Ennis March 15th

Carey attends meeting to help restore leisure and pool facilities in Shannon. 

Clare Fine Gael TD Joe Carey has said today that a resolution must be found to restore pool and leisure facilities in Shannon. Last Thursday, Deputy Carey was invited to and attended a meeting to hear the concerns of locals in the region. He said that while the issue was complex, it is not acceptable that a local amenity should remain closed for so long at taxpayer’s expense.

He has called for all sides in the dispute to engage with each other and for a solution that benefits the community as a whole to be implemented He said: “The situation in Shannon cannot be allowed continued. The community are losing out on this valuable and much needed amenity. At a time of rising unemployment in the region, we cannot allow a withdrawal of leisure services. I note that a web page has been set up with over 1000 members calling for the restoration of pool services. The needs of the local community must be listened to.” He added: “Shannon pool was closed in February 2009 for 21 weeks for upgrading works. Yet twelve months on the pool remains closed with conflicting reports as to the reasons. It is simply not acceptable. The people of Shannon paid for this facility and having it remain closed for so long benefits no-one. I am calling for all sides to re-engage with each other in the interests of the community as a whole.

Shannon has been under serviced for years in terms of amenity and community facilities. It is not acceptable that when facilities are put in place they remain closed. We need a swift resolution to this issue.”