Released on: January 21, 2008, 1:21 am

Press Release Author: New Clare County Council HQ To Open For Business

Industry: Construction

Press Release Summary: Monday, January 21st 2008 - A two and half year project
costing €27 million will come to fruition at New Road, Ennis this Wednesday when
Clare County Council’s new Corporate Headquarters opens for business.

Press Release Body: To facilitate the relocation to Àras Contae an Chlàir, all
County Council’s offices in Ennis will remain closed to the public today and
tomorrow.

The completed facility will provide accommodation for 300 staff, as well as meeting
rooms, staff canteen, laboratory, Mayor’s office, and Council Chamber and 3 party
rooms for the elected members. 320 car parking spaces are provided at the rear of
the building.

The Corporate Headquarters building incorporates a number of environmentally
friendly measures and will operate as a naturally ventilated building. Some solar
panels and a wood chip heating system have been installed. Following a tender
process, Clare Wood Chip of Flagmount has been selected to supply the wood chip for
the building.

Cllr Patricia McCarthy, Mayor of Clare welcomed the opening of the new offices and
referred to the ease of access to the various Council services that will now be
available at the new location.

Mr. Alec Fleming, Clare County Manager, added, “I would like to pay tribute to the
Council staff for their patience and co-operation in relocating from the old offices
and the move back to Àras Contae an Chlàir this week. I now look forward to the
Council providing a service of the highest standard from Àras Contae an Chlàir.”

Mr. Michael McNamara, Director of Services, explained that the building had been
designed in a user-friendly manner.

He said, “The Council was very conscious of the need to put in place the highest
standards of accessibility to all parts of the building and service within. We have
been working with the National Disability Authority with a view to attaining
accreditation under the Excellence through Accessibility Scheme.”

“There is a Customer Services Desk on the main atrium while the cash office and
Planning, Housing, Environment sections are all located on the ground floor for ease
of access by the general public. The offices will also be open to the public each
weekday from 9am-5pm and through lunch hour”, stated Mr. McNamara.

Sections of the Council were relocated to several sites around Ennis when the old
offices on the New Road site were vacated in mid 2005. Following a tender process
that generated a lot of interest from many of the country’s larger developers, the
firm of Michael McNamara & Co. Building Contractors was chosen as the preferred
option to Design, Build and Finance the provision of the new building.

The contractors commenced work in January 2006. The first phase of the works
involved the construction of a Machinery Yard Headquarters at Beechpark on the R474
Ennis-Kilmaley Road. Work on the construction of the New Headquarters has continued
since the new Machinery Yard was completed in May 2006.

-ENDS-

Notes to Editor:
For further information please contact Mark Dunphy of Dunphy PR on 086-8534900 or
media@dunphypr.com

Web Site: http://www.dunphypr.com

Contact Details: Mark Dunphy
Dunphy Public Relations
IRELAND
www.dunphypr.com
media@dunphypr.com
00353-(0)868534900 (Mobile)
00353-(0)656839692 (Fax)