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PHARMACIES in Clare will close as a result of the decision of the HSE to alter the basis on which it pays phar- macies for dispensing medicines.

That is according to the President of the Irish Pharmaceutical Union (I[PU), Michael Guckian, who said the Government expected pharma- cists to dispense medicines to medi- cal cardholders for amounts nine per cent lower than they bought it.

“The HSE announcement means that many pharmacists will have to stop supporting the State medicine schemes because they want us to sell medicines ata loss. Others will close

and the loser will be patients up and down the country.”

Three weeks ago, the HSE an- nounced that it was altering the sys- tem of paying pharmacists from De- cember lI.

“The HSE decision was taken with- out regard for how it will impact on patients and on viability of local pharmacies in Clare,” said Mr Guck- Te nOe

Clare Pharmacist Feidhlim Hillery of Sean Hillery Pharmacists, Shan- non Airport, said “The HSE’s deci- sion, if implemented, will make the medical card scheme unviable for pharmacists to deliver from Decem- roan

“There are 34,552 medical card pa- tients in Clare. This is very worrying for local pharmacists. It will have a negative impact on patient care.

‘I have reviewed the impact of this decision on my business and I simply would not be in a position to provide medicines to patients at a loss from December,” he said.

Pharmacists are asking the HSE to reverse this decision and to get into meaningful talks on a new pharmacy contract with their trade union, the Irish Pharmaceutical Union.

“The HSE decision may lead to closures of pharmacies in many ru- ral and marginalised communities, which tend to have a higher propor-

tion of medical card patients. It will mean job losses in these communi- ties and longer distances for patients to travel to get their medicines if their local pharmacy closes down.

“For the pharmacies that do sur- vive, patients may also have to en- dure reduced opening hours and longer waiting times, as pharmacies may have to let staff go.

“Many medicines, such as insu- lin for diabetics, may no longer be as widely available as pharmacists would have to have to provide such medicines at a loss from December 1,” according to the IPU.

Many pharmacies have a huge dependence on the Medical Card

Scheme [GMS] or the Drug Pay- ments Scheme [DPS]. Government dictates whether the pharmacist can apply any margin to medicines sold under these schemes. In the case of the GMS, which accounts for about 76 per cent of medicines sold under the State schemes, the Government allows the pharmacist to earn no margin. Instead the Government pays the pharmacist a fee of €3.26 for each medicine dispensed.

In the case of drugs dispensed un- der the DPS, the Government pays a eross margin of 33 per cent on the cost of the drug – but this accounts for only about 25 per cent of the med- icines dispensed by pharmacists.

THE Department of the Environment has stated that a planned €20 million business park near the 12th century Clareabbey should not proceed.

Earlier this year, David Costelloe lodged plans to develop 74 light in- dustrial units with a total floor area of 25,876 sq metres in the townland of Clonroadmore.

In the planner’s report lodged with the scheme, it states that the proposed development will be in excess of 103 metres from the abbey structure and that “the buffer will afford adequate protection to the abbey and protect its historical setting”.

The report states, “The proposed development has been carefully de-

signed from the project concept tak- ing account of all relevant factors including market demand, planning policy and site constraints and op- portunities.

However, a submission from the Department claims that the proposal “would significantly detract from the character, setting and amenity of a major national monument and rec- ommends that planning permission should not be granted”’.

The Department states that from reviewing the documents, they are “are extremely concerned at the po- tential negative visual impact of the proposed development on the char- acter, integrity and setting of Clare falas

The Department point out that

Clareabbey is a National Monument is in the ownership of the Minister. It states, “Any development within the vicinity of this National Monu- ment will also require Ministerial Soon

The Department states, ““The pro- posed development site lies within 100m of the National Monument. The Abbey is one of the most impor- tant Augustinian Foundations in the country and is set at a strategic loca- tion along the River Fergus, close to Clarecastle, an area that has been of pivotal importance during the medi- eval period.”

“The proposed development is for an industrial estate, which would in- clude 74 warehousing units arranged in 12 buildings at an average height

of up to 8.0 metres per unit.

“This large-scale development is inappropriate so close to a site as 1m- portant as Clare Abbey which is sub- ject to the highest level of statutory protection available under the Na- tional Monuments Acts 1930-2004.

“The boundary of the development proposed would be only 100metres from Clare Abbey.

“In our opinion the proposed mitigation measures, including an earthen embankment and planting to ‘screen’ the new development from view of the National Monu- ment, would further detract from the setting and amenity of the National AY Ceyelt baste lime

A decision is due on the application later this year.

CLARE families are being urged to Support a new Bothar initiative that will prepare African villages to re- ceive gifted livestock.

Bothar, the Irish charity that spe- cialises in livestock-based develop- ment programmes, has launched the Give the Gift of Trees Campaign, a unique promotion with Kellogg’s Corn Flakes. The charity has set a goal of planting 150,000 trees for disadvantaged communities in eight African countries.

The Give the Gift of Trees Cam- paign will help develop sustainable farming practices in Tanzania, Ma- lawi, Rwanda, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Burkina Faso and Uganda.

In these countries, Bothar will train farmers in good environmental prac- tices to ensure the saplings improve the ecological balance by controlling erosion and maintaining soil fertil- LANs

To help African families, Irish families are encouraged to collect special tokens from boxes of Kel- loge’s Corn Flakes and send them to Kellogg’s. All of the money con- tributed goes directly to Bothar and for every 10 donations Kellogg’s will fund an additional 10 trees. The Give the Gift of Trees Campaign will run on Kellogg’s Corn Flakes boxes until Christmas.

“Trees are the critical first step toward sustainable agriculture, and Bothar requires that trees be plant-

ed before a family can receive any gifted livestock,” said Father Peter Ssenkaayi, who works in Uganda for eXojaer-e

“Trees are special because they serve so many vital functions. They provide fruit, shade, wind breaks, animal fodder, fencing, and build- ing materials. In addition, they are crucial to preventing soil erosion and flooding, while replenishing nu- trients in the soil to make farming more productive.”

Fr Peter noted that trees provide an entire tool kit for African farmers, helping them to support themselves and their families. “This is a won- derful opportunity for Irish families to support families in Africa who are trying to improve their lives by es-

tablishing sustainable farms.”

“Trees form an integral part of all Bothar livestock projects and form a central part of Bothar’s commitment to finding a sustainable solution to world hunger and poverty. Bothar strives to replenish depleted forest areas and teach communities the benefits of cultivating one of nature’s greatest gifts.

“During dry periods, when feed for livestock is scarce, trees continue to produce fodder. A farmer who has a continuous supply of nutritious fod- der will have healthier animals year round, while a farmer whose animals are well fed only during the rainy season will ‘go back’ a bit during the dry season causing milk yield to be affected.”

GORT is set to become a key indus- trial and residential hub for the en- tire Burren region following the an- nouncement that it 1s to be connected to the national gas pipeline.

The south Galway town has more than doubled its population in recent years with as many of 40 per cent of the inhabitants believed to be of Bra- Zilian origin.

This latest statement follows an- nouncements last year that Gort would receive two entrances on the

planned Gort-Crusheen bypass.

It is also planned that Gort will be a main stop when the Western Rail Corridor is reopened.

“We were very keen to see Gort added to the towns that were already earmarked to receive gas. Gas for Gort should significantly cut down on energy costs to businesses and consumers alike,’ said Dr Niamh Clune, head of the Gort Regional Al- liance for Community and the Envi- ronment (GRACE).

“Although it will mean some more disruption to the town’s roads and

pavements, at least the digging to in- stall all necessary services to benefit the future development of the whole town of Gort should be completed in the near future.”

GRACE were invited to take part in a feasibility study into the inclu- sion of Gort on the gas pipeline ear- lier this year when a group met with Bord Gais senior executives.

“IT am very pleased to hear that Gort has been selected to get natural gas. It will mean a very substantial saving for our hotel and new leisure centre, aS we are very dependent on

gas,’ said local businessman Michael O’Grady.

“O’Grady Construction Gort Ltd has just completed a housing scheme of 200 houses at Oranmore using natural gas. We know that the use of natural gas on our next housing scheme at Gort will be a big selling factor.

‘I am very happy to be associated with the GRACE Organisation in its efforts to bring gas to Gort.”

Bord Gais has undertaken an ex- tensive study to evaluate the exten- sion of the natural gas network to

new towns around the country since early 2006.

In November 2006, Phase One of the study was published and saw 11 towns along the route of the Mayo- Galway pipeline qualifying for con- nection to the network.

Construction has already com-

menced on this €40 million project. This announcement represents

Phase Two of the study, with six towns to be connected to the natural gas network at a cost of some €23 million.

AS THE property market cools down, the offers from developers are heating up. This week sees the launch of one of the most innovative offers in the marketplace, by local devel- oper Padraig Howard of Drumquin Construction Ltd. The offer centres on €100,000 cash back for a buyer of one of the remaining 15 units at Gort Leamhan, Roslevan.

Padraig Howard, managing direc- tor of Drumquin Construction ex-

plained, “We are offering a one in 15 chance to purchasers of the final houses on Gort Leamhan to win €100,000. Another lucky purchaser will win €20,000 and everyone will win a weekend break.”

As the draw is scheduled to take place on December 20, someone will have a very happy Christmas.

The 15 units include a three-bed- room townhouse at €260,000, nine four-bedroom semi-detached units which range in price from €285,000 to €299,500 depending on location

within the development and five de- tached houses from €340,000 to €365,000.

According to selling agent Kieran Murphy of ERA Leyden, “These homes offer spacious modern living just minutes from local amenities. Also, the nearby Ennis bypass inter- change makes these properties ideal for commuters to Shannon, Limerick or Galway.”

Asked about terms and conditions, Kieran Murphy said, “To qualify, purchasers need to have their finance

ready to go and will need to be con- tractually bound to the purchase.”

Gort Leamhan has one of the high- est-spec finishes of all of the new developments in Ennis and, impor- tantly, are amongst the most spa- cious houses to come on the market for some time.

Finishes include tiling, fitted kitch- en and flooring and the internal walls will be painted, concrete floors at ground and first-floor level to reduce noise and generous PC sum allow- AWN Gene

“The energy rating we _ have achieved is 40 per cent above the newly introduced Government stand- ard and we have installed highly effi- cient heating systems, plus intelligent radiators,’ said Mr Howard.

The four-bedroom semi-detached properties occupy 1,500 sq. ft. The detached properties occupy 1,/50 sq. {t. of floor space and include a garage.

Full details of the Gort Leamhan offer will be featured in next week’s

THERE was great news for Clare beef farmers last Wednesday with the announcement by the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Mary Coughlan, that Saudi Arabia was to open its doors once again to Irish beef.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia im- posed a temporary ban on Irish beef in 2000 following concerns over the spread of Bovine Spongiform En- cephalopathy (BSE).

The market is now to be reopened under the conditions recommended by Saudi experts who visited Ireland in June of this year.

This move is a significant victory for Coughan who has been courting Saudi officials for months in an ef- fort to reopen negotiations, and even paid an official state visit to the king- dom earlier this year.

Following on from the visit by Coughaln and An Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, the Department of Agricul- ture in co-operation with An Bord Bia and the Department of Foreign Affairs had been working intensely to have the temporary ban removed.

Speaking after the announcement, the minister said this positive news was the result of intensive efforts at political, diplomatic and technical level especially since the beginning

of this year. “This is a very welcome decision as Saudi was traditionally an important market for Irish beef.”

“The decision by the competent authorities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to reopen their market to Irish beef was taken following an on-the- spot examination of the rigorous controls applied and reflects the high standards of food safety controls in place in Ireland.”

The minister said that she expected trade to resume as soon as the indi- vidual slaughter plants designated to supply the market are approved by the Saudi authorities.

Meanwhile, IFA President, Padraig Walshe said last week that EU Health

and Consumer Affairs Commission- er Markos Kyprianou has no choice but to impose a ban on Brazilian beef, as further procrastination on the issue was leaving the European Union exposed to unnecessary risk.

“Commissioner Kyprianou admit- ted that if the situation with Brazil does not improve the EU will take the necessary action including the implementation of a ban on beef 1m- ports by the end of this year.””.

Walshe said an assessment of the risks with Brazilian beef imports un- dertaken by the veterinary expert Dr Kevin Dodd has concluded that the EU Commission’s risk assessment 1s both ‘flawed and inadequate’.

A YOUNG man who suffered major teeth damage when he was kicked while on the ground has had to visit six consultants, a court has heard.

Owen Walsh was assaulted by Trevor McMahon, outside Sheil’s ga- rage, Gort Road, Ennis, in the early hours of August 25 last year.

McMahon (36) of Sandfield Centre, Ennis, has pleaded guilty to assault- ing Mr Walsh, causing him harm.

The case had previously been ad- journed to hear from the injured eva Ae

Mr Walsh’s mother Marian told Ennis District Court on Friday that her client has been to an orthodon- tist and five consultants, as a result of the damage to his teeth.

‘He got emergency treatment when

it happened. It’s going to cost a lot of money to get his teeth repaired,” she said.

Judge Joseph Mangan asked did her son intend to make a claim for eyeal ole y-leceyee

She replied, “He was hoping he would be compensated 1n some way, ’ but pointed out he had not engaged a solicitor.

The judge replied, “This court would like to assist you in the mat- ter of compensation but it would ap- pear you have taken no steps towards compensation. The defendant is also entitled to closure.”

He adjourned the case until next month and said, “Unless the injured party has taken some steps in the matter, I won’t concern myself any further with the matter of compen- sation.”

A GROUP of Scariff youngsters, concerned with the importance of human rights on a global scale are organising an arts festival in their area to celebrate One World Week.

Members of the Fishbowl Youth Club are no strangers to getting in- volved with international humanitar- lan causes.

Since its foundation in 2002, young people involved in the club have been working on different international youth projects.

“The members are a group of young people who are working to enhance their lives with challenges that mean something to them’, said Sophie Ehrenfeld, one of the festival organisers.

In recent years, Fishbowl members have participated in several interna- tional youth exchanges, as well as travelling to Mississippi to join in “The Giving Circle” which helped rebuild the destroyed area after hur- ricane Katrina.

One member went to Zambia and another helped in South Africa in an

Aids education programme.

The youngsters have also fund- raised themselves for the trips.

This year during the One World Week, November 19 to 25, club members are organising an arts fes- tival with the theme of human rights, power and justice.

They are being joined by five vol- unteers from different countries of the EU, funded by Leargas through the European “Youth in Action” pro- eramme.

The festival’s main aims are to bring local communities together by

using different forms of art.

“We are inviting local schools, youth clubs and young artists to work and think together about the topic,” said Sophie through use of photog- raphy, music, theatre, puppet shows, performances and short films.

“Although the festival will be or- ganised by youngsters, we would like to address the programmes to every age group, said Sophie.

, suggested that the loss of the Aer Lingus Heathrow service could open up the possibility of new connections to China, South East Asia and India.

Referring to reports that the Shan- non Airport Authority had identified potential cost savings on the Heath- row route that could be passed on to the airline to encourage it to keep the slots in Shannon, Mr Slattery said if this was true, there was a funda- mental lesson there for the airport authority.

‘Stable doors are best shut while the horse is still inside. Aer Lingus might not have given warning of its inten- tions towards Heathrow but the onus was equally on the airport authority to be vigilant rather than complacent towards its airline customer base. Its management of costs should be as ruthless as that of its current leading airline customer – Ryanair.

“*T don’t believe that the Government emerges with either credit or cred- ibility from the situation. It is diffi- cult to see how maintaining a neutral position on such an important com- mercial decision squares with retain- ing a 25 per cent so-called strategic shareholding in the company. But it

seems quite clear that Aer Lingus is not for turning and that the Govern- ment is not going to intervene.

“The loss of the Heathrow connec- tion is unquestionably bad news. But it does have the silver lining of oblig- ing us to take stock. Initially, the objective was a simple restoration of

the Heathrow slots. Now, equivalent connectivity to any nearby major hub that can offer a wide range of far reaching destinations in one further hop would be a successful outcome. Paris, Frankfurt and Amsterdam are the most obvious candidates along- side Heathrow.

“Already, we are witnessing a marked shift in the balance of glo- bal economic clout away from North America and Europe towards China, South East Asia and India. IBEC has called for more direct flights between Ireland and Asia and I don’t see why Shannon shouldn’t aspire to connect directly with Hong Kong, Shanghai, Bombay or Mumbai.

“There is no reason why the Mid- west can’t establish itself as the Euro- pean centre of excellence not just for people from this continent seeking to immerse themselves in the culture and ways of the large economies of Asia but also for their counterparts from China or India seeking to reach out and develop their understanding of how Europe works. Provided we have the confidence to believe in our own capacities, this region can be- come the premier European hub for commercial and intellectual inter- action and communication between Europe and Asia,” Mr Slattery con- cluded.

FOUR people who brought thou- sands of cigarettes home from their holidays have been fined in court.

Jean and Anthony Keogh, of Clounanna, Patrickswell, Limerick, appeared before Shannon District Court last week, arising out of an in- cident last December.

A Customs and Excise officer at Shannon airport told the court that Jean Keogh had more than 13,000 cigarettes, with Anthony Keogh had more than 12,000 cigarettes, on De- cember 13, 2006.

They had arrived in Shannon, from Malaga.

Jean Keogh told the court she was pleading guilty and said the ciga- rettes were for family.

The officer said he believed the

cigarettes were for resale as she told him it was her tenth trip to Spain that year and she is a non-smoker.

The customs officer said Anthony Keogh’s cigarettes “were not sourced in an official outlet in Spain’. He said that 800 cigarettes are allowed, per passenger.

Both were fined €500.

In a separate case, John and Mar- tina Reape, of Caladashan, Knock- more, Ballina, Mayo, were stopped after they arrived from Gran Canaria with more than 11,000 cigarettes, in October 2005.

Their solicitor said most of the cigarettes were a Spanish brand and that they had stocked up on cheap cigarettes. He said both accused were “very heavy smokers” and the cigarettes were not destined for sale. Both were fined €200.