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“HAMNA chakula nyumbani” — “There is no food at home”. When we answered the knock on the door last Sunday, Anna’s stark, simple message, her frail body and sad eyes told all. We know this family of seven. What she said was literally true. They would not eat that day if we didn’t help.

It’s almost Christmas but when you’re poor, Christmas means noth- ing. Here in Pemba, the vast majority of people are poor and it 1s a struggle for them just to survive. There is no big Christmas spending spree.

Yesterday in the fish market we saw an old man who had only 200Tsh (12c), buying the entrails of a fish for his dinner. It was all he could afford. Later at the shop a young woman on

her way to the hospital with her sick baby was buying a single dispos- able nappy.

What about Santa? Last week Laila, a tu- tor in the college asked me, “Who its this Father Christmas? I read about him in a book.” Christ- mas is a time for chil- dren’s toys and presents but we have never seen a doll and pram in Wete.

Baby brothers and sisters are their ‘dolls’. If kids have a ball it 1s usually made from plastic bags tied up in string and toy cars are manufactured from plastic containers with ‘wheels’ cut from old flipflops.

As I write, I am being serenaded by 10-year-old Makame (pictured),

sitting on the veranda playing his ‘guitar’ made out of a_ bent stick, a piece of fishing line and a margarine tin. We have yet to see a child with a mobile phone or an MP3 play- er. A ‘present’ for them would be a biro, a few marbles or a hair bau- ble which could double as a bracelet.

Leisure time here is different too. The ‘office night out’ is a group of men sitting on the footpath outside the mosque at dusk, drinking spiced tea from a communal kettle and play- ing draughts with bottle tops on an improvised board.

Meanwhile, groups of chatting women move along the street buying

cheap fried cassava or sweet buns from their neighbours’ food stalls.

In the west we have lost the simplic- ity of Christmas and the Christmas story. But for us this year, Christmas will be a low-key affair.

Despite missing family and friends it will be refreshing to celebrate the Holy Season without the trimmings, walking among children who have not yet heard of Father Christmas.

WHEN former county councillor PJ Burke first proposed a sewerage scheme for Mullagh he did not ex- pect that more than 30 years would pass before the contract for the work would be signed.

The retired Mullagh man was in Scariff last week to see Clare County Council sign a €7 million contract with P&D Lydon Plant Hire Ltd of Gortacurra, Cross, County Mayo to provide a Bundled Sewerage Scheme for five villages and towns in Clare, one of which was Mullagh.

As far back as September 10, 1973 the members of Clare County Coun- cil approved a sewerage scheme for both Mullagh and Quilty.

On January 31, 1974 the then Coun- ty Manager, Joe Boland appointed

a consultant engineer to prepare a preliminary report and establish the cost of a new sewerage scheme for nine villages among them Mullagh, Quilty, Carrigaholt, Doonbeg and Cooraclare.

On December 12, 19774 the prelimi- nary report for Quilty was sent to the Department of Local Government for approval, with the Mullagh report to follow on September 10, 1974.

It would be the 1990s before the sewerage schemes would become a live issue again at which point Mul- lagh and Quilty were considered as oiler

During the early part of this decade the schemes were “bundled” with Scariff and Feakle for consultancy purposes and after much interaction with the Department of the Envi- ronment and Local Government the

scheme finally got the go ahead.

The civil engineering contract signed on Wednesday is the first of two major contracts associated with the scheme (Mullagh, Quilty, Feakle and Scariff) and involves the con- struction of over 20 kilometres of sewers and two kilometres of wa- ter mains, along with Stormwater (drainage) sewers and other ancil- lary works. The Bundled Sewerage Scheme is scheduled for completion in November 2008.

Speaking following the contract signing at Clare County Council’s re- cently opened area offices in Scariff, Mayor of Clare, Councillor Patricia McCarthy said, “This is a contract of major significance for the county and will provide vital infrastruc- ture for the people of east and west Clare. When completed, the scheme

will introduce significant scope for increased development and tourism potential in these important rural akon

“IT am particularly pleased to sign this contract given that I, along with many others, have had personal in- volvement going back over 30 years in campaigning for the advancement of the Quilty and Mullagh schemes,” added the mayor.

West Clare councillor Christy Cur- tin said “The intense campaign over the last decade has paid diffidence and I hope it will compensate for the frustration for the long wait since 1973 when it was first muted.”

Meanwhile Mr Burke said that it was great to see the contract signed finally. The council is currently con- structing a water supply improve- ment schemes in Kilkee.

THE CHAIRMAN of the Clare Childcare Committee believes that the Government may perform a u- turn on contentious proposals that may leave community childcare services worse off.

Cllr Joe Arkins (FG) said yesterday that there was a possibility that the Minister for State at the Department of Health, Brendan Smith, “may see the light of day” in relation to the proposed Community Childcare

Subvention Scheme (CCSS) being introduced from next January.

Cllr Arkins said that if the scheme was introduced in its current form “all the good work of the last six to seven years in this area will be over- aU bw elere

Cllr Arkins confirmed that case studies have been carried out on a number of community-based child- care providers in Clare and it has found “that they will be considerably worse off” under the new funding mechanism.

In the Dail, Minister Smith said “that the new scheme will provide an effective framework for the contin- ued targeting of additional resources towards disadvantaged parents and their children while continuing to Support community childcare serv- CoO EUR YE

‘The scheme has been informed by and takes account of a number of en- hancements recommended by the re- port of the Value for Money Review of the Equal Opportunities Childcare Programme 2000-06. . .

‘The new scheme has clear advan- tages over its predecessor. There is an increase in the level of funding available under it, and a majority of services will benefit from the chang- es it introduces.”

However, Cllr Arkins said yester- day that the new scheme hadn’t been measured in terms of rural isolation or economies of scale. The Ruan- based councillor said that if the new Scheme was introduced, it would result in greater fees for parents in Clare and would make some com-

munity childcare services in Clare unviable.

Cllr Arkins said that lobbying had already taken place with Minister Smith and Junior Minister, Tony Kil- leen on the issue.

Cllr Arkins believes that the meas- ures were put in place with Dublin- based community childcare provid- ers in mind. He said: “It is an east versus west argument to some extent and Minister Eamon O’Cuiv is now on side and I am confident that the new measures will be overturned.”

SINGER Sean Keane will take to an interesting stage next Wednes- day when he performs at the Cliffs of Moher. The concert, which is in support of the local RNLI, will take place at the new Atlantic Edge Cen- tre at the cliffs from 8pm on Wednes- day, December 12.

Keane comes from one of Ireland’s most famous musical families, which also includes his sister Dolores, and has been performing since childhood. He was voted performer of the year

by readers of Irish Music magazine in 1998 and 1999 and was described as “the greatest Irish musical find of the 90s” by the London Independent.

He will be joined by local fiddler Tara Breen, concertina player and TG4 Gradam winner Edel Fox, singer Jennifer Ryan and harpist Meabh de SUNN oe

“We are delighted and excited to be hosting Sean Keane at the Atlantic Edge. I hope this will be the first of many concerts we will stage in the theatre here,’ said Katerine Webster, director of the Cliffs of Moher New

Visitor Experience. “The RNLI is a cause very close to our hearts and the concert fits in very well with our Christmas Music for Charity at the Cliffs programme that runs up to December 23.

“The lifeboat concert kicks off our Christmas programme which will see local Clare national and sec- ondary schools and other commu- nity groups performing at the cliffs on days throughout December for a range of local charities.

“Performances will take place both indoors and outdoors at the Cliff

Edge Centre and we hope this will be great experience for all concerned.”

The Sean Keane concert begins at 8pm but people are asked to be in the centre at 7pm, where there will be a drinks reception. All the artists and the cliffs centre are giving their time and place free of charge.

Tickets are available from Record Rack in Ennis or directly from the reception at the Cliffs of Moher, phone 065 7086141.

For more details of the perform- ance programme, visit www.cliffsof- moher.ie/events.

ICSA President, Malcolm Thomp- son, has attacked the Brazilian offer to voluntarily restrict exports of beef to Europe as “contemptuous” while reiterating his demand for a full ban on Brazilian beef exports to the EU.

“News on the latest FVO visit shows serious deficiencies still exist and nothing but a full ban on Bra- Zilian beef imports to the EU will be acceptable. Given that EU FVO inspectors have just returned from a further inspection in Brazil, one can only assume that Brazil’s offer of concessions is a dead giveaway that

things are as bad as ever.”

“Brazil is trying to play a shrewd political game with the EU but Irish farmers will not fall for their trick- ery. Since there are grave concerns surrounding Brazilian beef, half measures are not good enough.

“We know that Brazilian beef has traceability problems, and there are formidable clouds of suspicion re- garding hormone use banned in the EU for the last 15 years, so it makes no sense at all to let any Brazilian beef in. This is purely a food secu- rity matter, and the EU must ensure that Brazilian beef is banned imme- diately. It’s a bit like having a prison,

and instead of leaving the front door wide open, you just leave it slightly ajar. You are still assuming the same risk that the prisoners will escape.

“It 1s also highly suspicious that this concession comes just days be- fore the EU ombudsman is due to deliver his opinion on Brazilian beef imports, on the back of a complaint by ICSA and other members of FFE (Fairness for Farmers in Europe),” Thompson continued.

Meanwhile, Malcolm Thompson, and several current ICSA position holders were re-elected unopposed at the organisations AGM last night.

The highlight of the night was a

hotly contested election for the na- tional executive’s nominee to the management committee.

The packed house was treated to lively presentations by the two can- didates, Brendan McLaughlin, the Donegal county chairman, and cur- rent position holder, who was pitch- ing against Gabriel Gilmartin, the Sligo county chairman.

In the end, the Sligo man prevailed by a modest majority, having also been elected unopposed to the na- tional rural development chair. The previous incumbent, Leitrim’s John Flynn, vacated his RD seat to assume the role of honourary secretary.

IF THE go-ahead is given for plans to convert a former convent build- ing into an apartment complex, it will pose a serious risk to the safety of children attending Scoil Muire in Ennistymon, according to its parents’ association.

The association were responding to an application by Thomas Fitzgerald of Banna Developments to transform the “Old Convent” into 21 apartments along with 37 parking spaces.

The parents’ association, Scoil Muire, Scoil Mhainchin and the Dio- cese of Galway are objecting.

In their objection, the parents’ as- sociation point out that the roadway serving the development also serves the primary and secondary schools.

They state, “In the interest of safety, the school authorities have already taken the decision to restrict vehicu- lar access to the school to staff and emergency vehicles. They also em- ploy a traffic warden to enforce their decision.”

Demanding that the council refuse planning permission, the parents’ association state, “Any compromise to the safety of the children is unac- ceptable.”

Already, Banna Developments has been refused planning for a simi- lar proposal on the same site. The schools state that “the current appli- cation makes no significant effort to challenge this decision by substan- tially improving the traffic safety of the access laneway and that the de- velopment will endanger their pupils

and staff”.

The schools’ objection points out that there is a proposal to amalga- mate the three secondary schools in Ennistymon on a nearby site.

Sreysebweebeetcmmm dorsi mums elo Romr-VucwmEOL U0 Ee rently 430 students attending the two schools, the objection states that after the schools have been located, “there will no objection in principle to this development. In the mean- time, this proposed development is premature pending the relocation of the schools and should be refused by

the council”.

The Diocese of Galway point out that the proposal “is to use the pri- vate entrance roadway to the parish priest’s house, which is also used to accommodate Scoil Mhainchin and Scoil Mhuire, which entrance is ab- solutely and totally within the own- ership and control of Galway Dioc- esan Trustees.”

The diocese claims the develop- ment would create a traffic hazard and be contrary to the proper plan- ning and sustainable development.

THE people of Ennistymon and north Clare are being asked to support local businesses by spending their money in the locality this Christmas.

Three shops — Crosbies, Noinin and Aficionado — all located in En- nistymon Square, have come together to launch a campaign for local shop- ping this festive season.

“The whole point is to try to get people to shop locally. We feel that if people do shop locally, then the businesses in the community do give back to the local community. For example, we always sponsor the schools all over north Clare. It’s nice, we support the local community and the local community supports us,” said Suzanne Crosbie, of Crosbies.

“Even in a strictly economics way, all three shops spend locally as well, so that keeps the money local.

“We are three small independent shops and feel we provide a good service for the community. Because

we are small, we have to be creative when we advertise and how we man- age our resources. SO we sat down earlier in the year and decided that we might have something to gain by banding together.”

Aficionado is a mothers, babies and gift boutique which provides mater- nity wear, children’s clothes up to the age six years and a collection of nursery accessories. Proprietors Patricia and Jonathon are eco-con- scious, with particular emphasis on environmentally friendly and organ- ic products.

Noinin fashion boutique stocks funky wear to formal wear. Owner Deirdre works hard at seeking out the best of labels ranging from Sand- wich, Full Circle, Just B and Sfizzio, to name but a few.

Crosbies are already busy with Christmas stock, such is the demand for their unusual collection of Christ- mas decorations. They are introduc- ing more home accessories to their merchandise mix this year, including

a new line of cotton rugs. “There is so much competition out there now, with big stores and the internet and we cannot compete with them in terms of scale. But we provide a good service and a good after-sales service that you might not get in a big store,” added Suzanne.

“We are all looking to provide a good quality product that is a bit different from what you might get in the larger shops.”

This Thursday, December 6, a raffle for a gift voucher worth €500, re- deemable in either Crosbies, Noinin or Aficionado, will take place.

THE challenges facing suckling beef production and in particular the pro- duction of weanlings will be top of the agenda at a Clare Teagasc Semi- nar which takes place in the Auburn Lodge Hotel this evening at 8pm. This seminar is taking place at a critical time for farmers in suckling with the fall of about €100 per head in weanling prices and a drop of over 25 per cent in weanling exports. This has resulted in a squeeze on margins and while we can expect an improvement in prices in the years ahead the implementation of effi- cient practices at farm level will be essential to achieve a reward for the

time and labour spent in weanling production.

‘This Seminar will enable farmers to get the best advice on increasing the value of output and reducing the costs of production in suckling which are the key factors that determine profit,’ said Gerard MacMahon, ‘Tea- gasc Area Manager.

“With the increase in concentrate prices, we will need to get a greater proportion of live weight gain from grass – a feed that Ireland can pro- duce better and cheaper than any- where else in Europe.”

Better breeding through the use of ICBF breeding programmes enables farmers to identify the best bulls both AI and stock bulls to produce

high quality weanlings.

It also identifies the best cows from which to breed replacements. The biggest overhead cost in suckling is that of keeping the suckler cow. Strategies to reduce the over-win- tering costs of suckler cows will be outlined.

Meanwhile, Clare IFA in associa- tion with Clare Marts, Teagasc and ICBF will hold an information meet- ing at Ennis Mart on Monday, De- cember 10, at 8pm.

The important forum will cover all aspects of the €80 Suckler Cow Yel tessa len

“There are a lot of issues that need to be addressed and questions an- swered as a lot of farmers are only

receiving poor third hand informa- tion,’ said County IFA Chairman, Seamus Murphy.

“It is essential that weanling pro- ducers in Clare maximise on this scheme as it is the only life line to maintaining suckler cow numbers in the county.”

John Bryan, National Chairman IFA Livestock Committee, will ad- dress the meeting and cover all as- pects of the scheme and there will also be a presentation from Vivian Silke of Teagasc on beef produc- tion in Clare and a presentation from Sean Coughlan ICBF on their involvement in the scheme and the necessity for animal events record- ing going forward.

ENNIS Town Manager Tom Cough- lan has rejected claims of a cover up in the aftermath of the fire that de- stroyed Bredin’s Hardware store.

Reacting to comments made by Independent Councillor Frankie Neylon, Mr Coughlan said the coun- cil had not misled the public on the problems associated with water pres- sure in the area and that council of- ficials had been upfront and honest.

Town Engineer Tom Tiernan said he resented the fact that the integrity of council staff had been called into question and the talk of a cover up.

Speaking at yesterday’s meeting of Ennis Town Council Mr Tiernan said, “The response to some of what I said at the time was upsetting and surprising. The integrity of my staff was called into question and I resent that.

He added, “I am particularly dis- appointed that words like cover-up were used. I resent that. I could say a lot more about what was said on the airwaves’.

Mr Tiernan also acknowledged problems existed with water pressure in the town.

Mr Coughlan said, “I don’t see

any cover up. We have given you the facts as they are. There has been no cover up in this council. We are only running away from facts if we cover

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Fire destroyed Bredin’s hardware on the Station Road after a blaze erupted at the premises on Novem- ber 7. Fire units from Ennis with as- sistance from units from Shannon,

Scariff and Ennistymon brought the blaze control.

At yesterday’s meeting Cllr Neylon re-iterated his view that had water pressure been sufficient, the building

could have been saved.

“We can cover it up all we want but anybody who was out on the road that morning would have noticed the lack of water. I was amazed at the decision to let it burn out. The bottom line that morning was water Kee Rome

After presenting a report on the Fire Service’s response to the fire, Chief Fire Officer Adrian Kelly admitted there had been problems with water pressure and defended the decision made to contain the fire and restrict it from spreading to nearby buildings.

He told the meeting, “The decision was made to contain the fire and not let it spread. Where there are lives at stake we would take a different ap- proach”.

The council also unanimously backed a motion to support Clare County Council’s request for a water tanker for Ennis.

Cllr Johnny Flynn (FG) said the council had failed in its responsa- bility to provide a satisfactory water

supply.

THE grave of two infant sisters who died two years ago has been severely damaged by vandals.

The incident occurred two weeks ago in Quilty graveyard at the grave- side of Neola and Nova O’ Loughlin.

Thieves removed a stone from the grave and also destroyed pictures, a wreath and presents left by parents Patrick and Sharon O’ Loughlin.

Patrick’s sister discovered the dam- age on a visit to the grave two weeks

ago. The family repaired some of the damage caused to the grave only to return a day later to find the grave had again been disturbed.

Patrick O’Loughlin, who lives in Quilty, explained the family were shocked with the extent of the dam- age.

“My sister told me about it and fair play to her she went back with my brother and his girlfriend to tidy it up a bit. They actually found a bit of stone that they hadn’t taken. They shaped it into a heart at the front. But

they came back the next night and de- stroyed it again. They even destroyed the wreath that was laying there.” Patrick explained how presents left by he and his wife to mark their daughter’s birthday were also stolen. “They did a colossal amount of damage. I used to go back there six nights a week to visit the grave. My wife and myself used to leave presents back there for the girls’ birthday. ‘They broke the angels that were on it, and the pictures. They stole water bottles. I was sickened by it.”

Neola and Nova O’Loughlin were both born premature on December 12, 2005 and died the day after their birth.

Patrick said the family was prepar- ing to mark the two-year anniversary of the girl’s death.

‘“That’s what makes it extra hard. They will be gone two years next week and for someone to come along and do that to a child’s grave 1s just awful. It wasn’t the fact that they stole the stone, they could take all of it for I care, it was the fact that they

came back and destroyed the wreath and pictures. That’s what really sick- ened me.”

The grave was the only one dam- aged in the graveyard. Patrick said, “You would clearly know that it was a child’s grave.

“There were two angels on the headstone. In taking the stones they did awful damage.”

The stone that was taken in the rob- bery was a very distinctive marble type stone, salmon and orange in colour.