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BUSINESSES in Clare need further investment in broadband to support enterprise and jobs growth across the county. In a new report, Connecting the West: Next Generation Broadband in the Western Region, the Western Development Commission highlights this need.

The report includes case studies such as that of MeteoGroup in Ennis, a company that finds the cost of telecommunications services for a given level of broadband capacity more expensive in Ireland than at its other sites across Europe. Another Clare company, eTeams based in Scariff, highlighted the practice of eWorking, where employees work remotely from the company office, but need broadband connections to do so.

The Western Development Com- mission’s report examines the likely rollout of next generation broadband services and makes recommendations to ensure next generation access for all areas and better value for money for state investment in infrastructure.

Mr Ian Brannigan (acting CEO) said “broadband costs in the Western Region need to be competitive with prices available across Europe. Rural and regional areas need quality broadband services at a competitive price to ensure that businesses can compete on a level playing field”.

“The evidence from across the region presented in this report indicates that in many areas broadband services lag those that are available elsewhere in the country, for example, the western region accounts for 18 per cent of the households in Ireland but accounts for 28 per cent of applicants to the Rural Broadband Scheme (RBS) highlighting the weaker broadband services there.”

The WDC report noted that a better value of next generation broadband infrastructure can make geographic distance to customers far less relevant and provides easy access to worldwide markets. “This can be a real benefit to promoting regional and rural job growth, but only if the infrastructure and services are there,” said Mr Brannigan.

CLARE County Council meets today to set the county’s budget for the coming year with 1.02 per cent less coming from the Local Government Fund.

The local authority has been allocated € 10.7 million from central government for 2013, just over a percentage less than it was allocated at the beginning of last year.

However during the third quarter of 2012 Central Government reneged on paying out € 247,000 to the Clare council due to a nationwide under payment of the household charge.

The council members agreed to continue with the budget as set out earlier in the year on reassurances from Government TDs that the € 247,000 would be returned. However it has since been announced that the funding lost during the third quarter will not be returned.

It is still unclear if Clare County Council will have to find the money to cover the quarter of a million loss from the 2012 budget in the newly reduced 2013 budget, putting extra pressure of the council coffers.

Since 2008 the council’s allocation from central Government has been reduced by 39 per cent from € 16.48 million to € 10.07 million.

In his introduction to the draft Budget Plan, County Manager Tom Coughlan said, “The preparation of the Draft Budget 2013 has proven to be particularly difficult due to the fact that the scope to achieve operational saving is progressively reducing. Significant savings have been achieved in recent years, and as the cost of service delivery has been “squeezed” during those years, we are approaching a level of serv- ice delivery cost which is difficult to reduce without diminishing the level of service itself. “The underlying objective of this Draft Budget 2013 is the maintenance of existing levels of services while simultaneously reducing the overall expenditure of the council to reflect severe reductions in income.” That is the challenge that faces the council members today – pay for the same services.

THERE was mixed reaction to the Draft Strategic Integrated Framework Plan (SIFP) for the Shannon Estuary, with one experienced local representative saying he was not impressed.

West Clare Councillor PJ Kelly (FF) who has been critical of the lack of development on the north of the estuary compared to the south in the past said the plan “was not an inviting document. It is not a document that would invoke interest for international investors.”

The father of the council chamber said that he has seen five different reports on the Shannon Estuary being published and they were all shelved.

“I have a funny feeling this one will go the same way,” he said.

Cllr Kelly had argued that the area north of the estuary be zoned a “Special Development Zone” to encourage development.

This is not included and he maintains that the number of special areas of conservation without a SDZ would prove off putting to investors.

“We are more sterilised on the Clare side than on the south side by EU regulations,” he added.

“Like previous reports it is aspirational, lacks focus, is too general and far from convincing.”

Launching the report Minister of State for Housing and Planning Jan O’Sullivan, was more positive.

“It represents collaboration and joined up planning at its best and I have no doubt that it will be emerge as an example of best practice for others to replicate,” she said.

Mayor of Clare, Cllr Pat Daly said, “This plan is the culmination of months of work and represents the commitment of those with a role in the management of the Shannon Estuary to ensuring that future development takes place in a coherent and sustainable manner. I hope that many new opportunities will be afforded to the people of Clare, and the wider region, as a result of this Plan.”

Tom Coughlan, Clare County Manager and Chairman of the Steering Group overseeing the plan, stated that the aim of the SIFP was to identify the nature and location of future development, economic growth and employment that can be sustainable accommodated within the Shannon Estuary.

However, as the estuary is desig- nated a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) under the EU Habitats Directive and also partly a Special Protection Area (SPA) for Birds, he noted that “the SIFP will also aspire to achieving a careful balance between promoting development, and protection and conservation of this natural resource”.

“The estuary is multi-functional as its waters and adjoining lands support a range of functions, uses, communities, activities and environmental resources and assets. Although the SIFP attributes a very strong weight to the growth of shipping and safe guarding the commercial shipping lanes it also has objectives for marine tourism, leisure and recreation as well commercial fishing and aquaculture, energy and renewable energy as well as aviation,” he added.

Meanwhile, Gordon Daly, Senior Planner, explained that the SIFP recognises the importance of the role the towns and villages along the estuary.

“The important role Kilrush can play in developing tourism on the estuary is recognised in the SIFP due to its many amenities including Kilrush Marina, Cappa Pier and Blue Flag Beach, Vandeleur Walled Garden and Scattery Island. The importance of the estuary to Kilrush is reciprocated in the soon to be published Draft Kilrush Town & Environs Plan 2014-2020.”

The website www.shannonestuarysifp.ie, has been developed to coincide with an eight-week public consultation that extends from December 17, 2012, to February 15, 2013.

THREE thugs broke into a West Clare home late on Sunday night last, terrorising two elderly sisters and demanding money. The trio broke down the door of the rural farmhouse in Kildymo, Bansha near the seaside town of Kilkee be- tween 10.30pm and 11.30pm and entered the premises where the women had lived all of their lives. A frightening ordeal then began for the two ladies in their eighties as the robbers ripped the phone from the wall and demanded money from them. There was very little money in the house and the thugs eventually got away with a small amount of cash from the old age pensioners purses. The three who had targeted two vulnerable older women in their own home covered their faces during the robbery. It is not known how long the frightening ordeal continued for, but the two ladies were left very shocked after the late night experience. They are recovering in a nursing home since. The farmhouse, described as being left in a state after the event, is situated close to Bansha graveyard along a minor but busy rural road. One neighbour told The Clare People that while the sisters lived a very simple life on their family farm, opting to live with out modern comforts such as electricity, central heating and running water, they were very popular and well known locally. “People locally are shocked and many are very frightened after this,” he said. Gardaí in the Kilrush district are leading the investigation into the late night robbery. They have appealed to anyone who may have seen anything on the night of Sunday, December 9, or have any other information to contact the Garda Station in Kilkee or Kilrush.

MONEYPOINT and Innismurry/Cahercon have been named as “Strategic Sites” on the Draft Strategic Integrated Framework Plan (SIFP) for the Shannon Estuary.

A multi-agency steering group comprising of Clare County Council as lead authority has commissioned the land and marine-based plan, which is said to be the first of its type to be developed in the country.

It has been a long held view of many local representatives that the southern part of the estuary – Kerry and Limerick – has been developed to the detriment of Clare.

This new draft plan outlines a strategic plan for the future development and management of marine-related industry and tourism along Ireland’s largest estuary, and includes a number of key points along the Clare side of the estuary.

The SIFP identifies nine ‘Strategic Sites’ on the Estuary, namely Moneypoint, Innismurry/Cahericon both in County Clare, Limerick Docks, Foynes Island, Foynes Port and adjoining lands, Askeaton Industrial Estate, Aughinish Island, (Limerick), Tarbert Power Station and Ballylongford Landbank (Kerry). For the most part, these sites are zoned for ‘Marine-Related Industry’ with Askeaton zoned for ‘Industry’ and Limerick Docks zoned for ‘Mixed Use’.

In some cases, the zonings confirm existing large scale developments but additional lands for expansion and some new sites are also identified.

Moneypoint Power Station has also been identified as part of the ‘Key Energy Sites’ in addition to Ballylongford Landbank and Tarbert Power Station, the site of the permitted liquefied natural gas LNG project.

The Plan identifies Moneypoint, Kilconly point, Carrig Island and Tarbert Bay as opportunity sites for renewable energy, with opportunities for servicing offshore renewable energy developments also identified.

Five Clare fishing points have also been singled out for fishing and aquaculture development. There are eight separate opportunity sites singled out on the Estuary, including designated Shell Fish Waters at Poulnasherry Bay and Carrigaholt Bay in Clare.

Other areas of opportunity include Rinevella Bay, Killimer and Clonderlaw Bay in Clare, Carrig Island in Kerry, and Greenish Island and Long Rock in Limerick. The plan outlines the tourism potential of the Estuary and includes objectives to further develop the cruise ship industry, while it highlights the potential of the islands on the Fergus Estuary.

Meanwhile, the strategy features objectives relating to aviation and supports the future development of Shannon Airport, including acknowledging the importance of the 2,000acre land bank zoned for aviation uses in the new Shannon Town and Environs Local Area Plan 2012-2018.

MORE than one third of this year’s LEADER funding for Clare was signed off on this month with community groups and small businesses from across the county benefiting.

The board of Clare Local Development Company approved almost € 2 million in LEADER grant-aid at the December board meeting.

This grant-aid is estimated to lever an additional € 1 million in private funding bringing a major boost to the local economy at the end of the year.

Almost € 5.8 million in the total LEADER grant-aid has now been approved in Clare in 2012.

According to the CEO of CLDC, Doirin Graham, the grant aid will support a range of community projects including a new purposebuilt community centre for Lough Graney and the refurbishment of community buildings in Tulla, Cooraclare and Feakle.

“LEADER funding will support the development of new astro-turf playing pitches at Killdysart and a new children’s playground at Clarecastle, while a number of smaller community initiatives will also benefit,” said Ms Graham.

Several Tourism and Enterprise projects also received grant support with new businesses being established in Feakle, Clonlara, Lahinch, Kilmurry McMahon, Quin and Whitegate and existing businesses expanding operations at Shannon, Loop Head, Carron, Ennistymon and Quin.

A small number of training projects also received support as did a local history project for Corofin and a feasibility study on the potential use of Ballinalacken Castle for tourism promotion in North Clare.

The CLDC board also approved funding towards the promotion of The Gathering initiative in the county.

“Next year is the last year of the current LEADER Programme in terms of project approvals and funding would appear to be already expended on capital community projects other than heritage projects,” added Ms Graham.

“We have exceeded the targets which we set at the beginning of 2012 and with the success of the programme nationally our department is now taking stock of the areas where projects will continue to be accepted in 2013.”

Stephen Walsh, Chairman of the Board of CLDC, complimented his fellow board members for their commitment to the work of the local development company in 2012. He also thanked the management and staff for their work in successfully rolling out a wide range of programmes to the people of County Clare and looked forward to further achievement in 2013

POLICING in rural areas of the county affected by the latest raft of Garda station closures can be enhanced thanks to a new partnership approach between Clare Garda headquarters and new community groups.

That’s the message sounded out by Chief Superintendent of the Clare Garda Division, John Kerin, in the wake of the controversial Budget 2013 decision to call time of eight rural Garda stations in Clare as part of a nationwide cull of 80 outlets.

Superintendent Kerin told a public meeting in Inagh last week that the key to future policing in the eight locations that will lose their Garda sub-stations lay establishing “community fora” that would liaise with the Clare Garda Division.

I’m sending out that invitation to all communities affected by Garda station closures,” said Chief Superintendent Kerin, “that if they were willing to set up a community forum of five or six people affected by Garda station closures, the Gardaí would be willing to meet with them on a monthly basis. The superintendent in those areas will meet with them on a monthly basis – I would be willing to meet with them on a bi-monthly basis,” he added.

Following on the closure of Carrigaholt Station earlier this year, the latest round of swinging cuts of announced in the Budget means that stations in Quin, Inagh, Lahinch, Broadford, Mountshannon, Doonbeg, Kilmihil and Labasheeda are all facing the axe in the new year.

According to Chief Superintendent Kerin the closures can be the catalyst for a new type of working arrangement to emerge between communities and what will be a Garda Division split into a two-district service of Ennis and Kilrush.

“A lot of those areas affected don’t have joint-policing committees,” said Chief Superintendent Kerin, “and I would hope that they set up these fora that would be representative of all strands of society within the community. If we did that, we would know what issues were happening and we would be able to address them,” he added.

AN Bórd Pleanála has determined that issues raised with it regarding a contentious wall across a contested right of way have been dealt with previously.

James McNulty had asked the planning appeals board if development works (between the period 20042008) from the end of the public road L61041 across Doonbeg Golf Course to the public beach at Doughmore Bay, Carrowmore, Doonbeg, including the closure obstruction of the established public right of way to Doughmore Beach and the movement and alteration to the natural line of the public vehicular right of way at this location was considered development.

In his submission, the Cree man said he requested a declaration on the question from Clare County Council but had received no declaration.

An Bórd Pleanála concluded that the question being asked had already been dealt with and adjudicated on previously. The report said, due to “the evidence of the site inspection by the Board’s Inspector, where no works are apparent, it is considered that the substance of the case have already been determined and any further question has not been clearly articulated to enable the formulation of a determination.

“In deciding not to request further clarity in the matter, the Board considered that the substantive matter regarding previous works have already been dealt with,” it concluded.

A decision was made in May 2010, to a previous submission on the issue by Mr McNulty along with Theresa McNamara of Ballykeelaun House, Parteen. They appealed against a decision by Clare County Council to grant subject to conditions permission to Doonbeg Golf Club Limited for a development comprising retention of a gravel path, a dry stone retaining wall along a section of boundary between the golf course property and a neighbouring property, and the alteration of ground levels over an area of 300 square metres on the golf course to the west of the dry stone retaining wall.

At the time, An Bórd Pleanála upheld the local authority’s decision regarding that gravel path but refused permission for the retention on the contentious “dry stone retaining wall”.

“It is policy of the planning authority, as set out in the West Clare Local Area Plan 2009, to protect public rights-of-way and to keep them free from obstruction. This policy is considered to be reasonable,” the board said in May last year.

FOUR people suspected of involvement in dissident republican activity arrested in Clare on Wednesday were released without charge.

Three men and one woman aged in their late 20s and 40s were arrested as part of a planned Garda search operation.

They are all detained under the pro- visions of Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act 1939, at various stations in County Clare.

The search took place in premises in Ennis, Shannon, and East Clare.

It is understood items such as paramilitary style clothing and laptops were also recovered in the searches.

The four were released at various stages on Thursday from Garda Stations in Shannon, Ennis, Killaloe and Ennistymon.

Files are being prepared for the DPP.

A NEW era in policing County Clare, which includes the closure of eight Garda Stations and the downgrading of two Garda Divisions, has caused concerns for many communities across the county.

Those representing the elderly said those living alone in rural Ireland are particularly concerned at the loss of the “local garda”.

Last night, police chiefs were meeting with people in Inagh to allay fears and explain how the new system would work. Former Superintendent Frank Guthrie, who is now involved with the Inagh Housing Association said, “A lot of people, especially older people, favour the old-style policing and confiding in their local garda. They felt safe. The meeting is really to see how this will be dealt with,” he said of the “new concept in policing”.

The majority of the Clare stations to close are along the west coast and in rural East Clare, including Quin, Inagh, Lahinch, Broadford, Mountshannon, Doonbeg, Kilmihil and Labasheeda. Ennistymon and Killaloe District Garda Headquarters will be downgraded, and the administrative responsibility will come under the Ennis and Kilrush District Headquarters.

None of the stations to close were open 24 hours a day but six of the sta- tions had their own gardaí stationed there.

With the closure of the stations, the garda serving in Quin will now be reassigned to Ennis, the gardaí in Inagh and Lahinch will be stationed in Ennistymon, the Broadford garda will now be based in Ardnacrusha, Mountshannon in Killaloe and the Doonbeg garda will be working out of Kilrush Garda Station.

Labasheeda and Doonbeg stations were provided with a garda from Kilrush every weekday from 10am to 1pm and at the weekend from noon until 2pm. These stations will also close.

Many of the stations to close in Clare have served their communities since before the state was formed, with many RIC barracks in a previous life. Broadford was one such barracks and, up until 1993, the station had a sergeant and guard. In 1993, a staffing reduction removed the sergeant from the station

Local councillor Cathal Crowe (FF) described the closure of the station as “an attack on rural Ireland”.

“Broadford Garda Station serves a large area of East Clare and includes the communities of Kilmore, Truagh, Oatfield, Ballyquin, O’Callaghan’s Mills, Kilbane and, or course, Broadford village. The station currently operates on a part-time basis and roundthe-clock coverage for this area is given by gardaí stationed in Killaloe. The presence of Broadford Garda Station gives the people of East Clare a great sense of security. Elderly people in the locality have been very vocal in voicing their concerns for what the closure of the station could bring.”

Those supporting the Government have also raised concerns about the closure of the eight Clare Garda Stations.

Clare Labour Party National Executive Member Seamus Ryan called on the Government to rethink the course of action. “While the Commissioner is operating under the same financial constraints as so many people and the Government, it is short-sighted on the part of the force to abandon these facilities in favour of patrols and cover from other stations, some of which are up to 20km away and are themselves part-time and up to 25km to a 24-hour station for communities like Mountshannon.

TD Timmy Dooley (FF) described it as an “appalling attack” on communities across the county. “Clare has fared one of the worst in Minister Shatter’s hitlist. Within the next six months, Clare will have eight less garda stations and many of our communities will have lost their local station.”