It was flagged to me early on in my days of representing the environment on council committees to make sure that a record is kept of my input. My addition to that is especially if it identifies somewhere the precautionary principle or precautionary measures should be adopted. This played out very obviously following my last SPC … More Economic SPC report March 27th 2017
As a woman engaged in policy for almost 10 years at local, national and EU level I have a lot of insight into the policy and decision making process in Ireland. I have sat on a county development board and strategic policy committees at local authority level and represented the Environmental Pillar of social partnership … More National Women’s Strategy 2017-2020 Submission
I gave an official report from my Strategic Policy Committee SPC meeting last Monday but here I will give you a little glimpse of life as a committee member amongst elected councillors and civil servants. Why? Well, I used think that the people running the country must be really intelligent and capable – why else would they be elected! I thought they must … More Shenanigans from the SPC Jan 2017
“To say I was not happy with how the meeting finished would be true! When I heard the proposed changes it appeared to be a whole restructuring of the SPCs in Clare without any consultation with the PPN and our representatives on the SPCs. “ Here’s the agenda for the meeting on Monday Jan 9th … More Report from Economic SPC Strategic Policy Committee meeting January 9th 2017 and subsequent actions!
I have my next SPC meeting on January 9th – Strategic Policy Committee Meeting for Economic Development & Enterprise. Here’s the agenda: Minutes of meeting held on the 14th November 2016 and matters arising. Presentation by Mr. Niall O’Callaghan, Regional Business Development Manager – Mid-West. Adoption of County Development Plan. Proposed changes to SPC structure. Date … More Jan 2017 Economic Development & Enterprise SPC Meeting
At last I am writing my first blog report of my role on County Clares Economic Development and Enterprise SPC. I’ve been there almost 2 years and I’m feeling comfortable enough to write about it now. It’s run under chatham house rules so I won’t quote anyone. Some background. Strategic Policy Committees (SPC) are structured around the main functions of councils. They … More Clare Economic Development & Enterprise SPC
Last week, Friday 29th July, I became aware of a renewable energy test site in Galway bay. That’s pretty much on my doorstep. I was chuffed that there’s research going on so close to home and was looking forward to hearing more about an expansion in testing. I soon discovered that people in Clare had … More Test site in Galway bay
At a recent meeting I learned that our universities carry out research based on industry proposals. Where once potential students proposed what they would like to study now industry states their research requirements and students do whatever that is. This opens up many questions. Does this mean the state education budget is funding the research … More Industry driven research
It’s been a hectic few years. Moving house twice, marriage break up, my piece of paradise in my new home for life, representing the Environmental Pillar at the national policy tables, ATCC – An Taisce Climate Committee, Clare PPN – Public Participation Network, TINI – Transition Ireland and Northern Ireland, PEC – Peoples Energy Charter … More Taking Some Time Off – Well Kind Of
