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THE West County Hotel was the venue last week for the 2008 Teagasc clare Dairy Seminar.

The meeting was chaired by Paddy Rynne, Teagasc adviser, who opened the meeting by reflecting on what was an exceptionally good year for the dairy industry in 2007.

The seminar was designed as a fo- rum to now look forward to the pos- sibilities and indeed challenges for the future of the industry.

Teagasc Specialist, John Norris, gave an in-depth review on dairy farm returns in 2007 based on profit

monitor analysis which showed that net profit increased by an average of over 7 cents/litre. He also considers that the prospects for 2008 are very positive with the current price likely to be maintained and the possibility of a 2 per cent increase in quotas. He did however point out that costs are increasing and that this rise could be in the region of 2.5 cents/litre, so he cautioned farmers to keep a close eye on costs.

The second presentation of the evening was delivered by Don Crow- ley who focussed on the whole area of mastitis control and keeping so- matic cell counts (SCC) low, so as to

avoid penalties on milk price.

He stressed the importance of hav- ing machinery serviced annually, and highlighted the absolute necessi- ty to have liners changed every 2500 milking or at least twice a year.

Frank Buckley spoke about the cur- rent trial work that is ongoing in the area of crossbreeding the dairy herd, which involves mainly Holstein Frie- sian cows being crossed with Jersey and Norwegian Red.

He outlined what crossbreds were delivering in real terms especially in the whole area of fertility, and he said how this may well be a very real op- tion as a “quick fix” solution in herds

with extreme fertility problems.

The final speaker on the night was Aidan Bugler who outlined some of the urgent requirements for farm- ers under the nitrates directive. He pointed out that derogation farms (those over 1/Okgs Organic Nitro- gen per hectare) required fertiliser records to be completed for 2007 and returned to the Department of Agri- culture by the March 1.

These farms also require a fertiliser plan be prepared for 2008 showing the maximum amount of Phosphorus and Nitrogen that may be applied. This plan must be prepared by the March | and retained on farm.

THE ‘closed shop’ that prohibits over 400 Clare taxi and hackney drivers from operating out of Shannon Air- port could be at an end.

This follows the Commissioner for Taxi Regulation, Kathleen Doyle, seeking a meeting with the Shannon Airport Authority (SAA) over the op- eration of airport by-laws that ensure that there is no conventional taxi- rank at Shannon Airport and instead passengers seeking a taxi must hire a hackney cab based at Shannon.

In spite of the massive growth in passengers at Shannon in recent years, only 34 hackney cabs operate out of the airport.

Ms Doyle is to meet with SAA offi- cials next week to discuss the present arrangements at the airport and has flatly denied a claim by the SAA that the commission has outlined its sat- isfaction that the current operation adequately meets the needs of Shan- non’s passengers.

In a statement, Mr Doyle confirmed that the commission is seeking “‘clar- ification from airport management as to whether or not a policy exists which excludes taxis from operation at Shannon airport”.

Since the deregulation of the taxi-

business in November 2000, the number of licences has increased four-fold to 467 in Clare.

Deputy Timmy Dooley (FF) — who raised the issue with Ms Doyle and the Competition Authority last month — said yesterday, “I’m happy that the Commissioner for Taxi Regulation is taking an interest in the issue.”

Ennis based-taxi-driver, John Ka- vanagh has lobbied on behalf of Clare and mid-west-based taxi driv- ers for the current system at Shannon to be abolished.

He said, “We are very encouraged and hopeful by what the taxi com- missioner has had to say and that the jPACereL BU OTSMMAOE-T MB OTK oleio) IMDM EcRT elem

He added, “Taxi drivers in Clare are on the breadline and are being discriminated against because of this ENYA

“The taxi regulator states that the whole of Clare is a metred areas, yet the airport authority takes a different a (oa

Yesterday, the SAA declined to say how many new licences have been issued in recent years, stating only that the numbers have increased ‘slightly’.

A spokesman for the SAA declined to comment on the situation ahead of the meeting with the taxi regulator.

CLARE COUNTY Council has failed to provide any permanent halt- ing site for Travellers in the three years of its 2005-08 Traveller Ac- commodation Programme.

At the outset of the programme, the council identified 64 families in need of accommodation, but has failed to provide any permanent halting sites across Clare since 2005.

This is in contrast to the council’s performance in the previous Trav- eller accommodation plan, which developed four permanent Traveller accommodation sites in Ennis (2), Ennistymon and Shannon.

With a spend of €12 million, the council reduced the numbers of Travellers without accommodation from 61 to 14.

However, in the existing plan, the council has constructed no _ per- manent sites, but has instead con-

structed a large temporary site on the outskirts of Ennis in Doora, with an agreed deadline of having the Bal- laghboy site, which accommodates 16 families, closed down by Decem- ber of this year.

In the review of the Traveller ac- commodation programme, _ the council acknowledges the proposed closure “will pose considerable dif- ficulties to both Ennis Town Coun- cil and Clare County Council as the preference of many of the families on the site is for a range of social housing options”.

An emergency nine-family site was constructed in Ennistymon during the lifetime of the existing plan.

The review confirms that the coun- cil is making progress in providing permanent sites at five sites around Ennis at Knockanean, Ashline, Kil- morane, Ballaghboy and the Lahinch Road area, while it is progressing on two permanent sites in Ennistymon.

BEEKEEPING seems an unlikely urban hobby but it is one that is thriv- ing in Ennis.

The Banner Beekeepers is a vo- lountary association with over 50 members in Clare with around half of these living in Ennis.

Now the association is looking to attract new members with a series of talks and workshops, the first of which takes place at the Teagasc Centre, Ennis on March 6.

The Banner Beekeepers provides a support network for those starting out in beekeeping plenty of advice can be found from more experienced

beekeepers.

The association is also holding a five-week evening course – An Intro- duction to Beekeeping, to be held at Teagasc on Thursday nights.

A number of activities, including lectures by well-known beekeepers, are being lined up for the year ahead. In May the association intends set- ting up a new bee apiary in Inagh.

The Irish Seedsavers Association, Scariff are also setting up a bee api- ary and have been granted permis- sion for its use by the Banner Bee- keepers during the summer

Aoife McGuiness of the Banner Beekeepers explained that Ennis represents an ideal environment for

beekeepers.

She said, “Anyone can learn to keep bees whether you live in the country or town. Clare is an excellent county for bees and honey production and no area more so than Ennis. Many people think that if you live in a town or city that it would be impossible to keep bees”

“There are numerous beekeepers that keep a hive or two in their back garden. As long as you acquire a nice docile strain, they will not bother ZT ONO) onal

‘There is also plenty of nectar for the bees to collect in the gardens of a town’.

She added that bee products have

many uses some of them medici- nal, “Honey is the most commonly known product of the honeybee, which is produced from the nectar of blossoms. Apart from tasting so good, it is a natural antiseptic, and is full of enzymes.”

“The honeybees produce many other useful products. Local honey is very beneficial to those who suffer from hayfever because of the local pollen content. Propolis is another by-product. It contains antiseptic properties and 1s said to have benefi- cial effects on sore throats”.

For more info enkene bannerbees@gmail.com or contact 087 6743030.

THE ability of Ennis to achieve a rise in population to 38,000 by 2015 is under serious threat due to the current inability of the town’s infra- structure to allow new housing de- velopments.

That is the view of Green Party councillor, Brian Meaney who made his comment yesterday after Ennis Town Council raised doubts over granting planning permission to 133 houses on the northern outskirts of Ennis due to the current capacity of the Ennis sewage system.

The background issues paper on the drawing up of a new Ennis Develop- ment plan anticipates that there will be a population of 38,000 in Ennis by 2015.

However, the local council has now adopted a policy of not granting planning permission to only portions of large scale development due to the incapacity of the town’s sewage treatment plants to cater for the de- velopments.

Currently, a new €75 million sew- age treatment plant to be built in the Clareabbey area and the council must source €30 million of the cost

through developer contributions.

Ennis Town Manager, Tom Tiernan said recently that it may not be until complete until 2102.

However, in the meantime, Cllr Meaney expressed concerns that the growth of Ennis will be stymied and the town will not reach its 2015 pop- ulation target due to shortcomings in the local infrastructure.

“Unless new sewerage infrastruc- ture can be put in place, planners will be unable to plan Ennis on a sustain- able basis.

“It has been clearly flagged that the sewage capacity is exhausted,” he

Sr nLe

Cllr Meaney made his comments arising from the town council putting a plan by Keco Ltd on hold.

The construction firm is seeking to build 133 homes near Ballycorey on the northern outskirts of Ennis.

In its letter to the developers, the council states, “The Planning Au- thority has concerns at present re- garding the capacity of the main sewage treatment plant at Clonroad- more to accommodate large housing developments.

A decision is due on the planning application later this year.

THURSDAY night’s Galway Card at Galway Greyhound Stadium was backboned by the heats of a number of Sweepstakes – the finals of which will take place on Saturday.

In the opening semi final of the Bothar A3 Stake the PJ Fahy owned Tyrur Kim a daughter of Crash and Tyrur Tina was confidently expected to add to her opening round success as she ran from her favoured inside berth. And she certainly did not let her followers down as she stayed on really strongly to hold off the late rally of the striped jacketed Hello Sbubseon

In the second semi final there were reserves in traps three and six but as the traps rose it was the trap five runner Carhugar Bobsie that broke

best and he lead around the opening corner from Malbay Bart with Ross- cahill Pascal in third place turning down the far side.

Racing past the halfway mark the Michael Downes of Killaloe trained Carhugar Bobsie (Premier County- Blonde Lotto) set sail for home and as he rouned the penultimate bend he held a race winning three length ad- vantage over Malbay Bart as Sharons Baby moved in to third spot.

But Carhugar Bobsie was in com- mand for his owners, the Clare Con- nection Syndicate from Quin, and he won by over three lengths in 29.10.

The opening two contests of the night were both over the minimum trip of 325 yards and in the opener for SIO graders the Fiona/Kevin Troy of Kilkee owned West Clare Gael showed his rivals a clean pair of

heels throughout as he galloped clear to win.

The third contest was an A5 graded 525 yard contest for which the trap two runner Stonehall Mist for the Caseys of Newmarket went to traps the 6/4 favourite but she never count- ed as the white jacketed Shyan Yank (Mustang Yank-Shyan Chill) showed a decent turn of early toe to lead by three lengths and won comfortably Aner

Race ten on the card was heat number two of the 550 Stake where trap five runner Bold Teddy was away smartly and he led up on the outside from Cat Woman on the long run up with O’Garney Gold improving in to third place as they turned down the back straight. In the end, it was the Mrs Helen Coffey of Sixmilebridge owned O’Garney Gold (Droopys

Woods-O’Garney Mist) who was out in front by a length and she re- ally stuck to her guns up the sraight to win in 30.76.

There was a huge buzz of anticipa- tion around the stadium on Saturday as the top bitches in the country bat- tled for a place in the €26,000 to the winner final of the Tyrur Ted Cham- pion Bitch Stake.

Unfortunately, one of the leading fancies for outright victory in the Competition, Shinguan Stan, was an absentee due to a virus but there were also other nine runners which sadly saw two of the heats reduced to four runner contests.

Once again the sponsors repre- sentetive Tyrur Nadine (Droopys Scholes-Tyrur Fiona) was the focus of attention. But racing down the back’ Nadine’ led by three lengths

from Express Smasher with Florys Atrraction in third place. Racing out of the back tbough the leader pulled out more as she raced cleaar to book her place in the decider from Express Smasher in a superb time of 29.96 . The draw for the €26,000 final is as follows:

1. LETHAL FRANKIE

2. NEWBRIDGE JEWEL

3. STRANGFORD KATIE

4. EXPRESS SMASHER

5. FOREST BABY

6. TYRUR NADINE

The third contest on the night an A2 eraded 525 saw the Martin Cronin/ Jack Markham of Ennis owned Crag- brien Magic(T1) deliver a most 1m- pressive performance as he romped to a seven length victory over Bal- Were (ou

THE Construction Industry Federa- tion (CIF) last night described plans by Clare County Council to more than quadruple new house levies as ‘unjustified and unsustainable’.

As part of the draft developer con- tribution scheme 2008-2011, the council is proposing a 400 per cent increase on levies for houses on zoned land, going up from the cur- rent rate of €5,000 to €21,360.

Currently, house-builders con- structing homes on unzoned land pay €4.180 and under the council’s new scheme, the development levy will more than double to €12,456.

Those seeking to build holiday homes are facing a 300 per cent in-

crease in levies, going from €9,500 to €27,050 per home.

The levies are imposed by the council on house builders to finance water, sewerage, road and com- munity infrastructure and must be paid before houses are occupied. In the past four years, the council has raised €34 million from the scheme. However, in the revised scheme, the council is seeking to raise €101 mil- lion over the next four years.

The draft document is to go before the council next Monday and CIF spokesman, Conor O’Connell yester- day outlined the federation’s opposi- tion to the scheme when he said that the increase will add eight per cent to the price of houses in Clare.

Mr O’Connell said that the lev-

ies are another form of taxation. Mr O’Connell said that the CIF would be lobbying councillors to outline its serious concerns in relation to the scheme.

The scheme is unlikely to get passed in its current form, with Cllr Patrick Keane (FF) representing the views of a number of councillors when he said that the “charges place on unfair burden on young couples wishing to construct a new home”.

As part of the scheme, the council is targeting 1,400 house buyers each year over the next four years to fi- nance its capital spend.

IT looks like another busy week for students at Barefield National school as they prepare to highlight the bene- fits of an active and healthy lifestyle.

After a month where the school continued its drive for green flag sta- tus with a series of environmentally friendly initiatives, staff and students will take part in another important promotional campaign.

Pupils from Barefield National School will this week join the list of schools nationwide who are cel- ebrating Active School Week. For the school this means increasing the amount of time spent on PE and

physical activity and highlighting the benefits of an active lifestyle.

According to teacher Peadar Mc- Mahon that means a number of ac- tivities running throughout the week including an infant programme which involves different events every day culminating in a Blitz on Friday March 7.

First class pupils are taking the whole thing very seriously by organ- ising a survey on physical activity, which will focus on their favour- ite activities and how to promote a healthier lifestyle for all the family. Of course, the events next week in Barefield National School will in- volve students from different nation-

alities and even the language teacher has been drafted in to explain the intricacies of cricket amongst many other things!

Active School Week is the high- light of the Active School Awards 2008 which is a nationwide search for the schools who best incorporate physical activity into their school CEMA

The Awards, which are now in their fourth year, are funded by the De- partment of Education and Science and entries are assessed on a region- al basis and then a short list will be invited to the National Celebration Event in May 2008 where the win- ners receive cash prizes.

The closing date for submissions is April 4 and those interested in participating should log onto www. activeschoolawards.ie

The Active Schools Awards for 2008 was launched by Mary Hanafin TD, Minister for Education and Sci- ence at St Clare’s Primary School, Harold’s Cross, Dublin on Friday 18th January._

The main aim of this initiative is to raise the profile of PE and co-curric- ular physical activity in the context of the introduction of the Primary J SCUiw ue levee mr-DeCeMdsComMiebeN OME OaVelle PE syllabus and to promote lifelong involvement in sport and physical activity.

THEY said that it couldn’t be done, the people who know about big building projects. But more than 170 determined Irish

people and eight weeks of hard labour, sweat and blood later, the Banner was celebrating in South Africa as the new care centre and hospice at Missionvale in Port Elizabeth was handed over to Sr

Ethel Normoyle, to bring hope, comfort and dignity to the pov- erty and disease stricken people of the township.

A QUESTION mark hangs over Clare County Council’s plan to re- alise €300,000 from the sale of a rundown toilet block with panoramic views of Lahinch bay.

The sale of the site on which the toilet block is located, at the south- ern end of Lahinch prom, is expected to be a major financial contributor to the council’s plans to upgrade the re- sort’s promenade, including facilities for surfers.

However, the council has as yet been unable to confirm title on the dilapidated toilet block despite its in- vestigations into the property going back to late 2004.

“Investigations regarding title for property were commenced in late 2004 and the process for first reg- istration was commenced in late 2005.

“This process involves mapping, proofs and statements and I cannot say at this time how long more it will take. We are in constant contact with the Land Registry through the coun- cil’s solicitor and the property will be advertised for sale on completion of the registration process,’ accord- ing to acouncil spokeswoman.

“This is an application for first registration and this generally takes longer than a normal transfer of title. The council has responded fully to

all queries raised to date and must await the outcome of the registration 0) Kel ees Se

Cllr Martin Conway (FG) expressed his support for the proposed sale.

“The toilet block has not been used- for over five years and we are told the site may realise up to €300,000 if put on the open market.

“IT would always caution against the council selling its assets, but the sce- nario put to councillors is the sale of the toilet block is necessary in order to finance the upgrading of the beach facilities. It is a superb site with unri- valled views of Lahinch Bay.”

Only last Friday, the council signed a €234,000 contract to construct a new lifeguard station at Lahinch. A number of other developments for the prom are currently at design stage and will culminate in the prepara- tion of an overall masterplan for the beach and promenade at Lahinch.

Along with the lifeguard station, the masterplan includes a new serv- ices building incorporating toilets and showers, and improvements in traffic management and car parking.

The council spokeswoman con- firmed that last year, the council col- lected almost €200,000 in parking fees at Lahinch. In 2006, the amount received was €168,000. The monies from the parking fees are to go to- wards the financing of the Lahinch prom project.