Category: Uncategorized

NINETY per cent of the staff at En- nis General Hospital are preparing to strike if issues relating to staff- ing numbers at the hospital are not resolved.

Last evening (Monday), more than 90 per cent of the 130 INO nursing staff, 85 per cent of SIPTU’s nursing staff and 100 per cent of the support

staff at the hospital voted in favour of industrial action.

In total, 270 of the hospital’s dis- eruntled 300-member staff are pre- paring to down tools if a resolution to the crisis cannot be found.

Staff and management at the hospi- tal have been involved in a number of industrial relation issues, which were brought to a head with the HSE staff- ing embargo at the beginning of the

eeKeyelaee

Among the concerns expressed by employees is the night staffing of the male medical and female medical wards. The wards, which can have up to 26 patients each, have just two nurses on night duty in each ward made up of several different rooms.

Following an independent report, it was agreed that three nurses would be provided in each ward at night.

Prior to the staffing embargo, a floating nurse was provided between the two wards and it was agreed to provide another nurse in June.

As a result of the budget freeze, the “floating nurse” has been lost. Staff say they are now concerned by reports that if one of the two nurses on night duty is off sick, there will be no replacement, leaving one nurse responsible for 26 patients.

Following the result of the ballot, Mary Fogarty of the INO said her union 1S now going to seek assistance from the Labour Relations Commis- sion. She said she is particularly concerned about the cutbacks in the nurse-led units at the hospital, includ- ing palliative care, infection control, repertory care and heart failure.

“A blunt curtailment of services at the hospital concerns us most. These nurse-led units are critical to patients even on a humanity level. I will be writing to management again, asking them to pullback on the curtailment of these services,” she said.

Tony Kenny of SIPTU told

CONCERN has been raised over a €40 million plan to double the size of Kilmihil, a parish that experi- enced a population increase of only two people in the 2006 census. Kilmihil Construction Ltd is seek-

ing planning permission for 150 resi- dential units, 15 commercial units and a two-storey 50-bed nursing home.

The 2006 census shows that the vil- lage’s population increased by just two in four years, from 576 to 578. During the previous census period to

1996, the village suffered a drop in population of 62, or seven per cent. The developers envisage increasing the village’s population by 100 per cent.

The proposal has attracted little opposition locally. However, in his objection, John Dalton has told Clare

County Council, “The development is too dense and provides a new cen- tre to the village which takes away the rural, easy-going, welcoming nature of our village. It provides the new access roads which will increase traffic hazards. Such developments are normally cul de sacs to avoid

through traffic, boy-racers.

“Such a densely populated area will provide social and economic blacks- pots. The development should be al- lowed in conjunction with some sort of employment opportunity.”

A decision is due on the application later this year.

A RESIDENTS group in Shannon is suggesting that social houses be built close to the Wolfe Tones GAA Kane

The Concerned Residents of Cluain Airne group 1s objecting to the pro- posed construction of 60 houses in their housing estate.

Clare County Council says as many as 60 houses are necessary, in order for the development to be economi- cally viable.

However, locals do not want the houses built and they aired their con- cerns at a meeting on the issue last week. They are undertaking to con- tinue to oppose the development.

They believe that there is inad- equate infrastructure in the area, to cope with new homes in the area, where 178 houses currently exist.

The group says the development of additional homes will result in the ereen area being taken away from Weloue0e

Secretary of the group, Nicole Murphy says there is up to 100 acres available near the GAA club and this should be used to build houses.

“Some of this site 1s serviced. There is no reason why they would not move the development there,’ said Ms Murphy.

She was impressed by the turnout of up to 70 at the meeting and said that many concerns were outlined.

The residents group has now learned the houses will be built on a phased basis and this is causing eae Nom ee) CUTE

“This means that the Cluain Airne estate will be messed up for longer. That could be up to three or four years.

“The main concern is the road. SU sr Taa.(o)bi (eM elem MNT HAO ouI RR) ce are hoping they will review it again,” SI STomy-H (OR

Clare County Council has proposed using the road from the roundabout at the comprehensive school.

However, local residents are sug- gesting that the road by the back of Inis Sioda would be the preferred option for local traffic.

“We were initially told the road would cost €1.25 million, and now they say it will cost €600,000. We are asking them 1s that the price of a life of a child,” she said.

She is hopeful that local elected representatives will take the con- cerns into consideration when they meet next month.

“We are meeting councillors who will be voting on it and we will put our case to them. We will encourage them to vote against it and move the plans down to the 95 acres of land the council has,” added Ms Murphy.

A petition, containing the signa- tures of several house owners in the area, has been put together, as locals pledge to continue to fight the plans.

A 42-YEAR-OLD man facing a string of serious charges including three counts of rape, possession of a shotgun, false imprisonment and threatening to kill, assault and bur- glary, has been refused bail.

The accused, who cannot be named for le- gal reasons, is facing eight charges in total arising out of an alleged inci- dent at a house in west Clare on Sunday, Sep- tember 9 last.

Detective Garda TJ Mol- loy told Mil- town Malbay District Court that he arrested the accused at Ennistymon Garda __ Station last Wednesday morning.

He charged the accused with eight alleged offences. He made no reply to each charge.

Superintendent Gabriel O’Gara said the DPP had directed that the case be dealt with on indictment and the State was seeking to remand the accused in custody for one week.

He said he was seeking the remand in custody on a number of grounds. These were that the charges were “very serious’ and that there was a “likelihood of interference with wit-

nesses”.

Supt O’Gara said gardai were “car- rying out enquiries in relation to ad- dresses used previously by this man.

“Based on those circumstances, I would ask that he be remanded in custody,’ said Supt O’Gara.

IDS roatesnety solicitor, | Eugene O’Kelly said he was surprised

to hear “there 1s a question of 1n- MKS ICOM ALOE witnesses”.

He noted that his client was facing “very se- rious” charges, but stressed that he was entitled to benefit from the presumption of innocence.

He said the accused had ex- Same neeb eA support.

Supt O’Gara replied that the

charges before the court were “in the higher scale, with regards serious- ness.” He said that the “family sup- port is to be admired, but it is this man here that is facing the charges. The possibility of intimidation of witnesses is a very real possibility,” said Supt O’Gara.

Judge Joseph Mangan remanded the accused in custody, to appear again in court later this week.

Castlebar, Carrie-Anne has quali- fied for the 2007 Shell Livewire Young Entrepreneur title, which will be presented at an awards ceremony on October 23.

Carrie-Anne Barry established De Barra Publishing Ltd in September 2006 after returning home to Ireland with a unique business idea — to de- velop and retail resources and educa- tional materials for the childcare and pre-school sector.

She explains, ““While living in Va- lencia, | was very impressed with my three-year-old daughter’s pre-school, which utilised a curriculum planning concept that fully engaged parents through use of creative materials and music. It worked brilliantly and I imagined it could be adapted and

developed to bring similar benefit to families in Ireland. When I returned home, I conducted intensive research in the childcare sector and identified a huge opportunity for my business idea.”

The company has developed the Project Bubbles brand, a comprehen- sive programme of play-based ac- tivities, ideas, music and visual aids designed to help care providers and parents with the day-to-day provision of a quality childcare experience for children aged two to five years.

“Project Bubbles features easy to follow guides, manuals and cur- riculum-planning tools for childcare practitioners. Included are hundreds of activities, games and creative ideas for each month of the year, original music and songs linked to monthly themes, character puppets represent- ing cultural and social diversity, posters, flashcards and themed jig- saw puzzles, as well as communica- tion tools to engage parents in the planned curriculum,” Carrie-Anne explained.

Currently employing five full-time Staff, Carrie-Anne has ambitious plans to extend the company’s prod- uct line to include an Irish language version, a cultural project, adding O- | and 1-2 age groups, as well as an after-schools programme.

Speaking at the western regional heat awards dinner in Westport, Shell spokesman, Christy Loftus, said that Shell strongly believed in celebrating and encouraging the goals and am- bitions of Ireland’s young entrepre- neurs as they are key to increasing the business birthrate and stimulat- ing the future growth of the region’s economy.

“This year’s entrants have im- pressed us with their innovation, commitment and drive and we look forward to watching their businesses grow over the years,” he said.

CAR Free Day in Ennis is being marked by an unusual cycle event organised with the support of En- nis Town Council and Clare County Council.

Owners of bicycles of all shapes and sizes are invited to participate in a fun ReCycle Your Bike event around Ennis on Saturday, Septem- ber 22.

Event spokesperson Susan Griffin says the emphasis for this cycling

event is on getting the unused bi- cycles that lie in most sheds dusted off and used. There will be a special emphasis on the old black bikes or “High Nelly’ that were once seen as part and parcel of Irish life. According to Susan Griffin, “Bikes are hugely undervalued nowadays. They can be an extremely practical and enjoyable means of transport. There is no need for the latest model either. Bikes that are only a few years old are often discarded, perfectly good ones are thrown out

and are lying unused in sheds. As long as the bike is in a safe condi- tion with decent brakes and tyres you are doing yourself and the environ- ment a favour. Ennis is an ideal cy- cling town and on European Car-free Day we hope to encourage the people of Clare to rediscover the joy of the humble bicycle.”

Cycling enthusiast and local Green party councillor Brian Meaney is Supporting the Fun Cycle and is looking forward to taking part.

“T have four bikes myself, two of

which are old High Nellys. One is a touring type complete with full chain guards and dynamo. The other one has been stripped down for speed. Both of these bicycles have the trade mark triple sprung leather Brooks saddle, which is what defined a High Nelly. They were built for comfort, not speed, in an Ireland that depend- ed on the bicycle as a valued mode of transport. It’ll be good to polish up the saddle to cycle around Ennis on Car Free Day,’ Councillor Meaney said.

THE Sisters of Mercy in Lahinch have lodged a planning objection against what they describe as a “con- crete jungle” proposal for the north Clare coastal village.

In the plan, Brendan O’Doherty, Patrick Montgomery, Paul Mont- gomery and John McInerney plan to develop 114 residential units, to in- clude a number of holiday homes.

In their objection, the Sisters state, “While we are not opposed to devel- opment in Lahinch, we do believe that a development of this size and nature is not in keeping with the character of the village.

“This is a huge development of over 100 homes, including apartment blocks, duplexes and a variety of house styles, and one entrance with the potential to generate over 200 ve- hicles poses a serious danger to us, other traffic using Station Road and eee COMETS

“We also have serious concerns with regard to the visual impact of this development. As it is directly opposite our house, we will be look- ing at a ‘concrete jungle’.

“We would also ask you to look at this development in light of the se- rious issues of anti-social behaviour on Station Road and the fact that the services to Lahinch including sew- age, water supply and electricity are seriously over-stretched.”

In her Toloysab hwy (eyem Marie O’Donoghue claims that “in the main, Lahinch permanent residents are not at all adverse to development. It is the bread and butter on which a Seaside resort thrives. However, cur- rent development is doing nothing for the village apart from creating a ghost town, which is a lot less attrac- tive to holiday-makers than it was 20 years ago.”

Michael and Maria Vaughan of Vaughan Lodge Hotel have also ex- pressed their opposition against the evee

They state, “The transient popula- tion of summer house-owners creates massive pressure on scarce resources for a period of 10 weeks in summer and leaves the village without com- munity for long periods in the win- oe

A decision on the application is due later this month.

THE most prominent community- based organisation in Doonbeg has expressed its opposition to plans to develop 77 homes in the west Clare AUF: Teen

In recent years, the village has en- joyed a property boom arising from the €150 million Doonbeg golf re- sort.

In its submission in relation to the plan by Brian McGoey and Niall Cunningham, the Doonbeg Com-

munity Development Company Ltd state that “the proposed development by virtue of its scale and density and the proposed neighbourhood concept does not “respect the existing char- acter of the surrounding area” and that as a consequence it “harms the amenity of adjoining properties and the surrounding area”.

The submission goes on, “The ad- ditional vehicular traffic generated by the proposal will have an adverse effect on the amenity and character of the surrounding area. You simply

cannot lift an urban design model and implant it on to a rural village especially at such a sensitive river- bank location.

‘To create a new, competing neigh- bourhood within the context of Doonbeg village conflicts with the sustainable development of the vil- lage and, we contend, with the set- tlement strategy of the Clare County Development plan 2005.

‘These houses will dominate the skyline and approach from the south along this route. We also suggest that

they may impact on, by overlooking, the streetscape of the village when approached from the west. Doonbeg Community Development Company Ltd is concerned about the scale and density of development proposed for this elevated site located in such close proximity to the riverbank. ‘“Doonbeg Community Develop- ment Company Ltd is also concerned about the construction of a compet- ing neighbourhood core. It is our contention that there are sufficient lands either zoned or currently de-

veloped for “holiday homes” within Doonbeg village.

“If permission is granted for any residential development at this loca- tion, it should be for permanent oc- cupation only. Doonbeg Community Development Ltd is not opposed to development within the settlement of Doonbeg…What is proposed for this location is an urban or suburban resi- dential development with a density of development more suited to that type of location and not the elevated river bank location here.”

A SOCIAL housing project in Clare- castle – Cluain Ard – has been short- listed for a national design award.

“This scheme is one of three Local Authority schemes selected to go for- ward to the final and is an example of excellent design standards, including safety, security and comfort for its’ 46 residents,” said housing officer, Nora Kaye.

She explained, “Clare County Council is delighted that the Clare- castle scheme has been named as a finalist in this year’s ‘Irish Council For Social Housing Design Competi- tion’. Being shortlisted by the ICSH is a tribute to the impressive scheme designed by Hassett Leyden Archi-

tects and constructed by KC Devel- opment.”

According to local councillor Ber- nard Hanrahan, “This is a very pres- tigious award and is befitting to the excellent standard of housing deliv- ered here.”

The awards ceremony takes place ENroommdevcwertenioey

Cluain Ard is Clare County Coun- cil’s latest social housing develop- ment and is the council’s first venture in the purchase of turnkey housing units. The 22 units in the scheme were designed in 2005, in consulta- tion with Clare County Council to what the council describes as “a high standard of design, usability and comfort to its recently appointed ten- ZNO

A council spokeswoman said that the “setting of the scheme, in a quiet but very central area in Clarecastle balances the need for peace and tran- quillity as well as the need for easy access to services including retail, community, religious, employment, transport and recreation.”

As well as housing, the scheme has a day care centre, creche, community hall, school, church, shops, medical facilities, recreational facilities 1n- cluding a hand ball alley and a foot- ball pitch, bus stop and post office are all within walking distance of the estate.

The homes boast usability for all and cater for single parents, families, people with special needs, travellers and elderly. Eleven of the homes are

on the ground floor, making all living spaces and bedrooms totally accessi- ble to those with mobility problems,

Each home has a private, walled back garden, accessible from a patio door in the living area. The upstairs dwellings also have a walled back garden, accessible through a gate at the side.

Each home has a master bedroom with en-suite facilities, which could also convert into a family room, given it’s generous size of 16.5m sq, excluding the en-suite.

“The highest standards have been used in installing heat/smoke de- tectors, safety locks on doors and windows and non-slip surfaces on the kitchen area,’ the spokeswoman added.

IRISH companies are being urged to enter the European Business Awards 2008, the competition that show- cases Europe’s business skills and competencies.

Companies only have one more month to enter the awards as the deadline for entries is the October 18.

“European business is innovative and talented and it is important that

we showcase examples of this bril- liance. For the rest of the world the European Business Awards is an ad- vert of our abilities and for Europe, an example for all of us of what is possible,” said Adrian Tripp, Chief Executive of the European Business aN LAU Ke ce

This opportunity follows the suc- cess of an Irish company in the European Business Awards 2007, Diageo, a Dublin-based company drinks business with a collection of

brands including Guinness, Baileys and Smirnoff, which was selected to compete in The AXA Award for Corporate Sustainability.

For short-listed and winning com- panies the recognition and exposure is very powerful as the European Business Awards has extended its partnership with The Wall Street Journal Europe and has set collabo- rations with important national Me- dia Patrons.

“Every business day The Wall

Street Journal Europe reports on business issues and companies across the region.

Our association with the European Business Awards allows us to honour the best of these companies and the vision and energy of their leaders,’ said Jonathan Wilson, director of marketing and business development, The Wall Street Journal Europe.

The names of the winners will be revealed on March 11, 2008, at the high profile awards ceremony held in

the InterContinental Paris Le Grand in Paris and attended by Europe’s business elite. The entry deadline 1s 18 October 2007.

The European Business Awards is supported by organisations, CMS Legal Services EEIG and Société (os ilore- 8 oe

To obtain further information or to enter please visit www.businessa- wardseurope.com, telephone 0044 O 20 7234 3535 or email info@busines sawardseurope.com.