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that dumping has escalated to a completely unacceptable level.

“The current warden is doing a

fine job but it’s a big area to cover,

spreading from Westbury all the way into Clare. He can’t be working twenty four hours a day, seven days a week,” the Labour councillor said.

Cllr Fitzgerald, who runs a food business 1n the Westbury Centre, says there has been a marked increase in illegal dumping in recent months.

“T come in in the morning and my bin has bags of other people’s rub- bish in it. Householders in the area ring me angry that they put out their bins for collection and overnight, other people come along and fill the

bins up. At every bottle bank, you see cardboard boxes dumped and drive out to Broadford and there’s rubbish just dumped at the side of the road.”

The councillor believes that people are dumping at night and at week- ends, knowing that the litter warden can’t work every weekend.

“IT saw a pick-up truck drive past me last Sunday loaded down with bags of rubbish. That was at 2pm on a Sunday. The truck drove towards Clare and I saw it coming back at

3.30pm empty. Now where did those bags of rubbish end up? There was no official landfill or recycling place open on Sunday.”

Cllr Fitzgerald said he is also ask- ing the director of services to tell him how many fines and court pros- ecutions there have been for littering in the east Clare area.

‘People are dumping because they know they won’t be caught or penal- ised. We need more than one person to enforce this legislation. It’s getting out of hand.”

CLARE IFA members were among the large crowd of milk suppliers who marched in protest to the Kerry group headquarters in Tralee last week to express their dissatisfac- tion at the group’s failure to lift its June and July milk price, and at Ker- ry’s slippage down the milk price league.

Addressing the suppliers, IFA Dep- uty President Derek Deane said the

protest was being staged to ensure that the Kerry Group clearly under- stood their anger at Kerry’s recent milk price policy.

“Kerry used to be a milk price leader, setting the pace for the in- dustry, and always paying a top price. They have since fallen back to ninth position out of 13 in the 2007 Farmers Journal/KPMG audit. This July, Kerry has slipped once again, and is paying its suppliers less than the other two big milk purchasers,

Dairygold and Glanbia. Kerry’s own suppliers now feel their company is more committed to the stock market than it is to them,’ he added.

‘Kerry has scale, efficiency and a diversified, high value product mix that puts it in an strong position to pay a leading milk price – indeed it used to have a proud record of doing so in the past. Kerry must immedi- ately pay an extra 2c/I for July milk, and commit to pay a leading milk price for the rest of 2008 and for the

future,’ Derek Deane said.

IFA National Dairy Committee Chairman Richard Kennedy added, “Kerry is letting its suppliers down at the worst possible time. Farmers are now faced with massive cost in- creases threatening their profitabil- ity, which they are in no position to pass back. Now more than ever they need Kerry to deliver the strong- est possible milk price – but Kerry is deliberately dragging its heels on the July price, paying 1.6c/l less than

Glanbia (allowing for their recent 2c/ | top up), and Ic/I less than Dairy- gold.”

“Kerry milk producers are sending a clear message to all the directors of the PLC board today: Kerry must ur- gently revise its milk pricing policy. Kerry suppliers are demanding to be back at the top of the price league. Kerry must pay an additional 2c/l for July, and regain its once proud place as a strong milk price leader,” Rich- ard Kennedy concluded.

STAFF at Aer Lingus in Shannon expect a wait of several tense weeks before they hear anything from man- agement on proposals to deal with the airline’s operating losses.

There has been no direct communi- cation with SIPTU, the union repre- senting the majority of airline staff at the Clare airport since the company announced losses of more than €22 pep NOBlOyee

Soaring fuel prices are being blamed for the losses in the first six

months of the year.

Chief Executive of Aer Lingus, Dermot Mannion, said the cost of fuel, coupled with slowing economic erowth and the weakness of the dol- lar and sterling will continue to af- fect the airline in the remaining six months of the year.

“Even with the reduction in fuel prices over the last few weeks, com- petitive pressure on fares and vol- umes will continue and we are at best expected to break even in the second half, delivering a loss for the full year,” he said.

Airport sources say that the air- line’s 400 staff were worried by the announcement of a “root and branch” review of the airline’s costs.

But SIPTU’s Tony Carroll said that the union is “not pre-empting” any management moves and does not ex- pect to hear anything in the immedi- ate future.

He said that staff have “stepped up to the plate on every occasion there has been a problem in the past. I don’t see what more they can do. It is the price of oil which is causing problems.”

Staff costs might seem an obvi- ous target for achieving savings but nationally, union leaders are saying their members need not be the ones to take the pain.

SIPTU Branch Organiser Teresa Hannick said that the union acknowl- edges the difficult trading conditions in the aviation sector due to rising fuel costs but the company in turn must acknowledge the tremendous contribution by staff to its continued viability.

“SIPTU members have already contributed savings worth €11 mil-

lion a year to the airline,” she said in response to the company’s half yearly results issued to the Stock Ex- change last week.

“We can currently assessing these results and any impact they may have on the airline.

“As we demonstrated earlier this year, making savings and improv- ing competitiveness can be achieved without pay cuts,” she said.

A spokesman for IMPACT, which represents 2,000 cabin crew and pi- lots said their members are “natural- ly worried” about job losses.

THERE were victory celebrations in Tulla last week as the young musi- cians who made their mark at the All Ireland Fleadh were feted.

In a parade through the streets, led by the Tulla Pipe Band, Aisling Hunt carried the Enna Doocey Shield which she won in the Accordion Class, ul2 group. Aisling Lyons won her second successive All-Ireland ul2 title in the harp and she proud- ly carried the Caesar Cup. Eimear Coughlan brought the Mayo Ireland Ltd cup for winning the All Ireland ul5 harp. Gearoid McNamara was second in the whistle ul2 competi- tion and Geard Coughlan was sec- ond in the ccompaniment and Harp VERE

After the celebration parade, the winners and Comhaltas members went to Minogues where a party got into full swing.

Tulla Comhaltas is now _ busy putting the final touches to prepa- rations for the Tulla Trad Festival, which will start on September

The classes will be led by some of the very best musicians. Topping the list is Liz Carroll the renowned fid- dle player based in the U.S. who is doing a fiddle workshop in the morn- ing and giving a masterclass in the afternoon. Flute player Catherine McEvoy is the tutor at the flute work- shop and masterclass.

Whistle students will be delighted to hear top whistle player Mary Ber- gin perform, while harp players will have well known harpist Kathleen

Loughnane.

Micheal O’Raghallaigh on concer- tina is back again this year and Ann Conroy-Burke and her husband Joe Burke are both master accordion- ists. Anne, who will be in charge of the accordion workshop and master class, will be joined by Joe at the ‘Masters in Town Concert’ on the Saturday night.

Among the extra workshops includ- ed this year are uileann pipes and percussion. Piper Mick O’Brien will be giving the uileann pipes classes.

Limerick born Tommy Hayes who came to fame when he became part of Stockton’s Wing is giving the per- cussion class. John Carty will take banjo.

Popular traditional singer, Nora Butler is doing the traditional sing-

ing class and Maire Ni Chéileachair will be teaching sean nos singing, while Aidan Vaughan from Miltown Malbay will be teaching steps for Sets.

Sean nos dancers will be able to see Seosamh O’Neachtain stepping out in the sean nos style from his native Connemara. Seosamh will be giving morning classes and evening master classes and like most of the master musicians will also be performing at the ‘Masters in Town Concert’.

Sr Eibhlin Ni Challanain and Caitlin Ni Mhaoldomnaigh. are the muinteoiri at the Comhra Gaeilge classes.

THE ICSA has joined in a protest against a requirement from Tesco that farmers should disclose detailed and sensitive information from their accounts, as part of the supermarket group’s new contract stipulation.

The protest, which involved farm- ing organisations that are part of the FFE umbrella (Fairness for Farm- ers in Europe), was held outside the Tesco group headquarters outside London last Tuesday.

According to ICSA president Mal- colm Thompson, “this new contract clause, which currently applies to British farmer milk suppliers to Tes- co UK, 1s the thin end of the wedge. ICSA is deeply concerned that this clause must be opposed before it be- comes the norm for all suppliers of farm produce to Tesco, not just in the UK but in Ireland as well.”

“T want to send a very clear signal to Tesco and other retailers that Irish farmers will not wear any such de- mands. It is absolutely unacceptable that Tesco should demand the disclo- sure of detailed information on costs and profitability from a farmer’s accounts to any third party agency. The clear implication is that Tesco is looking for justification to squeeze

farmer margins even more. Such in- formation is a private matter for farm families and is commercially sensi- tive.

“I don’t see Tesco offering open

and transparent information on how much margin they are making on farm products such as milk, beef or lamb. But we do know that the farm- er’s share of the final retail price has

dropped substantially over the past 25 years and this is the primary reason why so many farmers are no longer able to make a fair living. For ex- ample, in the case of beef, Irish farm-

ers were obtaining over 75 per cent of the final retail price in 1973, the figure now is about one-third. This indicates clearly that farmers’ mar- gins have been squeezed to the point of no return and this trend coincides with the increasing dominance of the retail trade across Europe by a hand- ful of very dominant multinationals.

‘There is no need for Tesco or any other retailer to obtain such sensi- tive information from individual farmers. If Tesco want a handle on farming profitability, they can eas- ily get overall industry figures from sources such as the Teagasc National Farm Survey which will demonstrate the tight margins that farmers oper- ate on. In the case of beef and lamb, farmers are actually losing money on production and are using their Single Farm Payment to survive. This is not sustainable.

“ICSA will not stand for such inva- sive clauses in contracts and we are determined that this approach will not be allowed to be mainstreamed into Irish retailing. Today is the first step in our declaration of opposition to this,’ he concluded.

THE nursing home operator headed up by Shannon Airport Authority Chairman Pat Shanahan increased the size of its business by almost one third and returned to profit last year.

According to recent returns to the Companies Office, Mowlam Health- care increased its turnover from €14.2 million to €18 million.

The country’s largest nursing home operator — which is to open a new nursing home and retirement village in Ennis and Kilrush shortly — re- turned a pre-tax profit of €680,000 .

This followed losses of €387,000 in 2006 and €335,462 in 2005. Last year’s profit allowed the company re- duce accumulated losses from €1.29 million to €678,000.

Mowlaw Healthcare operates 12 nursing homes providing long-term, convalescent and respite care for the elderly throughout Ireland. The new retirement villages in Kilrush and Ennis are set to create 100 new jobs.

During 2006, Mr Shanahan in- creased his shareholding in Mowlam from 22.5 per cent to 33.3 per cent and last year he resigned his post as executive chairman of the Shannon Airport Authority.

This was in protest over the fail- ure of the Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) to inform him and the SAA

of Aer Lingus plans to end the Shan- non-Heathrow route.

Two years ago, Mowlam Health- care secured €100 million funding to increase the number of homes in its ownership to 20, with more than 1,000 beds in total.

In 2005, the company employed 430 and this increased to 525 last year with staff costs amounting to €10.6 million. Directors’ aggregate emolu- ments were last year £100,000.

Pairc na Coille retirement village is located in Drumbiggle, Ennis and has 27 houses, 35 apartments and a 60 bed nursing home. Riverwood re- tirement village, located in Kilrush consists of 15 houses, 16 apartments and a 46 bed nursing home.

Mr Shanahan, who formerly worked as Vice President of the US owned Tellabs in the Shannon Free Zone said, “We are really proud of the standard of all our homes and re- tirement villages, and Riverwood is no exception.

“It is located in beautifully land- scaped grounds, designed with the residents’ enjoyment, security, and CLOyenieneu lose Ceromm un mpeenenlen

“We are committed to enhancing the quality of life for all our resi- dents, and deliver high-quality care which is focused on those who live in Riverwood and in our other homes throughout the country.”

AS THE Scariff based Every Mo- ment Counts Youth Group (EMC) heads into its third year, a special plea is being made for helpers and youth leaders.

The club has gone from strength to strength, getting involved in all kinds of entertaining and develop- mental activities but unless parents, aunts, uncles and other adults vol- unteer some time this year, the club could be in trouble.

Said Youth Leader Tracey Doyle, “we’re bound by health and safety regulations as well as insurance and child protection laws. We have to

have one adult for every ten young people. We currently have 42 mem- bers in the club and just three lead- ers. We’ve been lucky in that not all the members turn up together every night but if we are to have any new members this year then the club has to have more adult supervision.”

The club members have been in- volved in schemes such as “Drums not Drugs” , where they learned hand-drumming and eventually per- formed in Croke Park.

A spin off of the club, “Youth Ex- press” in which youngsters learned how to express ideas through art and crafts was set up. The young mem- bers even organised their own youth

music festival this year.

The new youth club year starts on Thursday September 11 and goes on each Thursday between from 7pm- 9pm at Youthreach, Scarriff next to library.

“If parents don’t come along on September 11 to register as helpers, then we simply won’t be able to take in any new members”, said Tracey. Clare Youth Service will train new leaders and the commitment in- volved does not include having to or- ganise outings or paperwork “but it would be great if people would come along, get involved with the activities at club level and come with us to help on outings. We particularly need

people who might be able to bring some activity for young lads. A cou- ple of men would be very welcome’, said ‘Tracey.

Annual membership costs ©25 and includes insurance for all activities.

Weekly admission is ©2 per per- ete

All parents of members are re- quired to come on registration night and sign up to a volunteer rota.

“If enough parents sign up they will only be required to volunteer once every six to eight weeks”, said Tracey. Volunteers can come along in Thursday week or contact the club by email at emcyouthgroup@hotmaiul. com.

that the election process be- ing used “does not allow for adequate communication on a countywide ba- sis between various and community groups that make up the voluntary community pillar in county Clare.” Three members from the public and community groups will make up part of the board, but the selection of these three members is by invitation of nominees rather than using the voluntary and public umbrella group. He also questioned the potential geo- graphic balance in the system used. Clare Community Forum was set up by the Department of Local

Government to represent the com- munity-voluntary pillar, and today represents approximately 500 groups on a number of state and semi-state bodies.

“This was set up by the Government but another hand of the Government is choosing to ignore it,” he said.

“If it was set up as acommunity and voluntary pillar to be part of all bod- ies, why is it not there for all bodies? Why is one body choosing to ignore it?” asked Mr Cahill.

“And why is it being allowed to?”

CLDC has meanwhile reminded community and voluntary groups around the county that the deadline is approaching for receipt of nomina- tions and voter registration forms for electing three community and volun- tary Directors to the Board.

“A good deal of interest has already been shown by the community and voluntary sector in the election,” a statement said.

Monday, September 8, at noon is the deadline for receipt of nomina- tion and registration forms. Groups who have an interest in rural devel- opment, social inclusion, the envi- ronment, culture and community development are being encouraged to get their forms in on time and get involved in the election.

Ballot papers will be sent out by post to registered groups after Sep- 00 aoe

THE deadline is fast approaching for receipt of nominations and voter registration forms for the election of three community and voluntary di- rectors to the board of the newly es- tablished Clare Local Development Company (CLDC).

CLDC is the new countywide organ- isation which will run the LEADER and Local Development Social Inclu- sion programmes in Clare as well as

the Rural Social Scheme, the Clare Wood Energy Project and a range of other local projects. A good deal of interest has already been shown by the community and voluntary sector in the election.

Monday, September 8, at noon is the deadline for receipt of nomina- tion and registration forms. Groups who have an interest in rural devel- opment, social inclusion, the envi- ronment, culture and community development are being encouraged

to get their forms in on time and get involved in the election.

It is essential for groups to real- ise that even if they do not wish to nominate a candidate, they must complete a voter registration form as only groups who are registered to vote will be able to decide who gets elected to the new board.

Ballot papers will be sent out by post to registered groups after Sep- tember 8 and forms are on www.trd. ie Of Www.eirl.org websites.

GALLAGHERS in Kilkishen is not know for silence on a lively Saturday or Sunday night but last weekend, a bit of hush was required – at least for a while – in the bar.

The popular pub has become home to the Sixmilebridge Folk Club and the club got together some of it’s core players on Sunday to record the ses- sion for posterity.

Furthermore club members who joined in have a chance to become recording stars.

“It’s our tenth anniversary and we re hoping to put together a double

CD from the best of the sessions last Sunday and tracks donated by artists who have performed at our Winter Music Weekends,’ said Brendan Walsh, club chairman.

The club has grown to having al- most 300 people on the mailing list for events such as the Winter Music weekend and regular concert nights are frequently sell-outs with up to 70 people showing up.

“Our regular club nights, which are starting back in Galaghers on Sep- tember 20 and we usually get a good crowd for those. There are about 250 people who give us great support and during the Winter Weekend,

nearly 3,000 people turn up for the various concerts and sessions’, said Brendan.

The recording in Gallagher’s was expertly done by Pat Costello, whose job it now is to take it away for edit- ing.

It will be a tough job to pick tracks for the CD, said Brendan “but we’re not going to make any promises about what will be included – the fairest thing is just to see what turned out best”.

The CD will be ready for launch, Brendan hopes, in early December, before the Winter Music Weekend and proceeds will go towards help-

ing to meet the club’s expenses.

The club will meet for sessions eve- ry Sunday night at Gallaghers from September 20, starting at 7pm to al- low younger musicians to take part. Musicians, singers and listeners are all welcome.