The Mayor of Ennis claims the ongoing debate around parking in the county town is "harmful" to its public image and will deter visitors. Sparks flew at this weeks meeting of Ennis Muncipal District as parking once again dominated early discussions. Following a motion tabled by Clarecastle Fianna Fáil Councillor Tom O'Callaghan at a November 2023 meeting of Ennis MD, it was revealed that there had been a 9% reduction in the number of car parking spaces in Ennis over a 15-year period. In light of recent public realm works as well as developments such as the new Ennis library, Councillor O'Callaghan has this week requested an update on any further losses since November 2023. The response from Ennis MD states that the town has almost 3000 spaces and has one space for every 13 people living in it compared to one space for every 29 people in Waterford and one space for every 24 people in Navan. It also says that while some spaces have been lost due to recent developments in the town, almost 350 spaces will soon be added resulting from the Cloister Car Park proposal and the upcoming Lidl store on the Clare Road. Cathaoirleach of Ennis Municipal District, Fianna Fáil Councillor Clare Colleran-Molloy, says she's completely at odds with her party colleague's view on parking in Ennis. Councillors Mary Howard and Paul Murphy echoed the idea that Ennis doesn't have a parking problem while Councillors Tommy Guilfoyle and Pat Daly spoke in support of Councillor O'Callaghan's motion. During the meeting, Councillor O'Callaghan referenced two reports published in 2008 and 2012 which identified a parking shortfall in the county town. He claims some local representatives are trying to ignore this problem and says "if there was a deficit then, there's a deficit now".