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EAR, nose and throat patients from Clare are to benefit from the newly refurbished ENT ward 2C in the Mid Western Regional Hospital, Limer- ick. The newly kitted out ward has set a new standard in patient accom- modation according to the HSE

The original ward, designed in the early 1950’s, to cater for the special needs of the ear, nose and throat service, provided accommodation for 22 patients, the bathroom and toi- let facilities were corridor based and shared by all patients.

Today, the newly re-furbished ward can still accommodate 22 patients, in a mix of four single rooms, four two bedded and two five bedded rooms.

All rooms are equipped with en- suite facilities and every patient’s bed-space is equipped with a plasma television.

The patient beds are new, electric profiling beds providing the ultimate in patient comfort and care.

“It was a major challenge to retain

the required complement of patient accommodation and still provide en- suite facilities without compromising patient space. This was successfully achieved by a clever extension within the ward,” said a HSE spokesperson.

“The ward has been sensitively designed and has an elegant and comfortable feel. The impact of the improvement is immediately expe- rienced on entering the ward. Every detail has been thought through for its aesthetic effect on the final fin- ished ward. Indeed, the importance of providing a therapeutic environ- ment in which both patients and staff can flourish is evident in this new ward.”

The new facility includes a treat- ment facility which 1s equipped with endoscopic and microscopic equip- ment necessary for a Regional Ear, Nose, and Throat Service.

The ENT service provides a com- prehensive region wide service, catering for a population in excess 370,000 and sees patients from as far away as Gort and Tralee.

BORD na nOg Iomiint is poised to have a greater role and say in the ad- ministration and operation of GAA matters in the county — that’s if the comments to the annual general meeting of the underage board made by Clare County Board secretary Pat Fitzgerald are to be believed.

This commitment was given to Bord na nOg delegates by Fitzgerald as he mounted a charm offensive on the top table of the board in the hope that the chairman Sean O’Halloran and secretary Rosaleen Monahan would row back from stepping down from their positions.

“They get very little recognition for what they do — you have people working at underage level three, four and five nights a week and they get no recognition. We do not give enough recognition for the contri- bution that is made by people who look after underage in the clubs and at Bord na nOg,” went Fitzgerald’s opening salvo.

“We are in an era of change and we’ve got to change. I started as sec- retary of Bord na nOg in 1983 and at that time I felt that we were basi- cally a fixtures committee. Twenty five years later they still have that

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‘“T think it’s time to reflect where we are going. If nothing else I would ap- peal to you the delegates to ask peo- ple on the top table, who are suggest- ing that they want to move, to remain with it and to effect the change that is needed and required in the future. I make that appeal to you the dele- gates. I think it would be a reflection on everybody if the expertise and the ability that they have and that they’ve built up over the years is allowed to go without using it.

“T believe it is necessary to change to bring Bord na nOg forward. Eve- ryone knows in business that if you’re not able to increase your business you’re going backwards. We haven’t been doing that and everybody in every club knows that.

“T would ask you at the top table to remain with it and to look at the possibility at bringing about change. The expertise and the experience that you have built up cannot be lost — it would be a capital sin to let it go and be lost. You have the ability and that would be lost to the association if you move on,” added Fitzgerald.

DESPITE the Doolin branch of the Irish Coastguard recording it’s high- est ever call-out figures in 2008, it now seem likely that the long await- ed modern facility for the lifeboats 1s at least three years away.

The matter was raised in the Dail last week when Fine Gael TD, Pat Breen said that he “hoped and prayed” that that facilities would be put in place as soon as possible.

“All that we know at the moment is that negotiations are still ongoing with the landowner and these nego- tiations are at a very advanced stage. We also know that the funding has been put aside by the Office of Public Works for the purchase of the site in Doolin in 2009,” said Matty Shan- non of the Doolin Coastguard.

“We are hopeful that it will happen sooner rather than later. Once we get the site the next challenge will be to get financing for a building, which could be another campaign in itself.”

“While an agreement for the pur- chase of a site looks likely to be completed in 2009, no funding 1s currently allocated for the construc- tion of a rescue centre.”

Speaking in Dail Eireann last week Clare TD Pat Breen said that, “this volunteer group 1s operating out of a building that is no bigger than an average garden shed. I hope and pray

that a proper facility will be put in place in the new year. Is it right that they should be forced to battle the poor infrastructure while they go about their life-saving work?”

The Doolin branch of the Irish Coastguard responded to 43 call out to date in 2008, 50 per cent more than last year.

“It’s seems that people are more aware of the rescue organisation that are operating around the county and are more aware of people be- ing in the sea. People are becoming more vigilant of the whole situation. We did have a number of situations where people spotted a buoy in the

sea and we were called out. They were rough seas at the time but it’s better to go out and rescue a buoy than if people don’t ring in if there was an emergency.

“This does create a disturbance for the team member because they are being called more often. But as long as people are aware then that is the main thing. What is more im- portant than people being aware of other people in the water is if people were very vigilant of their own safety while in the water.

COUNTY Board secretary Pat Fit- zgerald has put it up to the clubs of the county to decide on the next move in relation to Cusack Park.

It was the clubs that 12 months ago voted overwhelmingly for the sell- ing of Cusack Park for development and building a new stadium on the outskirts of Ennis — now in light of planning permission setbacks they’re being asked whether it would be pru- dent to revert to the original 2003 blueprint for the redevelopment of Cusack Park.

This question on whether the county board, with the mandate of the clubs, should finally abandon all hopes of cashing in on the potential development value of the nine-acre Cusack Park site in Ennis, will be formally put before delegates to this Thursday’s convention in the Auburn Lodge Hotel.

“The decision that now faces the clubs is where to next,” Pat Fitzger- ald has said in his first annual report to a Clare GAA Convention as full- time secretary. “Cusack Park is in a dilapidated condition, badly in need of a facelift. Do we retrieve the plans proposed by former county chair- man, Fr Michael McNamara and in- vest substantial resources, anything up to €10 million, in upgrading Cu- sack Park or do we bide our time and try with a renewed bid in a few years

to relocate to a new greenfield site? I would welcome the views of the clubs on this.”

Fitzgerald’s move to hand the con-

troversial Cusack Park subject back to the clubs comes only two weeks after former county board vice- chairman, Michael Lee, claimed that

the clubs wanted the existing Cusack Park site to be redeveloped in the first place.

“Five years ago we had the man-

date of the clubs,” said Lee, “‘and that mandate was to redevelop Cusack Park and try and get ten acres close to Ennis to develop a state of the art facility for training, not a farm of land in Tulla as they have now.

“T, as chairman of the fundrais- ing committee, with county board chairman Fr Michael McNamara had secured charitable status for the development that would allow tax re- lief in relation to subscription for the development. We had a financial pro- gramme in place. We were hoping to get €750,000 in lottery funding and Munster Council and Central Coun- cil grants to slot in the project. If I had been elected chairman it would have been finished a long time ago. We were financially set up to do the job and had the mandate to do it, but that mandate was changed. A mis- take was made.

“It is still an ideal venue and can be for the next 20 years. Then the next generation can look into where they want to go with Cusack Park,’ Lee told

CLARE County Council is to carry out upgrade works on two treatment plants to boost sewage capacity in Syavauksy

Senior executive engineer Walter Walshe told last Wednesday’s budget meeting of Clare County Council that work at a site in Clonroadmore, Ennis should be completed by Sep- tember 2009.

The move comes as progress con- tinues to be slow on the long mooted

Ennis Clarecastle main drainage scheme. The project, which would add extra sewage capacity in Ennis, was first proposed in 1995.

The meeting heard that work on the scheme is not expected to begin until 2010. Walter Walshe, senior execu- tive engineer, told the meeting that the process had been delayed in re- cent months pending completion of a cost/benefit analysis report.

‘Hopefully by the end of the year, we can finalise it and send it to the department.”

Cllr Tommy Brennan said the de- lays had negatively impacted on LoynaueassKoE DMO Coa Zed o)oyeeCornmnO me ONNNKS

He said, “There is to be no move- ment on the plant until 2010. What will people do in the meantime? We’ve been reduced to a situation where not even one more house can plug into the main sewer”’.

“Go ahead for this plant was given in 2002. Its high time the department were brought to book on this. How can you pay for something with de- velopment charges, if you can’t let

people develop”, added Cllr Bren- TENOR

Cllr Brian Meaney (GP) called for the council executive to give a strong commitment to the Ennis Clarecastle Main drainage scheme.

“Development in the town is mori- bund. Even if we had a full time boom we would not be able to take advantage,” said Cllr Meaney.

Director of services David Timlin said assessments were still being carried out on the Ennis Clarecas- tle main drainage scheme. “There

is a very strong commitment from the executive to the project. We are looking for funding from the depart- ment”, said Mr Timlin.

Clare County Council estimates that it will spend over €22 million on water services for the county next year. That 1s an increase of almost €3 million from the estimated 2008 figure.

Deputy county manager Noreen Fitzgerald expenditure had _ swal- lowed up a large part of the council’s finances in recent years.

TWO Clare clubs are determined to take the fight to retain the Interpro- vincial hurling and football competti- tions on the GAA calendar to Central Council level, even though full-time secretary Pat Fitzgerald claims that the series now “faces a doomsday Nero tte CO ee

The commitment of both the St Joseph’s Miltown and Crusheen clubs to the Interprovincials — formerly known as the Railway Cups — that date from 1927 will be brought to the floor of Thursday’s annual conven- tion in the Auburn Lodge.

Both have tabled motions in a bid to give another strand to the long-run- ning Clare campaign to safeguard the competition and ensure that it forms an integral part of the annual GAA calendar.

Former GAA presidential candidate Noel Walsh from Miltown has been a Interpro loyalist for many years — championing the competition at local, provincial and national level — while Martin Donnelly from Co- oraclare has pumped over €500,000 into sponsoring it over the last five years.

The St Joseph’s Miltown motion reads: “That incoming Uachtaran appoint a Task Force to recommend and advice to aid the promotion and advancement of the Interprovincial Hurling and Football Champion- ethene

The Crusheen motion reads: “That the Railway Cups Interprovincial Hurling/Football competitions be retained and in particular hurling, where there is no international com- petition for players to express them- selves.

The competition to be played over

one weekend with the All-Ireland hurling and footballers winners host- ing the competition with financial Support from sponsors and Croke Park. This competition could be played early in the year before the start of all National Leagues if pos- sible.”

However, county board secretary Pat Fitzgerald paints a bleak picture on the future of the competition. ‘For the past few years I have con-

sistently expressed my reservations and questioned the commitment of Croke Park to the Martin Donnelly Interprovincial Championships.

“Is the end nigh? Reflecting on the Interprovincials over the past few years, one cannot but arrive at the conclusion that there is apathy in many quarters to the continuation of the series.

‘They appear to be on a stay of ex- ecution. It’s 1s difficult to see Martin

Donnelly continue to bankroll the much-maligned competition when the level of cooperation isn’t what it should be.

‘To me it seems there is an indiffer- ent attitude within the GAA hierar- chy towards the interpros and as long as that remains the former Railway Cup faces a doomsday scenario”.

THREE Kilrush Town councillors gave up their conference money to ensure that the cost of applying for a parking permit in Kilrush did not increase by 100 per cent.

The decision followed a suggestion from the father of Cllr Jack Fennell (Ind) that the council consider giving up the conference fund and the may- oral bonus to spare the rate payers a three per cent hike and those paying parking permits an increase in ad- ministration costs of €10.

While the rate increase of thee per cent was passed, former mayors and chairpersons Cllr Fennell, Cllr Stephen O’Gorman (FF) and Tom Clyne (Ind) agreed to give back their conference allocation for the remain- ing six months of this council to re- tain the parking permit cost at €10.

“-€18,000 allocated to this council is going to seminars and conferences around the country. They should be eliminated for a period of two years. The ratepayers are paying for that. I have never seen a report back from one of those conferences,” said Cllr Fennell.

‘I propose the mayors give up their bonuses for a year or two,” he added, claiming that it would save the coun- cil between €3,000 and €3,500.

“T agree,’ said Cllr O’Gorman.

“You would Stephen, you have a

job,” said Cllr Collie Sweeney (Ind). Cllr Fennel’s proposal lead to a heated debate in the chamber, a de- bate that ran one and a half hours over its allocated time. Cllr Tom Prendeville (FF) accused

members of the council of looking for cheap headlines.

“IT am calling the bluff of people here looking for cheap headlines. Anyone who wants to put up their 2,000 (conference allocation) do it

now,’ he said.

He also asked for members to say if they wanted to give up their gratu- ity for the year, or eliminate the grant for retiring members.

“T don’t want any headlines,” added Cllr Prendeville.

Cllr Marian McMahon Jones (FG) said it would be an ideal situation not to increase the rates as business in the town was bad this Christmas with early sales in most shops.

She suggested that money be taken from the civic office fund. Earlier this year €213,000 was taken from the revenue budget and put into this capital programme.

‘Times were better then and no one could foresee what was to happen,” said Cllr McMahon Jones.

“We could look at taking it out of capital and putting it back into rev- enue and put things on hold for 12 months.”

Cllr Prendeville said, “23 per cent of this budget goes on promoting this town and it 1s very easy to make cheap shots,” he said.

Town Clerk John Corry told the members that the three per cent in- crease in rates was the minimum necessary to maintain the town’s os ATs Gone

CLARE GAA clubs are set to avail of over €300,000 under Munster Council club development grants, it has been announced by the provin- cial ruling body.

The announcement of the alloca- tion for the council’s 2008 budget shows that Clare clubs lodged a total of 47 applications to the provincial council, just one short of Kerry who lodged the most applications.

However, Cork clubs received the highest grants with a total of €574,944 allocated.

The council’s budget in this area arises from 40% of it’s gate receipts throughout 2008 and the council allocates grants up to an approved maximum in various categories.

These include field purchase, dress- ing rooms, floodlighting, pitch drain- age, stands, embankments, dug-outs, First Aid accommodation, Medical Room, car park facilities, score- board, netting, boundary and playing pitch fencing, purchase of mowers, hurling walls and pitch sanding.

Under the scheme, school grounds also benefit while in addition to the club funding, €484,570 was allocat- ed to ongoing major county ground developments.

“Comhairle na Mumhan acknowl- edges this wonderful work that is being undertaken by clubs with the approval of 40% of gate receipts for club development while a further 15% of the gross gate receipts is returned in ground rents to the grounds that hosted games this year,” a spokes- person for the council told The Clare People.

“This means that overall Com- hairle na Mumhan gives back 55% of its total gate revenue for develop- ment work.”

According to the latest figures, in the last five years the council has committed almost €9 million to De- velopment Grants in the province. Central Council has committed €2.6 million to clubs in the Munster in ad- dition to this, in the same period.

FINANCE Minister Brian Lenihan has dashed hopes that the Govern- ment may abandon its new air travel tax stating that the air sector already has preferential treatment.

In response to a series of Dail ques- tions on the new €10 tax, the minis- ter said he has tried to be as fair as possible in looking at areas for ad- ditional tax revenues. He said that fuel used by commercial airlines was

completely exempt from tax, so it al- ready had considerable preferential treatment. He said the new air travel tax will come into force from March 30 next year

“Ireland is not unique in regard to applying a tax on air travel. A number of countries within the EU apply similar taxes including the UK, France and the Netherlands, as do Australia and New Zealand. The proposed rates for the Irish air travel tax are not unreasonable both for

shorter and longer journeys, when compared to rates in other countries.

“It should be recognised that tour- ists will only be subject to the tax on their return journey. The additional €10 or €2 in the context of a much larger purchasing decision involv- ing travel, hotel expenditures etc. shouldn’t have much of an effect on tourist numbers.

“I appreciate the airline industry continues to go through a difficult period. However, this difficult trad-

ing period has, in addition to weak world economic activity, been largely driven by a massive spike in oil pric- es. Oil prices have now halved from the all-time high prices experienced earlier in the year.”

On his recent visit to Shannon, Ryanair chief executive, Michael O’Leary described the new air travel tax “as an amazingly stupid and re- gressive measure’.

“By all means have €10 taxes in Dublin, but you are not going to

be able to support traffic at Knock, Shannon and Kerry with €10 flat tax particularly during winter. We don’t Oppose a visitor tax over the short term in principle, somewhere some- how we all are going to have to pay a little bit more tax.”

However, Mr O’Leary said that it 1s fundamentally wrong that a person flying business class paying €3,000 – €4,000 paying €10 tax and an or- dinary Joe paying the same out of Shannon.

IF variety is the spice of life, then biodiversity is the very fabric of life and the Clare Biodiversity group of the county council is celebrating the Banners rich heritage of plants and animals with a new website.

The new Clare Biodiversity web- site, 1s a central information point for biodiversity in Clare, linking up other organisations working in biodi- versity, biodiversity events, projects and competition, and gives useful information on how to help the en- vironment.

Biodiversity is the variety of all life on earth from the largest whale to the smallest micro-organism, includ- ing human beings, along the way. The website incudes information on how we can help stop the decline of biodiversity, with good advice about avoiding insecticides and herbicides in the garden, having a compost heap, recycling, using public trans- port, walking or cycling to save on fuel, turning off sockets to save en- ergy, feeding birds in the winter and buying local and/or organic foods.

The website, which is also as Gaeilge, has information about the various biodiversity initiatives and projects in Clare as well as sections on habitats, competitions, video clips, action plans, news and events, biodiversity areas, and links to other organisations involved with environ- mental concerns.

The site is designed as a tool for schools, groups, individuals and families who want to know more about taking care of the rich variety of life in the county.

The new site can be found at www. clarebiodiversity.ie

Among the projects which the Bio- diversity group has carried out in Clare are the mapping of habitats in the county and a survey of the Clare wetlands.

Approximately a third of County Clare has been mapped on a field-by- field basis and put into digital format and a desktop survey to accumulate all the information available on the wetlands of County Clare was car- ried out in 2008. This information is now accessible in digital map for- jeatelm