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REAL pressure will be on Clare County Council to provide and de- liver quality services next year fol- lowing news that the authority will receive less than the national average increase in funding from the Local Government Fund for 2008.

Local authorities were informed this week what they could expect from the fund in 2008.

Clare County Council will receive a 5.13 per cent increase in funding which, although 4.5 per cent more than its final allocation for 2007, is still below the national average in- crease for town councils, county councils and borough councils for 2008. Ennis Town Council will get funding just above the national aver- age.

Mayor of Clare Patricia McCarthy said, “It is extremely disappointing that Clare is not to receive even the

average of 5.4 per cent from the Gov- ernment local government fund for Local Authorities. 5.1 per cent rep- resents a reduction in real terms and fails to match the increased services

and operating costs of the council.

“This will place real pressure on the council’s ability to provide and deliver quality services to the pub- lic. Government cannot continue to expect the council to take on more and more responsibility without pro- viding the necessary funds to do so. Further Government departments must meet their obligations and pay for services that the council pays for and provides on their behalf,” the mayor said.

Mayor McCarthy added, “The council is obliged to pay its credi- tors within 30 days or incur interest charges. It’s a pity that Government does not incur the same penalties when it fails to deliver prompt pay- ment for services rendered by the council.”

ENNISTYMON is celebrating a new champion this week with the news that a fifth year student in Scoil Mhuire has received a bronze medal in the Irish qualifiers for Europe’s Junior Science Olympics.

Jacklyn Nagle, who comes from Ennistymon, came third in the coun- try in the physics category in the final national trial for a place in the Irish team to compete at the EU-wide competition in Cyprus in May.

Jacklyn was invited to take part in the trails, which were held earlier this month in Dublin City University, because of her high marks in both

science and maths in her Junior Cert. Unfortunately for Jacklyn, only the top two qualifiers in each discipline qualify to represent Ireland at the event, but as first reserve she will be off to Cyprus should any of the other qualifiers be unable to attend.

“I like physics, it would be my favourite science. And I’m also do- ing applied maths outside of school though,” she said.

“The competition was to choose who will represent Ireland in the European Union Science Olympics. You are sent out an invitation based on how well you did in maths and Science in your Junior Cert. Then you can choose to sit an exam in

either biology, chemistry or physics. I chose physics and there was a two- hour exam, then an hour of multiple- choice questions.

“I came in third place and got a bronze medal. But only first and sec- ond get to go to Cyprus for the Euro- pean Championships. So I am the re- serve for the physics. The European Championships are on in May, so if someone can’t make it for any reason Pll be able to go out there and repre- sent Ireland,’ she added.

Not content with a third place in the junior competition, Jacklyn will also try her luck in trails for the under-19 physics world event in January.

“I will also be participating in the

Irish Physics Olympics after Christ- mas. It’s an under-19 competition and it’s just for physics,’ Jacklyn said.

“The people who get chosen from this one go on to the International Physics Olympics, which is just for people who do physics. Not many fifth years take part in this so I’m just really going along to get a feel for it.

“The Leaving Certs know the course but I’m only really starting on it. But it will be good to get in there and see what it’s all about.”

INDUSTRIAL action among the county’s emergency and medical staff has been averted just one week before Christmas.

On Tuesday morning nurses at Ennis General Hospital suspended a planned work to rule less than 12 hours before it was set to start.

Had the action gone ahead the hos- pital would have been without phone cover for eight hours every night, with nurses concentrating solely on patient care.

Following proposals put to the INO by management it was agreed that an additional 63 nursing hours would be provided to the medical wards to maintain safe staffing levels on night Clas

‘An understanding has been reached locally that the appointment of an ad-

ditional nurse at the Emergency De- partment can only be resolved by the HSEEA. The INO will be pursuing this matter further at this level,’ an INO spokesperson said.

An all-out strike by Ennis fire fight- ers was averted at the Ilth hour on Tuesday after agreement was reached between their union representatives and Clare County Council.

Fire-fighters at the county’s largest station had planned to strike at mid- night on Tuesday amid claims that the council breached agreements and refused to agree to the appointment of an arbitrator to resolve long stand- ing issues including staffing levels at the Ennis station.

Fire fighting crews from the Army Corps of Engineers based at the Cur- ragh had been on standby in Limer- ick in case of strike action.

Following discussions between

SIPTU and Clare County Council on Tuesday afternoon, a general meet- ing of fire-fighters took place in En- nis later that night when staff agreed to call off their planned strike.

SIPTU said that the issue of man- ning levels at the station had been addressed by the council and that “an additional resource will be made available from an outlying station.”

Union Branch Organiser ‘Tony Kenny said that both sides agreed to engage the services of a Rights Com- missioner to resolve a dispute over a member of staff who was relieved of duty because he hadn’t passed his truck-driving test.

‘Both sides have also agreed to en- gage the services of advisory service of the LRC to look at industrial rela- tions practices, policies and proce- dures within the fire service in En- nis,’ Mr Kenny added.

SWIMMERS from all over north Clare and beyond are to brave the cold waters of the Atlantic on Christ- mas morning in an effort to raise money for two worthy causes.

First up 1s Lahinch, where up to 200 swimmers will take to the water for one of the county’s largest and long- est-running charity swims.

“The swim starts off on Christmas morning at 12.15pm and anyone who wants to come along for a dip 1s more than welcome. This year, all money raised from the swim will go to sup-

porting the Clare Crusaders. It’s in memory of Howard Flannery, who did a lot of great work in this area,” said swim organiser, John Fawl.

“If people want to get involved, they can still get sponsorship cards from me, or they can just turn up on the day. We won’t turn anyone away and all donations are very welcome.

“The swim is really going from strength to strength. We had about 170 people in the water last year. It was around that number anyway, there was so many in the water at one stage that it was getting difficult to count.

“It is getting bigger and bigger each year. We have a large crowd now, who come down just to watch the swimmers getting into the water. The prom is usually full of people so it has turned into a huge community occasion,’ he added.

“After the swim the tradition is to go into O’Looney’s for a hot whiskey to warm up the swimmers. All the hot whiskies are sponsored though, we have to keep inside the law.”

Meanwhile, up the road in Doo- lin, St Breckans GAA Club have organised their first-ever Christmas day swim.

“The sponsored swim is in aid of the St Breckans GAA Field Commit- tee. This is the first year that we have tried a swim, so were are hoping for a good turnout. The swim takes place in Doolin from Ipm on Christ- mas Day,” said Susan Neville of the St Breckans GAA Field Committee.

“If people want to get involved, there are sponsorship cards available from all the committee members of St Breckans GAA Club. People can either swim off the pier or off the small beach in Doolin and all specta- tors are more than welcome to come along for a look.”

CRITICISM of a sculpture of actor Richard Harris by members of the artistic community has angered its creator, the Kilbaha-based sculptor Jim Connolly.

In an open letter to the mayor of the city, councillor Ger Fahy, the Clare sculptor said his “personal and professional integrity were torn to aT kere ae

Well-known Limerick artist John Shinnors described the statue, de- picting Harris as King Arthur in ‘Camelot’, as “touristy kitsch” and said “it was an opportunity that was lost and thrown away’”’.

The criticism was added to by Clare artist Thomas Delohery who

said, “I think it’s absolutely awful. It’s too small, Richard Harris was six foot three. They should have built it higher.

“His nose is wrong, his grand- daughter said he was so broad she couldn’t put her arms around him. I think everybody 1s afraid to say any- thing about it because the council- lors wanted this for so long,’ added Delohery

Mr Delohery held a series of exhi- bitions of his work on Richard Har- ris depicting different portraits of the actor 1n various settings.

In his letter, Mr Connolly states that Harris was six foot, not six foot three as stated by Thomas Delohery. This has been verified by Noel Har- ris, who said his brother’s height was

six feet and a half an inch at most.

The west Clare sculptor said the statue measures six feet two inches from the soles of Harris’ boots to the top of his head and said the chest measurement of the tunic is 48 inches.

The statue is estimated to have cost €150,000. At the unveiling Mr Con- nolly said he decided to portray Har- ris aS a mature actor.

“When he was at his peak with ‘Camelot’, which was a _ major success, he bought the rights to it and travelled the world with it as a stage show”’.

Another statue of Harris, created by Jim’s son Seamus, stands in Kilkee. It also divided opinion as to where it should be located.

WALKING enthusiasts and nature lovers are being asked to come out in the New Year for a special charity walk to help raise money for a very worthy cause.

On Sunday, January 13, scores of walkers will descend on Toonagh Hall for the fifth annual New Year Charity Walk, organised by Breda McCullough.

Proceeds from this year’s walk will go towards equipment for St Clare’s School, which will help to prepare some of the county’s most dedicat- ed young athletes take part in the Special Olympics movement.

Walkers will be offered three dif- ferent routes, designed to suit every level of fitness.

“The Special Olympics is expand- ing all the time and we are hoping to raise enough money to fund new equipment and gear for the young children in all the different events. It will allow them to keep being involved. More and more children are getting involved all the time,” said Breda.

“T organise a different fundraiser each year for local charities. In the past I have raised money for things like the Clarecastle Day Care Centre and for the Clare Branch of the Sun- set Foundation.

“It starts in Toonagh Hall and it finishes there as well. We have a two-mile, a three-mile and a six- and-a -half-mile walk. So we have something to suit everyone. It’s a

beautiful walk, it goes around by Dysert Church, Dysert Castle and the high cross as well. You have the old monastery and the graveyard up there, so besides being a lovely walk, there is a lot of interesting things for people to see.”

Helping out at this year’s event will be Conrad McCullough. Conrad did both his county and his country proud when he won a gold medal in the 100m freestyle swimming and bronze medal in the 25m relay at the Special Olympics European Youth Games in Rome in 2006.

“We don’t have sponsorship cards SO we are asking people to just come along on the day itself. It’s usually €3 to walk but people can donate what- ever they want. Altogether, we are

hoping to raise as much a €3,500,” added Breda.

“My son Conrad, who is involved in the Special Olympics, is a special needs child in St Clare’s School, he usually comes along, starts the race and helps out a lot on the day.”

The walk begins at 12.30pm and people are asked to come along for registration from 11.30am.

For more information, BJ ueLer- MO) Ole Mee bee Oe ae

contact

DRINK driving, speeding and seat- belt use will be the central focus of the Garda drink driving campaign this Christmas, as ongoing efforts to cut road deaths continue.

The numbers of gardai deployed to the Clare Garda Division traffic corps doubled during the year as part of a nationwide campaign to crack down on road offences.

An increased emphasis is being placed on catching road offenders during the festive season.

Twelve people have been killed on the county’s roads this year. Eleven of those were in the Clare Garda Division while the other road death occurred close to Setright’s bar in Cratloe, on the Clare/Limerick Garda divisional border last month. Last year nine people died. Up to last Monday 525 people were arrested on suspicion of drink driving in Clare since the start of the year, which is a huge increase on the figure for 2006.

The head of the Clare Garda Di- vision traffic corps, Inspector John Galvin, said every effort would be made to ensure drivers abided by the law.

“We are putting considerable re- sources in road traffic. The main causes of fatal accidents are speed, drink driving and not wearing seat

belts,’ he said.

Several motorists have been caught for drink driving the morning after socialising. Gardai are reiterating the dangers of driving in the hours after drinking alcohol.

‘People have to realise when they are out socialising it takes several hours for alcohol to leave the sys- tem,’ said Inspector Galvin.

“Our main focus is to keep deaths down. We would prefer if no-one was arrested for drink driving,” he said.

“The drink driving figures are dras- tically up for the whole year. How- ever in the last number of weeks the figures are down on a weekly basis. We hope people are getting the mes- sage. Drink is a major contributory factor to deaths on the roads while there is also legislation on drug driv- ing as this also carries a disqualifica- tion,’ added Inspector Galvin.

Drivers are also being reminded that the use of mobile phones while driving is forbidden. Handsfree kits or earpieces are mandatory if us- ing mobile phones while behind the wheel.

“It is an offence which carries two penalty points,” he said.

“The traffic corps has increased in size over the past year. This is an indication of the seriousness with which it (the issue) 1s viewed by gardai,’ added Inspector Galvin.

Justice Minister, Brian Lenihan, has confirmed that over €7 million has been spent on preventing incursions by anti-war activists at Shannon Air- port over the past two years.

Mr Lenihan said that €4.69 million was spent on policing arrangements at Shannon last year and to the end of November this year, the costs for

2007 were put at €3.1 million.

With over one million US troops going through Shannon to wars in Iraq and Afghanistan since 2003, Minister Lenihan said that “the con- tinuance of the ongoing policing ar- rangements at Shannon are essential for the integrity of the airport itself , its employees and clients”.

“Accordingly, I remain satisfied that Garda policing arrangements at

Shannon Airport continue to be both necessary and appropriate’, he said. However, a peace activist arrested at Shannon Airport last month, Ed Horgan, said that the policing ar- rangements at Shannon were “gross- ly inadequate and inappropriate”. Prior to his arrest Mr Horgan had telephoned gardai asking them to search an aircraft he suspected of be- ing involved in the US Government’s

rendition flights.

He was arrested for failing to leave the airport terminal.

“It is inappropriate that the policing arrangements at Shannon are direct- ed at the likes of myself who always uphold and abide by the law,” he said yesterday.

“It 1s open for any person with a malicious intent to either walk into the terminal or get through the

perimeter fence to cause mayhem. Frequently, the checkpoint at the en- trance to the airport 1s unmanned,’ he said.

Cllr Brian Meaney (GP) said: “The antics of the anti-war movement through incursions into the airfield have ensured that funding that could Support a programme of searching suspected rendition flights at Shan- non has been diverted elsewhere.”

CLARE county councillors have called for strict regulations prevent- ing county planners from using their personal opinions or “whims” to de- cide the planning issues to be intro- duced.

As part of a motion put forward at last night’s planning-dominated meeting of Clare County Council, Cllr Michael Kelly (FF) called for set criteria to be followed in relation to one-off housing in the county.

“Some planners have decided that a house should be to their own de- sire and not to the desire of the peo- ple who live in the house. Planners come and planners go and they make different decisions. But people can get stuck with houses that they don’t want,’ said Cllr Kelly.

“Planning permission for houses in rural areas has gotten to be a very complicated process. There are so many different conditions that a per- son wishing to build a house must go through and all of these are at a cost to the person themselves.

“I am here to raise this issue and will continue to raise the issue as

long as I am here. We don’t want ag- gravation. We just want to put for- ward this issue.”

Seconding the motion, Cllr PJ Kelly

(FF) called for clarity to be brought into the planning system relating to one-off housing.

“Different planners have different

emphases. I’d even go as far as to say whims. This whole idea of having one rule for Mick and one rule for Pat cannot carry on,’ said Cllr Kelly.

“All we are asking for is an agreed methodology and agreed conditions. We need to get some sort of clarity to this situation. This is as much for the planners’ benefit as for our own.”

Meanwhile, in a separate motion put forward by Cllr Tom Prenderville (FF), it was called for a distinct sec- tion of the County Development Plan to be set up to focus on the develop- ment of rural development.

“I have noticed in our policy that we pay an awful lot of attention to the cuckoo and the corncrake and historical buildings but not an awful lot of attention to people,” said Cllr Prenderville.

“There is a glaring need to put in place a development strategy in County Clare. We need to show a positive approach towards rural de- velopment and tackle it as a separate and very important issue.”

, the airport boss said that the move by Cityjet “allows us to reinstate con- nectivity to a major EU hub. The

new routes will begin in February so there will be very little between this and the end of the Heathrow route.”

He added that both Heathrow and Charles De Gaulle “have their own advantages. Charles de Gaulle has very good connectivity to the Mid- dle East while Heathrow has better connection with the US. Shannon al- ready has good connections to New York and Boston so the Charles De Gaulle connection is a good fit for iS

‘We would like to have connections to at least two of Europe’s four main hubs. Now that we have the Paris

connection, we will continue to work towards a route into Amsterdam.”

Meanwhile, the authority has also revealed details of a “significant incentive’ aimed at securing year- round transatlantic service of the west of Ireland gateway.

The incentive provides for a reduc- tion in airport charges over a three- year period and is aimed at encourag- ing airlines to commit to year-round scheduled operation with a minimum of three weekly return services.

Qualifying airlines will benefit from a maximum 50 per cent in air- port charges over the five-month pe-

riod from November to March, which represents the winter schedule.

Commenting on the _ incentive, Martin Moroney, Airport Director said, “The purpose of this Traffic Development Scheme is to encour- age airlines to retain and further develop year-round services as these are critical for Shannon and the west of Ireland. While demand is quite strong in the summer months ow- ing to the attractions of the west of Ireland and industrial base in the Shannon region, it 1s more difficult for airlines to sustain service in the winter period.”