Month: August 2006

THE Director of Shannon Airport has refused to comment on claims by members of The Catholic Worker Movement that they plan to close Shannon Airport.

Five members of the Movement were last week acquitted of damaging a US aeroplane to the tune of $US2.5million at the airport in February 2003.

One of the defendants, Australian native Ciaron O’Reilly said he would make every effort to close the airport, if the Irish Government continued to allow US military planes to refuel there.

Mr O’Reilly – who, along with US native Nuin Dunlop, Karen Fallon, from Scotland, and Irish born Deirdre Clancy and Damien Moran was found not guilty at Dublin Circuit Court – told The Clare People , “What we are planning to do is close the airport in a non-violent manner.

“There could be blockades. Firstly, we will carry out analysis on a national and international level and if the government does not take a stance, we will shut down the airport.”

He said the group will call a press conference in advance of any action being taken. Asked what the activists plan to do exactly, he said, “Some of it will be surprise. It is not decided yet.”

Asked would he contemplate using an implement such as a hatchet to disarm a plane in future, he replied, “I haven’t really thought about that. What we did three years ago was an act of conscience.”

He said the government had failed to take into account the views of the thousands of people who marched in opposition to the war, but a “jury of twelve ordinary people delivered a unanimous decision that there was nothing criminal in our actions.”

“If we don’t shut it (Shannon airport) down in a non-violent manner, some other group will,” added Mr O’Reilly.

He said he would encourage military veterans, Hollywood celebrities and members of various religious groups to get behind his efforts.

Shannon Airport Director Martin Moroney would not be drawn on Mr O’Reilly’s comments. He said, “It is my job to manage the airport and we are doing that.”

Meanwhile Chief Superintendent Liam Quinn said, “It’s a security issue. We have a security operation in Shannon. We review it on an ongoing basis.”

CLARE County Council’s Central Waste Management Facility in Inagh received up to 50 complaints relating to odour and other environmental concerns during the past two years.

In 2004, there were between 40 and 50 complaints about the Ballyduffbeg landfill relating to odour, noise and “miscellaneous” issues. This was the third highest number of complaints in the country relating to licensed waste facilities.

By 2005, the Clare waste facility was still recording between 40 and 50 complaints.

While complaints regarding noise had disappeared, odour remained a concern for those troubled by the site.

In a report entitled ‘Focus on Environmental Enforcement’, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) stated that more than half of all waste complaints received in 2005 related to six facilities, one of which was the Clare Waste Management Facility in Inagh.

The EPA also recorded a significant increase in the number of complaints received with regard to waste facilities over the period.

In total, seven waste facilities appeared on the 2004 and 2005 tables indicating the persistent nature of some of the odour issues, according to the EPA.

Last December, the EPA ordered Clare County Council to address the odour of landfill gas at Ballyduffbeg under threat of further enforcement action.

The warning was given following an unannounced audit of the facility in October,

This stated that the general operation and management of the facility was good.

However, “the key issue to be resolved is the management of the odour emission from the facility.”

CLARE will have to fight back if it is to protect and increase its tourism industry.

That is according to the President of The Ennis Chamber of Commerce and hotelier John Madden who was responding to figures released this week, which show a marked decrease in the number of nights Irish people were spending their holidays in the mid west.

According to the Central Statistics Office, Irish visitors to the mid west spent 182,000 nights less in the region last year than in the whole of 2001.

While there was a two per cent increase in the number of domestic visitors to the region during the five-year period, it was a very small increase when compared to Dublin, which recorded a 25 per cent increase.

The average length of stay by domestic visitors to the mid west also decreased, with the average stay in 2001 calculated at 3.6 nights, at 3.8 nights in 2003 and falling to 3.3 nights in 2005.

During the first three months of this year, 423,000 Irish people visited the mid west, the majority of which, 198,000, were visiting relatives.

A further 50,000 people said they were in the region for business and 136,00 for a holiday break.

Irish people also spent significantly more money in Dublin than the mid west.

The total expenditure of the domestic traveller in Dublin increased by almost 55 per cent from €108.5 million in 2001 to 168.1 million in 2005.

The expenditure in the Mid West increased by a mere 14 per cent from €87.3 million in 2001 to €99.7 million in 2005.

The number of people travelling to international destinations for holidays from the mid west increased significantly over the five-year period, an increase of almost 50 per cent. Commenting on tourism in the county so far this year, Mr Madden said it was “not that bad” but there was “no huge growth”.

The hotelier explained that the American market was not as buoyant as other years and there was a marked decrease in the number of French and Italian visiting.

He equated the change in the Irish market with the opening up of new destinations particularly in Eastern Europe.

“I think we need to be more resourceful. We need to market more and get back more.”

He pointed to the success of the Scottish industry in encouraging back the golfing tourists it lost to Ireland and said the Irish market could not afford to stand still.

THE number of people arrested for suspected drink driving in North Clare has more than trebled so far this year.

Figures obtained by The Clare People show that, up to last week, 36 people were arrested on suspicion of driving while over the limit.

This compares with 10 people during the same period last year.

The revelation comes in the wake of the publication of figures last month, indicating a 60 per cent rise in the number of people arrested for the alleged offence, across the Clare Garda Division.

Ennistymon Superintendent Eamon Dolan said he could not pinpoint any particular age bracket for those committing the offence.

“A lot of people don’t seem to be learning that driving while drunk will not be tolerated. People are just not heeding the publicity,” he said.

“It is happening across the whole district, both young and old,” he added.

He dispelled suggestions that foreign drivers make up a significant percentage of those who drink and drive.

“Last weekend we had four arrests and none of those were foreign nationals,” he said.

Superintendent Dolan said people are being arrested for the alleged offence “late in the evening and in the early hours of the morning.”

Several garda checkpoints are mounted on an ongoing basis by gardaí across the division. The Road Traffic Act, which came into effect almost a fortnight ago, is focusing on the use of mobile phones while driving and it has also given random breath testing the green light.

Fianna Fáil Deputy Tony Killeen said the high level of testing by gardaí indicates that enforcement is being taken “very seriously.”

“The message is very clear that people can no longer drink and drive with impunity.

“I feel that the level of deaths and serious injuries on the roads has to be addressed and each of the contributing factors has to be acknowledged and action taken where possible and appropriate,” said Deputy Killeen.

Meanwhile, the new traffic unit, which will consist of one sergeant and five gardaí and will be based in Killaloe, is expected to be up and running by September.

These appointments will consist of additional resources from outside the Clare Division.

The establishment of the unit in Killaloe comes in the wake of the increasing number of serious road crashes in that area over the past few years. Overall the garda traffic corps in the division is to double in size by the end of next year.

A LONG-SERVING Clare politician has said his position in relation to the upgrading of the hospital will be vindicated.

West Clare senator Brendan Daly (FF) was responding to claims that his candidacy “must now be in question”, following revelations that the upgrading of the hospital would need a substantial financial injection if it were to succeed.

Making the claims, chairman of the Hospital Development Committee, Peadar McNamara, pointed out that the senator had said he would not run in the election unless he was assured of investment in the ailing hospital.

“What value have these assurances now?” he asked.

Last week, The Clare People revealed that the design for the upgrade of the hospital had been delayed as the HSE and the Department of Health debated who would pick up the tab for the estimated €16 million shortfall.

The Department of Health has allocated €20.8m to the project, but it has since emerged that this will not cover equipment or the extra staff required as a result of the upgrade.

The design for the first phase of the hospital redevelopment has been with the financial director of the HSE in Naas for almost two months.

But Senator Daly remains adamant that the hospital will be upgraded and the work will begin before the election.

He said that to avoid “unnecessary delays and complications later, it is far better to get these matters resolved now.”

The senator said he had been further assured by the Minister for Finance that “the issues that are being dealt with now are in the long-term interest of the development.”

“If I wasn’t convinced by the assurances from the Minister, I definitely wouldn’t be a candidate.

“I would like to assure the action committee that the discussions that are ongoing at the moment are best for the hospital.”

But Mr McNamara maintains that “it is a clear prospect come the next General Election that no building will have started and the independent review (on hospital services) will not have reported and no decision made on its recommendation.”

The lobby committee chair said he would be asking all candidates and parties to state clearly their plans for the future of the hospital.

“We will convey this to the people of Clare. At this point in time, we are not running a candidate,” he said.

THE Irish Farmers Association (IFA) yesterday confirmed that there remained only 10 objections from farmers against the Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) for the €204 million Gort-Crusheen by-pass.

75 objections were lodged against the CPO for the scheme, which will lessen drivetimes between Ennis and Galway and extend the Shannon Airport catchment.

Galway County Council is seeking to compulsorily acquire almost 500 acres of land contained in 103 farms along the 22km route. The scheme is to also involve the severance of 845 acres of farmland.

On the first day of the An Bord Pleanala oral hearing in Gort last Tuesday, 37 objections against the CPO for the €209 million by-pass were withdrawn.

At the hearing, board inspector Danny O’Connor raised questions over the impact the proposed new road could have on the reopening of the €74 million Ennis-Athenry line, which runs very close to the road for a stretch of four kilometres.

Mr O’Connor also asked whether the road would impact on any plans by Iarnrod Eireann to put in place a second track to run parallel to the existing track.

In response, John Haughey, on behalf of Iarnrod Eireann, said that the roadworks proposed would not impact on the ability of Iarnrod Eireann to reopen the line at the four-kilometre stretch, while any plans to lay down a second track would not be affected as it lay further away from the proposed road, in the land owned by Iarnrod Eireann.

In his evidence, Dr Brian Madden told the hearing that, as much of the road passes through a karst landscape, disruption of underground watercourses could impact negatively on habitats such as turloughs.

Dr Madden said that the route would pass within 300 metres and three kilometres of nine designated Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) or National Heritage Areas (NHAs).

He said, “None of the sites identified as of conservation value will suffer a major hydrological impact as a result of the construction of the proposed road. . . However, 15 of the 23 sites will possibly or likely suffer a significant impact on their hydrology.”

Some of the mitigation measures proposed to prevent disturbance to areas of ecological interest include the road corridor being kept to a minimum width that is feasible in such areas.

Dr Madden acknowledged that there will be significant impact on habitats due to the scheme.However, he said that none of the sites identified are of national importance.

ELEVEN Clare soldiers continue to play an important role with the United Nations mission in Liberia.

The 11 are serving with the 95th Infantry Battalion’s Quick Reaction Force (QRF) in the United Nations mission in the African country.

The QRF is a rapid deployment armoured force, capable of being deployed as the situation demands. It is composed of 330 Irish and 230 Swedish personnel.

The 330-strong contingent is currently the largest deployment of Irish soldiers in a foreign country.

The battalion provides backup and assistance to other contingents when the operational situation demands it. Soldiers also undertake humanitarian missions deep in the Liberian interior.

The 11 Clare soldiers serving in Liberia are Pte Ross Tierney (Drumcliffe), Pte Michael Devine (Kilmihil), Pte Brian Bergin (Shannon), Pte Eamon Troy (Shannon), Pte Rachel O’ Hanlon (Parteen), Pte Roger Comte (Newmarket-on-Fergus), Pte Aidan Browne (Clarecastle), Sgt Seamus Coffey (Carrigaholt), Lt Ronan O’ Halloran (Clarecastle), Capt Gillian Collins (O’Briensbridge).

The Officer Commanding 95 Infantry Battalion is Lt. Colonel Michael McMahon, a native of Tulla. He commands the Quick Reaction Force of over 500 Irish and Swedish troops.

AN ENNIS-based company is pioneering a novel new online dating service – lovemelovemySPORT.com is a specialist dating agency for sports fans. The free service offers people the chance to share their sporting passions and make new friends online. The service is the first of its kind in Ireland and England. Margaret Keane runs lovemelovemySPORT.com from her home on the Tulla Road, Ennis.

“I had been looking for an Internet business and there has been this huge buzz around social networking in the dating industry. It’s not just about romance but about extending your circle of friends.”

Since the website was launched earlier this year it has attracted sports fans of different ages. Hurling and football games have been the most popular venues with sports lovers followed closely by rugby.

“The GAA has been the biggest draw so far but Munster rugby is very popular. We are a sports mad nation and I think it’s a better way for people to meet its more relaxed and not as contrite as other ways. I have been married for ten years so I know how important it is to have something in common!”

Other sports to feature on the website include equestrian games, body building and surfing.

The website is currently running a competition for new members who register between now and August 31 who will be entered into a draw for a signed Paul O’Connell jersey.

For further information:

lovemelovemySPORT.com.

ONE of Clare’s best-known tourist facilities continues to sustain losses, accounts filed to the Companies Office show.

The accounts returned by Kilkee Waterworld Ltd highlight the company’s growing losses where during 2004 its losses increased from €666,000 to €753,000 at year-end.

Earlier this year, Kilkee Waterworld received an allocation of €55,000 from Clare County Council to ease its financial worries. However, it was facing a deadline of the end of February to file its accounts of face being struck off.

The company avoided the strike-off and Director of Kilkee Waterworld and Clare County Council member, Cllr Patrick Keane (FF) said that the company is looking to identify new ways of generating income.

He said: “The important thing is to keep the attraction afloat and that is getting more and more difficult.”

The centre is now operating for eight years and the government is to be called upon to invest in the facility as it provides a major boost to the community over the Summer months.

In recent years, Kilkee Waterworld has been forced to shorten its opening period from April to September to stem continuing losses.

Already, Cllr Keane revealed that Kilkee Waterworld experienced a 12 per cent drop in visitor numbers last year. Over the past five years, visitor numbers have dropped by 26 per cent from 30,000 to 22,000.

THE LABOUR Court has ruled against a claim by Clare’s firefighters to secure retrospective benchmarking payments from Clare County Council.

The council approved only 60 per cent of the retrospective benchmarking payments in accordance with a recommendation of the Secretary General of the Department of Environment. However, the firefighters’ union, SIPTU, claimed that the Secretary General “erred significantly” as there was no reference to Department powers in this regard.

The union maintained that the Secretary General did not take due cognisance of the fact that the majority of council’s new work practices for firefighters was not alone agreed but largely implemented in early 2004. SIPTU said it wanted to build on and nurture the positive and harmonious industrial relations atmosphere that currently exists between management and employees.

However, the council contended that if the procedures provided for under Sustaining Progress were to be upheld, it would not be appropriate for full retrospection to be paid.

The council said it had been seeking to reach agreement in relation to its modernisation change agenda from May 2004 but no agreement was reached until October, 2005.

In its submission, the council claimed that under the terms of Sustaining Programme, payment could only be made on the basis of verifiable co-operation with flexibility and ongoing change but this did not take place until October, 2005 — 15 months after the main body of employees in the Council signed up to their own modernisation change agenda and 20 months after agreement had been reached at national level.

According to the council, the payment of full retrospection would undermine the position of all other public sector employees who accepted local modernisation changes without any delay.

The Labour Court said the issue arose when the Government Performance Verification Group approved only 60 per cent of the retrospection to the Clare firefighters on foot of a recommendation by the Secretary General of the Department of Environment. The reason given for the reduction to 60 per cent was due to the failure of the firefighters to engage in meaningful discussions on the change and modernisation programmes until February 2005, with no final agreement until October 2005. Having considered the views of the parties expressed in their oral and written submissions, the court ruled in favour of the council and rejected the firefighters’ claim.