Month: September 2008

PLANS by Clare hurling star Davy Fitzgerald to construct a €4 million boutique hotel near Shannon Air- port could be rejected because of concerns over the privacy of people praying for family and friends at a nearby cemetery.

With only days to go before the Sixmilebridge man oversees Water- ford’s challenge in the All-Ireland final, An Taisce has lodged a sub- mission on his plans to demolish the

Bellsfort Inn pub and function room and replace it with a two-storey 23- bedroom hotel with a bar and func- tion room.

The proposed development is to take place three miles from the air- port on a country road linking New- market-on-Fergus and Shannon.

An Taisce state that part of the ho- tel will be overlooking an adjacent graveyard and feel that this would impose on the privacy of those pray- ing at graves.

The proposed hotel development is

located near a ring-fort and it is like- ly that it will be put on hold to allow Mr Fitzgerald submit an archaeologi- cal assessment on the likely impact oye aelomubercaKoyum

The Department of the Environ- ment is recommending that the archaeological assessment should define the buffer zone which would preserve the setting and visual amen- LAO) MAROC om Kee

“The proposed location of the ho- tel building may have a significant visual impact. If this is found to be

the case, then a change of design and a reduction in scale of development may be requested,’ the department stated.

With over 3.6 million people using Shannon Airport last year, the former Clare goalkeeper will be hoping that his new venture will be able to attract some of this traffic.

The plan is already facing an objec- tion from Seamus and Anne Ryan, Fairfield, Lemanaghmore, Newmar- ket who claim that “nothing in the development proposal indicates that

it makes any contribution to the lo- cal area, or presents a demonstrable need for this type of development”’.

The Ryans have asked the council to refuse permission for the hotel be- cause of overdevelopment of the site, which will “generate traffic hazards and give rise to serious negative im- pact on the environment.”

“The proposed development is monumental in the context of the site area and in the context of existing buildings.” A decision is due on the application next week.

REVENUES at the Roche pharma- ceutical plant in Clarecastle declined by a third last year with pre-tax profits dropping by three per cent to €26.6 million.

The accounts for the subsidiary of Swiss-owned pharmaceutical giant show revenues dropping from €146 million to €102 million to the end of 2007.

The company blames the drop in revenues to the cessation of the pro- duction of the dI Acid drug in Sep- tember 2006. For almost 30 years, dl Acid was a key product at the Clare- castle plant.

A company spokesman yesterday described 2007 “as a challenging year for the company’. Operating costs in 2007 declined from €119 million to ©81 million last year.

The Irish subsidiary didn’t pay a dividend in 2006, but last year paid €30 million in dividends. This re- sulted in shareholders’ funds at the end of 2007 amounting to €130 mil- lion.

Roche Ireland had accumulated profits of €124 million at the end of 2007.

Staff costs for 242 employees at the plant — down 10 on the 2006 total — were €24.2 million, a drop of €1 million on the 2006 figure.

©6.7 million was set aside for envi- ronmental works at the plant in 2007 and the most recent Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) audit found the company in compliance with all conditions of its environmental li- cense.

Directors’ aggregate payments last year were ©242,000.

According to the directors’ state- ment, the principal risks and uncer- tainties facing the company include the identification of replacement products for existing group products that come off patent in the coming years.

‘These risks are managed by the Roche Group at a central level,” the

statement added.

“The company is identified as a strategic site by the Roche group and as part of it’s international chemical strategy. The focus continues on dual sourcing of strategic and important products and outsourcing of low val- ue products.

‘The directors intend to work with Roche Group centrally to evaluate further opportunities for the com- pany.”

Dr Frank Cox took over as manag- ing director of the Clarecastle site last April, moving from the sister site in Florence, South Carolina, to replace John Liddy who had held the post for the previous ten years.

DESPITE gloomy economic predic- tions, Clare students are bucking the trend with employment of University of Limerick graduates at the highest level in more than a decade.

As the University of Limerick cel- ebrates four days of conferring cere- monies which will see 2,326 students graduate – many of them from Clare – UL President, Professor Don Barry has welcomed the positive results of a recent UL graduate survey which indicate an increase in demand for UL graduates by employers.

More of those who get jobs are tak- ing up employment in the mid-west rather than having to uproot and move to work, the survey shows.

The information is based on the results of a recent survey, which records the current status of more than 2,500 graduates who completed full-time courses in UL during the year 2007.

74 per cent of UL graduates find employment within a few months of graduation, the survey shows. This is the highest employment rate since 1995 and records an increase of five per cent from last year.

The employment figure includes those working in Ireland and over- seas, with 67 per cent employed in Ireland and seven per cent overseas.

The most popular region of employ- ment is the mid-west which accounts for 35 per cent of jobs, followed by Dublin, at 33 per cent. This reflects a

considerable shift in graduate prefer- ences in recent years as more gradu- ates choose to remain in the mid- west, the survey found.

“Graduate emigration has been consistently low over the past dec- ade, reflecting the range and quality of graduate employment opportuni- ties in Ireland.

“This clearly demonstrates that Irish graduates prefer to work in Ire- land, assuming they can find suitable work,’ Professor Barry said.

“Major graduate employers delib- erately target UL graduates because of their combination of intellectual abilities, personal qualities and rel- evant work experience.

“As a result, the employment rate of UL graduates is significantly higher

than the national average,’ the UL President said.

High employment is a feature across all disciplines with graduates from 30 UL degree courses register- ing zero unemployment.

Graduates in health science dis- ciplines, including nursing, physi- otherapy, occupational therapy and speech and language therapy, had the highest employment record.

The survey shows that 18 per cent of the class of 2007 went on to do some form of postgraduate study or research.

Salary levels were also recorded and the average starting salary is in the region of €28,000 with more than 20 per cent of graduates earning salaries in excess of €33,000.

ENNIS Fashion Week organisers are calling on all businesses that have an interest in getting more visitors and shoppers to Ennis to become involved in the second annual Ennis SAN (ONM Los) e

The fashion extravaganza takes place this year from Saturday, Octo- ber 18, to Saturday, October 25. The initiative was devised by Promote Ennis, which is a public/private part- nership, to promote Ennis through- out Ireland and further a field.

“The event promises to be a big draw again this year, with a fam- ily orientated fashion show, in- Store events, health and motivation evening, movie night, and the style and glamour awards.

“Businesses will also have an op-

portunity to be profiled in the Ennis Fashion Week brochure as well as on a new website on fashion and beauty in Ennis which will highlight what they have to offer on an ongoing basis,” a spokeswoman for Promote Syavavicmcy-b(ee

Each participating business will have the opportunity to nominate the person they think most epitomises style and glamour for them.

The nominees in turn will be invit- ed to attend the gala awards night on Friday, October 24, which last year saw celebrity stylist Lisa Fitzpatrick as one of the judges.

Participating businesses will re- ceive a free ticket to the style and glamour awards night.

Applications are available at Ennis Chamber, 54 O’Connell Street, 065 684 2988.

THE deadline is fast approaching for receipt of nominations and voter registration forms for the election of three community and voluntary di- rectors to the board of the newly es- tablished Clare Local Development Company (CLDC).

CLDC is the new countywide organ- isation which will run the LEADER and Local Development Social Inclu- sion programmes in Clare as well as

the Rural Social Scheme, the Clare Wood Energy Project and a range of other local projects. A good deal of interest has already been shown by the community and voluntary sector in the election.

Monday, September 8, at noon is the deadline for receipt of nomina- tion and registration forms. Groups who have an interest in rural devel- opment, social inclusion, the envi- ronment, culture and community development are being encouraged

to get their forms in on time and get involved in the election.

It is essential for groups to real- ise that even if they do not wish to nominate a candidate, they must complete a voter registration form as only groups who are registered to vote will be able to decide who gets elected to the new board.

Ballot papers will be sent out by post to registered groups after Sep- tember 8 and forms are on www.trd. ie Of Www.eirl.org websites.

THE nursing home operator headed up by Shannon Airport Authority Chairman Pat Shanahan increased the size of its business by almost one third and returned to profit last year.

According to recent returns to the Companies Office, Mowlam Health- care increased its turnover from €14.2 million to €18 million.

The country’s largest nursing home operator — which is to open a new nursing home and retirement village in Ennis and Kilrush shortly — re- turned a pre-tax profit of €680,000 .

This followed losses of €387,000 in 2006 and €335,462 in 2005. Last year’s profit allowed the company re- duce accumulated losses from €1.29 million to €678,000.

Mowlaw Healthcare operates 12 nursing homes providing long-term, convalescent and respite care for the elderly throughout Ireland. The new retirement villages in Kilrush and Ennis are set to create 100 new jobs.

During 2006, Mr Shanahan in- creased his shareholding in Mowlam from 22.5 per cent to 33.3 per cent and last year he resigned his post as executive chairman of the Shannon Airport Authority.

This was in protest over the fail- ure of the Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) to inform him and the SAA

of Aer Lingus plans to end the Shan- non-Heathrow route.

Two years ago, Mowlam Health- care secured €100 million funding to increase the number of homes in its ownership to 20, with more than 1,000 beds in total.

In 2005, the company employed 430 and this increased to 525 last year with staff costs amounting to €10.6 million. Directors’ aggregate emolu- ments were last year £100,000.

Pairc na Coille retirement village is located in Drumbiggle, Ennis and has 27 houses, 35 apartments and a 60 bed nursing home. Riverwood re- tirement village, located in Kilrush consists of 15 houses, 16 apartments and a 46 bed nursing home.

Mr Shanahan, who formerly worked as Vice President of the US owned Tellabs in the Shannon Free Zone said, “We are really proud of the standard of all our homes and re- tirement villages, and Riverwood is no exception.

“It is located in beautifully land- scaped grounds, designed with the residents’ enjoyment, security, and CLOyenieneu lose Ceromm un mpeenenlen

“We are committed to enhancing the quality of life for all our resi- dents, and deliver high-quality care which is focused on those who live in Riverwood and in our other homes throughout the country.”

STAFF at Aer Lingus in Shannon expect a wait of several tense weeks before they hear anything from man- agement on proposals to deal with the airline’s operating losses.

There has been no direct communi- cation with SIPTU, the union repre- senting the majority of airline staff at the Clare airport since the company announced losses of more than €22 pep NOBlOyee

Soaring fuel prices are being blamed for the losses in the first six

months of the year.

Chief Executive of Aer Lingus, Dermot Mannion, said the cost of fuel, coupled with slowing economic erowth and the weakness of the dol- lar and sterling will continue to af- fect the airline in the remaining six months of the year.

“Even with the reduction in fuel prices over the last few weeks, com- petitive pressure on fares and vol- umes will continue and we are at best expected to break even in the second half, delivering a loss for the full year,” he said.

Airport sources say that the air- line’s 400 staff were worried by the announcement of a “root and branch” review of the airline’s costs.

But SIPTU’s Tony Carroll said that the union is “not pre-empting” any management moves and does not ex- pect to hear anything in the immedi- ate future.

He said that staff have “stepped up to the plate on every occasion there has been a problem in the past. I don’t see what more they can do. It is the price of oil which is causing problems.”

Staff costs might seem an obvi- ous target for achieving savings but nationally, union leaders are saying their members need not be the ones to take the pain.

SIPTU Branch Organiser Teresa Hannick said that the union acknowl- edges the difficult trading conditions in the aviation sector due to rising fuel costs but the company in turn must acknowledge the tremendous contribution by staff to its continued viability.

“SIPTU members have already contributed savings worth €11 mil-

lion a year to the airline,” she said in response to the company’s half yearly results issued to the Stock Ex- change last week.

“We can currently assessing these results and any impact they may have on the airline.

“As we demonstrated earlier this year, making savings and improv- ing competitiveness can be achieved without pay cuts,” she said.

A spokesman for IMPACT, which represents 2,000 cabin crew and pi- lots said their members are “natural- ly worried” about job losses.

FEARS that low-cost airline, Rya- nair might axe routes at Shannon have been calmed, with a spokesman for the Shannon board saying they hope to do business with the O’ Leary outfit “well into the future”.

Ryanair has warned that if the Shannon Airport Authority (SAA) changes the costs on its five year deal at Shannon, there will be repercus- SIONS.

But yesterday, a spokesman for the board said that the Ryanair deal is doing well, with the airline perform- ing beyond expectations.

“We have a very strong and posi-

tive working relationship with Rya- nair. They are valued customers and we look forward to this continuing to be the case well into the future,’ the spokesman said.

According to Ryanair’s deputy chief executive, Michael Cawley the airline has a fixed cost deal at Shan- non and it is working.

He added however, “If by any chance there is an attempt by the Shannon Airport Authority (SAA) — which we don’t anticipate — to change those costs for sure will there will be repercussions.”

Mr Cawley said, “We will hon- our our deal in Shannon so as long as Shannon honours their deal with

ine

Mr Cawley was making his com- ments in the wake of Ryanair pulling two routes out of Cork Airport to the UK arising from a dispute with the Cork Airport Authority (CAA) over airport costs.

Mr Cawley said, “Unlike Cork, Shannon made an independent deci- sion in 2004 to do a five year long term low cost deal with Ryanair. We have delivered up to 1.7 million to the end of April at Shannon and are on target to do 1.9 million to the end of April next year.”

Cllr Patricia McCarthy (Ind) said yesterday, “I would expect Shannon to adhere to the deal.”

Cllr McCarthy said that the current deal will expire in 2010. She said, “Ryanair has been good to Shannon and Shannon has been very good to Ryanair.

She added, “Shannon has been made cost competitive with the loss of 250 jobs and in the negotiations, but sides will know how far they can go and the facilities provided at Shannon Airport have to be paid for.”

Earlier this year, Ryanair warned that its multi-million euro deal with the Shannon Aijrport Authority (SAA) may not be renewed if the air- port does not further reduce its cost pe Ioe

The maintenance of the five year deal — worth €300 million to the west of Ireland according to the Shannon Airport Authority (SAA) — is key to the airport’s survival and is up for renewal in two years time.

Shannon Airport has become in- creasingly reliant on Ryanair since it established its base at Shannon in 2005 with the airline now flying to 32 destinations and accounting for over two million or two-thirds of passengers at Shannon.

Underlining Ryanair’s dominance at Shannon, the company has recent- ly erected a ‘Welcome to Ryanair Country’ billboard at the entrance to Welomr-Nby Olea

NON-ENNIS residents could have their say on the make-up of Ennis Town Council in next year’s local Here w Oy I TSE

Ennis Town Council is considering a proposal that would allow business owners with premises in Ennis, but not actually living in Ennis, to cast a vote in local elections next year.

Members of Fermoy Town Council have written to their counterparts in Ennis requesting that they support a motion, passed in the Fermoy Coun- cil chamber in July.

The motion states, “This council calls on the Government to enact legislation whereby any individual who pays rates or service charges to a local authority be entitled to vote in that local authority’s elections and that we circulate details of the mo- tion to councils countrywide to seek their support.”

At yesterday’s meeting of Ennis Town Council, Fianna Fail coun-

cillor Tom Glynn called on his col- leagues in the chamber to support the motion.

“It is a merited proposition,” said Cllr Glynn, “If a person is a member of the business community in En- nis he or she should be entitled to a vote.”

Cllr Glynn said many people op- erating businesses in Ennis were not residents in the town. “There are lots of people from outside the town who have businesses in Ennis. I agree with the sympathy of the motion and J think we should support it.”

Town Clerk Eddie Power said problems existed regarding the pro- posal. The council is to write to the Minister for the Environment, John Gormely after members sought fur- ther clarification on the matter.

Meanwhile, members have also outlined their preferred measures for the control of postering for elections and referenda.

The proposals put forward by the Department of Environment, Herit- age and Local Government involve limiting posters to designated bill- boards or temporary hoardings, limiting the number of posters per candidate and introducing a code of practice on issues such as maximum poster size, bio-degradability of ma- terials and poster ties.

Mayor of Ennis Peter Considine said he didn’t see the value of elec- tion posters and that he won’t be using them during next year’s cam-

or nea ne

STRICT new laws controlling the disposal and storage of litter in En- nis will come into force on Septem- ber 15.

Town Clerk Eddie Power confirmed the enforcement date at yesterday’s meeting of Ennis Town Council, as accusations were leveled that the council is turning a blind eye to il- legal dumping in many of it’s own housing estates.

Some businesses are struggling to adapt to the new byelaws with many

premises lacking the appropriate storage space required under the byelaws.

Businesses that fail to comply are open to fines.

Independent councillor Frankie Neylon said the business community was being unfairly targeted when other serious instances of illegal dumping go unpunished.

He said, “I have had people contact me about a certain house being used by a scrap dealer. There is a council owned house across from the house and it is being used as a dump. If the

byelaws can be used to deal with the man in Chapel Lane, they should be able to deal with individuals like that. I want the law to apply to eve- ryone.”

He proposed that CCTV be in- stalled on the council’s property as MOCKS KOE

Independent councillor Tommy Brennan called for a survey to be carried out on the number of busi- nesses operating from council owned houses in Ennis.

He said, “I know it is happening in other places around town, but there

is a truck parked on footpaths in Clancy Park. A child will be killed out on the road one of these days. You have acid leaking out of batter- ies. It ruins the area for other people living there. If you or I, or any mem- ber of the settled community did that, the law would be brought down on top of us.”

Fine Gael councillor Johnny Flynn said “the council shouldn’t be ham- mering legitimate businesses that are upfront and honest in their dealing ald ema

Town Engineer Tom Tiernan said a

lack of “solid evidence” against al- leged perpetrators had made rigour- ous enforcement almost impossible.

He said, “There are a number of cases out there where there are sus- picions that people are dealing in scrap. If you are to follow these up and pursue them to the fullest extent, that means going to court. If it goes to court you need people to stand up and give solid evidence. And you can understand that people might have certain fears about doing that.”

He added, “If you don’t have evi- dence that won’t stand up, then there