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TALKS aimed at saving jobs and averting a strike which could cripple Christmas travel resumed today at the Labour Relations Commission.

Aer Lingus management and SIPTU are meeting following the interven- tion of the National Implementation Body and spent yesterday number crunching. It’s understood that SIP- TU is suggesting alternatives to the job cuts.

Management is seeking to introduce almost 1,500 job cuts through out- sourcing, voluntary redundancy or early retirement. Up to 300 Aer Lin- gus jobs at Shannon are under threat, which the company says is vital to contain spiralling losses.

Last week, a ballot for industrial ac- tion by SIPTU members resulted in an overwhelming endorsement, and strike notice was served. If no solu- tion is found, this would mean that pickets could be placed on Shannon, Dublin and Cork by November 24, threatening Christmas travel.

The NIB became involved in the situation last week, and after meeting with both side recommended that the parties go back to the LRC.

In a statement, the NIB said: “The body believes that solutions need to be urgently found to the current diffi- culties. In this regard, the body notes that the parties are agreed that such

solutions must offer long-term viabil- ity and stability for both the company and its workers. On receipt of the LRC’s assessment, the NIB will ex- plore with the parties what assistance, if any, it can offer in achieving a final resolution of those issues where dif- ferences remain.”

So far, union representatives and management have not got to the stage of re-opening negotiations. It’s believed that both sides have been number crunching under the chair- manship of Kevin Foley, director of Conciliation Procedures.

Union sources confirmed both sides have been “going over the numbers to see which measures will save what. It’s unlikely they will begin any real negotiations until Wednesday or even Thursday. This is a big process and there are a lot of issues to be consid- ered.”

Over the weekend, Aer Lingus man- agement looked at SIPTU cost cutting proposals which the union says would obviate the need for outsourcing to a third-party supplier.The union fears that under the outsourcing plan, air- line staff would have their jobs re- placed with lower paid positions.

While both sides are saying little in light of the risk of industrial action from Monday, it is understood the draft proposals would involve an ef- fective buyout of existing terms and conditions.

Permanent and temporary posts in jeapordy as budget cuts begin to bite

CONSTRUCTION on the next phase of the Atlantic Corridor from Gort to Oranmore will commence in 2010, according to ‘Transport Miu£nister Noel Dempsey.

The scheme was one of six projects deferred due to budget cutbacks but at a sod turning ceremony on the construction site of the Gort/Crush-

een bypass on Friday, Minister Dem- pey said it would be the only road project to start in 2009.

“That wasn’t an accident. This sec- tion of the Atlantic Corridor was deliberately chosen to give a very clear signal from Government that the commitment that we have made to balanced regional development, to the west of Ireland despite the eco- nomic downturn, remains very, very

strong.”

Minister Dempsey said that the scheme marks “a very, very signifi- cant next step in the provision of the Atlantic Corridor”’.

“Inevitably, you can’t do everything at the one time. It is hoped that in 2010 will see all of the inter urban motorways will be completed and at that stage, there will be more money available and it 1s anticipated that the

Six Or seven projects which have been postponed and are not going ahead in 2009 will all start in 2010.”

He said that the Gort/Crusheen sec- tion of the the corridor would elimi- nate one of the worst bottlenecks _NCOyercam ON eloma UN E-NNLBCemere UNTO CO)E

“This project emphasises the im- portance of investing in the road infrastructure so that business and regional economic hubs such as Lim-

erick, Shannon and Galway can com- pete in this ever demanding national and global environment.

“The key benefits will be three fold, a safer road, direct regional eco- nomic investment and easier access for visitors. For the people of Gort and Crusheen it will give them back their towns by dramatically reducing through traffic,” Minister Dempsey concluded.

A FASHION show with a difference will make a major contribution to the fund-raising efforts of the Suaimh- neas autism unit attached to Inagh national school which caters for stu- dents from all over the county.

The Christmas Allure fashion show which will be held in Glor on Thurs- day, December 4 features a 20% dis- count off leading labels.

Suaimhneas was established in 2002 as a single class for four Clare children with ASD (Autism Specific Disorder) and has now developed to two classes catering for ten children.

According to Suimhneas Principal Anne Quinn, the benefits for the chil- dren have been enormous. “Specific methodologies are used to encourage the children improve their social and communication skills. The interac- tion between pupils is a wonderful opportunity for them to work togeth- er to be the best they can be”.

The unit receives funding for staff- ing and basic class equipment but have to annually fundraise to pay for the specialist therapies such as music therapy and the expertise of a sports and exercise therapist. This year alone consultants cost €20,000.

A major extension being planned for the unit will include a state of the art ASD unit but significant fund- ing will be needed to ensure that it is properly equipped. You can help by buying a ticket for the 20 per cent discount fashion show and exhibition on December 4. A limited number of tickets are available at the Glor box office.

PARENTS, students and community leaders in Kilrush are taking on the fight against illegal drugs by sup- porting and informing young people in the town.

The Local Education Commit- tee in Kilrush made up of students and parents from Kilrush Commu- nity School and St. Senan’s Primary school have joined with interested Students, teachers, Home School Community Liaisons and other local community agencies to put together a full week of programmes and ac- tivities on drug awareness as part of the campaign. The theme is “The Evil of Drugs”.

With the gardai and the local com- munity support group such as the Kilrush Family Resource Centre ad- mitting that there is a problem with drugs and under-age alcohol in the west Clare area, facts and figures

relating to the problem remain anec- olor eYF

The Regional Drug Task Force for the mid-west is currently gathering information in the town, but read- ily admit the information through surveys on such a topic is not neces- sarily as accurate as the information discussed within the teenage peer group.

The most up to date information available to those fighting drugs use in Kilrush is that collected nationally by the Health Research Board.

According to its research three per cent of 15 to 34 year olds reported us- ing cocaine last year. Ecstasy use has remained stable in the country with 2.4 per cent of young adults using the drug in the past year compared to 2.3 per cent the previous year.

Amphetamine use in Ireland is very low at less than half a per cent, but Ireland represents one per cent of problem opiate users.

The week long drug information week in Kilrush beginning on No- vember 24 will provide more infor- Tpar-HaCoyem-H Oe Mr-Ce Mrs (eor

The week will feature expert views, guest speakers, exhibitions and read- ings and will culminate on Friday 28 with an “Alcohol Free Night at the Pub”.

Competitions were held at Kilrush Community School and St. Senan’s Primary School in categories of creative art, essay, poetry and rap. Exhibitions, readings and activities are planned for the week at both schools.

On Monday there will be a Drug Awareness Information Night at Kil- rush Community School from 8pm with speakers Det. Garda Seamus McMahon and Anna O’Neil from Slainte. Representatives from the ‘No Name Club” will be available with information. During the week people are invited to visit the schools

to view art, hear readings and Rap and to view other exhibitions.

On Friday from 6pm to 8pm the ‘Alcohol Free Night at the Pub” held in the Galleon Pub in Cappa, Kilrush will celebrate a sober night out.

Awards will be presented to win- ners of the competitions, and a bro- chure with information on local serv- ices, phone numbers, where to go for more infomation will be available. This brochure has been put together by students and will be launched on the night. There will be a table quiz and a disco, and food will be provid- ed. Soft drinks, minerals and non- alcoholic drinks will be available to OLUNKe EE Kor

This community project is a com- bined effort and is being funded by the Mid-west Regional Drug Task Force with time, talent and addition- al resources provided by schools, in- dividuals, businesses and the Kilrush Family Resource Centre.

DERBY champion Shelbourne As- ton got his challenge for the 2008 Mardoc Holdings Golden Jacket off to the perfect start when winning his first round heat at the Galway Track on Saturday night in a time of 31.29.

Shelbourne Aston was always up with the pace after a decent start from trap three and hit the front on the fourth bend en route to a three length victory over The Other Sonic, with Slick Spiral two lengths back in third.

Sponsor Denis O’Connell had a first round double while Broadacres Turbo produced the run of the night as he coasted home in 31.10.

Run of the night was produced by the Graham Holland trained Shel-

bourne record holder, Broadacres Turbo in heat eight.

The strong running black was fast into stride from trap two and proved five lengths too strong for the ever- green Tyrur Laurel in a brilliant time of 31.10 – the fastest of the year so far.

Faithful Laura in trap 5 was three- lengths back for third.

The event started in race two with the Gerry O’Donoghue trained She- rie taking the opening heat. She led from the opening bend for a neck verdict over the fast finishing The Other Achill in 31.81, with Doonbeg Selmi meelemALvor.|

half length back in third.

The brilliant veteran Tyrur Lee in trap two was the first winner for PJ Fahy when leading all the way to

win the second heat in a fast 31.23. Tyrur was fast into stride and led all the way for a near six length verdict over trap

6 Riverside Honcho with Elouisa in trap four taking third spot.

Ollie Bray’s 2007 Puppy Derby hero Royal Treason was a decisive winner of Heat 3 from the outside box. Droopys Teabag in trap three led early here but the strong running Bray charge took it up on the third bend and went on to beat Skywalker Dream and Droopys Teabag by two and a quarter lengths and likewise respectively in 31.25.

Sponsor Denis O’Connell had the perfect start to his stake when, along with son Cian, he had a first round double.

First winner for them was Mardocs

Heinze in trap two of heat four. He grabbed an early advantage and led all to beat trap four Ask Amy by two and a half lengths in 31.40, with Shaneboy Sophia a length back in third. Recent Irish Grand National winner Distant Legend proved his versatility with an impressive run in heat five. Julie Power’s dog in trap five broke fast and always led when beating the trap one reserve Skywalkers Angel by a length and three parts in 31.36. It was just over a length back to Swintord Mylo in third spot. Holland was also on the mark with Full Bloom in trap four who got up late to win heat six in 31.46. Shel- bourne Denny in trap two cut out the running but Full Bloom came through fast to snatch victory by

three parts of a length. It was over six lengths back to trap three Mar- docs Nani in third.

Next out for the O’Connell’s, Mar- docs O Shea, won what was billed as the race of the night, heat seven, in 31.50. North West Derby winner Target Kewell in trap two cut out the running but Mardocs O Shea in trap three powered past on the fourth bend and went on to beat the staying Lemon Zamora in trap four and Tar- get Kewell by a length and the same.

Holland was also on the mark with Full Bloom when the son of Late Late Show and Tamna Rose got up late to win heat six in 31.46.

College Causeway did not take his place in heat 10 and in his absence Nawhobberthadda in trap six com- pleted a double for owner P.J. Fahy.

TWO years back, the vista for Clon- lara — even from the most optimistic club patron — couldn’t have seemed so bright.

A fantastic intermediate experience last season backed up by champion- ship and league success this year paints a picture of a club who are destined to stay around competing for more honours for the years to fey neler

And on Sunday, the significance of winning the Clare Cup wasn’t lost on the club’s manager, Jim Gully.

“To be honest about it, there was no real pressure on us going into it. We’d won the county final and that was the major achievement, but in the back of the minds we knew that if we won the Clare Cup as well, it would really copper-fasten the year.

“On top of that, it was great to beat last year’s county champions and having beaten Newmarket again in the semi-final, we knew that nobody could say it was a lucky year for us.

“Tt means that there should be some real recognition for the year now, which is great. Hopefully we’ll be

mentioned up there with the best clubs in the county now and that’s where we want to be.”

The success also ensured the sea- son would end with a sweet taste.

“We were on a bit of a downer after the county final, knowing that we’d be playing in Munster the week after and we weren’t fully tuned in for that game.

“Maybe that’s why we lost but things just didn’t go right for us on the day. SO we wanted to put that right and we knew that the Clare Cup would be a good opportunity to do that.

“But the last two years have been absolutely marvellous and to go out and complete the double has just been the icing on the cake.

“It was our sixth game in six weeks and our seventh in eight weeks and all of those have been important and hard games. But I think that actually stood to us in the end. For the last 20 minutes, the lads stepped it up and you could tell they’d a lot of hurling played. They were sharp and focused and we owned the game in the last few minutes.”

He said defining moment of the game came just before the break,

when Tulla goaled to put themselves in a strong position in the second- half. Even at that, though, Gully knew that if Clonlara could get back into the game, they had the winning mentality to see them through.

“The goal gave Tulla a cushion. It came at a good time for them and not only that, you could say it was the most important score of the game because it really brought them back into things.

“It gave them that bit of belief and that’s vital to any team. They’d missed a few frees in the first half and in a way, that allowed us to be closer to them after that goal.

“But once we got close to them, I knew we’d win. I had faith in the lads and in fairness to them, they pushed on and never looked back.”

Aside from completing the double, the club secured a €4,000 cheque thanks to the win (Tulla, as runners- up, will receive €2,000).

“We haven’t fully decided how were going to use the money, but there’s talk of a player’s fund.”

Considering the season they’ ve just had, it would be the least they de- serve.

€1,035,786 was paid in_ salaries and travelling expenses to the nine person management team of Clare County Council in 2007, according to figures released yesterday.

The news of the payments came as members of the executive came un- der pressure not to accept any per- formance related bonuses on top of their annual salaries this year.

The management team is made up of the county manager, the five direc- tors of services, the county secretary, the head of the human resources de-

partment and the head of the finance eljortasenoele

Figures for 2005 show that the total paid out to the management amount- ed to €843,139. The payments rose to €1,001,297 in 2006.

The figures were revealed at yes- terday’s meeting of Clare County Council, following a motion tabled by north Clare councillor Martin Lafferty (Ind).

Cllr Lafferty welcomed publication by the council of the figures. He said it was disappointing that there was such a high turnover of council staff nationwide.

“What we have seen over the past few years is that guys come into jobs and stay there for seven years and then move. Why wouldn’t they stay for another seven years?” asked Cllr Peouas

Pressed by Cllr Christy Curtain (Ind) to explain the 25 per cent jump in payments between 2005 and 2007, County Manager Alec Fleming said the rise was probably attributable to the fact that some positions on the executive had been unfulfilled for a period of time.

Earlier at the meeting, Cllr Tony Mulcahy (FG) tabled a motion stat-

ing that council officials should not, in light of the current economic downturn, accept any bonus pay- ments for 2008.

“Are ye going to accept perform- ance related bonuses in light of eve- rything that has happened this year?” questioned Cllr Mulcahy.

County Manager Alec Flemming said that any payments due to offi- cials were being paid in accordance with employment conditions set out by the Department of the Environ- ment, Heritage and Local Govern- ment.

In response to questioning from

Cllr Mulcahy, Mr Fleming did not say whether or not bonuses would be paid to the management team this year. “I’m not going to discuss this. It’s part of pay and conditions. It’s not going to be discussed,” said Mr i (renbbaree

Cllr Martin Conway (FG) support- ed Cllr Mulcahy’s motion. He said he was confident that council officials would not be seeking performance related bonuses.

Cllr Conway also called for the council to examine what measures could be taken to curtail the cost of overtime payments.

A REMARKABLE irrigation project in Ethopia has been described by Bunratty woman Marinella Raftery as ‘a huge boost to the area’, as she embarked on a campaign to raise funding and build the profile of Self Help Africa over the autumn months

The positive impact that the Irish development agency is having was underlined when an Irish delega- tion visited a 20 year old irrigation scheme and found a community that had been transformed by the project.

Visitors to Ethiopia with Self Help Africa learned that an irrigation project developed with funding from Bob Geldof’s Band Aid in the late 1980s was still thriving, and 23,000 families in the region were earning a livelihood from the venture.

‘People talk about the importance of lasting development, but the peo- ple who travelled to Ethiopia were

able to see the impact that a scheme undertaken 20 years ago, was still having today’, said Ms Raftery

“I am going to encourage people to support Self Help Africa over the coming weeks, and it is great to be able to tell them that the projects work, and that empowering African people to help themselves, Self Help is able to transform the lives of the continent’s rural poor permanently.”

The Irish visitors who met with rep- resentatives of the Band Aid funded ‘Adami Tulu Farmers Co-Opera- tive’ heard that the group’s numbers had grown from 480 members to a present level of nearly 23,000, and farmers were producing surplus quantities of food every year.

Ms Raftery is currently involved in organising events and co-ordinat- ing a programme of fund-raising activities in Clare. To find out more visit www.sandwichday.ie, or e-mail Marinela on Clare@selfhelpafrica.

BEING water safety aware in west Clare is a matter of survival.

With most villages situated close to the sea, estuary or lakes, childhood summers are spent splashing about in the local swimming area.

Staying safe while enjoying the lo- cal amenities 1s a concern for par- OES

Schools in the west Clare area have taken it upon themselves to ensure the local children are prepared deal with many of the hazards associated with water.

As a result PAWS (Primary Aquat- ics Water Safety) programme has be- come part of the school programme in many west Clare schools.

The programme is exclusive to pri- mary school children and is broken up into two parts – land based paws and water based PAWS.

Three schools in west Clare have already completed the programme, Doonbeg National School, Cree Na- tional School and Shragh National School.

The programme taught the children about respecting water and the dan- gers surrounding it.

The teachers took their classes through the first three parts of the award without going near water by discussing and studying the theory of water safety, safe swimming, safety on the farm, and safety on open wa- ae

The pupils also simulated rescues on land, by throwing a rescue rope into a designated area.

Through PAWS pupils not only learn how to swim they also learn to understand and appreciate the water.

The pupils then attended swimming classes with swimming teacher Jen- nifer Mungovan at Quilty Swimming

Pool for a duration of six weeks.

Before receiving their certificates the children had to complete an oral exam and a swimming exam.

Having completed the PAWS pro- gramme the pupils had the ability to swim, interact with others, and be responsible around water.

“The main aim of PAWS is to sig- nificantly reduce the number of our young people lost to drowning each year,’ said Ms Mungovan