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THERE is anger and frustration among the rank and file of the sol- diers of destiny in Clare and along the west coast, with some long serv- ing members of the Fianna Fail party proposing to resign if “things do not change”.

A motion of no confidence in the Taoiseach was unanimously passed by the Ennis No | Cumman last week, by members who just months before canvassed for the party lead- er.

Now with the Aer Lingus crisis pointing to an uncertain future for the economy of the future and the death knell sounding in the distance for A and E services at Ennis Gen- eral Hospital, the grass roots of the main Government party are begin- ning to revolt.

Former Ennis Town Councillor Michael Guilfoyle, who proposed the motion of no confidence, said, “If things don’t sort themselves out I’ll be gone.”

The Ennis man, who has been a member of the party for 35 years,

said, “I defended Bertie at the doors before the election and when we needed Bertie he wasn’t to be found.

‘There was no one reason (for the motion), just years of frustration for people like myself who feel we are no longer being listened to.”

Ennis Town Councillor Tom Glynn (FF) said most people felt there was now a Sell out of the west but he did not feel resigning from the party was the way forward for him despite his erowing frustration.

“I think you are better off fighting from within than without. They can

ignore me even more from without,’ he said.

Meanwhile “angry and frustrated” Fianna Fail councillors from Burton Port in Donegal to Caherciveen in Kerry gathered in Oranmore to dis- cuss how they would ensure that the Aer Lingus crisis remained on the Government’s agenda.

Organised by Clare councillors Pat Daly, Peter Considine and Bernard Hanrahan, the 60 to 70 councillors in attendance set up the Fianna Fail Western Councillors’ Alliance.

“We believe that the Programme

for Government is not being rolled out in an even manner,’ Cllr Consti- dine told

MACRA NA FEIRME’S national president, Catherine Buckley be- lieves education is the way forward in farming.

Speaking at the launch of the Tea- gasc programme for Adult and Life Long Learning she said providing “the best possible educational oppor- tunities to farmers would be the key to giving Irish agriculture a competi- tive advantage in the future.”

The Macra president pointed out that her organisation had long been involved in campaigning for 1im- provements in agricultural educa-

tion standards and she welcomed the fact that the existing 180 hour course will, in the coming year, be replaced with the new advanced certificate in agriculture. “While the new course will require a greater commitment from participants, it will leave them far better equipped to deal with the demands of modern farming. This new course will create a pathway for young farmers to acquire a broader and more life-long agricultural edu- cation,’ she said.

Ms Buckley pointed out that while it was vital that Teagasc continued to develop top-class specialised cours- es targeted at full-time farmers, she

said that Macra also fully supported the provision of agricultural training courses to part-time farmers or those who could not attend agricultural college.

“The responsibilities and pressures on so called part-time farmers are just as onerous as those on farmers with no off-farm employment and it is important for the future of the industry that this category of farmer has access to properly structured training,’ she said.

The leader of the young farmers’ or- ganisation said that in addition to the formal courses offered by Teagasc, the importance of various discussion

group Sessions, also facilitated by the organisation, should not be under-es- UbeereInoren

“In the last 12 months, Macra has established a number of specialised discussion groups for young farmers around the country which are facili- tated by professional Teagasc advis- ae

“The demand for this type of edu- cational opportunity has been huge as it provides a chance for young like-minded farmers to meet and net- work with others in the industry, and in turn assists them in making bet- ter decisions in relation to the future growth of their business,’ she said.

AN EAST Clare man has won his planning battle to secure planning permission for a home for the carer of his 16-year daughter who has cer- ebral palsy.

Mike Keegan from Caher in east Clare has secured planning retention for the home despite Clare County Council refusing permission and an An Bord Pleanala inspector recom- mending refusal.

According to the appeal lodged by

Mr Keegan, he is the single parent of the girl who is also a wheelchair isto

The inspector’s report states that Mr Keegan obtained planning per- mission for the main house and then built a small annexe with a view for retention as a carer’s annexe.

The report states: “In terms of be- ing injurious to the amenities of oth- er residential property in the vicinity, the nearest neighbour is 90m away and cannot see anything of the an- nex. The annexe and the main house

are both owned by Mr Keegan and will always be both functionally and physically linked together.”

Mr Keegan lodged letters of support from a senior clinical psychologist at the Health Service Executive West, a senior occupational therapist at Clare Children’s Services, a coordinator of East Clare Community Support Ltd, a coordinator of the Disabled People of Clare and a network support of- ficer with Clare Network of People with Disabilities in Ireland.

The council refused permission last

March to the development stating that the proposed development would be viewed as an independent dwell- ing house which would seriously in- jure the amenities of other residential properties in the vicinity.

The inspector recommended that the proposed development would be viewed as an independent dwell- ing house which would create an undesirable density of development, presenting an overcrowded and dis- orderly appearance thereby seriously injuring the amenities of other resi-

dential properties in the vicinity.

However, the board disregarded the inspector’s recommendation stating that the carer’s annexe proposed for retention was generally compatible with the policies in the development plan and would not seriously injure the amenities of the area.

As aresult, the appeals board ruled that having regard to the nature of the building, it 1s considered that the proposal would not seriously injure the amenities of the area or of prop- erty in the vicinity.

SPARKS will fly as members of an Ennis dance school prepare to head to America to take on the world’s best.

Ten members of Sparks dance school will travel to Los Angeles next year to compete in World Dance Excellence – an international festival for young dancers.

The ten students, who range in age from 7 to 25, have been selected for the Irish team that will compete at the event, which takes place in the Californian city in March 2008.

The competition is sure to be in- tense with dancers from 50 states in America and 15 countries around

the world taking part. Team Ireland comprises students from Dublin and Belfast.

The hard work starts now for the students who will be taking their dancing skills to the streets of Ennis in search of sponsorship.

A number of fundraising events are already in the pipeline to help the students on their way to LA.

Sparks eymnrrertoyen Lourdes O’Donoghue said she is delighted that the students from the school have been selected on Team Ireland for the second year in a row.

Sparks has been in existence for 12 years in Ennis and is firmly es- tablished as one of the premier dance schools in Ireland.

In that time Sparks students have regularly competed in national and international finals, amassing a glit- tering array of prizes along the way.

The school has ten All-Ireland first place wins, three second place world titles and numerous other individual and pairs titles to its name.

Sparks hip-hop dance school is the only modern dance school in Clare doing exams for all ages in hip hop and freestyle.

Lourdes O’ Donoghue is a qualified dance instructor and judge, and has a team of student champions at hip hop, freestyle and funky tap.

Away from competitive action, the school has become a fixture on the Christmas panto scene, regularly

collaborating with the Ennis based Pantaloons group.

The Sparks team and instructors that will travel to Los Angeles to compete at World Dance Excellence are: Aidan Walsh (7), Barefield Na- tional School; Ava Mahony (18) Colaiste Mhuire; Saoirse Mulcahy (7) Ennis National School; Maeve Curry (20) Knapogue Castle; Ha- zel Grassie (15) Gort Community College; Wilson Chung (18) Peter Marks; Hazel O’ Doherty (21) Limer- ick Institute of Technology; Oskarina O’Sullivan (10) Clarecastle National School; Lauren O’Shea (12) Knocka- nean National School; Laura Jane Allis (25) Sparks Instructor; Lourdes O’ Donoghue (Sparks Principal).

THE CPSSL will be running U8 and U1O blitzes at the following locations this Friday Night: Fern Celtic’s pitch and Ennistymon CBS from 6.30pm to 8pm and Lees Road Astro Turf from 6pm to 7pm. There will be close to 80 kids in action at each venue, along with parents, and spervisors.

SW sviM es molomabesbevrercmustaulr DUN me Vols the next three weeks at different ven- ex

Secondly, Monday night at 7pm and

8pm. The start of the FAI Regional Emerging Talent Programme will take place at the Auburn Lodge.

This is a education/training pro- gramme for the highest standard players in the Limerick/Clare/North Tipp region between the ages of 14 and 17.

Clare is represented by 10 players and head coaches in the centre are Declan Farmer and myself.

The centre is based at Lees Road every monday night from 7pm to O9pm from September 24 to March

oF

You are more than welcome to at- tend information night – and then maybe we can plan some regular media coverage of the center, player profiles, coach profiles, match fea- tures, etc over the course of the train- ing schedule.

The FAI Regional Centres are the next step from Kennedy Cup and are the foundations of our underage international squads and eventually will act as a source of the majority of the Eircom League players.

ENNIS Town Council has rejected plans by a housing association to se- cure planning permission for a five storey apartment block adjacent to Ennis Tennis and Badmintion Club.

Earlier this year, Cluid Housing As- sociation lodged plans to construct 21 one bedroom apartments and six two bedroom apartments.

However, the proposal prompted stiff opposition from the Ennis Ten- nis and Badminton Club and local

residents with the tennis club raising child protection concerns.

In its objection, the Ennis Tennis and Badminton Club states: “With a large junior membership, the club has rigorous child protection schemes. Consequently, units with views over- looking children at play is of serious concern to all members.”

In a comprehensive refusal, the council has stated that the scale, massing, height and excessive site coverage would result in over-devel- opment of the restricted site.

The council also concluded that the proposal would compete visu- ally with the Cornmarket building and Waterville House, would detract from the character for the setting of Waterville House

Officials also ruled that it failed to respect its context and contravene the Ennis and Environs Development Plan.

“The proposed development would adversely affect the setting of the protected structure and would be contrary to the proper planning

and sustainable development of the area.”

The council also refused planning permission after ruling that the site coverage, scale, massing, height and proximity would constitute over development, would result in over- looking and over-shadowing of adja- cent residential buildings and would seriously injure the amenities of property in the vicinity.

“The proposed development there- fore would materially contravene a policy of the Ennis and Environs

Development Plan 2003 and the zon- ing objective for the area which 1s to protect residential amenity.”

The council also refused planning due to the proposal’s “layout and den- sity and consequent lack of private Open space to serve the residential units would result in a sub-standard form of development which would seriously injure the amenity of future occupants”.

It is now open to Cluid Housing Association to appeal the decision to An Bord Pleanala.

THE people of Shannon are being asked to support the local gymnastics club, in its search for a new home.

The club was formed five years ago and currently has more than 100 children on its books.

Since its formation, the club has en- joyed no shortage of success, both on local and national levels.

One of its members, Becky O’Donnnell recently travelled to Po- land with the Irish squad 1n the Euro- pean Cup, where she came 10th. She has also taken part in the national Community Games finals in Mosney over the past few years, where she

has won one gold, two bronze and two silver medals.

Becky, along with Grainne Hen- nessy, Dara Moan and Molly Night- ingale, have represented the club on the national squad.

Young boys and girls travel from all over the county, to take part in gymnastics at the club. The Shannon club is the only club in the region to specialise in tumbling, which attracts the interest of several young people.

However, despite its success, the club has no home and does not ben- efit from much funding.

The club avails of facilities at the local leisure centre, but would dearly love to have a base to call its own.

Becky’s mother Ita – who 1s a mem- ber of the club’s fundraising commit- tee – said local fundraising is essen- tial for the club’s existence.

“We don’t get any funding. We did get a sports grant six months ago, but we don’t get any national funding. A lot of other sports get funding but the gymnastics don’t. The parents have to organise the fundraising,’ said tee

She is hopeful that the people of the town will continue to support the club in its quest for a home that they can call their own.

“We are looking for a suitable premises but it is expensive. It 1s bril- liant for the children to have such an

activity. The people of Shannon have been great,” she said.

The club was formed by Elaine Ryan, whose work and dedication is crucial.

‘Elaine gives great dedication to the club. Six months ago when we had no equipment, Elaine used to take the children to Cavan, where there is a very good tumbling club. She did it in her own time,” said Ita.

A DAY of colour and culture was held for new Clare and Limerick people in Limerick at the weekend with dance, music and art delighting all who visited it.

The New Young Festival featured African dance, music, art and much more in a day which celebrated the

differences and similarities between African people and their new Irish neighbours. The event was organ- ised by the Igbo Union, Ireland and was One of a number of activities de- signed to promote understanding and co-operation.

Attending the event were the may- ors of Ennis and Limerick, council- lors and TDs and the Nigerian Am-

bassador to Ireland.

The event featured works of art, dancing, song, traditions and culture of the many African nations repre- sented in Ireland.

A spokesman said that the day showcased offerings from Africa people who have settled in Ireland to work or study as well as those seek- ing asylum or refugee status.

FIFTEEN groups in Shannon have applied for community grants un- der the town council’s annual grants scheme.

The initiative is geared towards projects which are designed to im- prove the quality of life for the peo- ple of Shannon. The projects which qualify for funding must show a clear community focus.

The groups which made the sub- missions have made various requests for funding, ranging from €400 to €2,000. ;

The Gleann an Oir Residents As- sociation is seeking a grant between €1,500 and €2,000. That is the single biggest request. Wolfe Tones

camogie side is seeking €1,500, while the local handball club has requested €1,200. Applications for €1,000 have been made by Clare Ha- ven in Shannon, the Shannon Family Resource Centre, SEED, Shannon Olympic AFC and the Musical So- OAs

Newtown FC is seeking €7/50, While applications for €500 each have been made by three youth projects. Duchas na Sionna has ap- plied for €400 funding.

The local graveyard maintenance committee and Jet FM, Shannon Community Radio, have both applied for unspecified amounts in funding.

Last year, some 15 groups in the town received funding, under this scheme. The size of the grants ranged

from €300 to €500 and the total funding amounted to €5,200.

A number of the projects which re- ceived money last year have applied for funding again this year. Some of the applicants, including Wolfe Tones camogie club and the Fam- ily Resource Centre, did not receive eae OL SM ERS (orb

The grants will be presented at a special function to be held in Shan- non later this year.

Meanwhile, people who encourage others to get involved in sports and other activities, will also be hon- oured, under the annual Liosta na Laochra scheme.

Previously, awards were given to local people who excelled at national and international levels.

Tomas MacCormaic has suggested that people who work behind the scenes should be honoured this year.

This idea was supported by mem- bers of Shannon Town Council.

Cllr Geraldine Lambert (FF) said, “It’s easy to overlook honouring the people behind the scenes. As a town council, it would be a very good move to honour these people.”

Mr MacCormaic said that people honoured in this category must be living in Shannon, or involved with a club which is located “within the functional area of the town.”

Nominations must be made prior to the first week of October. The ‘Laochra’ will be honoured the same night as the presentation of the com- munity grants.

JUST 60 people have applied to fill the 292 posts which have to be filled if Enterprise Ireland is to decentral- ise to Shannon.

The shockingly low figures were revealed as SIPTU called on the Government to abandon plans to de- centralise semi-state bodies.

SIPTU delegates representing al- most 1,600 members in 16 semi-state organisations have called for an end to the Government’s plans to decen- tralise them.

Delegates met in Liberty Hall to hear a report of the Labour Court on a dispute over voluntary decentrali-

sation being linked with promotion. The court had ruled that any reloca- tion must be voluntary. Representa- tives attended from bodies including Enterprise Ireland, Failte Ireland, the National Standards Authority Ireland, the National Roads Author- ity, Bus Eireann, Bord Bia, BIM, the Combat Poverty Agency, the Arts Council and FAS to discuss the rec- ommendation.

Afterwards, SIPTU Regional Sec- retary, Patricia King said the union representatives had “welcomed the acceptance by FAS management and the Minister for Finance, Brian Cowen, of the Labour Court recom- mendation. The delegates reaffirmed

that their campaign would continue to remove all state agencies from the decentralisation programme.

“We believe that the Labour Court recommendation has highlighted the legitimate concerns of staff and has spelt out very clearly that voluntary means voluntary.

“The court accepted people had legitimate expectations and propri- etorial rights based on their careers with these agencies and cannot be compelled to relocate.”

So far the applications for reloca- tion with Enterprise Ireland have fallen far short of the expectations or the minimum number necessary to make the move.

A spokesman for the Department of Finance, which is handling the whole decentralisation project, said that many of the semi-state bodies had “issues” to be ironed out before the move could take place.

These were generally HR issues of the kind demonstrated in the FAS dispute, he said.

Plan to decentralise the Revenue Commissioners to Kilrush have met with much more success, however. Of a required 50 posts there were 86 applicants and 55 people have now been assigned to the town.

The excess number is explained by the fact that a job-share option was taken up by a number of applicants.