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Airport traffic figures nosedive

THE operators of the Shannon Le1- Sure Centre, where workers have been told that they will be laid off for 21 weeks from next week while a major refurbishment project is un- dertaken, have warned SIPTU of the implications for the future viability of the facility if the works do not go ahead.

SIPTU has already asked that the €1.2m refurbishment plan “be shelved pending discussion on alter- native arrangements which would ac- commodate both staff and patrons”.

The centre’s 15 staff are due to be laid off for 21 weeks from next Mon- day while the work 1s undertaken.

While SIPTU has demanded that the work be put on hold, the board of the centre has warned of the serious implications for the long-term viabil- ity of the leisure centre if the works do not go ahead as planned.

A letter to SIPTU stated, “The board’s position continues to be that the only viable option is to com- mence the renovations and exten- sion on January 5 to ensure the long term viability of centre, guarantee employment into the future, and en- sure that the community continues to have affordable, modern recreation EYOVU BLO oxna

SIPTU Branch Secretary Mary

O’Donnell said, “This centre is fund- ed largely by public contributions and the public purse and we do not believe that it is in the public interest that people who are not affected fi- nancially by this decision should cast aside these loyal employees onto the public social system, while public funds are spent on renovation.”

A spokesperson for the leisure cen- tre said they thought “long and hard about this” before deciding it was the best option from a health and safety perspective.

‘Health and safety issues have to be our primary concern. We can- not have such major works going on while we have staff and clients in the oluun Counersam

Under the plan, the building con- tract will take 20 weeks while the centre will be closed for 21 weeks to allow time to prepare for the reopen- ing. If the works were allowed to go on while the facility was open to the public, it would take 30 weeks and cost up to €200,000 more, money which centre management say “we just don’t have”’.

The board of the centre has restat- ed, “This €1.2m refurbishment is a major investment in the facility and the town and it safeguards jobs at the centre for the future.”

SIPTU say its position is un- changed.

INDUSTRY and_ business _repre- sentatives have been predicting a lift in the region’s fortunes as a result of the return of the Heathrow routes to SJetvepeleyee

IBEC Mid West Director Mr Chris O’Donovan said “The restoration of this connection is a huge boost to the Mid West. It restores an essential link to one of the world’s most important airport hubs giving the region truly international access.”

He said that in the past few months, there has been a dramatic downturn in the regional economy. “Some of our top employers have reduced the numbers employed and are facing huge uncertainty in markets in 2009. Today’s news is a welcome boost to confidence in the region and we wel- come the Aer Lingus commitment to Shannon as a base for both long and short haul flights in the future.”

“Shannon Development warmly welcomes the announcement by Aer Lingus to go back on the Shan- non-Heathrow route. This route is a critical part of the west of Ireland’s economic infrastructure, particularly for the tourism and industry sectors. Over the years the Heathrow service has been essential in enticing foreign direct investment, new indiginous in- dustries, and tourists to the West of Ireland.

John Brassil, Chairman Shannon Development and Chairman ACA

(Atlantic Connectivity Alliance said that Shannon Development actively works with Aer Lingus, City Jet and Ryanair on all of their UK and European air services into Shannon Airport.

“In this difficult economic climate we will be redoubling our efforts and would ask all business and tourism interests in the region to get behind the Heathrow route,” he said.

The Irish Hotels Federation Shan- non Branch chairman, Michael Vaughan, said hoteliers and _ busi- nesses in the west have always been convinced about the viability of the route, which clearly makes sound business sense. We are glad that Aer Lingus staff and management recently negotiated new operational terms that have precipitated the re- turn of the service. We look forward

to working closely with the company to promote the service to the benefit of the region and local economy.”

WELCOMING the announcement Minister of State and Clare TD Tony Killeen said that the airline’s decision to reinstate the service was commer- cially based, just as the original deci- sion to end the service had been.

“Aer Lingus’ move to reinstate flights between Shannon and Hea- throw bears out exactly what I said in August 2007 when the airline announced it was withdrawing the Service; it was a commercial deci- sion. The commercial reality in the meantime has changed.

Aer Lingus needs to invest heavily in marketing the revived Shannon Heathrow route, according to Clare TD Timmy Dooley. He welcomed the announcement but said it was now “up to the airline to help ensure there was a strong demand for the service as they damaged what was a very successful and profitable route when they discontinued the Heath- row link last year”’.

Fine Gael’s deputy spokesperson on Foreign Affairs and Clare TD Pat Breen paid tribute to the Aer Lingus staff at Shannon past and present “whose sacrifices have paved the way for the return of the service’, adding that the final piece in the jigsaw was the “raising of the stakes by Ryanair in their bid to take over the airline”.

Deputy Joe Carey (FG) said the route should never have been with- drawn. “It was both profitable and popular, and I would hope it receives the full support of business and tour- ist interests once it returns. How (Aer Lingus) manages to steer its course over the coming months will be hugely significant for the mid west.”

While welcoming what she de- scribed as “the reestablishment of a strategically important service for business and tourism across the West of Ireland’, Mayor of Clare Madeleine Taylor Quinn said she be- lieved that Government pressure on Aer Lingus to restore the route had led to today’s announcement.

“It is my considered opinion that had Michael O’Leary not proposed to restore the Heathrow to Shannon connection in his take over bid for Aer Lingus that we may not have had this announcement.”

Shannon councillor and former Mayor, Patricia McCarthy (Ind) said that the campaign for the return of the routes “never let up, even when people said we were asking for the impossible. But it was the sacrifices of the Aer Lingus workers which made this a reality.”

Sean O Neachtain MEP, a member of the transport committee in the Eu- ropean Parliament said the decision “will help to develop inward invest- ment opportunities for the mid-west region and it will help to develop greater tourism opportunities.”

“IT would urge all of the interests in Shannon who worked so hard to retain the Shannon/Heathrow serv- ice, to demand a minimum five year foaue-Ne-DalKeromOet-LMmLMAY GUN Ml oLemm pOE-DUSIE-ND Olax! so that the major necessary devel- opment programme for the tourism industry in the region can be imple- mented,’ Marian Harkin MEP said.

A MAN who produced a bottle of vodka in a courtroom was described as acting like a ‘lunatic’ by a judge.

Judge Joseph Mangan made the comment in the case of Michael Ryan (21), of Farranvillas, Farrens- hone, Limerick, who admitted two public order offences arising out of a courtroom incident last week.

Inspector John Galvin told Ennis District Court on Friday that the ac- cused had entered the courtroom at Ennis courthouse during a sitting of the court the previous day.

‘He was in a very intoxicated state and was asked to leave. He was roar- ing and shouting. He produced a glass bottle of vodka from his pock- et,” said Inspector Galvin.

Defending solicitor Tara Godfrey said her client had no business in the courtroom the previous day. He had been drinking in town and made his way to the courthouse.

‘He has developed a very serious addiction. He has no recollection whatsoever about what happened yesterday. He is anxious to get back on track,” said Ms Godfrey.

Ryan told the court he is currently doing community service. Judge Mangan replied, “You are serving community service at the moment

and you came in here yesterday be- having like a lunatic.”

Ryan then apologised for his be- haviour and said he did not remem- ber the incident. His brother told the court he was trying to get a place for the accused in a treatment centre. Bail was granted and the accused will re-appear in court in February.

STRICT bail conditions have been imposed on a young man accused of assault in Shannon.

Dominic Hayes (18), of Inis Ealga, Shannon, is accused of assaulting a young man at Shannon Town Cen- tre on November 14 last. He is also accused of stealing alcohol, valued €3.20, at the Shannon Knights on August 8 last.

Sergeant Michael O’Connell told Ennis District Court last Friday morning that he charged the accused the previous evening.

Defending solicitor Jenny Fitzgib- bon applied for free legal aid for her client, who is currently undertaking a FAS course. She also sought bail for her client.

Inspector John Galvin applied for seven conditions to be attached to the bail.

These were that the accused would indicate where he would reside; abide by a curfew between 7.30pm and Sam; abstain from alcohol and illicit CHUA EA CB TORO rele Mma ltmsel gee named individuals; attend his FAS course daily and sign on at Shannon garda station daily, while the State was granted liberty to re-enter the case at 24 hours’ notice.

He was remanded on bail to appear again in court in January.

ENNIS traders say that despite pre- dictions of doom and gloom, their Christmas trade is looking good.

While there is definitely a drop in spending on previous years, custom- ers are not saying “bah Humbug” to Christmas, the traders say.

But the bad news for the town came in the form of a rates-hike, which is going to put businesses under se- vere pressure in the coming year, the Ennis Chamber of Commerce has eH ule b

Parnell Street trader and boss at Ennis Electrical, Paul Flynn, said at close of business last night that the customers “are still coming in. The throughput this year has been as good as any other year if not better and I believe the January sales will be a major factor this year.”

The Chairman of the O’Connell Street retailers association has said that while spending may not have skyrocketed, activity has been high in Ennis so far this Christmas.

Gearoid Mannion said pedestria- nisation of the town centre and in- creased parking had helped boost business.

“It is down a little, but pedestrian1- sation seems to have helped. Satur- day and Sunday were both busy days in the town. People are just being a little bit more cautious and taking stock of their situation,” he said.

Mr Mannion welcomed signage advertising parking availability and the decision by Ennis Town Council to commence pedestrianisation at OEbe

But he added that the “cumulative effect” of yearly increases in com- mercial rates was impacting on busi- nesses.

“Over all it (pedestrianisation) has improved on last year and I’m look- ing forward to a great atmosphere on the streets over Christmas,” said Mr WZ ETevebteyey

But Ennis Chamber CEO, Rita McInerney said the chamber is “very disappointed at Ennis Town Coun- cil’s decision to increase the com- mercial rate by three per cent, given our submission to the budget not to increase the charge for 2009.

Ennis businesses are suffering as a result of the current economic down- turn but are managing to survive only by strict cost control. As we ap- proach a time of zero inflation and customers having reduced spending power, there is no room for any price increases. Most businesses have already absorbed a VAT increase without passing it on to customers. They are about to experience an al- most doubling of water and waste tN exocne

IN a market where prices continue to decline, many property owners are cutting estate agents out of the equa- tion to save on costs. Consequently the ‘Sell it Yourself’, or ‘SITY’ sector, as it is known, is gathering momen- tum.

The company trading as Sellity- ourself.ie has been the major success story across Ireland in this arena, and it has its head office in Ennis.

Niamh O’Meara-Daly explained the company’s offer. “Sellityourself. ie provides property sellers with a complete selling package, everything from an online property listing, “For Sale’ signboard, pointer board and a newspaper advertising service.

“What’s more, the €195 fee on Sellityourself.ie is a one-time fee and your property is listed on the site until it’s sold.”

The key difference between this and high street estate agency serv- ices is that it’s down to the sellers to show their house to potential buyers and they handle the price discussions themselves, before handing the sale over to a Solicitor to deal with all the legal aspects and to close the sale.

While Sellityourself.ie do not val- ue property, they can advise on how to value property as well as recom- mending independent valuers if re- quired.

According to Niamh, “One of the main advantages of selling property

without an agent is the financial ben- efit. When you sell your property yourself you do not incur the cost of an agents commission. The average commission charged by agents in Ireland is 1.5 per cent, to which VAT is added at 21.5 per cent, so the sav- ing can be substantial.

As she sees it, “The other main ad- vantage of SITY property sales is that you have total control over the sell- ing process. Property owners sell-

ing direct know the exact number of buyers viewing their property online. They also know the precise number of phone and email enquiries they are receiving and they can speak directly to the buyers to gauge their level of interest.

If interest is low they can take meas- ures to increase it, whether through readjusting the price or through advertising. With an estate agent, you’re relying on their feedback. In

some cases, this feedback may not be entirely accurate, as the agent has their own reputation to protect”.

Many property owners choose to sell on Sellityourself.ie because they feel that they can do a better job of promoting their property to potential buyers, as they know it so much bet- ter than any agent could.

A recent survey by Sellityourself.ie showed that this is the main reason why people choose to sell on their

own.

Sellityourselfie is growing from strength to strength since its launch in 2006 and Niamh believes, “Prop- erty sellers are delighted at the pros- pect of having an alternative option to an estate agent, both in terms of saving money and dealing directly with the buyers. Also, because of the low cost, sellers have the option to advertise on Sellityourself.ie along- side an estate agent, provided they have not given sole selling rights to the agent.”

They also have the option of reduc- ing the price considerably if pushing for a quick sale as no commission will be incurred at the end of the sale. Many sellers have commented on the greater flexibility associated with selling themselves.”

There are currently 26 property listings in the County Clare area on the sellityourself.1e website. Two of the most recent properties are a three bed, semi-detached home in the Riv- erside Development of Ard Caoin, Gort Road, Ennis while in Tulla an impressive country house set on a half acre site has recently been add- ed.

Visit http://www.sellityourself.ie and select Clare from the search drop down in order to view all property listings in the county.

Sellityourselfie support staff are available to deal with enquiries, on Lo-Call 1850 663333 or on 065 6868630.

MAJOR increases in payments to elderly people are needed if they are to cope with the recession, with many retired people living on the poverty line as it is, it was claimed this week.

Age Action West is calling on the Government to act to prevent wide- spread poverty among older people living on a fixed income.

James Reddiough of Age Action explained that a weekly income of €203 1s considered to be the line be- low which people are living in pov- Saas

‘Most people living on a state pen- sion are living on between €219 and €232 per week. That close to the poverty line and when you consider that’s to clothe, feed themselves, pay bills and in rural areas, pay for their own transport that’s not a lot of mon-

ey.” Said James.

Age Action wants increases in the State pension, the Living Alone AI- lowance and other entitlements such as the €10 fuel allowance to help pensioners make ends meet.

There are between 1,500 and 2,000 additional deaths each winter, com- pared to the summer, many of whom are older people who die because they cannot afford to keep them- selves warm,’ Age Action chief ex- ecutive Robin Webster said. “Lives could be saved by increasing the fuel allowance paid to the poorest pen- sioners.’”’

DOMINIC Considine, founder and chief executive of Loyaltybuild, the Ennis-based marketing loyalty com- pany which has been acquired by US firm, Affinion for a sum believed to be in the region of €25muillion.

A native of Kilmihil, Mr Considine will remain as chief executive of the company which employs about 70 staff devising and managing market- ing loyalty programmes on behalf of client companies.

Other shareholders in Loyalty- build, which was established by Mr Considine as Shannon Showcase in 1999, are Sean Lyne and Domhnal Slattery, who are also investors in