The Mid-Western Health Board has moved to distance itself from the objection lodged by its health promotions unit against a proposed McDonald's "drive-thru" for Ennis.
Health board chief executive Mr Stiofán de Búrca told a board meeting yesterday that the objection, however well intentioned, was a "personal statement" by the community dietitians concerned. He declined to endorse the objection lodged. "The health board has not made any statement in relation to McDonald's," said Mr de Burca, adding that the board does not have a policy advanced against the providers of fast food.
Fianna Fáil Cllr Pat Daly described the objection as a "solo run". Mr de Búrca told Mr Daly that in time, the board would bring about a policy in relation to the issue.
Cllr Daly told the meeting that he was opposed to the objection lodged by the health board as the McDonald's proposal would provide 70 jobs in Ennis.
Cllr Sean Hillery (FF) said after the meeting that the objection was lodged without the knowledge of the health board members.
A spokeswoman at Ennis Town Council confirmed yesterday that the Mid-Western Health Board is listed as one of a number of objectors against the McDonald's proposal.
The objection on health board-headed paper by community dietitians Ms Audrey Lyons and Dr Anne Griffin demands that the town council carry out an Environmental Impact Statement into the possible health effects on the local population before further considering the application.
They stated they would "welcome the support of Ennis Town Council to protect the health of our children and our children's children." Both dietitians were unavailable for comment yesterday.
Asked yesterday if Mr de Búrca or the board's director of public health, Dr Kevin Kelleher, were made aware of the objection lodged, a spokesman said: "It is not board policy to comment on issues involving individual staff members."
A decision is due to be made on the application by McDonald's by Ennis Town Council later this month.
