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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.

CO-OP are coming under increas- ing pressure to increase the amount of money being paid to farmers for milk.

The ICMSA launched a fresh at- tack on what they deemed an “inex- plicable and glaring milk price gap” between the price being received by farmers and the market returns being received by the country’s Co-ops.

The organisations milk chairper- son, Dominic Cronin, said last week that it is imperative that this “utterly unacceptable” gap was closed when a number of Co-op Board meetings take place this week.

“The gap between the Irish Dairy Board’s On-Account Price and the price being received by farmers now stands at 9c/litre.

In the case of a 50,000 gallon pro- ducer and in the event of the co-ops failing to fully pass back that in- creased price in July, the gap repre- sents a loss of €2,460 for July milk,” he said.

“These losses are simply not ac- ceptable and ICMSA is urging those Co-ops who have set their July and August milk prices to immediately IKeaTA CoA An te loa 08 i

Cronin singled out the state’s big- gest milk processor, Glanbia, as the Co-op ICMSA felt should be taking

a lead in the matter.

Meanwhile the IFA’s National Dairy Committee Chairman, Rich- ard Kennedy, said last week that he believed the Irish Dairy Board would soon have to adjust their SMP and butter prices further for the month of July, in view of continued EU spot market price increases for both prod- ucts, and many other commodities.

“The current EU average price for SMP is €3,600/t, 150/t more than the current IDB price including the June retrospective payment, while EU butter prices reach € 3,500 on average, €200/t more than the Irish Dairy Board are paying,” he said.

“Current EU butter and SMP pric-

es, calculated on the same basis as the IDB index, reach the equivalent of 47c/l. That is 4c/l more than the current Dairy Board index.

“It is clear to me that an adjustment to the IDB prices, which I believe must happen soon, will make those returns available to those among our processors who do not already have access to them because they do not trade outside of the Dairy Board.

“Contracted prices with manufac- turers of cream liqueur, infant formu- lae or chocolate crumb, are all based on the IDB index plus a premium – so that returns for these products are 1n- creasing every time the IDB increas- es its commodity prices.”

THIS year’s Scariff Harbour Festival has been declared a massive success. The programme for the weekend, particularly the family day, proved to be a huge attraction for visitors.

It was also an occasion to celebrate the links between Ireland north and south, via the country’s waterways, as Martin McGuinness arrived to of- ficially open the festival.

Michael Rodgers expressed his de- light that the deputy first minister had accepted the invitation to come to Scariff. “Over the years, the aim of the festival committee has been to develop a special relationship with the people of Northern Ireland at po-

litical, cultural and community lev- els, and each year we are delighted to welcome guests and acts from Northern Ireland. We are especially pleased that the deputy first minister is one of this year’s distinguished cuests,” he said.

Jeanette Ervine has also accepted an invitation by the festival commit- tee to come to Clare following David Ervine’s untimely death in January of this year.

The widow of David Ervine, late leader of the Northern Ireland Pro- gressive Unionist Party, will present a trophy named in his memory to the Young Angler of the Festival. The church concert this year featured multi-platinum singer/composer

Liam Lawton on Friday.

The star of the open air concert on Sunday was Derry folk singer, Cara Dillon who has recorded three successful albums with fellow band member, Sam Lakeman.

Saturday was Family Fun Day in the GAA Park and the younger fam- ily members were particularly happy being entertained with bouncy cas- tles, the Conor Lambert puppet show, a bungee rodeo bull, twister game, kiddies sumo wrestling, costumed characters, an airdancer clown, nov- elty races, nail and face painting.

There was music in the air too and the programme for the weekend fea- tured a mix with everything from jazz and folk to traditional music.

Everyone who turned out agreed that it was wonderful that most of the entertainment was free.

Sam and Pat Hyland, who hail from Athlone, came down the river on a cruiser with their two children to en- joy the fun.

“We came last year and moored up at the harbour,” said Pat. “We had such a good time that we made sure this year to organise our holiday so we could come here. There’s plenty for everyone to do and particularly for the children,’ she said.

AFTER all the excitement and razz- matazz of last years Irish and World Ploughing championships, prepara- tion are now well on the way for this year’s event.

Applications for exhibition space are reportedly flooding in to the Na- tional Ploughing Association offices in Athy in advance of this year event which takes place in Tullamore, from Tuesday, September 25, to Thursday 27

The championships will once again be one of the largest outdoor events held in Europe this year and organis- ers have concentrated on exceptional quality and diversification in their 60 acre trade arena this year with a huge

cross section of businesses being successful with their applications.

Government Departments, political parties, semi-state bodies, sporting organisations, hotels and education are just some of the businesses at- tending.

Financial institutes are also well represented with stockbrokers, 1in- vestment clubs and the Financial Regulator coming on board.

As in previous years health will have a strong presence at the cham- pionships with cholesterol and blood pressure checks from the Irish Blood Transfusion Board, the Irish Haemo- chromatosis Association and _ the Health Service Executive.

The National Office for Suicide Prevention will also be providing in-

formation on suicide prevention, an issue becoming increasingly com- mon in rural Ireland.

Renewable energy will have a big presence with wind turbines, bio- mass boilers fuelled by chicken litter, oats and barley. Solar panels, wood pellet stoves, science and engineer- ing stands will have you totally up to speed on the latest equipment and cost saving devices on the market.

The European Commission and the European Parliament will also be there to discuss the environmental challenges that exist in Europe, spe- cifically nature and climate change.

Northern Ireland departments will also have a presence with the De- partment of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Agri-Food and

Biosciences Institute.

The Road Safety Authority along with the Garda Road Safety Division will be carrying out seatbelt demon- strations for child car seats as well as free eyesight tests in conjunction with SpecSavers.

The ever popular overseas property exhibition returns this year, as does the fantastic Leader Food Village with its hand made chocolates, farm house cheeses, breads, cakes, honey and marmalades.

Leader Crafts are also making a welcome comeback with their mag- nificent displays that were so popular ETS more e

Tickets are now available by call- ing (059) 8625125 or for more infor- mation, visit Www.npa.ie.

TWO east Clare community organi- zations have been given a financial boost to the tune of €76,000 in to- re

Scariff-based East Clare Com- munity COOP has been allocated €40,000 while, Feakle Muintir Na Tire receives almost €36,000.

The funding was announced by Minister of State and Clare TD, Tony Killeen, who received confirmation from the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs that al- most €116,000 has been allocated to County Clare under the Scheme of Grants for Locally Based Commu- nity and Voluntary Organisations.

A third grant of €40,000 has been

allocated to the Carrigaholt Commu- nity Hall and parish centre.

The Clare TD said that three sepa- rate groups would receive funding allowing for the refurbishment of premises and purchase of equip- ment, as well as training, education and research activities.

“These necessary funds important- ly recognise the voluntary effort of local community groups throughout Clare. The programme of grants for these locally-based community and voluntary organisations provides such groups with a valuable source of funding and allows them to under- take important projects in their com- munities,” Minister Killeen said.

He added that he looked forward to seeing the grant money put to good

use to serve needs in the commu- nity.

Welcoming the announcement, councillor Pat Hayes said, “The fund- ing allocated to Feakle Muintir Na Tire enables the community group to proceed with refurbishment and upgrading works at Feakle Commu- nity Hall. This widely used facility accommodates the local community, especially youth, musical and sport- ing organisations. I also welcome the funding allocated to East Clare Community COOP in Scariff.”

Under the Scheme of Grants for Locally Based Community and Voluntary Organisations, once-off grants are made available to help voluntary and community groups working with disadvantaged groups

or in disadvantaged areas.

The grants may be made for the ac- quisition or refurbishment of premis- es, or the purchase of equipment or transport. Grants towards wages or salaries or other running costs are not available under this scheme.

Organisations that qualify under the scheme include voluntary or- ganisations with a focus on disad- vantage, community development organisations and groups working in particularly disadvantaged areas or with disadvantaged groups, mutual support and self-help organisations, such as local personal development and community-based education groups, unemployed groups, Family Resource Centres and Family Sup- port Groups.

THE county solicitor has poured cold water on suggestions that a move by Doonbeg Golf Club to identify a so- lution over the contentious right-of- way at the €150 million golf course is linked to it possibly abandoning its High Court judicial review case.

Last month, the golf club held a public meeting in Doonbeg con- cerning a compromise proposal in relation to an ongoing right-of-way controversy at the fourth and 14th fairways at the course.

The meeting took place a week prior to a High Court judicial review application being brought by the club concerning an An Bord Pleanala rul- ing that the club built a wall across the right-of-way without planning permission.

The judicial review proceedings have now been adjourned to Octo- ber when the case is expected to be listed.

However, in a letter to the man who precipitated the controversy, David McNamara, County Solicitor, John Shaw said, “It is difficult to see how

any proposal put forward by Doon- beg Golf Club can in any way affect the judicial review brought by them against An Bord Pleanala.

‘The issue before the court is the decision of An Bord Pleanala and not the existence or otherwise of a right- OE eA

‘The proceedings before the High Court in our view cannot be deter- minative of the right-of-way issue. They are merely judicial review proceedings reviewing the decision of the board. The extinguishment of any public right-of-way is a matter

for the roads authority for the area in question pursuant to Section 73 of the Roads Act 1993.

“It would appear to the writer that the only way Doonbeg Golf Club Ltd can avoid a hearing of the proceed- ings is to withdraw their application to the court which would leave the decision of the board standing.

He added, “It is the Bord Pleana- la decision that is now before the courts, not the Clare County Council decision.

‘The case before the courts will not determine whether there is a public

right-of-way at this location or not. The proceedings before the court are not adequate for this purpose.

“Insofar aS we are aware, neither our clients nor ourselves have been involved in discussions with regard to the extinguishment of the alleged right-of-way over the golf club it- self.

“As indicated, it is not the inten- tion and has not been the intention of Clare County Council to extinguish the particular right-of-way referred to in the decisions which are now be- fore the High Court”.

DISASTER for Shannon is being predicted today with Aer Lingus expected to pull the plug on its Hea- throw route, putting up to 200 jobs in danger and starting a stampede of business interests out of the region. Mayor of Clare, Councillor Patricia McCarthy, said job losses could be as high as 200 with the knock-on ef- fects of the decision, while losses to the airport authority in terms of fees

alone are being put at €7 million, ac- cording to Cllr Martin Conway.

Business sources have revealed that many companies are already consid- ering relocating to Dublin as there will be no service to Heathrow if the airline pulls all four daily flights as expected.

Staff, unions and the airport au- thority waited to hear official con- firmation of the decision today with airline boss, Dermot Mannion due to arrive for a 10am briefing.

Interim chief executive of Shan-

non Chamber of Commerce, Laurie O’Connor, said the ending of Aer Lingus’ Shannon-Heathrow route would be “a big blow for business in the region”.

“We need the support of the Gov- ernment on this. We are still waiting for a marketing plan for the airport around Open Skies – we’ve heard that €9m in route support promised to the region may not be coming to Shannon. The Minister for Transport has to intervene,’ O’Connor added.

Fine Gael’s deputy spokesperson on

Enterprise and Clare TD, Pat Breen, questioned the transport minister’s response to the Aer Lingus decision “to sign the death warrant for Shan- non-Heathrow services”.

‘As a Shareholder in the company, the minister must make it clear to Aer Lingus that retention of the ex- isting slots to and from Shannon are critical to providing connectivity to this region,” added Deputy Breen.

ENNIS General Hospital is the sixth dirtiest hospital in the country, ac- cording to a survey of patients and their families. The survey, which was conducted by irishhealth.com, placed Ennis General Hospital in 42nd posi- tion in a list of all 47 hospitals and medical institutions in Ireland.

A total of 8,000 people took part in the online survey, with 111 people contributing a rating for Ennis Gen- eral Hospital.

The hospital received an average

rating of 2.68 out of five from patients and family or 54 per cent.

There was also bad news for the Mid-Western Regional Maternity Hospital in Limerick which was rated in 43rd position, one worse than En- nis General.

Almost half of all Clare’s expectant mothers travel to the Mid-Western Regional Maternity Hospital in Lim- erick to have their babies, with the rest travelling to hospitals in Galway.

Responding to the rating, a spokes- women from the HSE urged patients to go through the official complaints

system if they are not happy with their level of care.

“We do take note of all feedback but we do have an established complains procedure in the hospitals and people should go through that system instead of making anonymous complaints,” said the HSE spokeswoman.

“We cannot take corrective action on complaints if we do not know what the complaint are about. If peo- ple have complaints, they should go through the complaints procedure which exists in each hospital.”

The only hospitals to feature worse

scores than Ennis General and the Limerick Maternity Hospital were Kerry General Hospital, the Coombe Women’s Hospital, Waterford Re- gional and Our Lady of Lourdes Hos- pital in Drogheda.

The Mid-Western Regional Hospital in Limerick finished in 41st position while the University College Hospital in Galway and Merlin Park Regional Hospital in Galway finished in 38th and 29th place respectively.

Mallow General Hospital was rated the cleanest hospital in Ireland, fol- lowed by St John’s Hospital in Limer-

ick and the Rotunda Hospital Dublin.

Meanwhile, the third National Hy- giene Audit is currently being under- taken by the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA).

Each hospital completed self-as- sessments in March of this year and HIQA are currently midway through a process of unannounced visits to hospitals.

The organisation hopes to have completed the process by mid-Sep- tember with a report on its findings due for publication at the beginning of October.

A PROTECTED butterfly is the fo- cus of a battle between two rival developers vying to secure planning permission for the first major retail park on the outskirts of Ennis.

Currently, Clare County Council is evaluating a proposal by Stephen Harris to construct a €50 million retail park adjacent to the Ennis by- ee

However, consultants for develop- ers of a rival proposal, Sean Lyne and Noel Connellan are claiming that if a transfer site for the protected butterfly, the Marsh Fritillary within the proposed Harris park was meas- ured, “it is difficult to see how the scheme could be considered viable or feasible”.

As part of the works for the €205 million Ennis bypass scheme, popu- lations of the butterfly protected un- der the EU Habitats Directive were transferred from the site of the Ennis bypass to the lands proposed for the Harris retail park.

However, consultants for Lyne and Connellan have told Clare County Council that transferring the but- terfly population “would render the commercial profile of the (Harris) site questionable”’.

Last month, the council refused planning permission for the Lyne-

Connellan retail park development after declaring that the Harris plan is the preferred retail park proposal.

In relation to the Harris plan, the council has stated, however, that “’se- rious concerns remain about the loss of an important area of wetland in addition to the protected Annex One Species, the Marsh Fritillary and other rare species”.

Now, in response, Mr Harris’s con- sultants have told the council that “‘it still has not been possible to obtain conclusive evidence that the site of the proposed development was the site of translocation of the Marsh Fritillary butterfly or any specific de- tails regarding the timing or success of any translocation that may have been completed”.

The new submission lodged states that site surveys have taken place on three occasions and “the presence of the Marsh Fritillary butterfly has not been established on the site”’.

The submission states, “There is a possibility that the butterfly has ceased to colonise this area, which is not uncommon for this particular species.

The Harris retail site also includes an area of fen and the submission states that the fen “is the most sensi- tive habitat on the site, but it is rela- tively small and not directly linked to any other habitats of significance”.

MAYOR of Ennis, Cllr Tommy Brennan (Ind) is hoping to include local representatives from across the county in the council’s meeting with the minister for health next month. Clare’s four TDs, Minister Tony Killeen (FF), Deputy Pat Breen (FG), Deputy Timmy Dooley (FF)

and Deputy Joe Carey (FG) along with four councillors are to meet with Mary Harney on September 20 to discuss the future of Ennis Gen- eral Hospital.

Prior to the election the Minister for Health gave certain guarantees regarding accident and emergency services at the hospital.

The Ennis town mayor said that the

delegation of councillors would now be looking for a guarantee of “24- hour doctor led accident and emer- gency services for Ennis in writing”.

“IT was hoping to include mayors from Kilrush, Kilkee and county mayor Cllr Patricia McCarthy from Shannon if possible to show that this is not just an Ennis issue but a county issue,’ said Cllr Brennan.

The meeting has been moved from 10am to 11.30am to accommodate the train timetable.

It is not yet known if the newly formed Clare Cancer Concern, which will lobby for the return of mammog- raphy services at Ennis General Hos- pital, will also meet with the minster on the same day.

Deputy Carey told the last meet-

ing of the group that he would try to secure a meeting between it and the minister for the same day.

Meanwhile a meeting will be held on Monday next August 13, at 8pm in the Auburn Lodge Hotel Ennis to discuss the future of the hospital and gage public support for the campaign to retain acute services at the coun- ty’s main hospital.