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THE chickens and ducks of Clare can once again sleep soundly in their coup as the latest Bird Flu Scare has passed. Following a week on high alert, the Department of Agriculture and food last week announced the revocation of a ban on the participa- tion of poultry imported from Great Britain in bird gatherings in Ireland. The ban, which was introduced on May 25 in the immediate aftermath of the confirmation of an outbreak of low pathogenic H7N2 Bird Flu near Corwen in north Wales, mirrored similar moves in Northern Ireland.

The departments of agriculture, north and south of the border, have been working together to create an all-island strategy for dealing with the problem which has, to date, been NA ECLECC OSI EUTE

Last Wednesday’s decision to lift the ban follows the revocation of a ban in Britain on gatherings of ducks and chickens introduced following the outbreak in Wales.

The Minister for Agrigutlure and Food, Mary Coughlan, confirmed that her decision was taken after consultation with the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) in Northern Ireland, which

also confirmed the revocation of its ban.

During the period the ban was in place, the Department of Agriculture and Food maintained very close con- tact with DARD and the Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) in Britain, par- ticularly in relation to the possibility that poultry purchased at a market in Cumbria on May 7, which had a con- nection to the H7N2 outbreak, might have been imported to Ireland.

From inquiries made, no connec- tions were established between the Cumbria market and the importation of poultry to Ireland.

“On the basis of information from DARD and DEFRA and the passage of time since the market in Cheshire, we are Satisfied that the Welsh out- break of low pathogenic H7N2 avian flu no longer posed a threat of the introduction of the virus to Ireland and that any risk of an outbreak of avian flu in Ireland remained low,” said Mary Coughlan.

“It is appropriate that the precau- tionary ban now be lifted. My of- ficials will continue to work closely with their colleagues in Belfast, Lon- don and Brussels and will maintain the all-island approach which has worked so effectively to date.”

OUTGOING Agriculture Miu£inis- ter, Mary Coughlan, has put a shot across the bough of the EU ahead of a Council of Agriculture Ministers meeting which takes place later to- day, June 12.

Setting out her stall ahead of the meeting, Coughlan pointed to the contentious issue of cross-compli- ance as one of her main targets for reform. With the areas of concern for farmers already well established, Coughlan has called for a number of amendments to the commission’s proposals to be agreed upon and made operational in a reasonable time-frame.

The Donegal TD commented that she had made the ministers in the council, the commissioners and the president of the council well aware of the principal concerns of farmers in the areas of cross-compliance and simplification.

“Tam happy about Ireland’s initia- tive on many of the issues, not least the need for adequate advance notice of inspections which recognised the practical realities of modern-day farming,’ she said.

“Tam well aware that there is still a long way to go to convince the com- mission and to secure the necessary changes to cross-compliance = ar- rangements.

“T will be doing my utmost at the

council to get my fellow ministers and the commissioner to understand and accept the need for reform of the cross-compliance requirements in a way that reduces red tape and recognises the practical situation on Teena

In tandem with the commission’s proposals on its review of cross- compliance, the minister said that her department had undertaken a review of the paperwork associated with cross-compliance inspections with a view to simplification and a practical approach.

The inspection report forms have been substantially reviewed and will now be discussed with the farming bodies.

Coughlan pointed out that the pa- perwork involved in the inspections is internal department documenta- tion for use by the department in- spector only and under no circum- stances do these documents have to be filled in by the farmer.

“The fact is that the farmer being inspected does not have to complete any paperwork apart from signing the inspection report if he or she so wishes,” she continued.

Two thirds of the 7,000 or so farm- ers to be inspected in 2007 will be checked for no more than two of the 18 cross-compliance requirements while the number of inspections at 7,000 is down from approximately 18,000 before decoupling.

MEP Jim Higgins (FG) has lent his support to efforts by Shannon Town Council to get the Government to ap- ply for an EU subsidy that could see a return of daily flights from Shannon to Dublin.

It comes despite Ryanair announc- ing the commencement of its service from Shannon to Dublin from this November.

The Public Service Operation (PSO) scheme gives financial assist- ance to certain essential but unprofit-

able transport routes offered out for tender. It currently supports several routes in regional airports such as Kerry, Sligo and Galway.

“The Government would have to apply to the EU Commission in Brus- sels for this assistance. There will be conditions to do with competition law and negotiations but the commission is very Sympathetic towards Shannon since the introduction of Open Skies. Once an application is made, my col- leagues and I can enlist support and stress the importance of it.”

As Fine Gael transport spokesman,

Higgins was instrumental in con- vincing the Government to apply for a PSO ruling for commuter routes to and from Knock Airport.

“The Knock commuter flights are packed because there is such a huge demand,” he added.

Shannon councillor Sean McLough- lin (FG) said that the council agreed last week to send a letter on the matter to the incoming minister for transport.

‘“PSOs are not restricted to internal flights but the return of a daily Shan- non to Dublin route would be wel-

come. If properly timed, this route would allow people to fly to Dublin, get a return flight to Europe and be back in Shannon that night. This would really benefit business people. Ryanair is planning a Shannon/Dub- lin route but the times have not been announced and they are key for con- necting flights.”

“If this was subsidised, the pressure would be off. Up to 200 people a day were using this route at its height and it could run all year around… Shan- non will survive once the infrastruc- ture and financial support are there.”

THE restructuring plan at Shannon Airport, which includes 185 volun- tary redundancies, has already be- gun. Current workers expect the first instalment of their “loyalty bonus” on June 20.

The €10,000 payment to around 350 workers will be followed with another €6,000 within four and half months according to the original agreement, which was given the all clear after management and trade unions resolved outstanding differ- ences under the auspices of the La-

bour Relations Commission (LRC) last week.

A spokeswoman for the Shannon Airport Authority (SAA) said that some redundancy dates had already been agreed.

‘Some people have been given an exit date but the majority will be phased out over the summer. That is our busiest time so changes will be gradual. We also have catering busi- nesses taking over so everyone will be working together as the structure undergoes a major transformation.”

The catering companies, HMSHost and EFG In-Flight, will also start

providing terminal and services from June 20.

The SAA fell 15 short of the origi- nal redundancy target of 200 but this was not a major stumbling block.

‘Between the number that applied and their gradings, we are satisfied that we will make the savings we need. Workers with over 24 years experience will get redundancies of approximately €100,000 and other payments will be decided on a slid- ing scale,’ she added.

“The airport is in a good position with a bright future and lots of new routes have been announced. We

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would hope that everyone will be committed and happy with the plan NOLO MM OLombN OYOcOy aD OTSarel er: be Tecoma

SIPTU Industrial Organiser at Shannon Airport, Tony Carroll, said that although redundancies were al- ways disappointing, SIPTU tried to negotiate for the best result.

‘We had to work on the basis that the company wanted voluntary re- dundancies and if people wanted to go, they could. The important thing was to structure and secure the jobs for those remaining. We are satisfied that the remaining staff have viable jobs.”

THE Shannon Airport Authority has moved to expand the airport’s €30 million terminal building to prepare for the end of the Shannon stopover.

The phased ending of the stopover will be complete by April of next year. The Shannon Airport Authority (SAA) is hoping that by then the air- port will have a competitive advan- tage by having in place a full Cus- toms and Border Protection Post.

As a result, the SAA has lodged plans with Clare County Council for a two-storey extension to the existing oomeepnireve

Planning documents lodged with the council state that “the proposed terminal extension is an integral part of Shannon Airport’s physical devel- opment to meet the significant chal- lenges that lay ahead for the airport and in particular the introduction of ‘open skies’ in April 2008.

“The design updates the existing terminal building in a sensitive man- ner, improving the external appear- ance of the older building, as well as the overall function of the terminal.”

The SAA’s consultants believe that the extension will lead to an improved passenger experience at Shannon.

In a statement, the SAA said yes- terday, “Management at Shannon Airport confirmed that the DAA are

currently examining the feasibility of upgrading the current US Immi- gration pre-inspection facility to a Full Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Inspection Post at Shannon.

“Exploratory talks have been held between the DAA, Shannon Airport management, the Department of Transport and the CBP Organisation on the matter. As part of the feasibil- ity study, the airport confirms that they are seeking planning permis- sion to extend the terminal building and carry out alterations to existing sections of the main terminal build- bate

The statement said that “summer 2008 is the target date for the estab- lishment of this facility subject to approval”.

Explaining the significance of the move to put in place a customs facil- ity last month, the SAA’s Executive chairman, Pat Shanahan said, “This means that airlines can fly into any domestic terminal in the US and won’t have to go through the inter- national hubs. That is going to be a major bonus in Shannon and Shan- non would be first airport in Europe to have that facility

‘That is one of our tactics to try to sustain transatlantic traffic.”

A decision is due on the application during the summer.

THE IFA has launched a blistering attack on Kerry Co-Op, accusing the company of ‘pocketing’ the money generated by the upsurge in the mar- ket and not passing anything on to JE Du nN ace

The IFA’s National Dairy Com- mittee Chairman, Richard Kennedy, commented on Wednesday that the May 1.4c/l (6.3c/gal) milk price in- crease by Kerry fell 2c/l (9c/gal) short of the 30c/l +VAT benchmark which co-ops “can easily afford” in the present record dairy market re- aebw ete

Kennedy accused the board of Ker- ry of ‘letting down’ its suppliers by following the deliberately weak tone set by Glanbia and failing to pass

back a much higher price increase. He accused both Kerry and Glan- bia of corporate greed in pocketing most of the market upswing. “Sup- pliers demand their fair share of the massive market improvements. It 1s absolutely legitimate after five years of constant price cuts in view of the huge surge in markets,” he said.

“Yet, so far, most dairy farmers have received less than 20 per cent of the historical return increases of the last 12 months. There are already sions of real anger that they are be- ing cheated of fully justified price increases.

Kerry and Glanbia have now in- creased their milk price by a total of 3.6c/l (16c/gal) and 4c/l (18c/gal) respectively, but both have benefited from IDB SMP/butter increases of

three times as much, at 12.7c/l (58c/ gal), as well as significant equivalent increases on returns for most of their product mix.

“Dairy farmers must not be hood- winked by their first milk price in- creases in over five years — 30c/I is the price they received over 10 years ago. They should demand from their board members a far better milk price than Kerry and Glanbia’s in- crease,’ he continued.

“Farmers cannot afford to leave money on the table in this market up- swing when they have taken the full hit in milk price cuts over the past five years.

“The IFA has called for a 30c/I +VAT May milk price, because it is economically fully justifiable, with current market returns, for co-ops to

pay this price and still improve their own margins. Indeed, markets are continuing to strengthen, and further milk price increases will be justified TbOMMO elem exoye sn batcanneleyelne tne

AND so the curtain has finally come down on Clare’s soccer season. Eve- ryone in the County Grounds on Saturday evening were singing from the same hymn sheet. It was some curtain call for fans of the garrison game.

There were many strands to make the occasion. The summer sunshine was one such strand — the biggest advertisement yet that summer soc- cer could be the way to if the game is finally flourish.

The hard sod, shaved to within a couple of inches of its life by dedi- cated groundsman Tommy Austin; the sun on players’ backs. Then came the football, something shy of cham- pagne football but still high on enter-

tainment.

The ingredients were there before- hand. Town versus Country 1s just as compelling in the garrison game as it is in games of the Gael. The spirit of the country against the skill of the townies.

Avenue United. The masters and undisputed kings of Clare soccer over the past quarter of a century. Seven times cup champions, a hat- ful of leagues too, not forgetting the romance of their affairs with the FAI Junior Cup.

It was way back in 1990 when the Avenue Kop set up home on the ter- races of Dalymount Park when the Avenue took on a crack Cherry Or- chard side in the blue riband of the amateur game in Ireland — Europe for that matter as the FAI is the big-

gest knockout competition on the continent.

Alas, it wasn’t to be for the Avenue back then, but their pride of place in the Clare game was secured on that romantic run through Ireland. The players’ place was also secured — John the Man, Johnny Purtill, Ray Casey, Mannix and many more.

John O’Malley and Noelie Purtill are still around the team — the joint- managers patrolled the sideline on Saturday with the same enthusiasm they showed in their playing days.

Barking instructions, giving out, but always encouraging. Preaching a work ethic, but wanting that married with total football at the same time. It’s a townie thing, a skill thing that found expression in Mikie Mahony and many more on the Avenue team.

Mikie seemed born for this day — he dazzled like the summer sun and while the brave Moher defence kept him at bay for most of the game he wasn’t to be denied his moment of glory.

PAV AKO MYL TKCK\, ONG (omc MED EN LUbosloloems Oye joy while the Moher Magpies lay strewn on the pitch. So near and yet so far —1n many ways they were the team of the year in Clare soccer, but bridesmaids at the same time.

Premier League runners-up and now cup runners-up.

Aidan Moloney summed up their torment. The Puddin had given eve- rything, slotted the penalty that had the Magpies dreaming of glory and kept going for 110 minutes.

All for nothing, except for hope that their day will finally come.

It must, but this was Avenue’s. The bluebloods of Clare soccer.

HE’S BEEN involved with all strands of inter-county hurling bar senior and Kevin Kennedy has decided this will be his last stand, his final year. Understandably, he wants to go out with an explosion on the field and a fifth Munster Final with a Clare side would provide reward in itself.

Back in ’97 and °98, Kennedy was involved with the Clare minors when they reached the provincial decider. He was there in ’99 with the Under- 21s and two years later with the in- termediates. It’s familiar territory by now, but he knows the path to the big stage 1s speckled with tricky encoun- ters and Clare’s next task arrives on Sunday and a meeting with an un- known Waterford side.

It’s nothing new of course and Kennedy understands it is his lot as inermediate boss to encounter sides about whom not much is known. It’s a pitfall nonetheless.

“We’re wary because Waterford haven’t played a game all year and all through my involvement with Clare

sides, I haven’t come up against Waterford too often,” he says. “The only time I was with Clare when we played Waterford was with the mi- nors in 1996.”

It was the win against Cork that earned Kennedy a second shot against Waterford and that day, in front of a skeleton crowd in Semple Stadium, Clare delivered a match winning performance in the second half. Mark Flaherty impressed in front of the posts and ended up with eight points, Damien Kennedy began to take charge around the middle and John Reddan gave a match winning display at centre-back.

“We conceded 1-1 in two minutes against Cork and at that stage you might have thought our fellas would wilt. Other Clare teams at this grade might have done at that stage but not these guys. They’re winners. I’ve had intermediate teams in the past but you can see these guys are good, honest hurlers. I intentionally stayed away from involving Under-21s or fringe senior players because I want- ed a tight and committed squad. It’s a

small panel but it’s close-knit.”

As word seeped through that Red- dan — captain of the intermediates —turned down the offer of a place on the senior panel this week, Kennedy sensed the will to complete the task in Munster was alive and thriving in his squad.

“I’d love to see these lads get some- thing out of the season. In general, they’re hardworking players who put in a huge amount of effort at club level and it goes unrecognised at inter-county level a lot of the time. Most would have played for Clare at underage so that’s a big plus. They know the ropes. The average age of the panel is in the mid-20s so there’s plenty of scope for players to go on and make a name for themselves at senior level. That’s what we’d be hoping.”

That fifth Munster Final for Kennedy would put those players in the shop window. Since the Cork game just over a fortnight back, they’ve regrouped and focused once more. Last week they played Bor- risoleigh in a challenge. It sprung a

few headaches and a few surprises, but Kennedy was happy with the progress made.

‘Fellas who would normally play well didn’t perform. It’s not a worry because some just can’t get into the right frame of mind for challenges. They know they’ll be judged against Waterford on Sunday.”

Enda Collins is unlikely to start be- cause of an injury to his thumb and the availability of Seanie Moloney — who fractured a thumb – is also a concern to Kennedy. Alan McNa- mara will undergo a fitness test on Wednesday evening but these are the workaday worries of a seasoned manager and Kennedy knows how to cope.

A NEW organisation of Clare wom- en in business is aiming to help re- dress some of the historic problems faced by women in their profession- al capacity.

The Clare branch of Network ORE VICeRMAWYeb Cel eMay c-Kenol Mn tlOmsDImyaNe Ure will host its third meeting in the Old Ground Hotel tomorrow evening.

The group operates through a mixture of networking and mentor- ing, with the ultimate aim of helping more females reach their business potential.

“Women understand what it is like to be in business, they are great multitaskers and it is nice to meet with people who face the same chal- lenges as we do in the workplace,” said chairwoman, Sarah Malone.

‘A company works best when there

is a mixture of men and women. Is- sues such as childcare and leave can effect how far a woman can rise in the workplace. It is a very difficult situation.

“We need more childcare and more affordable childcare, it is one of our key issues.”

In the wake of the general elec- tion, the organisation presented each Government department with a list of qualified women willing it sit on the boards of State organisa- tions.

Tomorrow’s meeting will be ad- dressed by Hilary O’Carroll from The Image Factor and Clare woman Dorinda Bourke, who will speak about her business, Fab Shape.

The meeting takes place tomor- row evening, June 6, from 8pm. En- trance 1s free for members and €10 for non-members.

CALLS have been made for an om- budsman to be appointed to protect the rights of migrant workers and prevent a repeat of the situation which saw GAMA employees work- ing on the Ennis bypass being paid less than the minimum wage.

North Clare Councillor Martin Conway (FG) wants an ombudsman to be appointed as “a matter of ur- gency’. Following the recent ap- pointment of Ireland’s first Garda Ombudsman last month, Conway believes that an ombudsman for mi- grant workers would be a positive step.

Conway was the first public repre- sentative to highlight the plight of the Turkish workers who were involved in the construction of the Ennis by- pass through a notice of motion ta- bled by the north Clare councillor in

2005.

“It was amazing how a simple no- tice of motion at a council meeting helped trigger a follow-up set of cir- cumstances which ended up helping a whole community of workers get what they were entitled to anyway,” he said.

“With this in mind, I believe that there should be an ombudsman for immigrant workers set up as a matter OMT ESXes Neate

“Such an office properly funded with adequate language interpret- ers and real power would be a very important office for protecting the rights of non-national workers.

“It would provide a vehicle for non- national workers to ensure that their rights were being respected by Gov- ernment departments and other arms of the State which may take advan- tage of the fact that they are non-na- tionals with poor English.”