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THE proposed outsourcing of cabin crew on Aer Lingus transatlantic flights will not directly affect the number of American tourists who use Shannon Airport, according to a leading tourism spokesman.

This outsourcing, which is part of the massive cost saving plan pro- posed by management last week, would see American based cabin crew employed on the flights with only pilots to be based in Shannon.

According to Lahinch hotelier and local spokesperson for the Irish Ho-

tel federation, Michael Vaughan the proposal may have impacted on the old Aer Lingus model, but will not adversely affect the new low-cost model.

“Aer Lingus has always used the image of being an Irish airline to attract business, especially from America. | think if outsourcing of cabin crew does take place then they really won’t be able to say that any- more,’ he said.

“They have adopted the low cost model and one of the assumptions of this model is that the person re- ally doesn’t mind who brings them to

their destination as long as they can get there for the price they want. In the older model for Aer Lingus this might have been an issue but I’m not sure that if will have an impact Ce) A

Mr Vaughan believes that the worst case scenario for tourism in the re- gion is if no agreement is reached between unions and the airline and a “wind down” of services comes into effect.

“I see this as a HR issue for Aer Lingus. They have to get their cost base right and negotiate with the un- ions. At present we don’t believe that

there is any threat to their transatlan- tic service out of Shannon barring a situation where we cannot come to some agreement. If this is the situa- tion I would assume that there will be some sort of wind down of serv- ices and that would have a damaging effect on the region, there is no doubt about that,’ he continued.

“That said it is quite possible that other airlines would see a possible opportunity in that. I know that Delta and Continental are quite happy with their activity of late and may just see an opportunity for themselves there.

“T am always conscious of the fact

that there are people’s jobs at stake here in Shannon, but in my position I must take a wider view. We have been hostages to fortune in Shannon for so long now. It’s like there has been a sword hanging over us for years now and there is a feeling within the busi- ness community that it is time to get the house in order in Shannon and go forward positively into the future in- stead of going forward with a chip on our shoulder about one thing or the other. In a perverse sort of way this may be a golden opportunity to en- Sure proper services in Shannon for the future.”

CLARE beef farmers will save hun- dreds of euro next year following the decision to introduce the new 48-month rule for BSE testing. The new approach to BSE testing was an- nounced by the Department of Ag- riculture last month but it was last week announced that the new testing regime would be introduced from January 1, 2009.

The news was welcomed by east Clare farmers and Chairperson of the ICMSA Beef and Cattle Com- mittee, Martin McMahon, who says that it will have a major impact on

ie Ve silo ae

“This definite commencement date brings to an end a period of regret- table uncertainty and false starts and we estimate that the savings to farm- ers could be of the order of €8 mil- lion per annum,” he said.

“The new 48-month rule is further concrete evidence that the BSE prob- lem is now firmly in the past and also represents full recognition by the Commission of the excellent system of cattle identification and tractabil- ity which operates in Ireland.

“The new rule removes an unnec- essary cost and irrelevant age cut- off point and provides farmers with

more flexibility regarding the mar- keting of their cattle.”

Speaking on the issue when it was initially announced, Clare TD, Tony Killeen, said that the move would deliver significant savings to farmers who currently pay to have healthy slaughtered animals over 30 months tested for BSE.

“The current testing requirements are unjustified when one considers the significant progress made in re- ducing the incidence of the disease in Ireland, from a high of 333 cases in 2003 to 25 last year and 12 to date in 2008,” he said.

“Tam confident, based on the reduc-

tion in the disease in Ireland and the extensive controls in place, that Ire- land’s application will be approved and that the new testing regime may even be in place from early 2009.

“From the outset of his appoint- ment Minister Brendan Smith has continually identified the increase in the age limit for BSE testing as a priority. One of the first things he did as minister was to write to the EU Commissioner and he has taken every opportunity since to press the Commissioner to increase the age limit, particularly when he had met Commissioner Vassiliou at meetings of the EU Agriculture Council.”

TWO contentious infrastructural projects for Ennis have been shelved as government funding streams start to dry up.

The proposed redevelopment of the market and the Ennis Library project have both been deferred, according to Ennis Town Council’s report on capital projects.

In the case of the market redevel- opment, the report states that “the ouncil has been advised by the De- partment of the Environment that all local authority loans previously sanctioned but which have not been drawn down, have been withdrawn’’.

The report continues, “The impact of this at local level means that the redevelopment of the market must be

deferred. Local authorities have been advised that loan approval can be ap- plied for in 2009″.

The proposal to build a new two- storey library at the post office field has also hit a roadblock. According to the report, Ennis Town Council has been informed “that all library projects which have not reached ten- der approval stage cannot proceed at this time. A new Capital Funding Programme is being prepared by the Department of the Environment for library projects”.

In the past there has been staunch opposition to the re-development of the Post Office Field, a green-field currently zoned amenity, from local community groups and local coun- I oyace

The report states that a concept

plan has been prepared for the Post Office Field.

The re-development of the market, meanwhile, courted opposition from traders operating in the area.

However there has been some movement on seven capital projects. The report states that the completion of the Ennis inner relief road has been “accorded first priority” and has been forwarded to tender stage.

The development of Tim Smythe Park and Clonroad Park has also proceeded to tender stage. Work in the development of the a youth café in Cloughleigh, an indoor facility at Lees Road and the redevelopment of O’ Connell square, has also pro- eressed, though all three projects are subject to government finance.

Meanwhile, the report states “the

acquisition of additional housing stock in 2009 will depend on avail- ability of additional capital funding from the Department of the Environ- ment in 2009”

Cllr Johnny Flynn (FG) said he was disappointed with the delays and with the loss of funding for the market re-development.

Cllr Joe Reidy (FF) said he too was disappointed with the delays but add- ed that it was good to see progress on other projects.

Cllr Tom Glynn (FF) urged the council to formulate a clear and defi- nite plan for the Post Office Field. Town clerk Eddie Power said the council expected to have funds for Tim Smythe Park and the youth café but that funding for Lees Road is “some way down the line”.

NORTH Tipperary County Council have secured a number of undertak- ings from protesters who had been maintaining a blockade close to a house allocated to a ten member family from the travelling commu- nity, the High Court heard yesterday.

The High Court was told that un- dertakings had been given by a group of residents from the town of Ballina that they would not intimidate or as-

sault Council employees or the fam- ily, nor would they interfere with the access to or trespass on the house.

On Monday Mr Justice Paul Gilli- gan, after being informed of the un- dertakings, agreed to adjourn gener- ally injunction proceedings against a number of residents from Cullenagh, Ballina, County Tipperary, from con- tinuing with a blockade of the house fesse u ieee

The protest began early last month when residents discovered that a

house at Cullenagh had been ac- quired by the Council for the purpose of housing the O’Reilly family.

Last week the Council was granted permission by the High Court to no- tify those individuals involved in the blockade of their intention to seek an injunction aimed at restraining the protesters from interfering and tres- passing on the property.

Mr David Kennedy SC for the Council told the court the situation had become very inflamed. He said

glue had been placed in the house’s locks, the electricity had been cut off and the council employees attending the property were in fear of being in- timidated by those maintaining the blockade.

The O’Reilly family consists of the parents and their eight children, some of whom had special needs and were currently residing in a mobile home on the side of the road with no toilet facilities and no electricity.

The family are from the locality

and have been on the housing list since 2000.

Since the dispute began last Sep- tember a number of residents had en- tered the council’s offices in Nenagh and verbally abused people there resulting in the gardai being called. The residents had been outside the house at Cullenagh since September Rees

The council intends to have the family move into the house as soon as possible.

CALLS have been made for the hugely successful duty-free compa- ny, Aer Rianta International, (ARI) to plough back some of its profits to market Shannon Airport, where the duty-free concept was born.

As the airport faces the loss of 280 Aer Lingus jobs, a former senior management figure with ARI has said it’s payback time for the com- pany, which made pre-tax profits of €291 million in the 12 months to the end of 2007.

This was a huge increase on the €17.5 million filed with the compa- nies office for the previous year.

The company, which is based at Shannon Airport, paid ©230 million in dividends last year to its parent group, the Dublin Airport Authority and repaid €98 million to the DAA. Sales from ARI’s duty free shops in Russia, the Middle East, Europe and North America rose by 58 per cent to €69 million.

The Commonwealth of Independ- ent States – Russia and it’s former territories – accounted for €64.8 million of ARI’s turnover and their next biggest revenue contributor, the Middle East, generated sales of €2.4 million. Europe brought in €1.6 mil- lion of sales and North America was last in line with sales of €214,000.

Now a former senior management

figure, who was closely involved in setting up much of ARI’s business, has called for some of the money to be ploughed back into marketing the airport where the duty-free concept Veh o0) 60

He believes that “between 10 and 20 per cent” of ARI’s profits should be used to help Shannon in these troubled times.

There was no-one from the DAA available to comment on the proposal but it is understood that the authority would not see any compunction on ARI to contribute to any Shannon airport marketing drive.

The ARI is a company in it’s own right and apart from being based at Shannon has no other direct connec- tion with the airport.

Another company is responsible for running the duty-free shops at Shan- non, Dublin and Cork airports.

However, many supporters of the airport would see the ARI’s success as being at least in part due to the Clare facility being the first home of duty free.

In 1951 the first airport duty-free liquor shop was opened. It started as a ship’s store where airline stewards purchased supplies for re-sale to pas- sengers when the aircraft became ~Npuee) uae

Later, passengers were allowed to buy drink and tobacco at duty-free prices on a restricted basis.

CLARE dairy farmers turned out in force for two farm walks last week held on the farms of Paddy Harvey, Brisla, Cooraclare and Patrick Mur- phy, Cornmallow, Quin. The two farmers were selected as new moni- tor farms this year, and serve an es- sential role in recording production data and costs trends on farms as part of the Teagasc/Kerry Agribusiness focus on farm profit programme.

The main theme of the walks was centered on performance and costs on the farms, as well as managing grass and grazing under difficult conditions as fodder budgeting for the coming winter.

Ger Courtney, Teagasc monitor farm programme coordinator, gave an in-depth run down on perform- ance of the farms in terms of milk supplied, costs of production and the breeding within the herds with particular attention to the herd’s EBI and calving patterns.

He also explained how farmers can estimate their own fodder situation and gave advice on how supplemen- tation can be used to ensure adequate feed is available for the upcoming winter period.

Aidan Bugler, Local Dairy Adviser covered the area of grass budgeting on each farm illustrating the impor- tance of having a plan for managing grass in the autumn with the aim of

keeping grass in the cows diet for as long as possible, while at the same time ensuring enough grass is car- ried over for next spring.

He acknowledged that the weather conditions this autumn have made building up grass very difficult. How- ever he was anxious to show how the two farms had taken corrective action early by feeding some silage and meal which will help maximize OF Acer Nimes ehh

Tom Gleeson, Local Dairy Advis- er, covered the area of soil fertility and stressed the need for regular soil sampling as a must if farmers are to have any chance of keeping costs un- der control. This he said is particu- larly true this year considering that

the costs of fertilizers have increased so dramatically in recent times. The need to keep soils limed and maxi- mizing the benefits of slurry were seen by Tom as an essential part of nutrient management on farms.

Rina Sayers, MVB Moorepark, covered the area of herd health with particular emphasis on BVD and IBR infections in herds. Her main message was prevention is better than cure and she stressed the need for on farm biosecurity measures as the best way to protect your herd from infection.

THE East Clare Community Co- op, which has been largely closed for some time for improvements and building work, is making great strides towards being up and running again.

Located behind Brian and Joe’s Café, the co-op has been the home of a myriad activities from learning boat building and getting involved in a community garden project to expe- riencing Shiatsu, taking singing les- sons and learning yoga.

The co-op closed temporarily in January so that disability access

could be installed throughout the building. However, it soon became apparent that more work was needed than had been budgeted for.

Work was needed to bring the build- ing up to health and safety standards, including a complete rewiring of the building and a fire alarm system. AI- though the refurbishment was grant- aided, the co-op ran into a number of snags along the way to unveiling the new and improved facility.

‘There were a number of things to sort out and it has taken a bit longer that anyone had originally thought but the various elements are com- ing together now and we’re moving

ahead”, a spokeswoman for the co-op said.

The Community Co-op, has been the launching pad for many initia- tives locally including the Raheen Wood School, the Grainey whole- food store, East Clare Telecottage and the Clare Women’s Network.

The co-op has also been at various times home to youth club activities, the Citizens’ Information Service, the Centre for Environmental Training and Living (CELT) the Letts Trading system, where people exchange work and skills as an alternative to cash, the Dandelion Puppet Theatre Com- pany, and Brian and Joe’s Café, sup-

ported by the Brothers of Charity.

When the co-op reopens, it will be ready to roll out four new part-time Pobail-funded jobs for a gardener, caretaker, administrator and cleaner.

A number of activities are still go- ing ahead in the co-op. Last week a group came together under the aus- pices of the Brothers of Charity to build a currach.

The community garden project is also underway each Wesdnesday be- tween | and 3pm.

New gardeners are welcome, and children are particularly welcome to come and experince the fun of plant- ing and growing.

COMMENTS that the methods used to allocate local authority housing are skewed in favour of immigrants do not necessarily paint a “true pic- ture of things’, according to one En- nis councillor.

Councillor Taiwo Matthew (Ind) claimed yesterday that many of the homes allocated to new families in Ennis had already been refused by others on the waiting list.

He said he had full confidence in the manner in which Ennis Town Council allocated housing.

He said “The executive has criteria they follow when they are giving out houses irrespective of whether they are migrants or not, in accordance with the provisions laid out”.

‘Most of the houses that are allo- cated are give to immigrants who are EU citizens and they are taken

up because they have already been rejected by indigenous people who have said that they don’t want to live WN Kon

“Saying that they are all given to immigrants and that people from Ennis are being rejected 1s not neces- sarily a true picture of things. It’s the same as saying immigrants are com- ing into Ennis and taking all the jobs and that is not true. My take is that I trust the council executive to abide by the procedures set down”’.

Cllr Matthew was commenting on issues raised at last Monday’s meet- ing of Ennis Town Councillor where some councillors expressed concern over issues relating to local authority housing lists.

Cllr Frankie Neylon said that he was aware of cases where people who had been on the housing list for a number of years had been passed over in favour of others who had

been on it a relatively short period OMB bb ater

He called for a review of the pro- cedures used to allocate housing and claimed, that, in some instances, 1m- migrants received preferential treat- ment.

Nigerian born Cllr Matthew said Ennis is now a multicultural com- munity where it was very easy for certain phrases or terminology to be mis-interpreted as meaning some- thing else.

‘Tam on the council and I don’t rep- resent one particular community or group of people. In my work I try to represent all the people of Ennis”… … | would be very careful of being misinterpreted, or miusunderstood, because people can accuse of saying things you didn’t mean,” added Cllr Matthew.

THERE were calls last night for Clare County Council to fully sup- port Aer Lingus staff at Shannon ~ bu ola

The issue was raised during the monthly meeting of the council when councillor John Crowe asked that the members write to the Minster for Transport demanding that he ensure there would be no further reduction of transatlantic services from Shan- noe

“A lot has happened at Shannon

since I tabled this motion and none of it for the good of this region,’ he said, referring to the Aer Lingus plan to outsource most of the positions at the airport.

“There are 280 jobs to be lost there and these jobs cannot be lost to Shan- non’, he said and asked “where are the 22 airlines the minister said were waiting on the runways to come to Shannon under Open Skies? If there is any further decline in transatlan- tic services at Shannon, it will the death-knell,”’ he said.

Cllr Pascal Fitzgerald (Labour) said

that the “council as a body must sup- port workers at Aer Lingus. Only for Ryanair, there would be nothing left at Shannon. There are families who grew up in Shannon who are looking at leaving their homes.”

Cllr Brian Meaney said that it was the first time that the council had had an opportunity “to discuss what is a near fatal blow to Shannon Airport. This chamber needs to send a strong signal to the relevant departments and to the management of Aer Lingus in relation to the proposals on outsourc- ing. We have to deal with the pos-

sible consequences of so many jobs being lost. We have to look at this in terms of contingency plans.” Meanwhile, Deputy Pat Breen (FG) told a Dail debate on the situ- ation that, “the Aer Lingus workers at Shannon are the sacrificial lambs who are bearing the brunt of the Government’s failure to act last year to secure the Shannon to Heathrow service. Shannon bore the brunt of the crisis arising from the attacks in New York on September 11. Every time Aer Lingus gets ‘flu, unfortu- nately Shannon appears to get pneu-

monia.”

Minister of State, Tony Kileen(FF) saidhehasmadecontact with Minister for Finance Brian Lenihan and Min- ister for Transport Noel Dempsey re- garding the airline’s cost cutting plan. “Meanwhile, I have referred to Ms Mary Coughlan TD, Tanaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment in relation to the Aer Lingus workers’ future job pros- pects. I have also asked Minister for Labour Affairs Billy Kelleher TD to ensure that all of the worker’s statu- tory entitlements are delivered on.”

CONCERNS have been raised about the proposed format of a joint polic- ing committee for Ennis.

According to the Department of Justice, the committees, proposed for 114 local authority areas, are being established to provide a forum for Gardai, local authorities, Oireacthas members, and community interests to meet and address issues related to crime locally and to make recom- mendations.

However, at last week’s meeting of

Ennis Town Council, councilors dis- missed the 19-person structure of the committee as unworkable.

Accepting that the committee al- lowed for broad representation of different stakeholders, Mayor of Ennis Peter Considine (FF) said it was unlikely, given the size of the committee, that consensus could be achieved on crime related matters.

Councilor Tom Glynn (FF) echoed these concerns saying “you couldn’t get a whole lot done with a commit- tee of 19 people”.

Councillor Joe Reidy (FF) said,

“the last thing we need is more meet- ings and more talking shops. At the end of the say we have to know what effect it will have for the general pub- lic.

Town Clerk Eddie Power told the meeting that pilot schemes had al- ready been launched in Ballinasloe, Naas and Galway City and that the committee presented an opportunity to examine the reasons for anti-social behaviour and social disorder.

“I think they want to avoid as much as possible is it becoming another talking shop,” added Mr Power.

CUlr Johnny Flynn (FG) said that any measure which looks at “ad- dressing the anti-social behaviour in this town deserves to be given as good a run as possible”’.

Cllr Tommy Brennan called for meetings to be arranged with partici- pants from the pilot schemes before any decision is taken on the matter.

‘We should look for a meeting with the delegation from Naas. I’d like to go behind the scenes and see what is happening on the ground with this thing. Then you’ll get the right re- sponse.”