Month: August 2006

AN BORD Pleanála overturned more than a third of one-off housing planning decisions made by Clare County Council last year, a marked increase on the previous year.

In 2004, the planning appeals board was in agreement with the local authority in 79 per cent of its decisions on one-off houses. Last year, however, the two agreed in just 64.44 per cent of cases. According to the council, a number of permissions were overturned on appeal by the National Roads Authority.

The figures, published in the past week by the Minister for the Environment, Dick Roche, show that 985 individuals applied for planning permission last year. Of those, 422 were decided within eight weeks, while 499 required further information. The average length of time then taken to decide on applications was 75 days.

There was a 28 per cent increase in housing development applications, with 155 in 2005. The local authority attributed the hike to an increase in zoned land around the county under Local Area Plans.

In 2004, there were 585 planning applications, such as extensions, that did not require an environmental impact assessment. A total of 92.8 per cent were granted, although a quarter of the decisions were overturned by An Bord Pleanála.

In 2005, applications not requiring EIAs had increased to 940, 90.85 per cent of which were granted. An Bord Pleanála reversed the decision on 15 per cent of these. Clare County Council investigated 285 planning cases that were subject to complaint, a slight increase on the previous year. Forty-one were dismissed, with 45 resolved through negotiation. As many as 212 warning letters were sent by the council and a further 146 enforcement notices. There were 28 prosecution cases.

In the last 12 months, Clare County Council has received criticism relating to the unavailability of its planners to meet applicants face to face. According to the 2004 figures, applicants had to wait an average of 20 days following a request for a formal pre-planning consultation with a local authority planner.

A note specific to Clare County Council has been recorded in the national report, stating it had “highlighted this area for particular attention in 2005”. In 2005, it had reduced the wait for the meeting to 16 days.

HOME OWNERS in Clare are being advised to have their homes tested for Radon levels, with current testing procedures regarded as inaccurate.

Anthony McLaughlin of the Clarecastle-based Radon Aware Group says that many homes in Clare are not sufficiently safeguarded against the naturally-occurring, cancer-causing gas. Recent figures released by the RPII have shown that levels of Radon gas were above the national safe level in 15 per cent of Clare homes, a figure twice the national average. Mr McLaughlin warned that inadequate Radon inspections are leaving those who certify buildings open to litigation.

“The law states that a fully sealed membrane should be installed over the entire footprint of the building, but inspections on building sites are not being done to a high standard at all. It means that the person who certifies the building will be wide open to legal action. Many people in Clare have not had their homes tested so would be unaware if any problems existed.”

The RPII are recommending that all homes being placed for sale on the open market should be tested for Radon gas and, where necessary, remediation should be approved in the mortgage approval process.

It is recommended in other jurisdictions that one of the solicitors retain a sum from the sale proceeds pending the result of a Radon test. This sum is usually around €3,000.

If the test results fall below the action level, the money is returned to the vendor, normally within six months. If above the action level, the money is used to carry out mitigation work that usually costs between €500 and €3,000, with the surplus returned to the seller. It is not yet known whether this system will be introduced in Ireland, but the RPII has already made submissions to the Law Reform Commission and all major banks on the issue.

Radon Aware Group are currently working a new smoke detection system that would highlight leaks in the protective membrane. Homeowners are also advised that the radon extract sump which vents the gas should be capped as many have been left open after houses are built.

The RPII estimates that 10-15 per cent of the 1,500 lung cancer deaths caused in Ireland each year can be linked to radon gas.

THE GARDAÍ and the Vintners in Clare are advising young people not to over-indulge in alcohol as they celebrate their Leaving Certificate results.

Ennis Superintendent John Kerin said gardaí will liaise with the Vintners in Clare, in an effort to ensure people under the age of 18 do not consume alcohol as they celebrate their results.

“If young people are under 18, they are not allowed to consume alcohol from licensed premises or off-licences. If people are over 18, we ask that they be conscious of the fact that there are other people living in the town and they should be restrained in their celebrations,” said Supt Kerin.

He pointed out that extra gardaí will be on duty on Wednesday night and anyone found to sell alcohol to underage people will face the rigours of the law.

“We will be taking firm action against off-licences and licensed premises if drink is sold to underage persons,” he said.

PRO of the Vintners Federation in Clare, Scarriff publican Michael McNamara, said publicans and off-licence operators should show responsibility.

“The advice we have is ongoing. Our advice to our members is under no circumstances do we tolerate underage drinking. Most publicans would have families of their own and would see it in that light,” said Mr McNamara.

He pointed out that, despite calls over the years for ID to be mandatory, this has not happened.

“We have been calling for mandatory ID for years,” he said, adding that those wishing to consume alcohol on his premises must have ID.

He said problems created by a minority of young people paints an ugly picture on the issue.

“I would say the majority of kids don’t really indulge in the practice at all. So few can make so much noise on the streets and in housing estates.

“I am not sure the problem is as widespread as some people would make us believe,” said Mr McNamara.”

STUDENTS are being urged to stick to their original choices when the Leaving Certificate results are published tomorrow (August 16).

Around 1,500 students in Clare are expected to receive their results on Wednesday. The latest figures released by the Central Applications Office (CAO) show that courses in Arts and the Social Sciences continue to be the most popular.

Career Guidance Officers are advising students to stick to their preferences and not be swayed if they score higher than anticiYOU have your results in your back pocket and the college offer safely tucked away at home, so you’d be excused for thinking that the hard work is done and dusted.

Not so, I’m afraid. The first, and for some people most difficult, challenge for anyone beginning a college career is simply to find a house. Anyone who has experienced it will tell you that it’s open warfare so it pays to be pated.

John O’Donovan, Deputy Principal and Career Guidance Officer at Scariff Community College, says it is important students not make any rash decisions.

“When the results come out and if the points are higher than expected then they might be swayed to change their mind and go for different courses. I would say to hold tough and stick to what you really want to do….People might think that the number of points reflect the true value of a course, but that is really an artificial construct.”

Leaving Certificate Examination results will be available from prepared.

Most colleges have an accommodation office designed to help students who wish to live on or off campus – this is the best place to start. Failing this, you may be forced to try your luck with the unbridled masses, knee-deep in newspaper classifieds, praying for salvation.

In this situation, there are three items which will see you climb to the top of the evolutionary ladder, naturally selected for a house: a mobile phone (with credit), a full deposit and a car. schools across the county from about 9.30am on Wednesday, August 16. Most students are expected to pick up their results by lunch-time.

For students not in a position to visit their school, they can call 1530 719290 or, if they are outside of the country, 01 2589001. Students must have their unique candidate Personal Identification Number (PIN) to hand.

Points for courses may increase or decrease from year to year so it is preferable to wait until the CAO makes its offer of places on Monday, August 21, before counting CAO points. Students can access their offer on the CAO webWith these three things in hand, you cannot fail.

However, it’s not just about finding accommodation, you need to find the right house. It’s important to consider its location – is it close to bus routes, shops and launderettes?

Will there be unforeseen costs? Will there be big electricity or gas bills? Do the electrical appliances work? Is there a smoke detector, fire extinguisher or an escape route? Ask who pays for rubbish disposal and when is the rent paid. Get a rent book. site from 6am on August 21.

There has also been an increase in demand for courses in law, medicine, nursing, architecture and science while there has been a 14 per cent drop in the number of applications for teacher training.

John O’Donovan says there are plenty of options available to students.

“If you take law, you don’t have to take the undergraduate route. There are plenty of other avenues open if you want to go down that route. It’s not too surprising that teaching is down, especially at secondary level, as there is less job security.” It is also important that you feel safe in your new home. Check that the neighbourhood looks safe and that there is a secure place for bicycles or cars.

When you pay a deposit, make sure you get a receipt and establish when the landlord will enter the house. And when you’re finished all of this, don’t forget to enjoy yourself.

Meanwhile, NUI Galway will hold an information evening for new students at the Old Ground Hotel in Ennis on Monday, August 28.

This evening is aimed at parents and students commencing their third-level education in September 2006 at NUI Galway.

Organised by the NUI Galway Alumni Association, incorporating Cumann Céimithe na Gaillimhe, the meeting will advise students on what to expect when arriving at NUI Galway and will answer any questions relating to university life.

Topics covered will include accommodation, finance and the students’ assistance fund, safety, careers, counseling, clubs and societies and the students’ union.

The meeting takes place on Monday, August 28, at the Old Ground Hotel and admission is free.

FUNDING provided to garda management in Clare under Operation Anvil is being refocused away from a special anti-crime unit which had been set up in June.

Several additional patrols and undercover operations took place by gardaí who were part of the special crime unit, over several weeks.

However, The Clare People has learned that there is to be an overhaul of the operation.

“We are refocusing the operation now,” said Chief Superintendent Liam Quinn. “The unit is continued in some parts of the Division. It is being re-evaluated and we will be relaunching it in the near future.”

The unit played a role in a sizeable number of drug seizures in Clare last month, and received much praise for this, among other crime detections it was involved in.

“There were a lot of inroads made in particular areas which were causing us problems, including burglaries, public order and thefts and we are happy with the progress,” added Chief Supt Quinn.

“It is a matter for us to make a business case and focus on a particular area,” he said.

He said two of the areas which are central focus currently are public order issues at weekends and traffic. The Traffic Corps is to be strengthened in the Division.

A new unit, consisting of a sergeant and five gardai, will compliment the existing garda traffic corps in the county. It will be based in Killaloe and will focus primarily in East Clare.

AN ESTIMATED €20,000 was stolen in a raid on the post office in Liscannor on Thursday night.

Thieves gained entry to the premises via the adjoining public toilets, after they knocked down a partition wall.

A car and trailer was seen leaving the scene, in the direction of Lahinch, at around 3.30am.

“We believe that three or four males were involved in this incident.

“Anyone with information on a car, with a trailer attached, seen in north Clare on Thursday night, is asked to come forward,” said a garda spokesman.

Separately, an investigation is ongoing, after Griffin’s off-licence on Bridge Street, Ennistymon, was broken into on Saturday night. Gardaí believe that up to €2,000 was stole in the raid.

Elsewhere in north Clare, a number of people attending the Coast nightclub in Lahinch on Saturday night fell victim to pickpockets. Gardai say they received several complaints, and will view CCTV footage, in an effort to track down the thieves.

Meanwhile, gardai in north Clare are investigating several break-ins to cars parked on the Coast Road in Fanore in recent weeks.

“There have been a few break-ins to cars every week. People are being advised not to leave handbags or valuable belongings in view of the public,” said the garda spokesman.

Ennistymon gardaí are investigating and can be contacted on 065 7071020.

THE Shannon Airport Authority (SAA) is set to lose out on €17 million to the end of this year as a result of World Airways transferring its troops operations to Germany.

Last week, the SAA confirmed that US troop numbers going through Shannon have dropped by almost two-thirds in the past month.

As a result of World Airways transferring its operation to Leipzig at the end of June, the number of US troops going through Shannon dropped 62 per cent from 31,333 in June to 11,670 in July.

Until the end of June, record levels of troops were going through Shannon, with 209,074 using the airport between January and June.

This represents a 36 per cent rise on the corresponding period last year.

The troop business for the first six months is estimated to have generated €26 million in revenues for the SAA and delivered €4.5 million in profits.

If current trends continue and troops numbers continue to be only one-third of what they were in the first six months, the SAA is looking at a drop in revenues of €17 million.

Yesterday, Senator Brendan Daly (FF) told The Clare People , “The transfer of troops is a temporary setback, but I wouldn’t see it as a long-term issue.

“The priority for Shannon now is to address its cost base to ensure that it can expand its operations.

“I am confident that the finances of Shannon Airport are secure.”

Senator Daly said that the troop business for Shannon “was always liable to fluctuate and was unpredictable, and not something you could build the airport’s future upon.

“Talks on the future of Shannon have been going on for a number of months and I would hope that the talks be expedited now to secure the long-term future of the airport,” he added.

His party colleague, Timmy Dooley, commented, “The troop traffic has been good business and there was always an expectation that it was open to change.”

However, Senator Dooley said that the recent decision by a jury at the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to clear five anti-war activists of the $2.5 million damage to a US navy plane in February 2003 “has made the job of airport management to win the business back much more difficult”.

Senator Dooley said, “The courts have effectively given free rein to people to get away with that type of activity and that will play on the minds of those airlines that transport troops through Shannon.”

Last week, the army and an additional 40 Gardai were drafted in to protect Shannon from threats by anti-war activists to close it down.

PLANS have been lodged for a €10 million windfarm midway between the village of Connolly and Kilmihil by Cork-based company, DP Energy Ltd.

The planned six-turbine windfarm is an extension to existing 15-turbine windfarm that became operational last year. It is the first time in two years that planning permission has been lodged for a windfarm in Clare.

Already, within 10km of the proposed development, there are 62 wind-turbines consented to or built.

Five years ago, DP Energy secured planning permission for the proposal in the face of strong local opposition, and only after An Bord Pleanala disregarded the recommendation of its own inspector.

According to the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) lodged with the new plan, the closest village to the proposal is Lissycasey at 6km, while the closest house is 700 metres away. The EIS states that the proposal is not within a Special Area of Conservation (SAC), although there is one National Heritage Area (NHA) protecting an area of blanket bog identified adjacent to the site.

“The overall quality and ecodiversity of the habitat has diminished over time as a result of the peat extraction and intensive forestry practices…it is a speciespoor area,” the statement adds.

The EIS points out that the dominant habitat at the proposed extension site is intensive coniferous plantation and that the ecological value of the area has diminished over the years. Blanket bog is confined to the eastern section of the section and consists of five hectares.

The statement concludes that the development will not in any way negatively impact on the Blanket Bog habitat.

It also pointed out that a nineturbine extension to the site was considered, but developers felt that a smaller extension to the current layout would be the best option and avoid unnecessary impact on the Hen Harrier population.

A decision is due on the application later this year.

THE UNIVERSITY of Limerick is holding fast to its efforts to have a post-graduate medical school situated on the Clare side of its campus, despite claims that the mid-west bid was rejected out of hand.

The University has drawn up a detailed proposal for a graduate entry school, which would have involved a major expansion and development into Clare.

But according to Limerick’s Mayor, Cllr Diarmuid Scully, Minister Mary Hanafin indicated that she had excluded UL as an option when she announced plans for more medical school places.

Pointing to the Minister’s intentions to have more places at the Royal College of Surgeons and University College Dublin, Cllr Scully described the decision as a “grave blow” for the mid-west. But UL’s Professor Paul Finucane, who is spearheading the school bid, said that the proposal is going ahead.

“He pointed out that the Ministers for Health and Education promised last February that there would be a competitive tendering process for the graduate entry school,” Professor Finnucane said.

“We have been waiting for this to commence as an interested party who would be allowed to tender. And we intend to put forward a very compelling case.”

The graduate school is needed because of the large drop out rate among young doctors. It is hoped the school would attract mature students with other third level degrees in medicine.

GARDAÍ in Clare say they are confident the security operation in Shannon is sufficient, in the wake of last Thursday’s foiled attempt to blow up transatlantic flights overseas.

Just days before that incident, security was stepped up at Shannon, after anti-war activists pledged to shut down the airport unless US troops pulled out.

Gardaí are lining the perimeter fence at Shannon around the clock, while the army has been called in.

Clare Chief Superintendent Liam Quinn said adequate security is in place at the airport.

“We have a substantial security operation in place in Shannon. We have been in contact with the authorities in Shannon and are working very closely with them,” he said.

“We already had a substantial security operation in place. What is happening in London hasn’t impacted (on Shannon) from a security point of view.

“It is adequate for the present threat and is a measured response to what is in place,” said the Garda Chief.

Hundreds of passengers at Shannon were left stranded as four flights – three Ryanair and one Aer Lingus – to the UK were cancelled on Thursday. Many were forced to make alternative arrangements at a heavy cost.

Some changed their plans and flew out over the weekend, others cancelled their trips overseas, while many took the ferry to the UK.

According to a spokesperson for the airport, none of the long-haul flights were affected.

“Transatlantic traffic was not affected. Many of the European flights were delayed by two to three hours as a knock-on effect, but overall there was no chaos as flights were not badly affected,” said a spokesperson for Shannon Airport.

“There were a number of minor delays on Friday, all emanating from UK services, but there has been little difficulty since,” added the spokesperson.

The spokesperson said that security measures have not changed in the wake of Thursday’s incident.

“Nothing has changed. Whatever rules were there still apply. There are still restrictions, however, on flights to the UK, in that no liquids or gels can be carried on to the planes,” added the spokesperson.

Passengers intending to travel from Shannon, and the country’s other airports, are being asked to limit their carry-on hand luggage to one small bag each.

They are being asked to contact their airline for further details. Ryanair is advising its passengers flying from UK airports to check in at least two hours before departure time.