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A LARGE number of parish priests in the Killaloe Diocese have given their backing to a revolutionary new document which calls for an end to clerical celibacy, the ordination of female priests a radical change to how the diocese is operated.

The diocese has just published its first report of a series of “cluster” meeting involving more than 700 priests and lay people in Clare and Tipperary.

The process, which was set in mo- tion by Bishop Kieran O’Reilly, has resulted in the creation of a new blueprint for the future of the diocese – as envisioned by local parish priests and lay people and not by The Vatican.

The process started in October of 2011 with two large open meeting one involving the parish priests of the Killaloe Diocese, the other involving representative of the lay community. These meeting led to the creation of 12 “cluster” groups in different areas across the diocese where priests and lay people have been regularly meeting for months.

This process has been directed by Bishop O’Reilly, Fr John Kelly, Fr Pat Malone, Fr Donagh O’Meara and Sr Clare Slattery alongside lay members Leonard Cleary, Sean Conlan, Michael Geaney, Maureen Kelly and Marie O’Connell-Quinn.

A report into the clusters operations to date was published on the Killaloe Diocese earlier this month. Of the 12 clusters who took part in the report, 11 indicated that allowing priests to marry, ordaining women into ministries, creating a new role of lay people in the church and fostering appreciation for local priests were priority issues.

Nine of the clusters cited the ordination of women as an important issue, with three citing the promotion of vocation and two raising the issue of priests from abroad coming to the diocese to preach.

The report also found that a crisis of faith among young people, a disconnect with the church itself and the development of the clusters system to be important issues in the diocese.

“One of the most striking impressions from these conversations is that many people feel a strong affinity and connection, a sense of iden- tity and belonging with their local parish community, despite feelings of disconnect with the institutional Church,” said the report.

“However, it is also true that hurt or anger with stances or decisions taken by the institutional Church impacts negatively at local parish level and leads to people walking away.

“It is clear that these are days of immense change. There are new needs to be met and new challenges are set before us. These conversations set out the reality of these challenges.”

The report can be read in full at www.killaloediocese.ie.

LAY Clare people involved in the Killaloe Diocese’s listening process, believe that change in the church must begin locally, even if many of the recommendations suggested by the process can only come from The Vatican.

West Clare woman Maureen Kelly, who is part of the steering committee for the listening process, believes that local engagement in relation to issues like ordaining women priests can have a knock-on effect on overall church policy.

“Any change must begin with what we can influence ourselves – our sphere of influence as those who write about change put it. We may not be able to effect all that people are asking. There are issues on which the wider Church must decide,” said Maureen.

“There is however much we can do locally to ensure that the issues people have raised are addressed. Change begins on the ground and that has a wider impact.

“The issue of ministry of women is frequently raised as one we cannot change. There is much we can do locally to enhance the participation of women and their input into decisionmaking at local level.”

While Bishop Kieran O’Reilly has prompted this process to take place – he has not taken an active steering role to order to allow both lay people ad parish priests to express their opinions in freedom.

“Listening is the first step in engaging with people. Bishop Kieran made this clear when the process began. He wanted to give people an opportunity to express their views on the present reality of the Diocese. He wanted to give space to people to say what is on their minds. The working out of a response will take time but there is a commitment to doing so,” continued Maureen.

“It is also important to give people who are involved on a regular basis to speak their truth. As the conversations go on people gain confidence in speaking the truth of what is important to them, in speaking about how important a faith dimension to life is.

“A comprehensive report has been prepared on the collated findings from the conversations we’ve had to this point. An outline of findings will soon be available for distribution throughout the diocese for those who might not have the time to read the full report.

“We are presently going back to the Parish Councils in the Clusters to present the report and it is being warmly received. The Report is also available on the Diocesan webpage.”

LESS than a third of Clare’s voters went to the polls to vote on the Children Referendum on Saturday last, the lowest turn out in 11 years.

Despite the turnout being lower than the national average, the number in favour of changing the constitution was slightly higher, with 61.7 per cent voting yes.

As many as 79,905 Clare people were entitled to vote, 197 less than the last referendum. Just 25,808 people from the Banner chose to exercise their democratic right however.

As many as 15,868 people voted for the amendment, with 9,846 voting against. There were 94 invalid votes.

The county has a history of not going to the polls on questions that would affect the constitution in recent decades, but this weekend’s turnout was surpassed only by the weak showing during the first Nice Referendum, the abolition of the death penalty and the criminal courts referendum.

In June 2001 just 30.83 per cent of the people of Clare voted on those three referendums.

When 49.8 per cent of voters in the county turned out for the Stability Referendum at the end of May voter apathy and lack of information was criticised for what was then the lowest turn out in the county in almost a decade.

Six months later it would appear that apathy and lack of engagement has grown to the point where 17.8 per cent more of the county’s population decided not to vote.

The drop in voter turnout is significant when compared to June 1999 when 60.05 per cent of the Clare electorate turned out to vote for “Recognition for Local Government.”

In March 2002 just 39.29 per cent of the Clare electorate turned out to vote on the Protection of Human Life in Pregnancy, with 47.05 per cent voting on Nice 2 that October.

The largest turnout for a referen- dum in recent years in Clare was in June 2004, when 64.6 per cent voted on the Citizenship.

From then until the Stability Referendum the turnout remained over 50 per cent in the Banner county, with 52.48 per cent voting on Lisbon 1 in June 2008, 56.9 per cent voting on the second Lisbon referendum in October 2009, while 56.12 per cent voted on the House of the Oireachtais Inquiries and 57.95 per cent on Judges Remuneration during the Presidential election in October 2011.

While the turnout on Saturday was disappointing for the Government, it still considered it “a historic day for children”.

Speaking at the count centre at the Court House in Ennis after returning officer Pat Wallace declared the Clare result of the Children Referendum, Deputy Pat Breen (FG) said, “Today, it is a truly historic day for our children. This referendum was one of the most important ever put before the people, and while, I am disappointed with the low turnout, the overwhelming number of voters in Clare who did come out and vote, supported the referendum.

“The passage of the referendum is another major step in ensuring our legislative structure supports and protects our children. It ensures a more child-centred approach is taken, so that the best interests of the child are taken into account when decisions are being made about their welfare.”

ENGINEERS in Ennis may request that the speed limit be reduced in the town centre to ensure greater pedestrian safety.

Senior executive engineer Eamon O’Dea said yesterday that he may consult with gardaí over the speed limit. It comes after concerns were raised over the layout of pedestrian crossings.

Cllr Tony Mulqueen (FG) said elderly people are having difficulty crossing the street. At yesterday’s meeting of councillors in the Ennis West Electoral Area, he called on the council to restore the pedestrian crossings at O’Connell Square. Mr O’Dea told the meeting that the council had been forced to alter the crossings to comply with the latest traffic signs rules.

Mr O’Dea stated, “The crossings are uncontrolled crossings and the road markings comply with the latest traffic signs manual. The provision of lines across the road at a pedestrian crossing can only be provided at controlled pedestrian crossings in accordance with the traffic signs manual.”

He continued, “Therefore a set of amber pedestrian lights would have to be provided at each crossing point which would both be very confusing to the drivers and would detract from the centre of the town. Ennis Town Council consulted with the road safety engineer of the NRA before the present markings were put in place.”

Mr O’Dea told the meeting that he is “not totally happy” with the current layout at the Square. He said one possible solution would be to request that gardaí consider reducing the speed limit in the town centre.

He said slight alterations could be made to the current layout but that a system of numerous lighted crossings would confuse drivers and detract from the visual amenity of the town.

Town Manager Ger Dollard said the council accepts there is an issue with the current layout.

The meeting also heard calls for pedestrianisation to be introduced on a trial basis in May, June and July. Cllr James Breen (Ind) called for the system to be put in place on Friday, Saturday and Sunday during summer 2013.

He told the meeting that pedestrianisation had the potential to revitalise the town.

Mr Dollard said it remains the objective of the council to pedestrianise the town centre.

He said a bid to achieve Purple Flag status for the town’s nighttime economy and the opening of the inner relief road could boost plans for pedestrianisation.

“It’s [pedestrianisation] considered a matter of when it’s achieved and not if it is achieved,” added Mr Dollard.

A SECTION of the Tulla Road in Ennis has been described as the “most dangerous road” in Clare.

The comment came yesterday from councillor Johnny Flynn (FG) who pressed Clare County Council to introduce long mooted road safety measures at Oakleigh Woods and Corrovorrin.

In motions submitted to a meeting of councillors in the Ennis East electoral area, Cllr Flynn called on the council to “immediately plan and budget to construct the roundabout at Oakleigh Woods / Cappahard Junction in the interests of public safety”.

Cllr Flynn told the meeting that there had been an “abject failure” on behalf of the road authority to deal with traffic issue at Oakleigh Wood / Cappahard. He said 500 houses are located in an area served by what he called the “most dangerous road in the county”. Cllr Flynn said while there had been improvements carried out on rural sections of the road, little had been done by comparison in Ennis. He said a planned compulso ry purchase order of ground near the entrance of Cappahard had been held up over a “ransom strip of land”.

Mayor of Clare, Cllr Pat Daly (FF) said a roundabout is “essential” for the area.

In response, Senior Engineer Tom Tiernan stated, “The potential cost of the roundabout which was previously designed is quite significant and the cost of a compulsory purchase order to facilitate this design is also a matter of some concern. Alternative options from a design point of view are presently being examined with a view to a reduction of costs and hopefully an earlier resolution on the ground.”

There were also renewed calls for a roundabout or traffic lighted junction to be installed at the entrance to Corrovorrin.

Cllr Flynn told the meeting that one resident had told him that it takes seven and a half minutes to exit Corrovorrin in the morning.

Committee Chairman, Cllr Tommy Brennan (Ind) said the motion had come before council meetings on numerous occasions. Cllr Daly said “something has to be done” at Corrovorrin.

In response to calls for improvements to the Corrovorrin / Tulla Road junction, Mr Tiernan stated, “A proposal under the Low Cost Safety Scheme has been submitted to the Department of Transport / NRA by Clare County Council for the provision of traffic lights at this location. Clare County Council and Ennis Town Council are proceeding with the design and public consultation processes for this scheme in anticaption of funding in 2013.”

CLARE County Council could be stuck with a bill for more than € 15,000 for sending out 33,000 warning letter – some of which were addressed to dead people. A spokesperson from the local authority confirmed to The Cla re People yesterday that the cost of sending out the warning letter would be significant but he could not comment on whether the Local Government Management Agency (LGMA), will be reimbursing them for the cost of postage and stationary.

While the latest figures from the LGMA reveal that 30 per cent of homeowners in Clare, approximately 16, 500 people, have not yet paid their household charge. Despite this, the LGMA instructed Clare County Council to issue 33,000 warning let- ter last week and provided them with a database of addresses to use.

“€ 15,000 is the approximate cost associated with issuing the letters and Clare County Council is unable to comment on whether this cost can be recouped or not at this point or in the future,” said a council spokesperson yesterday.

This follow criticism of the letter by Clare TD, Michael McNamara (LAB) in Dáil Éireann last week as well as reports of letter being sent to hundreds of people who have already paid the household charge and a number of deceased people.

“It is very disconcerting for people who have paid to see equal services still being provided to those who haven’t paid, but it is even more disconcerting for those who have paid it to receive letters asking them to provide proof of having paid it to the very local authority where they brought their cheques,” he Deputy McNamara.

According to Clare County Council, they were simply carrying out instruction as ordered by the LGMA.

“Clare County Council issued letters to householders in Clare on foot of a request from the Local Government Management Agency (LGMA). The letters issued are based on a database compiled by the LGMA. The LGMA has carried out a comparison between the data on the Property Registration Agency database, and those that have registered and paid, or obtained a waiver, in relation to the Household Charge,” said the spokesperson.

Clare County Council have already been docked € 250,000 by the Department of the Environment due to the level of non-payment.

KILRUSH Town Council will not be missed until it is gone.

That was the message from the members of the council at its November meeting, the first since the Minister for the Environment Phil Hogan signed the council’s death warrant last month.

The town councillors felt that the loss of the council would leave a gaping hole in access to services and local people’s direct involvement in the development of the town, a fact that will not be recognised locally until it is too late.

Father of the council Cllr Tom Prendeville (FF) proposed that the members meet with the councillors from the other three town councils whose time is also up according to the Government.

Former mayor of the town, Ian Lynch (FG) believes it is time to go to the people to see what they feel about the loss of the 126-year-old council by organising a survey or questionnaire.

Cllr Liam Williams (FG) said he was disappointed “especially as a long time member of the Fine Gael party to think local democracy has been damaged. I can’t see the town being better off because of it.”

Fellow Fine Gael councillor Marian McMahon Jones said she was equally disappointed and said the loss of the council will have a detrimental affect on local rates and parking costs.

Cllr Tom Clyne (Ind) feared that any move to change things now was too little too late.

“I think we are waiting until the horse has bolted, we should have done something sooner. We knew it was coming down the line,” he said.

Cllr Prendeville even went as far as to compare the political situation to Germany in 1934, saying people were disillusioned with party poli- tics.

“If there was a vote in the morning to get rid or the Dáil there would be 100 per cent turn out to get rid of it. That is just how people are feeling.

“We could get rid of two of our four TDs in the morning and save a quarter of a million euro. We have a Sen- ate that Enda Kenny promised to get rid of but will we get the turkeys to vote for Christmas?” he asked.

“We have a great council going now, maybe the Senate will go next and then maybe the Dáil next and then we are in a 1939 situation.”

Mayor of Kilrush Mairead O’Brien (Ind) concluded with “this is a community blow. It is a blow for the community but I am not sure the community knows it yet.”

The councillors resolved to meet with other town councillors in the county to organise a protest or a way of highlighting their joint concerns.

A CLARE elected representative and his wife who registered and paid the controversial household charge before the first deadline, were this week issued with not one but two reminder letters to pay the charge and a late payment fine.

Kilrush town councillor Tom Prendeville (FF) said that he has a receipt to show that he paid the € 100 charge.

Yet despite his compliance with the law he received a letter in the last week stating he was now over due the payment.

His wife also received a similar letter sent to the same address, demanding the “outstanding” charge be paid.

An angered Cllr Prendeville said he was not going to ring the lo-call number highlighted in the letter to advise the Local Government Man- agement Agency (LGMA) of its mistake.

“I paid € 100 for household charge. I paid for services and I’m being denied services because others have not paid,” he said.

Among those who received reminder letters on the household charge were a dead man and a dead woman from West Clare, as well as numerous people that had already paid.

Among the 33,000 letters issued by Clare County Council on behalf of the LGMA a number of them went to people who are deceased.

Councillor Prendeville said one West Clare woman was particularly upset as a reminder letter was sent to her late husband, using a name that he was not known by on any documentation except the register of electors.

The councillor raised concerns that the register was being used as a method of identifying people, a method he described as “illegal”.

OFFICIALS at Clare County Council remain confident that major flood relief works to protect homes and businesses in the south of Ennis will get the approval of An Bord Pleannála.

The Ennis South Flood Relief Scheme will see works carried out in Ballybeg and St Flannan’s College areas of the town.

A bank of the River Fergus from Doora Bridge to Clarecastle will also be strengthened as part of the works.

Councillors in the Ennis Electoral Area were given a progress report on the project yesterday.

Senior Engineer Tom Tiernan told the meetings that the council had submitted an Environmental Impact Survey (EIS) to An Bord Pleannála. He said a number of statutory bodies, including the Railway Safety Commission, had made submissions on the project.

He told the meeting that an issue had arisen regarding the cost of the embankment works.

Asked about a timeframe for the works, Mr Tiernan said the council hoped to receive a decision from An Board Pleannála in January.

He said that depending on the length of the tender process, work on the project could be complete by 2014.

The project forms part of a series of flood relief works to be carried out on a phased basis in Ennis.

Phase one of the € 26 million Ennis Flood Relief Scheme, which involved works at Parnell Street and Mill Road, is credited with preventing floods in large areas of the town centre during November 2009.

Phase two will see improvements to river walls and other flood defenses on the Fergus from Bank Place to Doora Bridge. The work will include the construction of new structural embankments, preformed reinforced concrete walls and three storm water pumping stations.

Mr Tiernan said the tender process is nearing completion and that 2014 is a “realistic target for completion at this stage”.

TENS of thousands of mature ash trees will wither and possibly die in Clare in the coming years as the spread of Chalara fraxinea or ash dieback disease to Clare has been deemed inevitable.

The fungal infection, which was discovered in an area of County Galway last week, will have a particularly negative effect on sections of the Burren – where ash is a central part of the natural biodiversity.

Ash plays a key role in the Burren ecosystem and provides shelter for insects and other smaller plants. While the exact effects of the spread of ash dieback to the Burren cannot be guessed, it is thought that they will not have a very negative effect on the Burren’s rare butterfly population or its collection of alpine flowers.

“It is not only likely that it will spread to Clare, at this point it is inevitable. Nobody has been able to stop it before. The spores of the fungus are airborne and are released by the leaves, so they spread very rapidly,” said Sharon Parr of the Burren Farming for Conservation Group.

“You could try to contain it by burning all the leaves of infected trees but spores are being released before any signs of the disease are detected. So even if you cut an infected tree down you would have to gather up all the leaves produced by that tree and burn them to contain the infection. I just can’t see that happening. Nobody has been successful in containing them to date.”

The spread of this disease is likely to have a major impact on the Burren due to the large number of ash trees in existence there and to the delicate balance which already exists in the Burren ecosystem.

“This is going to be incredibly significant. Ash is one of the major woodland trees in Ireland and when this disease gets into the Burren area, and other areas of well drained ash-friendly soil, it is going to have a major impact,” continued Sharon.

“Ash is the main large tree species in the Burren. You have hazel woodland in some sections of the Burren but as you move east the ash starts to take over and become a much more dominant part of the landscape. There are significant areas of ash woodland in the Burren which could very easily be lost.

“It is thought that some of the non- native ash trees have some sort of immunity to the disease and it won’t effect mountain ash, because mountain ash isn’t really an ash species at all, it is a totally different species of tree.

“This will certainly effect the Burren and the problem at this stage is that we don’t really know how. We don’t know for sure what parts of the biodiversity up there is affected by the ash. We know that a lot of lichens are directly connected to the ash trees and a lot of insects and flowers are able to grow and thrive under an ash canopy, but it is not clear.

“I think the biggest loss will be the visual loss of the ash tree themselves first and then we will just have to wait and see how that affects other parts of the Burren. I don’t see it having a major impact on the rare flowers or butterflies yet – they are more associated with the grassland than woodland parts of the Burren and there should be enough pollinators to keep that going at this stage.

“But there are other species which are directly tied into the ash plants that will suffer. We will just have to wait and see.”

Between 60 and 90 per cent of the ash trees in Denmark are effected by the disease while in Sweden more than 50 per cent of the trees have noticeable damage.