Category: News

AN APPLICATION to build a major extension to an aircraft and helicopter leasing facility in Shannon has been ruled not to be of strategic importance by an Bord Pleanála.

The planning authority last week turned down an application from Westair Aviation to a have a 253 square metre extension of their Shannon hanger deemed to be a Strategic Infrastructure Development (SID).

If the company had succeeded in gaining SID status, it would then have been allowed to apply for planning directly to an Bord Pleanála – and not through Clare County Council. In addition to this, an Bord Pleanála would also have worked with the company to ensure that the planning process would be navigated as smoothly as possible.

Having failed to receive SID status the company must now apply directly to Clare County Council, should they decided to go ahead with the hanger extension. Any decision made by Clare County Council would then be open to an appeal to an Bord Pleanála, a process which could take a number of years to complete.

The proposed expansion would see Westair Aviation develop the large extension to the south side of their existing hangar, which currently forms part of their corporate jet hire centre.

Detailed plans for the proposed extension were not submitted to the planning authority but it was stated that the extended hangar would be not be higher than the existing structure and would accommodate larger aircraft. It was submitted that the use of the building would remain the same, just with an increased floor area. There is no indication from the submitted plans whether the expansion would have led to an increased workforce at the company.

In his report inspector Philip Green stated that the proposed development was too small to be considered a SID.

THE Shannon-based Eirtech Aviation has announced a major expansion, saying that it will growing “its global footprint”, following the news released on Monday that it will begin painting aircraft in the former Alitalia Paint hanger at Rome’s Fiumicino Airport.

The state-of-the-art hanger, which is used for the painting of wide-body aircraft, boasts four magic carpet platforms, suspended from the ceiling.

The magic carpets facilitate the preparation and painting of an aircraft without the need for docking, helping to reduce the time taken to prepare aircraft for painting.

The Rome facility brings Eirtech Aviation’s number of dedicated aircraft painting locations to four, with over 20,000 sq mtrs of hangarage.

Niall Cunningham, CEO of Eirtech Aviation, said, “Our expansion into Rome is the next phase in the company’s development, which is focused on being able to provide state-of-the-art services to clients in geographically advantageous loca- tions. Providing multiple location options for clients gives Eirtech Aviation a competitive advantage as moving aircraft for painting and maintenance can be a costly exercise.

“Ultimately however we are judged on our responsiveness, service provision and cost effectiveness and it’s heartening to see clients returning to us again and again. It’s an exciting day for the team as we launch our new hangar in Rome, which follows the launch of our facility in the Czech Republic in 2012.”

During 2012, Eirtech Aviation painted over 200 narrow and widebody commercial aircraft and clients include SAS, Qatar Airways, and Lufthansa to name a few. The expansion into the Rome facility, which can cater for all aircraft types and will further strengthen Eirtech’s wide-body capability.

Painting will commence in October following commissioning and handover.

Eirtech would like to acknowledge and thank Aeroporti di Roma for their assistance and look forward to continuing to work with them in future.

THE education officer for the Diocese of Killaloe has warned that continued cuts to education budgets is making the management of primary schools in Clare almost impossible.

Fr Gerry Kenny said it’s time to stop treating schools like businesses and again prioritise investment in education.

He was speaking in Ennis on Thursday night at a public meeting called by the Irish National Teacher’s Organisation (INTO) to highlight opposition to cuts to education spending in next month’s budget.

He said the cuts in capitation grants are seriously affecting the ability of volountary Boards of Management to run schools.

“Schools are being treated more and more like businesses. Most of you in boards of management will be familiar with water bills. We haven’t received it privately but in recent years the water rate bill has hit the schools and by golly is that an eyeopener,” he explained,

“We are charged for ESB and gas. It’s estimated that 1/3 of those bills are just the service charges that come to us even when the schools are closed. It’s becoming more and more difficult with the small pool of money that is being given in the capitation grants. On top of that the minor works grants have disappeared. That means there is often very little left to do essential works that often have to happen for the maintenance of the schools.”

Fr Kenny continued, “We have lived through austerity and I think on behalf of the pupils for whom we manage the schools, it’s time to say to our State, ‘You have to begin once again to prioritise investment in our schools.’”

Diocesan communications officer Fr Brendan Quinlivan told the meeting that by increasing class sizes and cutting school budgets, the Government is “storing up a whole lot of trouble for the future”.

He added, “We are effectively making enemies of our children because if we deprive them of the things that are most important – the opportunity to learn, grow and socialise, the opportunity to value who they are as individuals, the opportunity to achieve their full potential – if we deny them those things, all we will be doing is storing up resentment and anger in a society for the future.”

OVER 3, 500 Clare children are being taught in classrooms of 30 pupils or more, a meeting has heard.

The increase in the pupil teacher ratio and it’s impact on small and large schools was the focus of much discussion at a public meeting organised by the Irish National Teacher’s Organisation (INTO) in Ennis last week.

The meeting at Tracey’s West County on Thursday night was at- tended by an estimated crowd of 400 people.

In a presentation, INTO Vice President Sean McMahon outlined the level of education cuts that have hit Clare schools in recent years.

The meeting heard that Ireland has the second most crowded class size in the European Union.

Mr McMahon said that of the 13, 501 primary school pupils enrolled in Clare schools in 2012/13 3, 585 are in classroom of 30 or more students; 1,887 are in classrooms of 0-19 students; and 8,029 are in class- rooms with between 20 and 29 students.

Mr McMahon said it is vital that Department of Education and Science moves away from the “madness” of a “magic number” of pupils that determines a school’s future.

He said, “I had a conversation with a teacher in the Ennis area this morning with 37 children in second class. In that class were four children whose first language is not English; there was an autistic pupil and a pupil with Aspergers. They are in a very difficult environment.”

“We want an increase in spending in primary education and a reduction in class size in line with European norms which would facilitate the employment of our young, enthusiastic and well-trained professional young teachers. We also want the madness, which is the assault on smaller schools, some rural and some urban, to cease,” Mr McMahon added.

Brendan Horan INTO National representative urged parents and teachers to lobby government TDs by taking part in the union’s post card and email campaign.

LABOUR TD for Clare, Michael McNamara has signalled his opposition to rumoured € 100 million cuts to education spending in October’s budget.

In a statement, Deputy McNamara told a public meeting organised by the Irish National Teacher’s Organisation (INTO) that the “range and nature of the cuts proposed in the media in recent weeks are not acceptable”.

He continued, “I had a long conver- sation with the Minister for Education about that funding and schools big and small are at the limit of what they can endure. There is simply not a future for a further € 100m in cuts and savings to be found or anything near that amount.”

The statement was read by a spokeswoman. She told the meeting that Deputy McNamara was unable to attend Thursday’s meeting in the West County due to a prior commitment.

Fine Gael TD Pat Breen said no decisions had been taken on the exact level of cuts and tax increases in the budget. He added, “It is a challenge but as the Minister for Finance says, ‘we are going in the right direction’. At the moment all departments are putting together their budgets, including the Department of Education and Science.”

His party colleague, Deputy Joe Carey said, “It [education] certainly is a priority of mine. I will fight for ye as people here, as parents, as teachers. Education is so important for our country and our economy. I’ve listened to what ye have to say and I will certainly support ye.”

Referring to recent economic data that says Ireland has emerged from recession, Fine Gael Senator Martin Conway said, “I certainly want to see that coupled with a period of growth in investment in education in this country.

Fianna Fáíl TD and party spokesman on Transport, Tourism and Sport, Timmy Dooley, said he would like to see an easing of the cuts to school grants and minor works schemes. He added, “There has also been the increase in the student population but unfortunately there hasn’t been a requisite increase in the number of teachers to cater for that demand.”

ONE of Clare’s most popular tourist locations is to undergo a major facelift with the news that almost € 190,000 in government funding has been allocated to the Lahinch Promenade. Indeed, there was a second major funding boost for North Clare with the news that a further € 145,000 has been allocated towards the improvement of lighting in Liscannor.

Both allocations, which total € 323,000, were made available under the Department of Agriculture’s Marine Leisure and Marine Tourism Capital Infrastructure Development Programme.

The Lahinch allocation will be used to redevelop access and slipways and the Liscannor end of the promenade while the money earmarked for Liscannor itself will be used to totally replace the surface of the pier and improve public lighting.

“This is a big boost for Lahinch and Liscannor and it will also allow Clare County Council to keep on a number of their part-time workers throughout the winter,” said Senator Martin Conway (FG).

“This will greatly improve the look and the access in both locations and will hopefully encourage more of the tourists travelling to the Cliffs of Moher to stop off. I am asked over and over about the parking charges in Lahinch, and if they are being ringfenced, and maybe there is an issue there, but I am very happy to be able to welcome this funding at least.”

When parking charges were first introduced in Lahinch they were done under the condition that any proceeds from the charges would be reinvested in Lahinch.

This issue has been raised by a number of councillors at recent North Clare area meetings of Clare County Council, with specific attention being paid to the last of public toilet facilities in Lahinch and a the need for upgrade work, including basic security measures, on the Liscannor Road car park.

SATURDAY night fever is gripping the county as once again we travel in our thousands to back the Banner.

Up to 40,000 Clare supporters are expected in Croke Park for the 5pm throw-in and despite the relatively awkward scheduling of the replay, this has not affected the quest for tickets. Croke Park’s decision to reduce ticket prices for the replay has also added to the demand.

The team to play Cork in Saturday evening’s eagerly anticipated AllIreland hurling final replay will be named after training on Wednesday night and there are no late injury worries reported in the squad.

Due to the fact that there is no minor game preceding Saturday night’s game the GAA are urging support- ers to get into the ground in plenty of time for the 5pm start.

“With over 82,000 expected in Croke Park patrons should try and get there early because if the vast majority of spectators arrive just before the game, it is inevitable that processing that many people through the turnstiles in an orderly fashion could take time,” a spokesperson told The Clare People . Westmeath referee James McGrath will be the man in the middle for Saturday’s replay.

News of his appointment was greeted with a comment from Cork County Board Chairman Bob Ryan which stated that Cork would not have an issue with McGrath, despite his sending off of Cork star Patrick Horgan in the Munster final back in July, a red card that was later rescinded.

POSITIVE Ageing Week will be celebrated with a wide number of events around Clare from September 27 to October 5.

This is the 11th year Age Action has marked UN International Day of Older Persons, which takes place on October 1.

Clare County Library has compiled a programme of events to celebrate this very worthwhile week. In association with Bluebird Care, there will be a Positive Ageing Photo Exhibition on display in the De Valera Public Library, Ennis, from Monday, September 30, to Friday, October 11. The exhibition showcases older people getting out and enjoying life. Some are still working, while others are continuing to enjoy hobbies and some are captured passing on their skills to another generation. The exhibition has been displayed in art galleries, libraries, nursing homes, schools, town halls and businesses. It is made up of 28 images with 28 separate descriptions. It can be viewed during normal library opening hours so don’t miss your chance to see these inspiring photos.

To coincide with the exhibition’s residency in the library Bluebird Care will also present a ‘Safe at Home’ security seminar there on Tuesday, October 8, at 6pm. This seminar is one in a nationwide series of security seminars that Bluebird Care has organised in response to a growing fear among older people about security at home. It will be attended by local Community Policing members of An Garda Síochána, security consultants and community representatives. This is a free event and everyone is welcome.

Senior citizens will have an opportunity to get in touch with their artistic side at an art workshop entitled.

During Positive Ageing Week, and throughout the month of October, Clare County Library will take a small section of the Local Studies Library on tour when library staff will visit nursing homes and day centres throughout the county. A selection of ‘Clare Champion’ newspapers from times past will be transported, along with photographs and books, so that extracts can be read and discussed, evoking memories of times past. The newspapers are part of a complete set of ‘Clare Champions’ dating back to 1903 which are housed at the Local Studies Centre on Harmony Row, Ennis. They are available to the pub- lic for reference use.

Remember too that senior citizens can avail of free library membership in all of Clare County Library’s branches. For more information on these events and much more visit Clare County Library’s website at www. clarelibrary.ie or telephone 065 6821616.

A MYSTERIOUS two metre-long, phallic-shaped object has been creating a stir in North Clare since it was discovered imbedded in sand on Lahinch beach on Sunday.

The object, which has already been christened the ‘Lahinch Langer’, appeared on the southern end of the beach and has been baffling locals and tourists alike.

The heavy object, which was discovered lodged in heavy sand, not too far from the 12th tee at Lahinch Gold Club, appeared to be covered with a mixture of shells and tentacles prompting speculation that it may be a previously unclassified species of sea animals.

The object was yesterday examined by Dr Eamon Doyle of the Burren and Cliffs of Moher Geopark, who determined that the object is in fact a collection of thousand a crustaceans known as Goose Barnacles.

Goose Barnacles are unlike other crustaceans such as crabs and lobsters. Instead of crawling along the sea bed, they attach themselves to floating materials and filter food from the water.

“It is difficult to tell what they are attached to because there are so many of them. Normally you might see them attached to a log or even a floating piece of plastic, but I have never seen them in these numbers before,” he said.

“They need moving water to wash through so they can feed, so they don’t move around like other crustaceans. They are relatively common but this is the first time that I have seen them in these number.”

A large number of the Goose Barnacles were still alive yesterday but unless the colony is returned to the sea soon they will all die.

“There was a lot of people stopping to look at them. Up until I arrived yesterday, I don’t think anyone really knew what it was. They there was a lot of people interested and taking photographs but I don’t think they realised that they were Goose Barnacles,” continued Dr Doyle.

“They are still alive at the moment but they won’t last for long if they are not re-floated. The way that the log is buried in the band it is hard to see how they would be released, even in high tide. It is hard to know how long the would last.”

CLARE County Library will be hoisting the flag for children’s books once again this October, offering a month-long festival of authors, illustrators, artists and storytellers designed to spark the imagination of young readers all over the county.

Activities will be running in all libraries, including readings by popular authors, art and craft workshops, space “exploration” and puppet making, giving Clare’s young people countless opportunities to explore a wide array of books.

The festival gets a head start this year with the return to Glór Theatre, Ennis, of one of the world’s best-selling children’s and teenage authors Darren Shan, on September 26. ‘Zom-B’ is his new epic series, launched in September 2012 with a new book publishing every three months. The Ennis Book Shop will join with the library to promote the event selling copies of Darren’s latest book and others in the series on the day.

The second of the library’s book festival events taking place in Glór, this time on October 1, is a storytelling extravaganza by the master of tales, Niall de Burca.

Raised in the West, he emigrated at a young age and lived for many years in New Zealand where he married into a large Maori family. Now living in Dublin, Niall travels worldwide, inspiring people of all ages with his traditional and original tales.

Bestselling author, Michael Smith, whose biography for younger readers, ‘Tom Crean – Iceman’, led to the story being incorporated into the schools’ national curriculum, will be visiting Kilrush and Kilkee Libraries.

Sports Journalist Ger Siggins will introduce young readers to his love of rugby through his book ‘Rugby Spirit’ published last year by O’Brien Press.

Anna Carey is also a journalist who has written for the ‘Irish Times’, ‘Irish Independent’ and many other publications. Her first book, ‘The Real Rebecca’, was published in 2011, and won the Senior Children’s Book prize at the Irish Book Awards. To the delight of many readers, Rebecca returned in the sequel ‘Rebecca’s Rules’ in 2012. ‘Rebecca Rocks’ is book number three in the series.

Full details on www.clarelibrary. ie of all CBF events here in County Clare in October.