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NO CONSULTANTS have yet been appointed to oversee the develop- ment of a three storey, 45,000 sq foot library building and arts centre in the Post Office Field, Ennis.

Last November the government gave the go-ahead to Clare County Council to appoint a project design team. Town Engineer Tom Tiernan said an extensive consultation proc- ess was underway and final approval had yet to be given.

“It is a long procedure and there haven’t been any appointments yet,’ he said. “It can be a complicated process. Certainly it’s not what it used to be, in terms of appointing a

ENNIS Chamber is offering a new translation service for local busi- nesses. The service, facilitated by Chambers Ireland, is in response to an increased demand for dependable translation services by Irish firms, who continue to employ large num- bers of foreign nationals, and are do- ing business and setting up offices overseas more than ever before. Provided by Clare-based com- pany e-lIeams, Chamber Transla- tion Services offers multi-lingual translation services and localisation solutions for every business transla- tion requirement. This includes, for

team for a project. There are a lot of procedures to go through.”

When the Post Office Field was identified in November 2006 as the favoured site for a new library, Ennis Town Council approved a request to apply for funding from the Depart- ment of the Environment and An Comhairle Leabhrlanna.

However, Mr Tiernan said, “As far as I am aware, no specific funding has been approved for the project.”

He added that any development on the field would not cause impact on flooding in the town.

“It accommodates flood storage when there are prolonged periods of high rainfall, but it is not critical as a flood plain. It is not critical in terms

example, the translation of website content, marketing materials, pres- entations and contracts.

It offers clients access to a global team of localisation experts, who will assist businesses in successfully communicating with target audienc- es in their native language(s).

Ennis Chamber CEO Rita MclIner- ney commented, “Chamber Transla- tion Services offer the flexibility to enable businesses to cost-effectively communicate with their international target market, be it customers, sup- pliers or employees. To successfully deliver their message on a global

of flood management for Ennis.

“Certainly, on the section of the field where the new library is pro- posed, any development there would not have any impact on flooding.”

The proposed state-of-the-art de- velopment will incorporate a public library, headquarters, local studies centre, performance arena, commu- nity meeting facilities and a range of ancillary exhibition areas for Clare County Library and the Clare Arts Office.

The Post Office Field is currently zoned as amenity, so any develop- ment would constitute a material contravention to the Ennis and Envi- rons Development Plan and require the council to adopt a variation to

scale, businesses must consider the context, channel and culture, not just the multilingual translation.”

Chamber President Michael Evans welcomed the service, saying, “The Irish workforce is increasingly di- verse, making this new service very opportune. I believe that results from a recent Labour Force Survey by Chambers Ireland shows that nearly one fifth of employees in Ireland are foreign nationals. Therefore it is im- portant that employers are able to provide documents, such as Health & Safety and contracts, in a multi- tude of languages.”

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Members of the Ennis arts commu- nity have questioned the merit of the project, given that Ennis already has two major arts and cultural venues in Glor and the recently redeveloped Cois na hAbhna.

Library and council officials say the need exists for a new library in Ennis and re-development of the existing De Valera Library site is unfeasible.

Head of the Clare Regional Game Council, Jimmy Allured opposes the development. “Where will the water go if they do build there?” he asked.

“The water is right up the wall. If they block off that corner, the water will flood onto the corner of Parnell Street.”

eleams Director, Martina Minogue, said she was delighted that her com- pany was Selected to work with Chambers Ireland to provide this translation service.

“As a small, indigenous business ourselves, we understand the con- text in which Chamber members are operating, and feel we can therefore serve their needs better than an over- seas supplier,” she said.

“We are excited about this opportu- nity and confident that our extensive range of languages, coupled with our track record, will not disappoint,” she concluded.

MAJOR improvements are needed to the diets of young people in Ire- land according to an extensive scien- tific study on teens’ diet, which was presented at a RELAY-organised conference in Dublin last week.

The study, which benchmarks di- etary intakes of a nationally repre- sentative sample of Irish teenagers, was carried out by the Irish Univer- sities Nutrition Alliance (IUNA) at UCD and UCC and funded by the Department of Agriculture, Fisher- ies and Food under the Food Insti- tutional Research Measure (FIRM), and co-funded by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI).

The study is described as a valuable

tool for allowing farmers and food producers to tailor product develop- ment based on more healthy lines.

“This is the first comprehensive scientific evaluation of dietary intake in teenagers in Ireland and provides direction for the dietary strategies that need to be established to prevent obesity in Irish teenagers,” said Min- ister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Mary Coughlan.

“Funding had been awarded under FIRM for a group of third level re- search projects on developing breads and ready meals with a reduced salt content, and I welcome industry co- operation with this work.”

Stressing the contribution of well focused research to policy making, the Minister said that the earlier Sci-

entific study on children’s diet had provided an evidence base to support the decision to launch the National ‘Food Dude’ programme to encour- age increased consumption of fruit and vegetables by primary school- children, which was run in over 300 primary schools in 2006, and the review and re-launch of the school milk scheme to include a wider range of dairy products.

The study on teens’ diet surveyed 450 teenagers aged 13-17 from sec- ondary schools throughout Ireland during 2005 and 2006, and was car- ried out by researchers in UCD and UCC.

In addition to diet, the study in- cludes direct body measurements on each teenager and provides accurate

data on the extent to which the obes- ity crisis is affecting Irish teenagers. It also included essential information on lifestyle, including physical activ- ity, for both the teenagers and their parents.

“We need clear guidelines for healthy eating for teens – guidelines that focus on appropriate portion siz- es, lower consumption of fat, salt and sugared drinks, and higher intake of vegetables and fruit, fibre, vitamins and minerals,” said Professor Albert Flynn, Department of Food & Nutri- tional Science, UCC.

“The pyramid model used in Ire- land to guide healthy eating, has been completely revised in the US to tackle obesity, and similar revisions need to take place here.”

LAST YEAR, Clare travelled to Dr Cullen Park in the league opener, played well. When Carlow moved through the gears in the second-half, Clare responded and came home e100 MAA n OE

It was Clare’s highlight of the year

and already, even without the league beginning, they’ve eclipsed last year’s achievements.

On Sunday, Carlow come to Ennis in the reverse fixture and Clare will expect a similar performance and re- sult to that of 2007. Crucially, they will also expect and should continue their winning habit throughout the

league.

Despite Carlow’s draw with Dublin in the O’Byrne Cup and despite Paul Bealin’s introduction and a fresh at- titude in ther panel, Clare won’t have any serious reservations about the Carlow challenge. Dublin took them down at the weekend in the O’ Byrne Cup replay with a weak side and had

eight points to spare in the process.

The starting 15 against Carlow will hold the most interest from a Clare perspective. The back four should remain the same from the McGrath Cup final and Niall Considine — who wasn’t available for selection on Sun- day — should come in at wing-back, possibly at the expense of Jimmy yeah

Gordon Kelly has done enough at centre-back to keep the jersey. He’s been one of the county’s most con- sistent players over the past two years and he provides the spine Frank Do- herty needs.

During the McGrath Cup campaign, Clare have tried to coax a handful of players back onto the panel. So far, they haven’t budged but a slice of success in January will provide more bargaining power.

Garry Brennan will push for se- lection on Sunday, but the feeling is that Clare will stay with the midfield of Darragh Kelly and Frank O’Dea — though O’Dea picked up a knock to the back against Limerick.

Clare need Brennan and one other player pushing for a second midfield spot while Brennan also provides an option closer to goal. David Russell, of course, would provide the pres- ence needed in the middle but he was used effectively against Limerick — in his first start of the year — as, es- sentially, a third midfielder. Joe Hay- es could have used him more from his kickouts and whenever he did, particularly late on, Russell revelled. Though he’s been with the panel for less than a month, he already looks fit and sharp.

If Clare need some competition for

midfield places, then they also need two more forwards of inter-county standard. Michael O’Shea is an ob- vious starter on the 40 and Stephen Hickey has held his place throughout the McGrath Cup.

David ‘Tubridy has one corner locked up and Rory Donnelly might get the other. If not, Hickey could move to the corner, opening other options out the field.

The real decision comes at full-for- ward. Before Sunday, the feeling here is that Timmy Ryan was ahead in Clare’s pecking order but once more, Colm Dillon came on and made an immediate impact.

While both provide obvious pres- ence and height — thus increasing depth and penetration — they each bring different qualities to the table. Dillon is arguably better in the air and has a strong relationship with Tubridy. Ryan is the more rounded footballer but still lacks match sharp- ness. It’s a close call, but Ryan will Start.

Sean Collins, Keith Whelan, Fintan Conway, the Larkins and John Hayes will also have contributions to make and Doherty hasn’t been afraid to make fast personnel decisions during elses. 00a len

It’s a dog-eared cliché to state that Clare must win their home games, but a five from five start to the season is within Clare’s grasp.

CLARE’S county manager has ad- mitted that Clare County Council will “have to up our game consider- ably” if it 1s to reach the targets set for it in the first report on the Provi- sion and Quality of Drinking Water in Ireland, 2006 – 2007.

Alec Fleming said that while the re- port was favourable in many respects the council has a lot of improvement works to carry out.

He said that the three areas re- quiring improvement included the upgrading of the county’s treatment plants, the operation and mainte- nance of the water schemes and the

monitoring of the water sources.

All of this will require more staff and money; money the manager said he does not have.

Clare County Council, like other local authorities, no longer receive 100 per cent of the capital fund- ing required for such projects. This means that the council must find €80 million from its own coffers.

While such money is collectable through levies, the county manager fears that such funding will be dif- ficult to find.

“IT welcome the report. It brings out issues. They are serious issues and they have to be addressed urgently and quickly,” he said.

Published by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) the report gives an overall favourable report to the drinking water in Clare, while highlighting a few serious concerns.

The EPA was particularly con- cerned with the low level of compli- ance with the trihalomethanes stand- ard at 88 per cent.

Trihalomethanes remains on the surface of the water when it is treat- ed only with disinfection rather than UI Kouce

Supplies in Ennis, Ennistymon, West Clare New and West Clare Old reported concentrations that were unacceptably high.

The standards for trihalomethanes

are tightening later this year, making this a number one concern.

Compliance with the indicator par- amedic values was above the nation- al average in water supplies in Clare, but there was a notable improvement required in the iron concentration in the water.

Water supplies in Clare were fully compliant with 23 of the 26 chemi- cal standards, with just one failure to meet fluoride standard and two fail- ures to meet lead standards recorded. Compliance with water regulations for the county were above national average at 98.2 per cent although concerns were expressed about the Ennis town supply.

For the report the EPA analysed 529 check and 54 audit samples dur- ihnteaA 0) Oley

Although private group’ water schemes in Clare were generally of a higher quality than those in the ma- jority of local authorities, the report found that there was still a number of quality deficient schemes dur- ing 2006 whether three or the 11 schemes monitored contaminated. Two of these were also contaminated during 2005. Compliance with the coliform bacteria parametric value in private group water schemes re- mained problematic and dropped from 63 per cent compliance in 2005 to 58 per cent in 2006.

BAREFIELD National School con- tinued their push for green school status last week with events focusing on healthy eating.

Barefield has been a green flag school since 2002 and since that time staff and students have really embraced the programme.

There are seven steps in the pro- gramme. The school must set up a green school committee, carry out a green review and decide on an ac- tion plan for the school. All progress must be monitored, measured and evaluated. Then green schools pro- eramme is also incorporated into

school curriculum work.

The school must also involve and inform the local community and cre- ate a green code before being award- ed full green flag status.

So far the school has made great strides and received recognition for work done on litter and waste man- agement, energy and water.

Ata presentation on Friday, students presented a report on the progress so far. Last year the school initiated a healthy lifestyle programme with the help of all teachers, pupils and parents. Students are encouraged to bring healthy lunches to school and the programme is to form a major part of the school’s push for green

flag status in the coming years.

Other projects undertaken include the reporting of leaking and dripping taps and compiling surveys on water conservation.

School principal Paddy Conroy praised the enthusiasm of students and teachers.

He said, “Well done to all of the school and a special thank you to all the teachers in every single class and all your help and patience in helping the school with the all the different projects. We also got great support and advice from the environmental section of Clare County Council”.

The green schools programme is an international education programme,

which helps students to recognise the importance of environmental issues and take them more seriously in their personal and home lives. In Ireland the programme is administered by An Taisce.

The Green Schools initiative has gone from strength to strength since it was launched in Ireland in 1997. Eleven award ceremonies are being held this month. Over 2,000 Irish schools are registered for the pro- eramme, representing over 49 per cent of all the schools in the coun- a7

Barefield National School is hop- ings to achieve green school status by 2009.

AN TAISCE came under fire yes- terday after it appealed to An Bord Pleanala a ruling by Clare County Council to give the go-ahead for a home beside the Western Rail Cor- ridor.

The national trust has lodged the appeal — the only instance it has ap- pealed a decision relating to a one- off home in Clare in the past year —in spite of Iarnrod Eireann having no objection against the proposal.

Last month, Clare County Council eranted outline planning permission to Monica McMahon to construct one home at Bearnafunshin, Barefield. _In the planning process, larnrod Eireann initially had reservations due to the proximity of the home to the Ennis-Galway rail-line which is oLeSUITSMGUDUReIILOMAmUNOscau-lelsrem

Green Party councillor, Brian Meaney said, “I believe that the functions that An Taisce carry out are necessary, but intervening in a case like this — when the compe- tent authority, Iarnrod Eireann sees

no problem — damages An Taisce’s crest ae

“Iarnrod Eireann adopts a very hard line when developments en- croach very close to the rail line and you would think if Iarnré6d Eireann didn’t have a problem, An Taisce shouldn’t.

“IT would have to question if this is a good use of An Taisce’s resources and time and there are other develop- ments that it could be concentrating

on.”

In its appeal, an Taisce state, “It is submitted that notwithstanding the alleviation of the concerns by Jarnrod Eireann on the impact of the proposal of the operation of the upgraded railway crossing, the pro- posal because of its location, would be of poor residential amenity qual- ity because of its proximity to the level crossing.

“While historically, all across the country, there are railway crossing keepers’ houses and houses already existing in proximity to railway cross- ings, outside of urban areas, the gen- eral principle should be maintained of restricting development in proximity to railways crossings for reasons for residential amenity, particularly in this case, since no site specific need has been advanced for development of this kind, and there are alternative development locations.”

An Taisce conceded that the rail company no longer objected to the eben

AS THE crowd filtered out of Co- oraclare and the emotion of a late penalty faded, it was easier to draw a clearer picture of the game. Some improvements, some things to work One

James Hanrahan, Clare selector and a link to the great days of Clare football, provided a slice of the half- empty/half-full reaction.

A good finish, but a below par per- formance.

“Tt didn’t look like we were going to do it at the end, and I’m pleased that we dug out the win. But we had a lot of possession and we didn’t use it. That was very frustrating.”

As expected, Limerick provided a bulkier challenge and Hanrahan says the step-up was noticeable.

“It was a lot more physical. It goes to show that there’s a big difference between colleges and inter-county. The lads were up against older fellas who were a lot stronger and at times

it took us a while to get going.

“We played bad but we won. That’s all you can say really and it might be character-building to do that, but there’s no way we’ll win if we play like that against Carlow next week. Carlow are going to be a major step- up in class again and we have to 1m- priove from today. We struggled at times, but defended well.”

He returns once more to the clos- ing stages of the game and Clare’s refusal to give-in

“We haven’t been under pressure in the last three games and we were under fair pressure today. We came through, which was the main thing. The lads kept battling – that was promising — but we won’t get carried AE Ale

that the council

was surprised that a blockage of this

size could result in such a problem with the water supply.

He said the weather also played a

part in the water problems.

The age of the system also made it more vulnerable, with Mr Tiernan admitting that the council expected the new water system to be in place lea IO

The new, permanent system, 1s ex- pected to be up and running in Feb- ruary next year.

“The supply is more vulnerable be- cause it does not have a fully fledged multi stage treatment process,” said Mr Tiernan.

While the most recent tests of the supply show that traces of the E-coli are no longer present, residents of En- nis, Clarecastle, Barefield, Crusheen and surrounding areas are warned to continue boiling the water which is to be consumed.

A number of clear water tests must be recorded to the satisfaction of the HSE before the boil notice is lifted.

Residents are advised to boil all water for human consumption, in- cluding food preparation and brush- bOTeaa Kore ee

ONE of Clare’s and indeed the mid- west’s best known hotels, the West County Hotel, Ennis will this year celebrate 40 years of being at the social and business heart of Coun- ty Clare. The landmark hotel was opened as a twenty bedroom opera- tion in 1968 and was the culmination of a vision by its founding Directors Michael and Christina Lynch.

Since then it has evolved over the years to become a 152 bedroom ho-

tel with large banqueting, conference and leisure facilities. Over the years the hotel has been a tremendous as- set to tourism in the County being the venue for the World Irish Danc- ing Competitions, International L1- ons Club Conference and All Ireland Darts Competition to name but a few events.

Looking forward, the hotels propri- etor and Managing Director Michael B. Lynch believes that the hotels edge of centre location to the town of Ennis will dawn a new and inter-

esting future for the hotel. The West County is currently very active in the conference and event markets and its strategy 1s to bring and create large National and International events for Ennis with the West County at their fe) Ken

SW slomectbe mee) (oe) e:18 (er moaLo tlm Bel mole a spectacular banquet in March, de- tails of which will emerge over the coming weeks. In addition to cel- ebrate the milestone of 40 years in business the hotel also plans to re-in- troduce for a limited time during the

year some old favorites like Saturday night dining and dancing, Club Oasis and the year’s celebrations will cul- minate with a gala Mistletoe Ball on New Year’s Eve.

The West County Hotel is a mem- ber of the Lynch Hotel Group which has hotels in Clare, Mayo, Limerick and Dublin.

CLARE County Council has reject- ed plans for a €10 million windfarm between the east Clare villages of Tulla and Feakle, close to the setting for one of the most celebrated poems in Irish literature.

The proposal by Ventus Energy sought to develop eight turbines in the vicinity of Lough Graney to sup- ply electricity to 22,000 homes.

The lake was the literary backdrop for Brian Merriman’s epic poem, ‘The Midnight Court’, which was written in 1780.

As part of the plan, the developers sought to remove 425 acres of forest ele lelOee

However, the plan encountered widespread opposition across the east Clare area and the Department of the Environment also expressed concern.

Ironically, it is the designation of a large tract of land on Slieve Aughty as a Special Protection Area (SPA) for birds — being opposed by local farmers and landowners — which in part led to the council refusing plan- ning permission for the proposal.

The council refused planning per- mission as it had concerns over the impact the development would have on the hen harrier, particularly in light of the designation of the area as an SPA.

The Clare County Development Plan goes against granting planning permission in areas that are likely to have significant adverse ecological impacts.

The council also stated that the pro- posed development had the potential to have a serious ecological impact on the SPA by virtue of the proposed removal of an extensive expanse of trees and the disturbance and loss to natural habitats.

In one objection, the Centre for Environmental Living and Train- ing (CELT) claimed that houses and farm prices in the vicinity of the wind farm would drop by 20 per cent.

The plan was also opposed by a eroup of east Clare-based artists, including Aosdana member, Joe Comerford who pointed out that the county planners had worked for many years to protect the landscape heritage of east Clare with good rea- son. The group sais they hoped this precious resource would not be dis- carded so easily.

In a separate objection, Mairin Kel- ly pointed out that “the cumulative effect of the turbines in combination with the existing communications mast on Maghera would be to alter the landscape character from remote upland to semi-industrial”.

The developers now have the op- tion of appealing the decision to An Bord Pleanala.