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LABASHEEDA Community Pride has won the mid-west regional Tidy Towns biodiversity award with the Notice Nature campaign highlight- ing the efforts of the Labasheeda community in fostering birdlife.

Projects undertaken by the Labash- eeda group included the planting of native trees; construction of bird hide for bird watching; erection of an information unit illustrating the birds that visit the area.

“It is easy to be aware of nature when you live in an area so rich in biodiversity and local heritage.

The community in Labasheeda are conscious not to let progress dis- turb the natural beauty around us,” said Liam Woulfe, Labasheeda Tidy Towns Committee.

Since 2006, the Tidy Towns compe- tition has included a special category on wildlife and natural amenities for Tidy Towns initiatives which foster biodiversity and the natural environ- ment.

PU stom Nel nero: inbecoma Ne TKO mB ROAWEDKOKS actions taken to conserve, enhance and create local wildlife areas such as ponds and hedgerows.

“Treland’s biodiversity enhances the health and wellbeing of eve- ryone on this island. We should all play our part in protecting the natural environment for our benefit and for that of generations to come. You may never have considered that you could play an important part in protecting biodiversity, but the vol- unteers on Tidy Towns committees around Ireland have shown that you can,’ said Emma El-Sahn, Notice Nature spokesperson.

The Tidy Towns Biodiversity ‘No- tice Nature’ Award is sponsored by the National Parks and Wildlife Service as part of the Notice Nature campaign.

Notice Nature is Ireland’s public awareness campaign on biodiversity and aims to raise awareness of the importance of biodiversity and to en- courage everyone to play their part in protecting it.

A BOOK depicting what is consid- ered the Mecca of Irish traditional musicians was launched in Spanish- point on Thursday.

‘Music and Light – Ceol agus So- las” is a collection of black and white photographs from the Willie Clancy Summer School in Miltown Malbay.

For photographer Tony Kearns the book is a celebration of the Summer School, as he dedicated 17 years to photographing the comings and go- ings at the world famous weeklong events.

Since it first began in 1973 the Wil- lie Clancy Summer School has been a very important event in the tradi- tional Irish music calendar,

Named after the world renowned and revered uilleann piper, the sum- mer school is held every July in his hometown.

Kearns said he was determined to dedicating himself to documenting the activities and the participant of the Willie Clancy week in a lively and sympathetic way.

An archivist by nature, Tony is also inspired by the visual possibilities and compositions that present them-

selves naturally when people gather to play music together.

Working in formal and spontaneous situations, he attempts to convey the moods, personalities ad complexities of the musicians and their music in the images.

The 130 black and white photo- graphs capture local musicians as well as the thousands that flock to the west Clare town every year to the many classes, lectures and recitals and to play in and listen to the many sessions that spring up in the local- ity.

Tony Kerns s not a local to Mill-

town Malbay although the Dubliner has spent every summer in the town during the festival since 1991.

He has documented all aspects of the summer school in his photo- graphs which he has exhibit over the years and used in calendars.

His latest book was published with the assistance of funding from the Deis Traditional Arts Initiative un- der the aegis of the Arts Council of Tee NaXer

CLARE handball scores another red-letter success at the weekend when Jamie Lynch and Christopher Philpott of Tulla Secondary School captured the All-Ireland 60×30 In- termediate Doubles Championship in Crinkle, Offaly.

In the semi-final, the Clare duo came up aganist a fancied Kilkenny pairing but with sheer guts and de- termination pulled off an epic vic- tory on a 21-14, 21-17 scoreline.

In the final, played on the same day, their opponents were Cian Connolly and Mark Kelly of Roscommon CBS. Lynch and Philpott got off to a flying start and emerged victorious in the first game on a 21-14 scoreline.

However, the Roscommon pairing were not about to make up the num- bers in the final and fought back to force a tie-breaker finale thanks to

victory in the second game by 21-14.

All was set for the final showdown and both pairings gave it their all, but it was the Clare pair whose strength and agility proved the strongest as they cruised to an 11-1 win in the tie- Dusen e

In other news, the Clare Adult League got under way last weekend with all clubs in action. The Clare Juvenile A championships will commence the week commencing November 15 and culminate on the following Saturday with finals in all grades taking place.

Notification of draws will be sent to all club juvenile officers in due felt aston

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.

SHANNON Development are in talks with the “preferred bidder” for the €50 million development at the Marina in Kilrush, about the future of the development.

The semi-state company confirmed that it was in talks with L and M Keating about the development but no decision has been made yet.

It is believed that the contractor has submitted a revised plan for the marina to Shannon Development for consideration.

As the project was initially adver- tised under public procurement, if the changes to the plan are substan-

tial the project will have to be ten- dered for again under EU law.

At the opening of the Merchants Quay Business Quarter last month Louis Keating of the Kilmihil based L and M Keating Ltd, committed his company to developing a hotel in the town.

He also said, “As people may be aware we also have involvement with the marina in Kilrush. Our company together with another company are the preferred bidders to develop the marina.”

“Now we have quite ambitious plans, again they are on the back burner at some degree at the mo- ment but we are still actually talking

to Shannon Development and I am quiet confident that we will carry out our development dreams in the mari- na, and I think this would be a great boost for the town,” he said.

In February 2007 Shannon Devel- Opment announced the new devel- opment at the marina had potential to create 109 jobs and generate an estimated €6.6 million to the local economy annually.

The proposed major flagship project involves a high quality mixed use development of the Kilrush Marina and associated land bank. It includes the provision of 86 town houses, 50 marina holiday apartments, a retail/ commercial park, and a 125 bed-

room four star hotel development.

Another essential element of the project will involve an estimated €4 million expansion of the Kil- rush Marina facility to include; a clubhouse development which will double the existing capacity, the au- tomation of lock gates, breakwater, a new boatyard, a dinghy park, and an additional 120 berths which will double the existing berthing capacity at the Marina.__

The proposed development was ex- pected to take an estimated five years to complete on a phased basis. The first phase was to involve significant investment in the Marina, boatyard and some housing development.

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.

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.