Clare Fine Gael TD, Joe Cooney, has called for decisive and targeted investment in County Clare under the Government’s updated National Development Plan (NDP), urging that rural counties like Clare are not left behind in the rollout of major capital projects.
Deputy Cooney outlined a number of critical priorities that must be delivered for County Clare under the Government’s updated National Development Plan. These include major investment in rural roads and rail, support for housing in small towns and villages, improved ambulance and hospital services, delivery of key tourism and flood protection projects, investment in Shannon Airport’s strategic potential, and a leadership role for Clare in offshore wind energy.
“As a Clare TD, my absolute priority is to ensure that our county receives its fair share of available national funding and infrastructure investment,” Deputy Cooney said. “The updated NDP outlines record-level spending in sectors such as energy, transport, housing, and agriculture—Clare must be front and centre in these plans.”
Deputy Cooney said it is time for “strong, coordinated engagement” with all Government Departments to ensure Clare’s needs are firmly on the national agenda—highlighting a history of missed opportunities due to lack of focused advocacy.
“While national projects like MetroLink and motorway upgrades are important, we cannot allow rural areas like Clare to be sidelined. We need urgent investment in our rail and road infrastructure, including long-overdue projects like the Shannon Airport rail link, the reopening of Crusheen railway station, and essential flood relief at Ballycar.”
Housing and rural development also remain a key focus for Deputy Cooney, who has called for increased supports for local authorities to acquire and service land in rural towns and villages.
“We need to enable the delivery of social and affordable housing—especially for the ‘squeezed middle’ who earn too much to qualify for social housing but not enough to buy a home privately.”
Deputy Cooney said Clare must also secure its fair share of capital investment in health infrastructure, including progressing plans for a Model 4 hospital and expanding the National Ambulance Service’s rapid response capabilities.
“In a rural county like Clare, a more mobile and responsive ambulance fleet can literally save lives. We need serious investment now.”
He also called for annual accountability from Uisce Éireann on wastewater infrastructure delivery, noting that a lack of systems in small towns and villages is “holding back rural development.”
On tourism, Deputy Cooney identified the West Clare Greenway as a “transformative project” that must be fully funded to completion, along with new coastal protection works to defend Clare’s communities from climate-driven erosion and storm surges.
“Sections of the Greenway are still stalled due to unsuccessful funding bids. We need dedicated capital funding now—not later.”
He also strongly backed the case for Shannon Airport and the Shannon Estuary to become a national base for maritime security operations, including sonar systems to protect subsea cables and energy infrastructure, as well as a new rapid-response naval fleet to combat illegal drug trafficking.
“Our geography and infrastructure make Clare the ideal operational hub for Ireland’s maritime security future.”
Deputy Cooney also highlighted the vast offshore wind potential off the Clare coast, advocating for the designation of pilot floating wind zones to make Ireland a global leader in the sector.
“With resources like Moneypoint and the deepwater Shannon Estuary, Clare is perfectly positioned to become a centre of excellence for floating offshore wind. We need government to back this vision.”
In closing, Deputy Cooney reaffirmed his commitment to championing infrastructure and investment that builds long-term sustainability for Clare.
“From transport to housing, renewable energy to health services—Clare must not be left behind. I will continue working every day to ensure our towns, villages, and communities have the infrastructure and opportunities they need to thrive.”