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SCHOOLS in Scariff are to be asked to examine what has been done in their area about government policy on sustainable development.

Their findings will be part of a plan to develop their area in a way which will benefit the environment, the economy and generations to come.

Following a recent open meeting in Scariff to draw up a sustainable development plan for the village and surrounds, Bob Wilson of the Centre For Environmental Living and Train-

ing said there was a “strong feeling from those attending that there is a lack of knowledge of what sustainable development is all about and how it can benefit all aspects of life – social, environmental and economic. It was agreed that local schools should be approached with a view to assessing how aspects of Local Agenda 21 have been implemented – or not – and to come up with ideas that could lead to ereater sustainability. This can then feed into a draft plan for sustainable development for the community. This will be a gradual process allowing for

input from everyone’, he said.

The aim is to draw up a plan which would then be considered by the com- munity council and one which plan- ners and local authority departments could take on board.

At the recent meeting in Scariff, representatives from a number of community and local organisations and businesses came to hear Andrew St Ledger explain the meaning of sus- tainable development as put forward from Agenda 21. Sustainable Devel- opment, he told the gathering, means meeting the needs of this generation

without compromising the social, en- vironmental and economic needs of future generations.

Andrew gave details of Agenda 21 which was signed up to by Ireland and 175 other countries, then talked about the success experienced by towns and cities in other countries where sus- tainable development has been put into practice. Further meetings on the subject are now being planned and it’s hoped to involve representatives of every aspect of life and community in Scariff in the discussion and drawing Thomo) KOMen Ice

With the latest fear of a major Foot and Mouth outbreak starting to abate, the Minister for Agriculture and Food, Mary Coughlan TD, has announced a range of measures de- signed to protect the Irish horse in- CliamtA

Speaking during last week’s Dublin Horse Show, the minister announced that she has stepped up measures to protect Irish horse breeders with stricter enforcement and inspection of passports and identification for horses to ensure compliance with the regulations.

Coughlan said her department of- ficers will have enhanced powers in the enforcement of the EU regula- tions on identification of horses. In

addition, marts, sales yards and other premises where horses are assembled are required to ensure that horses entering their premises have valid passports. Department Inspectors will carry out random inspections to ensure compliance with these regula- tions by both horse owners and other operators in the country.

“Complhance with the new regula- tions is essential for the protection of the country’s equine population and industry, with the sport horse sector alone now worth in excess of EUR400 million and involving 53,000 peo- ple,’ said Minister Coughlan.

It 1s now just over a year since Ireland experienced its first case of Equine Infectious Anaemia (EIA), a threat that almost forced the can- cellation of last year’s Dublin horse

show.

“Of the many lessons learned, we now appreciate the necessity of hav- ing an effective identification sys- tem for horses. The department will therefore be supporting new regula- tions being drafted by the EU Com- mission to provide for a national database for horses in each Member State,” she continued.

Minister Coughlan expressed her appreciation of the bloodstock in- dustry and, particularly, the sports horse sector, for its co-operation and patience during the outbreak and said that the efficient and expeditious manner in which the outbreak had been contained and eradicated could not have been achieved but for the commitment of the Department and the industry working together for the

benefit of all involved.

The minister concluded by remind- ing horse owners, stud managers and others in the industry to remain vigi- lant and to continue to exercise the highest standards of biosecurity to minimise the prospects of any fur- ther outbreaks of the disease.

Equine Infectious Anaemia also known by horsemen as “Swamp Fe- ver’, is a horse disease caused by a retrovirus and transmitted by blood- sucking insects.

The virus is endemic in the Amert- cas, parts of Europe, the Middle and Far East, Russia, and South Af- rica. EIA can be transmitted through blood, saliva, milk, and body se- cretions. Transmission is_ usually through blood-sucking insects, such as the horse-fly and deer-fly.

A DELEGATION of local tourism development agencies left Shannon yesterday (Monday) on a five-day promotional drive in the United States aimed at showcasing Shannon Airport as a key gateway to Ireland.

Representatives of Clare County Council, Shannon Development, Clare Tourist Council, Clare ‘Tour- ism Forum and Shannon Heritage will meet with members of the Irish- American business community in Chicago before attending the world’s largest Irish culture festival in Wis- Loyetssnte

Last year, more than 3,000 peo- ple from the American Midwest and Northeast are believed to have booked flights directly into Shan- non Airport as a result of the Clare tourism delegation’s presence at the Milwaukee Irish Fest.

“Aer Lingus’s axing of services from Shannon to Heathrow has led to fears that the airline could be ca- pable of curtailing or even ceasing its direct services from the County Clare airport to the US.

‘That is why this week’s promo- tional drive takes on added impor- tance for the tourism agencies in the mid-west,’ said Mayor of Clare, Cllr

Patricia McCarthy.

“The introduction of Open Skies has raised concerns over whether the level of transatlantic business at the airport can be sustained.

’Clare County Council, along with other leading tourism bodies in Ire- land’s mid-west region, has adopted a more proactive approach in a bid to maintain and build on this business by marketing the airport as a key gateway to the west of Ireland. Over the coming days, we will seek to raise awareness of the many airlines operating flight services between Shannon and New York, Boston and Chicago,” she said.

The Milwaukee Irish Fest, estab- lished in 1981 by members of the city’s Irish community, is renowned as the world’s largest Irish culture SATE

Covering 74 acres of Lake Michi- gan’s shoreline, the event showcases Irish music, history, dance, sports and culture.

County Clare has been named as the central theme of this year’s Fest. The Clare tourism delegation will be located in the “Cultural Village” where thousands of promotional bro- chures on Shannon Airport and the region’s attractions will be distrib- uted to over 140,000 festivalgoers.

THE EAST Clare Walking group are taking to a pilgrim route in Spain to help answer the prayers of children in Mountshannon who need a play- ground.

Seven walkers are dividing the 1,000 miles of the El Camino Way of Santiago pilgrimage route between them to raise cash towards providing the playground.

While they’re walking in Spain, fund-raising will be on-going at home.

“We got an allocation of €41,500 from the county council and we raised €850 packing supermarket bags,” said Jane Murray, the Mount-

shannon woman behind the push to provide play facilities.

Jane began her campaign at the be- ginning of the year when she took on the provision of a playground as her practical project in her NUIG Diploma Course in Community De- (oJ Ce) oyaeto elm

She took on the project just two weeks before the deadline for appli- cations for county council funding and produced a very comprehensive proposal for a playground in the Ai- stear Park.

In compiling it, Jane researched playgrounds all over the county and sent a questionnaire to pupils in the national school to find out what their ideal play facility would be.

Children drew pictures on the back of their questionnaires and the best in each class won and easter egg for their help with the research.

But while the allocation from the lo- cal authority was a huge boost to the scheme, there is still up to €70,000 needed before the happy laughter of children playing on slides and swings can be heard in the Aistear.

So Jane is sending out a letter to every household in the area, asking people to support the fund.

“I’m asking people to donate what- ever they can, however big or small,” said Jane.

“We have a long way to go but peo- ple can help by making a donation through the Mountshannon Play-

eround Fund at the Bank of Ireland in Scariff or by putting money in one of our collection buckets,” said Jane.

The account number for anyone wishing to donate is 64555064, sort code, 90 44 13.

Collection boxes have been left at Callura Pottery, the Mountshannon Hotel, Cois na hAbhna, Keane’s Bar, O’Brien’s Post Office and the Bridge Bar.

Mountshannon was one of a number of areas around the county which were given cash to get their playground projects off the ground.

Parteen and Meelick also got a cash boost towards the provision of play facilities and are now in the planning SRR Sxen

ame) aale gust 10 just 22 people had taken ad- vantage of the “cheaper flights” from Belfast to London Heathrow from

January 14 to 21, 2008. The total revenue from these fares was a mere £412 sterling.

The airline has the capacity to carry as many as 9,/44 people in its four slots from the Northern Ireland airport during that period.

The three slots that would have been used during this winter period in Shannon could have carried 7,308 passengers.

More than 6.5 per cent of the ca- pacity of these flights for January 14 to 21, 2008 had already been booked when Aer Lingus announced it was

cancelling the route.

Instead, the coveted slots were be- ing transferred to Belfast.

Critics of the decision have argued it makes no business sense.

Last year, more than 321,000 peo- ple travelled the London Heathrow/ Shannon route. Of that number, 25 per cent were estimated to be busi- ness passengers while 33 per cent came through London Heathrow from the USA or Europe.

Chief Executive of Limerick Cham- ber Maria Kelly said, “The Shannon- Heathrow service has been operating

successfully and profitably for over half a century and the removal of these services will effectively cut off the West of Ireland from all major European cities and key destinations in the Middle and Far East. This will have serious implications for both tourism and business in the region.

“Cork, Dublin and Belfast will continue to have links to Heathrow and the other great European hubs to connect travellers to long-haul inter- national flights but the west and mid- west regions will now be deprived of this,” she said.

Tadhg Kearney, Limerick Chamber transport spokesperson, added, “It is important to emphasize that the Shannon-Heathrow route is success- ful and profitable and is one where Aer Lingus has for decades enjoyed an effective monopoly because of slot capacity restrictions in Heath- row Airport. They are now abandon- ing this profitable monopoly route to instead enter the highly competitive Belfast-Heathrow market against two other significant operators. One must question the commercial logic behind such a decision.”

THERE will be disruption to traffic flows around Ennis this month with the closure of one of the main ap- proach roads to the town.

A section of the Tulla Road (R352) at Corrovorrin Bridge will be closed for a period of eight days from Au- gust 20 to 27 to facilitate the renewal of major foul sewer infrastructure. Pedestrian and cycle access will be maintained at all times during the closure.

Upgrade work at the site has been delayed since April when the road was originally scheduled to close.

There have been long running prob- lems at the sewage station near the bridge that have caused difficulties to homes in the area.

Ennis Town Council earlier this year highlighted over-use as one of the main cause of problems at the SEIN

Diversionary routes for traffic us- ing the road will be in place for the

duration of the closure.

Traffic travelling to Ennis, west of the Corrovorrin Railway Bridge from Tulla and east Clare, on the R352 is advised to turn right approximately eight kilometres east of Ennis, at Feenagh Cross (500 metres south- east of Clooney Church) onto the L- 4074. ‘Travel north on the L4074 via Kearney’s Cross (known locally as Harrison’s Cross) and onto the N18 PAM Grabeel 08

At the junction of the L4074 and the N18 in Crusheen village, turn left and travel via the N18 southwards towards Barefield and Ennis. At the oynabaaleseCeresseCosmeval elo NORoM ey IpON KO) ce pass take the exit for Barefield and Ennis and follow directional signage to Ennis and onwards.

Local traffic from Ballymacahill and Roslevan north of the R352 at Roslevan is advised to travel via the L4608/L4102 to its junction with the L4100 where traffic should turn onto the L4100 and travel to the junction of the L4100 with the R458 (origi-

nally the N18) at a point one kilome- tre south of Barefield and follow the R458 (originally the N18) to Ennis and onwards.

Heavy Goods Vehicle Traffic (i.e. vehicles exceeding 7.5 tonnes laden weight) travelling to Ennis, west of the Corrovorrin Railway Bridge,

from Tulla and east Clare, on the R352 traffic is advised to divert e1- ther north or south, on to the R462 at its junction with the R352 approxi- mately 16 kilometres east of Ennis and one kilometre south of Tulla.

FORMER Green Party Leader and Minister for Food and Horticulture at the Department of Agriculture and Food, Trevor Sargent, has called on a partnership approach to be adopted to help farmers deal with challenges which result from the bad weather conditions.

With growth back my more than 50 per cent in many areas, farmers are facing serious problems, with more and more seasonal vegetable crops now being imported from abroad.

“Poor weather conditions bring huge uncertainty to harvesting and planting operations. Producers have

shown great resilience but they need some assurance about market pros- pects and returns if they are to con- tinue investing and supplying local products to the consumer in a sector where seasonality provides diversity and added interest,” he said.

Minister Sargent pointed out that the recent EU reform of the fruit and vegetable sector will bring new Opportunities to support producer organisations in production/sup- ply planning and in the promotion of greater consumption of fruit and vegetables, particularly by young people.

The new arrangements will also provide aid for producer organisa-

tions that undertake measures to prevent or manage crises such as ad- verse weather conditions.

“Nevertheless, the market relation- ship between the producers, retail sector and consumer is the key to the development of this important sec- tor,’ he continued.

‘Partnership arrangements _ be- tween producers and retailers will work best where they take account of seasonal variation in supply and of the need for continued investment in the sector to benefit the consumer seeking local food.”

Land conditions are so bad in some parts of Clare that first cuts of silage are still to be harvested, a situation

which could prompt a massive esca- lation in feed cost if a shortage hits WONKA OL Kode

Official figures obtained by The Clare People from Met Eireann re- veal that rain fall levels in County Clare were more than 40 per cent higher last month than the June av- erage, The figures also revealed that Clare had already matched it average July rainfall last Thursday, July 19.

Besides the under foot conditions, farmer have also being prevented from spreading fertiliser because of the heavy rainfalls. This lack of fer- tiliser spreading could impact on the condition of second cuts across the county.

A WEST Clare housewife will join a group of local tradesmen in a bid to construct numerous houses in one Neto) e

Mary Morgan is one of a group of six travelling from the west Clare pe- ninsula as part of the Niall Mellon Township Trust.

This year 1,300 people, the largest number ever, are making the trip to South Africa for the cause.

Of the record number of people, six will be travelling from the west Clare peninsula, four of which are

from the small west Clare village of Carrigaholt.

Kevin Shalloo from Kilkee, Joe Hasset from Cross, and Pa Mahoney, Denis McMahon, Richard Lynch and Mary Morgan all from Carrigaholt are making up the west Clare contin- gency travelling in November.

While she may be one of only 130 women taking part in the work, the Carrigaholt mother of three is no stranger to such projects.

Following the 2005 tsunami Mary headed off to the disaster zone to help out there.

Initially her offer of practical help

was refused, as she was not a trades- person, so she went alone and quickly got involved in building two houses.

This time around she will be in- volved in a weeklong project in Free- dom Town – a shantytown 20 min- utes from Capetown.

“I prefer to be involved and be hands-on,’ she said.

While the project will finish in one week, Mary intends to stay in the country for a month and continue to work there.

“T can’t wait,” she said.

The group has to raise €5,000 each – a huge challenge for such a small

area, but the fundraising is going well according to those involved.

Quizzes, auctions, hay barn nights and raffles all helped to raise funds.

Just last week they received the support of the Munster Rugby stars When they attended a fundraising barbecue in Carrigaholt and provid- ed signed jerseys and balls for raf- fling and auction.

On Friday, August 31 and Saturday, September 1 the group will have a bag packing session in Supervalu in OTF

All of the money must be collected within the month.

FARM incomes plummeted by a massive 25 per cent 2006 according to the National Farm Survey pub- lished by Teagasc last week.

The average national family farm income is now just €16,680 a drop of €5,779 or 25.7 per cent on the 2005 levels. While these figures are arti- ficially high because of the one off high level of direct subsidy in 2005, it still represents another blow for the farming community.

Perhaps a more worrying trend is that, according to the survey, direct payments now account for 98 per cent of all family farm Income.

The survey, which was conducted by the Teagasc Rural Economy Re- search Centre, also showed that on full time farms the average family farm income was €34,486 – down by 15 per cent on the previous year.

Reacting to the results, IFA Presi- dent Padraig Walshe, said that the figures are not as bad as they seem.

ml GI Tea e Durem peeeelomrPAU ee moore efited from a once-off boost due to the timing of the changeover to the decoupled payments system, and this is the main reason for the 25 per cent decline in national farm income in 2006,” he said.

“Looking at the income trends in 2007, there clearly has been a recov-

ery in dairy markets. While some price increases to farmers have come through, I believe there is major scope for further price increases this year. Also, world grain markets are quite strong as we approach the 2007 harvest.

‘However, cattle and sheep prices are very disappointing this year. Winter beef finishers lost heavily due to poor prices and higher costs. In the sheep sector, continuing low prices and margins are resulting in a serious decline in the national ewe ley ucreLeNbOTCaBE COle) eum

Meanwhile, ICSA President Mal- colm Thompson expressed his con- cerns at some of the income statistics,

particularly regarding the drystock sector.

‘These statistics are a wake-up call to policy makers, food processors and factories alike,’ he said. “There is an obvious and deep structural de- ficiency in the systems employed by the drystock sector, and these figures demonstrate that the current system of farming is inherently unprofitable. You cannot survive in an industry Where your production costs out- weigh profit.”

Commenting on figures, the Presi- dent of ICMSA, Mr Jackie Cahill, said they demonstrated conclusively the very low income figures for full- WUSSom Ec DUES oli

THE PEOPLE of Carrigaholt are planning for the future.

The local people will influence the future design of the west Clare vil- lage, as Clare County Council begins drawing up a Village Design State- ment.

Carrigaholt will be just one of two villages in the county to undergo the overhaul.

The local authority’s Planning and Economic Development Department intends to prepare the “statement”, in consultation with the public, over the coming months.

A Village Design Statement pro- vides planning advice directly ap-

plicable to the statutory planning system and is entirely community based.

According to Risteard UaCroinin, Conservation Officer, Clare County Council, “A Village Design State- ment sets out clear and simple guidance for the design of all de- velopment in a village, based on its character. It is an advisory document produced by the village community, not by the planning authority. It will not stop change from happening, but it can help effect how any new build- ing fits in to the village.

‘These statements are intended to influence the operation of the statu- tory planning system, so that new development is in harmony with its

setting and makes a positive con- tribution to the immediate environ- ment.”

Officials of the Planning Policy Unit following a series of public con- sultation workshops and meetings with local interested individuals and eroups will undertake the project. The unit will also be seeking the in- put of local public representatives.

“The main focus of the upcoming public consultations will be to turn the informed wishes of the local com- munity on the future development of both villages into part of develop- ment policy,’ said Mr UaCroinin.

Clare County Council hopes to ad- dress a number of issues during the drafting of the statements, including

the protection and conservation of important buildings, improving der- elict areas and structures, upgrading and enhancement of public spaces and facilities, appropriate develop- ment for infill sites and adjacent sites, and other relevant issues raised by the community.

The process will also attempt to identify the unique character of Car- rigaholt, with particular reference to the character of its landscape, setting and built environment.

Public information, consultation meetings and workshops will be or- ganised during the next two months. They will be held during weekday evenings and will be advertised lo- cally.