coast of Clare and in waters 90 to 125m deep, writes Elaine Tubridy. An Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) scoping report describes the key elements of the Western Star Floating Wind project, the baseline conditions, and sensitivities of the environment likely to be affected, and the studies and assessments proposed. It provides an outline of the proposed approach and content of the Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR). The scoping report provides an opportunity for stakeholder engagement, with feedback sought from the public to further inform the content and scope of the EIAR. The EIA scoping report is now available for virtual public consultation and can be accessed here SimplyBlue - Virtual Exhibition (3dwtech.co.uk)

The Western Star Public Consultation will take place: On Tuesday 28th March from 2pm8pm at “The Foyer” Temple Gate Hotel, The Square, Ennis, V95 HOXK; On Wednesday 29th March from 2pm-8pm at Merchants Quay, Business Quarter, Frances Street, KilrushV15 FN53; On Monday 24th of April from 2-8pm in the Ballybunion Community Cen- tre, 5 Lartigue Road, Ballybunion, V31TV25.

A live virtual exhibition will run from Friday 24th March to Friday 26th May 2023 SimplyBlue - Virtual Exhibition (3dwtech.co.uk)

The Western Star Floating Wind project is being developed in response to Irish Government policy and commitment to deploy up to 7GW of offshore wind projects in Ireland by 2030. It will harness the wind potential off the Atlantic Ocean, potentially creating enough energy to power over 1 million homes. The innovative floating technology proposed for this project will allow the turbines to be located far from shore and in water depths that are suitable for the technology.

Val Cummins, Operations and Project Director at Simply Blue Group said “The Western Star Floating Wind Project will be sustainable and transformative for the west coast and will enable local communities to benefit from the opportunities in the blue economy, leading to a brighter future for generations to come. We are committed to engaging with all our stakeholders and communities at each stage of the project and we would encourage them to participate in the consultation of the scoping report.”

For further information visit https://westernstarfloatingwind. com/

HAVE YOUR SAY…… PROPOSAL TO RENAME ‘VICTORIA BRIDGE’, CUSACK ROAD, ENNIS TO ‘THE MIKE MCTIGUE BRIDGE’

Ennis Municipal District is inviting members of the public to make a submission on a proposal to rename ‘Victoria Bridge’, Cusack Road, Ennis to ‘The Mike McTigue Bridge‘ (in honour of the 1923 world boxing champion who hailed from Kilnamona). The public consultation will open online on March 24th and continue until April 7th at 4pm. Each individual will be limited to one response. Prior to completing the survey, online applicants will be required to register on Clare County Council’s online engagement platform, enabling the individual to contribute to all future online consultations. This registration process will require an email address.

Alternatively one can post a submission to Ennis Municipal District, Buttermarket Building, Drumbiggle, Ennis, Co. Clare, V95 RR72 in the following format ;

Do you agree with renaming ‘Victoria Bridge’, Cusack Road, Ennis to ‘The Mike McTigue Bridge’

Yes No

Postal respondents are required to ensure that surveys are posted in sufficient time to be received by the deadline. If you have any queries please email ennismunicipaldistrict@clarecoco.ie or call 065-6821616.

Clare County Council is currently inviting applications from suitably qualified persons for the below competition. Clare County Council will, following the interview process, form a panel for the area set out below from which future relevant vacancies may be filled subject to sanction approval from the Department of Housing, Local Government & Heritage.

• TECHNICIAN GRADE II (CIVIL, ARCHITECTURAL & BUILDING) PANEL, 2023

Completed applications must be emailed to: recruitment@clarecoco.ie not later than 4.00 p.m. on Tuesday 11th April 2023.

Application forms and further particulars may be obtained by requesting same from the Human Resources Department, Clare County Council at 065-6846250, via e-mail: recruitment@clarecoco.ie or can be downloaded from the following website: www.clarecoco.ie

Clare County Council is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all sectors of the Community.

Scriobh chugainn as gaeilge más fearr leat.

Representing the parish in New York

Representatives of Clare County Council met with senior executives from Tourism Ireland during the St Patrick’s Day celebrations in New York, USA. They were briefed on Tourism Ireland’s promotional programme in the United States for 2023.

This year, Tourism Ireland is rolling out an extensive programme of promotions in the United States, to rebuild overseas tourism to Ireland and to drive the return of revenue from American holidaymakers to pre-pandemic levels.

Alison Metcalfe, Tourism Ireland’s Head of North America, said: “Our St Patrick’s Day programme includes an extensive and targeted programme of trade, media and consumer activity to rebuild overseas tourism this year. Our aim is to remind American holidaymakers that Ireland offers the warmest of welcomes and great fun, as well as wonderful scenery and heritage. We are taking every opportunity to capitalise on Ireland’s heightened profile around this St Patrick’s Day period.” Pictured are Ashling Scanlon, Tourism Ireland; Cllr Tony O’Brien, Mayor of Clare; Pat Dowling, Clare County Council; and Jeffrey Yau, Tourism Ireland, in the Tourism Ireland office in New York.

Compiled by Stuart Holly