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THE visit of Chinese vice-president, Mr Xi Jingping to Clare on Saturday and Sunday can have huge spin-off effects for the Shannon region in terms of trade and tourism, the chief executive of Shannon Development has claimed this week.

Dr Vincent Cunnane made his comments after being part of the delegation that welcomed Mr Xi to Shannon on Saturday and after playing host to the vice-president and his entourage at a Bunratty Castle banquet.

“Shannon Development has long established links with China dating back to the 1980s.

“We were honoured to be invited to brief the Chinese Vice President during his visit to Ireland,” said Dr Cunnane.

He pointed out that the objective in briefing Mr Xi was to “to create the environment to enhance good relations between Irish and Chinese businesses” and to educate the Chinese delegation “on all aspects of Shannon Development’s regional economic development remit and particularly on activities at Shannon Free Zone”.

“The linkages between Shannon Development and China began in 1980 with the visit of Mr Jiang Zemin, who was then Senior Vice Minister of State Imports and Exports Administration, and later became President of China,” continued Dr Cunnane. “Mr Jiang led a Chinese Govern- ment delegation to Shannon to study the Shannon Free Zone and the Shannon Development ‘model’ of a regional development company. “The knowledge gained by the Chinese delegation was subsequently used by the Chinese authorities in the development of their very successful Special Economic Zones.” “Mr Jiang Zemin’s visit to Shannon was the beginning of a steady stream of visits which saw two Chinese Pre- miers, and many Chinese Government delegations, come to hear the Shannon Development experience, initially focusing on the Shannon Free Zone and Shannon Development itself, but latterly focusing on our work in regional economic development.

“China has a population of over 1.3 billion, which represents 20 per cent of the world’s population.

“The fact that the Chinese Vice President spent almost three days in Ireland is a major boost,” added Dr. Cunnane.

In highlighting the tourism benefits attached to Mr Xi’s stay in Clare, Dr Cunnane said “the visit to Bunratty Castle and indeed the Cliffs of Mo her will have an enormous impact on Ireland’s tourism promotional efforts in China.

“We are delighted to work with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and our Government colleagues to ensure the success of the visit and to raise Ireland’s tourism and business profile in China,” he added.

A LONG-TERM cancer sufferer could only get relief from the disease by taking cannabis, a court in Ennis has heard. Jacquelene Corris (40) told gardaí that she grew 13 cannabis plants in the back kitchen of her home in Ennis for personal use to cope with a medical condition.

At Ennis District Court on Wednesday, Corris, with an address at 4 Connolly Villas, Ennis, pleaded guilty to cultivating, without license, plants of genus cannabis. She was also charged with unlawful possession of cannabis.

Garda Francis Brennan gave evidence of arrest, charge and caution. The court heard that Garda Brennan carried out a search of the accused’s home at 4 Connolly Villas on October 24, 2011. Thirteen cannabis plants, valued at € 5,200, were found in the back kitchen of the premises, the court heard.

Garda Brennan said there was no evidence that the cannabis was to be sold. He said the plants were for Corris’ own personal use. Insp Tom Kennedy said the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had directed summary disposal of the matter. Judge Aeneas McCarthy accepted jurisdiction.

Solicitor Joe Chambers told the court that his client, who is self-employed, suffers from long-term cancer and has the “cancer gene”. He said cancer is an ongoing problem for his client who has undergone numerous operations. He added, “The only relief she can get is from taking this plant.”

Mr Chambers said that Corris cooperated fully with gardaí and has since “varied her ways”. Judge McCarthy adjourned the matter until April 4 for preparation of a report by the probation and welfare services.

A SENIOR official with the United Nations has welcomed a proposal to develop a humanitarian aid hub at Shannon Airport,

UN Commissioner for International Cooperation, Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Response, Kristalina Georgieva recently spoke to the Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade on the key humanitarian priorities for the EU over the coming years.

At its meeting, members of the committee discussed the chief humanitarian concerns for the EU with the Commissioner. Taken collectively, the EU is the world’s largest humanitarian donor and accounts for around 40 per cent of global humanitarian aid.

Committee Chairman, Pat Breen TD said, “We would like to thank Commissioner Georgieva for a clear, thought-provoking and insightful statement on the EU’s role in international co-operation, humanitarian aid and crisis response. The Commissioner outlined in some detail the extent of the EU’s humanitarian aid programme and its area of operations.”

According to the Clare Fine Gael TD, Commissioner Georgieva also said she looked forward to the feasibility study on the possible development of a humanitarian aid hub at Shannon, adding that in a time of increasing fragility around the world, there was always a need for more humanitarian capabilities. The committee heard how anticipating crises, moving quickly and targeting the most vulnerable not only saved lives and avoided the preventable misery of hunger and malnutrition, but provided for a more efficient and valuable hu- manitarian response at a much lower cost.

Deputy Breen stated, “Our meeting also provided us with an opportunity to consider the current crises in the Horn of Africa, the Sahel and South Sudan and the response by the EU and Ireland to the humanitarian needs in these areas. Commissioner Georgieva provided a valuable contribution to our understanding of the EU’s role in responding to crises, as well as outlining key priorities in the coming years.”

He added, “This is particularly important given Ireland’s Presidency of the European Union from January to June 2013 when we will be expected to lead discussions within the EU on humanitarian issues and Irish officials will chair the council’s Working Group on Humanitarian Aid and Food Aid.”

THE special report into the future of Shannon Airport is to be published by the Government before the end of the month, the Minister for Transport, Leo Varadkar has revealed. However, Mr Varadkar has revealed that the report carried out on behalf of the Government by international consultants Booz and Company will be censored before publication because of “sensitive information” contained in what is the new blueprint for the development of Clare’s international airport.

“The report contains commercially sensitive information, much of which was provided on a confidential basis,” Minister Varadkar has revealed. “For this reason, it will not be possible to publish the report in full. However, I intend to publish a redacted version of the report before the end of the month, once I am satisfied that the confidential information is protected.

“I have brought the Booz report to the Government for the information of my Cabinet colleagues. I have also commenced a process of engaging in detail with relevant stakeholders. When that process has been completed, I will bring proposals to the Government on the future of Cork and Shannon airports,” he added.

Minister Varadkar was responding to a Dáil question tabled by Clare TD and Fianna Fáil spokesperson on transport, Deputy Timmy Dooley, who said that the Booz & Company report was “causing great consternation and concern among workers and tourism interests in the Shannon region”.

“They are deeply concerned that the report has not been published almost 12 months after the Government came to office on the back of expectations that it would introduce important measures to assist Shannon Airport and the wider region which would increase the number of routes at the airport and consequently boost passenger numbers.

“Expectations in the region were raised by statements and comments made by the Fine Gael Party and its partner in government. I am disappointed it is taking so long to publish the Booz report.

“I am also concerned by some of the leaks emanating from the Government or individuals who are familiar with the contents of the report. It is clear that some external interests are seeking to privatise, part-privatise or franchise in some manner the activities at the airport,” Deputy Dooley added.

“Shannon Airport has been in limbo since 2008 and I intend to end uncertainty about the airport this year,” countered Minister Varadkar.

“I appreciate that tourism and employee interests in the region are concerned about Shannon Airport. I have visited the region twice and will do so again in the next few months.

“I met representatives of trade unions and business and tourism interests and while there is legitimate concern, there is also great ambition and excitement about the opportunities that could be provided as part of a new approach to Shannon Airport.

“The status quo is not working and substantive change is needed in the way the airport operates,” Minister Varadkar added.

MORE than 700 jobs could be fasttracked to Ennis this year with a planned new private hospital set to circumvent the local planning sys- tem and gain planning permission in as little as 26 weeks. Construction work on a new € 60 million private hospital, which is proposed for the former Our Lady’s Psychiatric Hospital, could begin before the end of the summer should An Bord Pleanála classify the hospital as a Strategic Infrastructure Development (SID). The project is being put forward by Ennis-based company Duesbury Ltd, which lists John and Allen Flynn of the Old Ground Hotel in Ennis as its company directors. Allen Flynn purchased the site with builder Martin Fitzgibbon and Paul Talty from Clare County Council for € 5.2 million in October, 2005.

ENNIS Town Council has said it does not have land available to give to sports clubs to develop facilities.

With clubs in Ennis seeking to develop their own playing grounds, a local councillor had urged the council to make any surplus lands available.

In a motion submitted to the February meeting of Ennis Town Council, Cllr Johnny Flynn called on, “Ennis Council to request Clare County Council, a la recent decision with regard to the site at Doora, consider making available portions of any suitable surplus lands in Environs area similarly available to Ennis Rugby Club, Avenue United soccer club, Ennis Town and other clubs who have the ability and can demonstrate the capacity to build much needed additional facilities.”

He added, “Some of these clubs, I understand, made previous such applications/approaches to one or both local authorities.”

In his response, Town Clerk Leonard Cleary, pointed to the council’s significant investment in “flagship facilities” such as Lees Road.

However he said that the council does not have surplus land available to distribute to clubs.

He stated, “Ennis Town Council recognizes the important role that sports clubs play in the everyday health and quality of life of residents and visitors to Ennis. In this regard, the council has invested in the development of flagship facilities at Lees Road, Ennis Leisure Centre, Tim Smyth Park, Glenina, Cloughleigh, and Coote Park. Some government grant support has also been provided which has enabled the local authority to develop these facilities.”

Mr Cleary regarded, “This is a major capital investment in sports in Ennis town and requires significant council budget provision to meet operational costs of these facilities. Further developments are planned at these sites, subject to available resources. Ennis Town Council is aware of a number of sports clubs currently seeking to identify a suitable site, but does not currently have a suitable landbank for consideration in this regard.”

The matter was discussed at last week’s council meeting with on councillor suggesting the sporting clubs in the county look to NAMA when it emerged that there was no local authority lands available for sporting amenities.

“Can we get a list of lands from NAMA and put the clubs on to them,” asked Cllr Tommy Brennan (Ind) who was reacting to indications from town manager Ger Dollard that the local authority had no surplus lands available.

“I am not sure that Clare County Council has a surplus of lands available.”

He added that while the town council should contact the more senior local authority to request any such lands for sporting clubs, he did not want to give false hope.

TEACHERS, parents and concerned members of communities throughout the county are expected to gather in the county town on Monday night next to voice their concerns at one of the largest cuts to teaching numbers in the history of the state.

Co-ordinated by the teachers’ union, INTO, the meeting will address the growth in class sizes that will lead to the reduction in teachers in many schools throughout the county.

Larger schools such as the Killaloe Boys National School are facing massive cuts.

The East Clare school faces the prospect of having its teaching numbers halved next year, from 14 to nine mainstream and remedial teachers and five special needs assistants (SNA), to just 7.5 – 6.5 teachers and one SNA if the proposed cuts are implemented.

Many smaller rural schools in Clare also face losing a teacher next year, with teachers faced with teaching numerous classes at once.

In many other communities, despite an increase in population and growing numbers at the local schools, teachers will also be lost.

For example a school with 49 pupils are currently entitled to a principal plus two teachers. However, by September 2014 the school must have at least 56 pupils to retain its three teachers.

Clare executive member of the INTO and Mullagh principal Sean McMahon said changes to staffing in small schools would also be applied retrospectively.

“Next year’s teacher allocation will be given to schools on the basis of pupil enrolment last September. Last September, a school with 50 pupils could have expected three teachers next year. The budget changes mean that school will only have two teachers,” he said.

The public is now being invited to have its say on the issue.

The officers of all Clare INTO branches met with Mr Mc Mahon last week and decided to respond to hundreds of requests from parents and teachers throughout the county to help organise a public meeting in Clare to highlight the issues involved, as well as appraise the Clare Oireachtas members on their growing concerns.

The public meeting will take place in the West County Hotel, Ennis, at 8pm on Monday February 20.

A PROMINENT hotelier has said that the tourism industry in Clare could be in for a slight rebound this year. John Madden, owner of the Temple Gate Hotel in Ennis, told a meeting yesterday that hoteliers had reported a 6-7 per cent increase in business last year. He said the boost in trade was a welcome one for the industry, given the tough economic conditions of recent years.

Mr Madden was speaking at a meeting of Clare County Council’s, Community and Enterprise, Tourism and Emergency Services Strategic Policy Committee (SPC). Commenting on the future of Shannon Airport, which he said was essential to tourism in the mid-west, Mr Madden said the indications are that Shannon will have “some definite independence by the end of the year”.

He said he also hoped that there would be a renewed emphasis on marketing Shannon, an area he said had been “sadly lacking” in recent years. “There hasn’t been a specific body for the marketing of Shannon and that is a problem,” he said.

Director of Service, Ger Dollard said the recent announcement of two new flights from Aer Arann was a welcome development for the airport. The move sees the introduction of a new Shannon-Rennes weekly service and improved frequency on the Shannon-Edinburgh route.

Mr Dollard said the council was awaiting publication of a government-commissioned report from consultants Booz and Company on the future of Shannon Airport. He told the meeting that the Department of Transport had responded positively to proposals to develop Shannon as a humanitarian aid hub while progress had also been made on plans to construct new cargo facilities at the airport.

The meeting heard strong criticism of what SPC members called a lack of a definite marketing strategy for Shannon.

Mayor of Ennis, Cllr Michael Guilfoyle (Ind) said an initiative should be launched to woo customers from the east of the country. He said the ready availability of the airport’s parking facilities should be highlighted as part of the campaign.

Cllr PJ Ryan (Ind) said a € 15 mil- lion budget had been promised to promote the Open Skies initiative but so far Shannon had only received € 3 million. He also criticized Shannon Development, saying, “Shannon Development have virtually put nothing into promoting Shannon.”

Cllr Pat Daly (FF) said Shannon needed to attract another airline like Ryanair. Cllr Pat McMahon (FF) said the absence of year-round transatlantic flights from Shannon was hurting the airport.

He said agencies associated with the airport would have to be more “aggressive” in marketing Shannon

CLARE men on the look-out for love this St Valentine’s Day may have trouble finding a woman if new figures are anything to go by.

Preliminary figures from the 2011 census show that there are 10 per cent more men living in Clare than women.

The data shows that the male population of the banner county stands at 55 per cent. According to the census, Clare has a popualation of 116,885 which indicates that there are cur- rently just over 11,500 more men than women in Clare.

Men living in North East Clare may have the most trouble finding love with the figures indicating that the population there is 58 per cent male.

The statistic was revealed yesterday at a presentation on preliminary census data during a meeting of Clare County Council’s, Community and Enterprise, Tourism and Emergency Services Strategic Policy Committee (SPC).

Michael Neylon of the Council’s Community and Enterprise section described the finding as “surprising because the disparity in gender is very severe”.

He said the disparity between men and woman existed in nearly every part of Clare. The findings show that 45 per cent of Clare’s total population live in the ‘Golden Triangle’ in an area from Ennis town to Shannon and its extended environs including Newmarket on Fergus and Sixmilebridge.

The data shows that the most significant population changes have occurred around urban areas. Ennis’s population has decreased by around 860 people. However this has been offset by a boom (2000) in the amount of people in the town’s rural hinterland. Mr Neylon said a trend of population growth in areas around urban centres is evident across the county, particularly in Kilkee and Shannon.

The data also notes “significant” population growth around Bodyke and Feakle. Mr Neylon told the meeting that the number of people living in parts of Ennis (urban) had fallen by 20 per cent, in Kilkee by 22 per cent and Liscannor/Doolin by 12 per cent.

He said the “urbanisation pattern” now stretches almost continuously outward from Ennis to Scariff.

Cllr Pat Keane (FF) told the meeting that he had “major problem” with the manner in which census data is collected. He said the information is wholly dependent on the number of people in a house at a given time. He told the meeting that five buses on average leave West Clare every Sunday night to bring students to college.

He said census data is giving a “false reading of the population of West Clare”.

CLARE County Council has been urged to press for changes to electoral boundaries after the current arrangement in Ennis was labelled a “disgrace”.

Independent councillor Tommy Brennan made the call at yesterday’s meeting of Clare County Council’s Community and Enterprise, Tourism and Emergency Services Strategic Policy Committee (SPC).

He said that the council should seek to have boundaries re-drawn now rather than leaving any proposal too late. Cllr Brennan criticized the boundaries in place in Ennis for the 2009 local election, which saw the county town divided into Ennis east and west.

He said, “Ennis should have one constituency not two. It’s a farce to put a boundary down O’Connell Street.” Cllr Brennan added, “It was a downright disgrace to have O’Connell Street split down the middle in the last local election.”

SPC members were speaking fol- lowing the release of preliminary data for Clare from the 2011 census.

Commenting on the high population concentration that exists in the ‘golden triangle’ from Ennis to Shannon, SPC chairman Richard Nagle said he found it difficult to agree with some of the statistics.

He said that if the census were carried out now, it would paint an even more “depressing picture” of the number of people living in rural parts of the county.

He said that recently 20 people, all aged in their twenties, had left two parishes in North Clare, to seek work abroad. He said rural areas that had been dependent on construction and tourism had been hardest hit by the economic downturn. “A generation is disappearing,” he warned.

Cllr Brennan said emigration is also a major feature of life in Ennis. He told the meeting that 14 members of an underage hurling team have now moved to Australia. Cllr Gabriel Keating (FG) said that 16 people had recently returned from Australia to a part of West Clare to attend a funeral.