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RATES in Shannon town are to in- crease by two per cent next year, while the overall budget is along the lines as that for the past year.

The proposals are included in the budget for 2009, which was up for discussion at a meeting of Shannon Town Council last Tuesday.

However, the budget, which was due to be adopted by councillors, was deferred after Councillor Patri- cia McCarthy (Independent) walked out of the meeting.

This was after she said she was not comfortable, unless the ethics frame- work was defined and said she would not participate until this was done.

Her comments came in the wake

of a complaint by the Wolfe Tones camogie club, over funding for the development of a skateboard park at the leisure centre. Cllr McCarthy is a member of the board of the leisure centre. However, the Standards in Public Office Commission ruled that there was no basis on which to initi- ate an investigation under the Ethics Act as none of the alleged contraven- tions was “a specified act”.

A number of councillors expressed the view that some members of the town council were also members of various organisations or groups that would be applying for funding from the council.

It was then decided that the county solicitor John Shaw would address councillors at a meeting this (Tues-

day) evening, when any fears could be raised. The budget is expected to be adopted at this meeting.

Under the budget proposal, rates would increase by two percent and would require a town charge of SO Oe

Additional funds have been set aside to cover the cost of the local elections, which will take place next June. They cost almost €15,000 to run in 2004.

The community grants scheme will have €5,300 at its disposal, which is the same as the figure for last year. However, the contribution towards community initiatives, which is a fund to build up a community initia- tives fund, will have a reduced sum of money at its disposal next year;

down €1,000 to €8,000.

It is envisaged that improvements will be made to the Shannon Town Council website, www.shannon- towncouncil.ie next year.

Discussions have been held with Shannon Chamber of Commerce regarding overall development of the website and how it might best be utilised as a wider resource in the promotion of all aspects of activity bom) er-beneCeyee

Town manager Ger Dollard, in putting together the draft budget for the forthcoming year, said it was pre- pared in “a most difficult economic climate and against a background where funding available from Clare County Council is likely to be less than that available in 2008.”

FIANNA Fail is facing the possible collapse of it’s vote in next year’s lo- cal elections – as the county’s 6,000 farmers are on the verge of turning their back on the party.

More than 7,500 farmers attended a protest rally in Ennis on Sunday when farmers were urged to vote with their feet and reject the govern- ment candidates at next year’s local election.

An estimated 4,000 Clare farmers ANA KepOCOLerO MN SCoMB ECD UN AMANO (CKomm OO CoME DUTY] Farmers Association’s Deputy Presi- dent, Derek Deane, urged them to “give the government their answer” at next year’s election.

OF THE many fears and traumas facing patients who have been diag- nosed with cancer, the side effects of chemotherapy loom large.

While the therapy is a life-saving one, many patients and particularly women patients, dread the hair loss that often goes hand in hand with the treatment.

It was why plucky Kilkishen woman, Anne Henry, decided that she would turn something that was personally quite negative into some-

thing which would be positive for many people who are battling the disease.

“IT was diagnosed with cancer on April 4 last and I was told I would be having chemotherapy”, said the mother of three.

“I knew that one side effect of the treatment is that my hair would probably fall out so I decided to do a sponsored head-shave before that happened.”

Anne had her head shaved after the first session of chemo but while she still had her locks.

“I did feel bad about losing it – I had quite long hair but hopefully it will grow back. I’m told it will grow back, but it takes a while after the chemo is finished.”

Anne’s head shave raised an amaz- ing €5,380, money which is going to unit 2 C in the Midwest Regional Hospital in Dooradoyle.

The unit has been accepting pa- tients for some time now but it will have its official opening later this week.

“It’s a fabulous new facility for people who are seriously ill. It has

plasma screen TV’s, very comforta- ble rooms and it’s much more homely than an ordinary hospital ward’, said Anne.

Now that Anne is happily finished her treatment and on the road to re- covery, she decided that on Saturday, she would have a gathering in Gal- lagher’s bar in Kilkishen for friends, family and neighbours who support- ed her.

“I wanted people to know how much was raised and where the money was going. Everyone was so good’, she told

Garda car attack

SANTA may be a while off coming down the chimney but for the young- sters at the Raheen Woods Steiner School, Christmas started at the weekend.

The children at the school were joined by staff, parents, friends and neighbours for their annual Advent Fair.

It was a fair with flair as young- sters got to grips with arts and crafts, making Christmas decorations and gifts that will be treasured for many

a year by older relatives.

Adults visiting the fair had a chance to buy some very special and unique Christmas gifts from the stalls dis- playing the work of local artisans.

Art works, jewellery, apparel and accessories were all on display and quite a few will find their way under Christmas trees in east Clare

Because Christmas shopping and decorating is a hungry business, the organisers laid on delicious soups, teas and coffees.

‘The emphasis in the fair is allow- ing children to participate and there

were lots of activities and games for them as well as a play”, a spokesman for the school said.

After years of campaigning, the two Clare Steiner schools were given official recognition by the Depart- ment of Education this year so they will now receive funding reducing the need for parents and the school to pay for the entire running of the school, including teachers’ salaries.

But that didn’t mean that the an- nual fund-raising Advent Fair was any less necessary than in previous years.

‘Every school could do with extra funds for equipment and activities and we also have a special bursary to help families who need assistance with the costs of schooling so some of the money raised will go towards that”, the spokesman said.

MEETINGS are taking place this week between SIPTU officials and union members in Aer Lingus after a proposed agreement was hammered out between the sides at the Labour Relations Commission.

An alternative proposal to outsourc- ing has been developed between SIP- TU and Aer Lingus management in talks held under the auspices of the Labour Relations Commission. SIP- TU will be consulting with members in advance of any ballot on the new proposals.

The aim is to complete the process before December 4.

There will be no industrial action

or strike action commenced during the process, but if SIPTU members reject the proposal the union man- date remains live and can be acti- vated if the company proceeds with eo) EL Rolen ner baton

Both sides are remaining cautious about revealing any details of the alternative to the management out- sourcing proposal outside union and company circles, but it’s understood that the LRC recommendations af- ter extensive talks will depend on expectations that many staff will choose to accept voluntary severance packages.

The agreement also presumes that a number will leave the company and return under new pay and cond1-

tions.

Staff who stay on current terms of employment will keep their current pay scales, entitlements, overtime rates, annual holidays and shift al- eee

Based on a review of the operation in Shannon, payroll savings will in- clude an overall 35 per cent reduction in staff with staff being employed on new terms and conditions.

A Shannon Handling Unit will be set up to allocate duties in the cargo and ground handling operation and staff will be required to work flex- ibly.

A pay pause will also be in place until July 2010.

The alternative plan will have to be

given approval by the members be- fore the full threat of a strike action, Jobe] OMOrO LEN (CM ODLMNU elem vel UR inett-MOE-RVoll period, can be ruled out.

Meanwhile, there have been sug- gestions that the company may be looking at returning the Heathrow service to Shannon.

Company chairman, Colm Bar- rington, said in a letter to Clare County Council that if the airline can get its cost base right at Shannon and generate sufficient passenger num- bers “we will be prepared to consider PNOMVanepes toa

Recent figures from Belfast show that passenger numbers on the route are falling behind what they had at Shannon by 27 per cent.

POLES and other non-nationals who came to Clare with great hopes of the Celtic Tiger are heading home.

While many are leaving because they find it difficult to get jobs, re- ports are emerging of non-nationals being let go out of turn while Irish employees are being kept.

Orla Ni Eili of the Immigrant Sup- port Centre in Ennis says that she has heard reports of foreign nationals be-

ing let go in this way.

“These are not formal complaints, but we have heard about it. A number of foreign nationals working in the country have said they were let go despite the fact that there were Irish people employed after them.”

Ms Ni Eili said she has been trying to get people to tell her which em- ployers are using this practice “but I haven’t been able to find out. I im- agine it’s because people feel quite powerless in these situations”.

The claims come as Mayor of Clare, Madeleine Taylor Quinn stresses that “people must be treated equally, re- gardless of their nationality”’.

She was addressing last week’s Polish Independence Day celebra- tions in Kilrush. The recession, she said, “is areal test of our society; how genuine we are in difficult times”.

At the height of the building boom, there were 2,000 Polish people living in Kilrush and surrounding areas, the Mayor said, but she added that figure

has since dwindled. Ms Ni Eli has anoticed a big rise in the number of foreign nationals eager to repatriate.

“A lot have gone and others are planning to go after Christmas. I think it’s the case that immigra- tion to Ireland was a chain process, where people who came here and found work was plentiful told their friends and family at home. Now that scenario 1s working in the opposite way, she said.

Lithuanian state agencies targeted

fellow citizens working in Ireland with jobs fairs in Dublin and Mona- ghan at the weekend.

The events were being hosted by the by the Lithuanian Ministry of Social Security and Labour under the title ‘Saddle Up Your Horses’.

“With the Irish jobs market shrink- ing, many Lithuanians are consider- ing the option of returning home. Three thousand job vacancies were on offer,” a spokesman for the event said.

MENINGITIS B remains the most common strain of the virus in Clare, despite the almost complete eradica- tion of Meningitis C thanks to vac- CHT IBCeyEF

While welcoming the news that there has been no cases of Meningi- tis C in the county since 2002, the Meningitis Trust said people must remain vigilant when it comes to the other bacterial form of the disease – Meningococcal B more commonly called meningitis B.

As many as 19 cases of the strain were reported in the mid west in 2006, with almost 150 cases notified from 1999 to 2006. There have been no deaths from this strain of menin- gitis in the mid west since 2003 when three patients died.

According to Geraldine Mills from the Meningitis Trust there have been more than 200 cases of Meningococ- cal disease notified since 1999 in the mid west region, including Clare Die e-rC Me blyoe-lae

Of those who survive meningitis, it is estimated that 15 to 20 per cent

can be left with mild to severe after- effects, including deafness, epilepsy, and behavioural problems amongst others. Where septicaemia has oc- curred, scarring and amputation can also be an after-effect.

Meningitis can strike in an in- Stant, but the effects can last a life- time according to the Trust. People are asked to be on the look out for early symptoms which can easily be mistaken for those of flu and include fever, headache, stiff neck, dislike of bright light, drowsiness, joint pain, vomiting, diarrhoea, confusion and in some, but not all cases, a rash. Symptoms can appear in any order and some may not appear at all.

Carole Nealon, General Manager of the Trust, said “With Winter upon us, it is all the more important to err on the side of caution, be aware of the signs and symptoms of meningi- tis, and seek medical attention as a matter of urgency if you suspect the Chere ional

The Meningitis Trust has a special 24 Hour nurse-led helpline that peo- ple can ring with any concerns. The number is 1800 523 196.

MEMBERS are this month celebrat- ing the 10th anniversary of the Can- tare Chamber Choir.

Formed by a group of friends who shared a love of singing, the Ennis based choral group have been regu- lar performers at numerous charity and community based events in the last decade.

The choir took its name from the Italian expression ‘Cantare’ which means ‘a love to sing’.

“That’s exactly what we are all about,’ explained choir director Geraldine Bradley, “Everyone in the group had a real love of singing. We’ve really enjoyed performing over the past ten years.”

That love of singing is reflected in the wide range of songs that can be heard at the group’s weekly rehears-

als in the St Peter and Paul Cathe- dral, Ennis.

“We sing anything really, from ren- aissance music right up to modern stuff,’ said Geraldine.

If you’ve attended a fundraiser in Ennis anytime in the last decade, then chances are that you’ve seen a performance by Cantare.

From supporting organisations like the Samaritans and Clare Haven to opening the Ennis Book Club Festi- val, the choir has always been keen to Support community themed events.

“We are very much a community based choir. We only enter the odd competition. Our main focus has al- ways been on supporting community based events,’ said Geraldine.

She added, “Last year we _ per- formed at the Christmas concert for the Samaritans. We’ve done the Mental Health Association concert,

which was in October. We were part of the 50th anniversary celebrations for the Poor Clares and we performed in the Cathedral when Cardinal Sean Brady was in Ennis”.

The big date on the calendar this year for the 14 members of Cantare is December 14, when, along with the Ennis Cathedral Choir and the Colaiste Muire Choir, the group will perform in the Cathedral at a special mass for Clare Haven.

Cantare also enjoy close links with the other groups and musicians in Ennis’s musical community.

“There are a lot of choirs in Ennis and I think that shows how much of an interest there is in music. We’ve performed with a lot of instrumen- talists and young talented musicians. Albert Hogan played with us. Fiona Walsh from the Ennis Gospel Choir has helped us out. Michael Hennessy

and his piano group have played with us. It’s a community effort,’ said Geraldine.

Cantare have performed at events outside Clare, in Enniscorthy and Limerick and Geraldine is hopeful that the group will get the opportu- nity to do so again.

After Christmas, the next big con- cert for Cantare takes place in March. “We normally break for the summer, with people going away and all that,” explained Geraldine.

And, as Geradine was keen to stress, new members are always wel- fey salen

THREE east Clare fire-fighters were among a group who were honoured for their long and heroic service last week.

At the sixth National Long Service Awards ceremony, held at the Red Cow Moran Hotel in Dublin, 20-year service awards were presented to Joe Moloney (retired Sub Officer), Dav- id Culloo (Sub Officer) and Martin Tuohy (Station Officer) of Scarriff Fire Brigade. Meanwhile, Kilrush Station Officer Martin Cahill re-

ceived a Long Service Award for 30 years of service to Clare County Fire and Rescue Service.

Congratulating the recipients, Min- ister of State and Clare T.D. Tony Killeen said, “the awards are a ges- ture of the appreciation of the people of Clare for the magnificent work these fire service personnel have done throughout their careers, which has helped all of us feel safer in our homes.”

“Significantly, the ceremony is also the State’s way of expressing its grat- itude for the huge contribution they

have made towards the security of its citizens,” he added.

Mr Killeen – who is a former Min- ister of State, with special responsi- bility for the fire service – praised the commitment and professionalism of the long serving fire fighters

“The service indicative of the high- ly experienced personnel employed by Clare County Fire and Rescue Service.”

Minister Killeen also offer effusive praised the Fire Services Council, which hosts the awards ceremony each year.

“The council, through its central training programme, continues to provide command and control train- ing for all officer ranks and specialist training in responding to road traffic accidents, hazardous materials inci- dents and command and control for ship fire-fighting while in port.

“The council also provides appro- priate courses in fire safety engineer- ing for suitably qualified fire service personnel. This suite of training courses supplements the training provided locally within fire authori- ties’, he said.