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SEVEN out of 10 shoppers prefer to purchase local food from outlets such as farmers’ markets which are enjoying a resurgence in Clare, ac- cording to a new report.

Clare Green Party Councillor Brian Meaney has welcomed the survey by An Bord Bia, which shows that seven out of 10 people prefer to buy fresh local produce. Cllr. Meaney said the survey ensured a bright future for lo- cal food producers.

“This shows that consumers are interested in buying fresh produce locally, to keep their local economy

alive, to ensure they are receiving the freshest food possible and to play their part in helping the environ- jee) 8 i

Cllr Meaney said that the develop- ment of local produce markets such as the country market and the farm- ers market in Ennis is “a vital means of ensuring the demand by consum- ers for local produce is enhanced”’.

The survey, carried out by Landsdowne Market Research and released at the National Conference on Local Food found that local food meant ‘fresh’ food to the consumer and 76 per cent agreed that local food tended to taste better.

A LEADING Dublin interior de- sign and architecture firm has been appointed to guide the redevelop- ment of the Armada Hotel in Spanish Point into the future.

Millimetre Design, already having directed the design of other leading hotels across Ireland, has been com- missioned to lead the design of the Clare coast hotel.

John Burke, director of the Armada Hotel, said, “After looking over the portfolio of many of Ireland’s lead-

ing design companies, it became apparent the Millimetre Design team and in particular their company director, Ronan Holohan, displayed the ability and vision to lead this project in the right direction”

“In particular, the new concept of the ‘tranquility suites’, which he grasped and brought to new levels, is exciting. The tranquility suites will be unique and original in providing spa facilities within the comforts of one’s bedroom. While enjoying the great location, the tranquil setting will be created by a combination of

mood lighting, 1Pod surround sound, bespoke furniture and a floor-to-ceil- ing window. The real diamond of this concept is the ability to enjoy a spa bath while looking across the bay.”

The development, due for comple- tion in spring 2008, will comprise a full re-design of the existing hotel, along with the addition of 25 new rooms, including superior rooms and tranquility suites.

Ronan Houlihan, chief designer with Millimetre, said, “I was drawn to the project by the location, the tranquility suites and the exciting

concepts I was able to produce for the bars, restaurant and function room. I think Clare has something to be ex- cited about, and this property, when completed, will be able to compete with the best in the country.”

Work on the project will commence in November and the new-look hotel will be rolled out from February to April. The hotel will remain open ex-

cept for a short period in January.

JIM McInerney gathered his selec- tors around him outside the dressing at half-time. With Michael Browne and Raymond Stewart he chewed the fat of the first half. Pat O’Connor, who’s acted as a consultant to the team over the past few months threw in his tuppence worth too.

‘“T was worried,” admits Jim, “be- cause we were only three points ahead and we should have been a lot more ahead. We were trying to fig- ure out why we only had six points scored with all the play and posses- sion we had. We should have at least nine or ten points scored at half-time, but these things happen in games. We didn’t let it get to us and we went out and performed in the second half.

“We dominated the end of this game. Ballyduff Upper brought

their full-forward to midfield and he played a very good game there. It took us a while to get to grips with him, but Declan Murphy destroyed Stephen Molumphy and then we switched him over on Brian Kearney and he cancelled him out. We were in trouble until that switch, but then we TaD UI oxe ms aCe)ee Com OMA SCoMONONK ORM

It’s why supporters rushed to con- eratulate McInerney after the game. As manager he has led Tulla to the promised land in Clare and within 60 minutes of the provincial title. The stuff of dreams, he readily admits.

“Everyone knows that the Munster Club is a great competition to play in. Lads from Tulla don’t get many opportunities to play in a Munster final. This is our first and now that we have that chance, we’re going to go all out for it. We are giving this a serious lash.

“IT would have always felt that we were good enough to win a county title, but to get this team to reach that goal was a huge task. However, when you get on a winning streak anything can happen. You just keep on rolling and we’re still rolling, So roll on two weeks time in the Munster final.”

You can tell McInerney is relish- ing the prospect, because his side have nothing to lose and everything emcee Bute

“It’s a game of hurling — there’s no established club left in the final. Loughmore-Castleiney are like our- selves. We have as good a chance as them, we have a strong, fit team and we ll give it a rattle.”

Same as it has been all year.

THE Mid Western Regional Hospital Ennis was described as having “‘fair”’ hygiene standards in an independent audit of the country’s acute hospitals.

The general hospital was one of 35 nationally with a “fair” result. Just seven hospitals were rated good and no hospital was rated very good by the Health Information and Quality Authority.

Ennis General Hospital showed a broad to exceptional complhance with hygiene standards. However, some areas of the 88-bed hospital were a cause of concern for the auditors.

The unannounced assessment, which took place between July 20 and 31 this year, showed that toilets were “not cleaned and the under- surface of handwash sinks required oer rab ero

According to the auditors, all bathrooms and washrooms must be cleaned on a daily basis and this must be monitored and recorded. No monitoring was available at Ennis General Hospital, however.

Cobwebs were present behind ra- diators on most corridors and behind some doors. Although sluices were clean, they were cluttered and had no hand-wash facilities, according

to the audit. There was insufficient designated storage space, according to the report, but plans are in place to rectify this situation.

There were no mattress bags avail- able for contaminated mattresses ready for disposal and clinical waste is being taken manually from trans- port container by staff and placed in wheelie bins.

According to the report, the hospital scored relatively well in the service delivery section of the review with “generally acceptable performance’.

‘However, opportunities for im- provement were evident in corporate management,” it said.

In a statement, the HSE mid-west said the audit was “generally favo- rable in terms of services to patients but weaknesses had been identified at the corporate level generally, mean- ing the development of written docu- ments on processes and protocols.”

The Mid Western Regional Hospi- tal, Dooradoyle, the Regional Mater- nity Hospital and St John’s in Limer- ick were designated as “fair” along with Ennis, while Nenagh Hospital came into the “poor” category.

The Health Information and Qual- ity Authority warned that all hospi- tals, including those in the mid-west, could do better.

MILTOWN Malbay bookworms had good news this week when it was announced that the public library is to go full-time.

As of today, the Dr Patrick J. Hillery Public Library will become full- time with extended opening hours. The move to extend opening hours forms part of Clare County Library’s five-year development plan, which includes the provision of a full-time service that caters for the needs of the town and surrounding areas.

“Up until now, residents of the Mil- town Malbay area have been served

part-time,” said Clare County Li- brarian Noel Crowley.

“One long-standing target of the li- brary service has been to have a full- time branch library in every town with a population of over 1,000. This objective has largely been achieved in recent years. I have no doubt that the expansion of services in Miltown Malbay will be welcomed by the branch members and will also serve to attract new members,” he added.

Meanwhile, Helen Flynn has tak- en over the running of the Miltown Malbay branch library. Helen, who was recently promoted to the post of senior library assistant, previously

worked at Ennistymon library and at Kilrush library.

The origins of the library service in Miltown Malbay date back to 1995 When Clare County Library agreed to renovate the old woodwork room in the disused vocational school.

The work was undertaken in co-op- eration with the local community and FAS and resulted in the provision of a modern, multi-purpose library. The library was funded by Clare County Council, in co-operation with Clare VEC and the Miltown Malbay Area Joint Social Employment Scheme.

The Dr Patrick J. Hillery Public Library opened its doors on April 6,

1995, and now has a book stock ca- pacity of 12,000 books. A children’s section has been provided with more than 4,000 books for every read- ing age and interest. Clare County Library’s Irish traditional music col- lection is also housed in the library.

The new opening hours are: Mon- day: closed; Tuesday: Ipm to 5.30pm and 6pm to 8pm; Wednesday: 10am to lpm and 2pm to 5.30pm; Thurs- day: lpm to 5.30pm and 6pm to 8pm; Friday: 10am to Ipm and 2pm to 5.30pm; Saturday: 10am to 2pm.

For further information contact 065-7084822 or visit www.clareli- brary.ie

MICHAEL Browne looked at the big picture minutes after Tulla’s latest chapter with a happy ending. Clare hurling. There hasn’t been much to cheer about in 2007, but maybe it’s about to change. Browne certainly We DA ecmcee

“It’s fantastic to have a Clare team back in a Munster final. It’s a while

since we’ve had it and now we have two teams in Munster finals, with Clonlara and Tulla looking forward to big days. It augurs well for Clare hurling to have teams in Munster fi- nals.”

Not that Browne was thinking of Munster finals before this day. You see, not thinking too far ahead has been a tenet of their hurling year so far.

“Everything we have done this year has been unchartered. We have tak- en it one game at a time. We never talked about the Munster final before this game. We never talk about the next match before any game.

“It was extremely worrying to only go in three points ahead. That was the big drive at half-time. We had dominated, we had totally outhurled them in the first half, yet we only had

a three-point cushion.

“The big danger was that we were going to end up getting caught at the post. It was very tight until the goal went in. There was an element of luck with the goal — we worked very hard for it, but it did come back off the post and then in off a defender. But you take those and it was crucial for us today.”

Factor in Tulla’s hunger, when most

within the county felt they would have nothing more to give after the county final. Wouldn’t really care about giv- ing it either, went another line after their 74-year famine ended.

Nothing could be further from the truth, all because Munster club hurl- ing has been an easy sell. “The easi- est job ever was to motivate them for Munster,” says Browne.

“Since this team has won the Clare final, they have been so focused and very determined that they’re going to represent Clare with pride at the highest level. They’ve shown it now — they’re prepared to do that, not alone are they prepared but they are able also.

“This game showed that we are extremely fit. We are an extremely strong and physical team, but the fit- ness is also there. We were able to battle it right out to the end. Having said that, this team showed character as well.

‘There was never a way we were going to overcome Waterford cham- pion easily. Ballyduff had pride and they came here with Waterford pride riding on their shoulders and they weren’t going to come and lie down and die under the Clare champions. They didn’t and we knew there was going to be a spell in the game when they were going to dominate.

“They dominated at the end of the first half and then again in the first half of the second half. We just had to keep working, keep fighting and keep at it in hope that our chance would come. It did with those two goals near the end.”

Only after victory would Browne looked ahead to the final. “We’ll sit down on Tuesday night and begin to think about it again, and plan and plot and see what we can do for that Oyen

They’ll come up with something — they have all year.

that in the last decade he has dealt with patients who have admitted attempting to take their own lives by driving their motor vehicle off the road or into a larger vehicle. The outspoken psychiatrist said that while he cannot say if this form of

attempted suicide is on the increase, it was considered a possibility in the last 10 to 15 years within his profes- sion.

While the majority of car crashes are tragic mishaps, Dr Bhamjee said he has dealt with patients who have, during periods of severe bereavement or anger, attempted to take their lives POM OCU KIARA

“Some think the world would be a better place without them and some think, if they are driving alone, that their family will get the insurance and be looked after,” he said.

“Sometimes people will tell you openly that this is what happened

and sometimes they will avoid dis- cussing it. Sometimes they say they regret it.”

Dr Bhamjee said that, in his expe- rience, it is mostly males in the 21 to 35 age group that have attempted this, although there have also been cases with older people.

Retired psychiatrist at Our La- dy’s Hospital in Ennis, Dr Patrick O’Beirne said that from the limited information in road traffic accident reports, he would consider this pos- sibility in some cases.

“It is certainly a theory,” he said.

There has never been a case of sui- cide on Clare roads brought before

Clare’s Coroner’s Court.

A study conducted in New Zea- land in 1998 and 1999 showed that there was a significant association between drivers who had suicidal ideation and were without current antidepressive medication, and the risk of an “injury crash”.

“The motives behind choosing this method are somewhat different to those behind other methods, includ- ing financial benefits and eliminating stigma in the aftermath of a suicide,” another report published in Australia concluded.

There has been no such study car- ried out in Ireland.

THE Construction Industry Federa- tion (CIF) yesterday stated that it has “huge concerns” over plans by Clare County Council by seek the provi- sion of social houses in private hous- ing estates.

In its draft housing strategy, the council anticipates a higher demand for social housing due to the down- turn in the economy with demand for social units growing to 260 by 2011.

During the lifetime of its previous Housing Strategy, published four years ago, the council provided no social housing under Part V of the Planning & Development Act, which requires developers to provide 20 per cent of the value of the site for hous- ing developers for social housing.

The draft, which includes a review of the performance of the existing strategy, shows that the council pro- vided 74 affordable homes through the Part V arrangement.

However, as part of the upcoming plan, the council has signalled that there will be an increased need for social housing.

The matter was due to be discussed at the council’s adjourned November meeting in Scariff yesterday, but was deferred to the December meeting.

In response to the principled objec- tion by CIF to the inclusion of the social housing provision in the Hous- ing Strategy, the council state, “As the councils have limited lands upon which to deliver both social and af- fordable housing, it will be neces- sary for the councils to increasingly accept units of accommodation rath- er than cash from private developers in line with the specific market de- mands of the locality in which such housing is planned to be developed.”

The figures relating to the council’s existing housing strategy also show Clare’s local authorities completed 311 social homes from 2003 to the end of last year.

BALLYNACALLY woman Catriona Murphy recently qualified as an ac- countant at the Association of Char- tered Certified Accountants (ACCA) eraduation ceremony.

Catriona Murphy, of Rosscliff Road, Ballynacally, was congratu- lated on the occasion by Deane Mor- rice, president ACCA Ireland and Mr Richard Aitken-Davies, ACCA global deputy president at the ACCA Ireland 2007 graduation ceremony at the Helix Theatre, Dublin.

Mr Aitken-Davies said that human

capital, rather than capital assets, is now the main source of competitive advantage for businesses.

Continued Mr Aitken-Davies, °“To- day it’s human capital, the knowledge and skills that talented individuals can bring to organisations, that provides the source of competitive advantage.

“Accountants form a _ substantial part of that human capital and this means that talent management pro- erammes for finance professionals have become critical for business SECO onion

There were two Clare graduates on the day, with Edel East from Lagta-

goona, Corofin also qualifying. Speaking at the event, ACCA Ire- land president Deane Morrice said that globalisation, intensified com- petition, technological advancements and increased regulation have created a complex environment in which to do business. “Organisations are now ex- pected to report on far more than the financials and issues such as executive remuneration, pension funds, corpo- rate and social responsibility and of course, ethical policies all impose new responsibilities on accountants.” ACCA is the largest and fastest- erowing global professional account-

ancy body with 296,000 students and 115,000 members in 170 countries. 7,880 members and 9,220 students live in Ireland.

The ACCA has established more than 50 global accountancy partner- ships which deliver qualifications and a range of services which promote global standards, benefit the account- ancy profession and enhance the value of accountants in the workplace.

The association works closely with more than 4/0 registered tuition pro- viders and nearly 8,500 employers of accountants and finance profession- NESS

THERE are now more Clare teenag- ers driving to school and college than those cycling.

According to the most recent report from the 2006 Census, 134 students aged between 13 and 18 drive to school and college each day, com- pared to the 126 who cycle.

The statistics show that only 15 teenage girls out of 4,047 female students cycle each day to school or college.

Yesterday, Cllr Brian Meaney (GP) said that many of the students may be breaking the law as they would be on provisional driving licenses and must be accompanied by a qualified motorist.

“This is an issue for the gardai to enforce, but I also believe that driv- ing should be taught in schools.”

Cllr Meaney added, “From an en- vironmental point of view, it 1s not a sustainable activity to have more students cycling to school than those OTe Ybatem detour

“Schools also need to look at their own models where students must bring one large school bag and may- be a gym bag to school and that mili- tates against students cycling.”

One of Clare County Council’s top officials and county engineer, Tom Carey, 1S one of the relatively small

number of people who cycles to work Oye: uss cAU er amok ice

The census found that out of 49,138 people at work and school, only 536, or just over one per cent, go to work by bicycle each day.

The census found that out of the 49,138, 34263 or 69 per cent of peo-

ple use a car to travel to work or school each day.

Nine per cent of people walked to work or school, while eight per cent drove a lorry to work.

The figures also showed that of chil- dren aged between five and 12, only 87 out of 12,601 kids cycle to school, with 2,429 walking to school.

Mr Carey said, “I would like to see more people cycling and I try to give a lead in that area.”

Ennis Town Council recently put the county’s first cycle lane in place on the Tulla Road in Ennis and Mr Carey said that it would be wrong to conclude there were more students driving to school than cycling due to the number of cycle lanes available.

Mr Carey said that a cycling strat- egy for Ennis had recently been put in place, while a road safety working eroup in co-operation with gardai was developing cycling courses in school.

Mr Carey said that the provision of cycling lanes was not as simple as painting a line on the road.

He said, ““Guidelines and standards have to be adhered to.”

He added that a cycle trail between Shannon and Ennis geared for tour- ists has been put 1n place.