Ballina Chamber of Commerce

Lobbying Organisation Ballina Chamber of Commerce

Date published 20 Sep, 2022

Relevant Matter Public policy or programme

Public Policy Area Economic Development and Industry

Period 1 May, 2022 to 31 Aug, 2022

Specific Details Reveiw of trail period of pedestrianisation in the main throughfare of Ballina, Pearse St Ballina, Co Mayo, one week after the the trial period had begun. Ballina Municipal District Council intention was to pedestrianise Pearse Street from 8am, Saturdays to 8am Mondays on a trial basis, during the months of June, July and August, and host a review after the first month.

Intended results Pearse St Traders, Ballina, opposed the introduction of a trail period of pedestrianisation, following the first weekend of the trial weekend in June. Ballina Chamber facilitated a virtual meeting between the traders and the council, acting as mediator so that both sides points could be aired and discussed.

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Patrick Hallahan

Did any Designated Public Official(DPO) or former Designated Public Official(DPO) carry out lobbying activities on your behalf in relation to this return? You must include yourself, and answer Yes, if you are a current DPO or a DPO at any time in the past. (What is a Designated Public Official?) No

Did you manage or direct a grassroots campaign? No

Was this lobbying done on behalf of a client? No

Lobbying activity

The following activities occurred for this specific Subject Matter Area.

Virtual Meeting (2-5)

Pearse St Traders; Patrick Hallahan, Anthony Moran, Sinead Quinn, Siobhan Cahill and Donal Quinn, had a virtual meeting with council representaives, the meeting was facilitated by Ballina Chamber of Commerce. 33 submissions were received in response to the intention to host a trail period of pedestrianisation, of which 22 were in favour and 15 opposed to the pedestrianisation. On this basis it was decided to progress with the pedestrianisation, but changing the start time to 12 noon on Saturdays. As a result of strong opposition from some of the traders on Pearse Street following the first weekend of pedestrianisation, it was decided by Ballina Municipal District Council to discontinue with this initiative.

Designated public officials lobbied

The following DPOs were lobbied during this return period on this specific Subject Matter Area. These DPOs were involved in at least one of the Lobbying Activities listed above, but not necessarily all of them. As returns are specific to a Subject Matter Area the above Lobbying Activities may be associated with multiple returns.

Tom Gilligan Director of Services or Equivalent (Mayo County Council)