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OI ANA ae Ms lH eCOLUMB Re ReoNeclBOemseN what one candidate has dubbed the “exclusive club” of the Seanad for the first time since 1965.

In that year the late Dermot Honan (FF) was elected to the upper house taking the seat vacated after his fa- ther TV’s death in 1954.

Since then there has been a F’- anna Fail or Fine Gael senator from OE Ncer

With the unlikely exception that the Taoiseach Bertie Ahern will name a

Clare politician among his chosen 11 nominees for the upper house of the Oireachtas, Clare, like Limerick, will remain without a senator for the next five years.

Clare County Councillors John Crowe (FG) and Pat Daly (FF) failed to be elected to the Seanad following six weeks and 11,000 miles each of campaigning.

Cllr Daly, who works for junior minister Tony Killeen said he be- lieved that “to win a seat you have to take an existing senator out of the exclusive club.”

“You could take Daniel O’Connell out of the square quicker than you could take out a senator.”

The Ennis councillor said he was disappointed not to get a place on the 11-seat Labour Panel, but believed he got a respectable vote.

“The way I view it over 90 per cent of the senators remain in their seats. I was trying to bring a fresh face to the senate,’ he said.

“TI thought I would have been an as- set and another voice for the people of Clare.”

He said he was not likely to run

again for the upper house, but said he should never say never.

Meanwhile, Fine Gael’s Cllr Crowe was within a few votes of being elected to the nine seater Industrial and Commercial Panel. The Sixmi- lebridge man who was one of 36 con- testing the panel was eliminated in the 25th count.

His elimination secured the seat for Fine Gael’s Paul Coughlan from Ker- ry. “It was marvellous to have stayed in so long,’ said Cllr Crowe. “It was a fair challenge but I enjoyed every bit of it. Clare is well got all over the

country and it is well known.”

The Fine Gael councillor has not ruled out campaigning for a Seanad seat again.

“Politics is like a drug. The more you get the more you want,’ he said.

The councillor said he had no re- egrets on a personal level running for the Seanad.

“I was proud to represent the county and represent the party,’ he said.

“The one regret I have is that we don’t have a senator of the county. I’m not only disappointed for our- selves but for the county,’ he added.

THERE are opportunities for third level graduates and highly skilled staff to work in rural enterprises in the west of Ireland. That’s one of the key points to emerge from new re- search by the Western Development Commission (WDC) on rural enter- prises in the West.

The WDC’s publication “Rural Businesses at Work” concludes that retaining and attracting young peo- ple to rural areas is critical to the continued growth of rural enter- prises and for the establishment of new businesses in such areas. Rural enterprises are at the heart of the Western Region’s future given that 68 per cent of its population live in rural areas, compared with 39 per cent of the population of the state. While in county Clare, 67 per cent of the population is rural.

Speaking at the launch of the publi- cation, Gillian Buckley Chief Execu- tive of the WDC said “Our research shows that there is a close fit between the needs of employers and of staff. SW ilorteomalbeveubercmolbnsen lento wm DOMMEDesDErDee eas have a demand for graduates and Skilled workers, while the WDC’s LookWest.ie campaign shows that many skilled workers have a strong desire to work and live in the West”.

Buckley added, “Recent CSO fig-

ures showed 16 per cent of adults in county Clare have a third level de- gree. This is positive news for enter- prises in the county as it provides a pool of locally available, highly edu- cated workers”.

The new WDC publication profiles ten businesses in different sectors including traditional and high-tech manufacturing, professional servic- es, natural resources, internationally traded services, tourism, retail, and the creative and construction indus- tries. The profiles show the diversity of firms operating in rural Ireland and give an insight into how they operate, including how and why they first came into being.

“This study lifts the lid on rural enterprises,’ said Buckley. “It shows that it is possible nowadays to run a successful business in almost any sector in rural Ireland, particularly if you have access to the latest in- formation technology and can net- work easily with customers, suppli- ers and peers. It also underlines the importance of high speed, affordable broadband to rural areas. It 1s essen- tial that universal broadband access be a national priority and hopefully the National Broadband Scheme an- nounced earlier this year will be ful- ly implemented as soon as possible’”’, she added.

The Skillnets initiative was _ par-

ticularly praised by those involved in the study because it delivers training for small businesses without requir- ing long distance travel, as well as providing an opportunity to network with other business people in a simi- lar situation.

“When a small business owner wants to attend training that only takes place in Dublin there are sev- eral costs; the cost of the training, the cost of travelling to Dublin and the cost of being away from the business for two or three days. Small busi- nesses are more likely to upskill if they can do it locally without losing days for travel,” Buckley said.

For those companies who primarily service the Irish market, the key con- cern was how a general slowdown in the national economy would affect their performance. Given the signifi- cant role of businesses that largely depend on the local market, particu- larly in rural towns and villages, this is a very real concern for the viability of rural economies generally.

“The research shows that the rural economy can sustain a broad range of different enterprise models but that there are gaps in infrastructure that must be addressed if they are to grow and if new enterprises are to set up in rural areas,” Buckley said.

AN BORD Pleanala has overturned a ruling by its own inspectors and Clare County Council to give the go- ahead for a contentious holiday home development near Lahinch.

Last year, Clare County Council re- fused permission on grounds linked to the famous west Clare railway that has been defunct for over 40 years.

Tom O’Keeffe of Roslevan, Ennis had lodged plans with the council to construct 20 holiday homes at Creg,

Lahinch with the plan later being re- duced to 12.

However, the council refused plan- ning permission on three grounds including that a number of the homes would be built over the line of the west Clare railway.

The North Clare Area Plan 2005 states that developments should only be allowed on or adjacent to the west Clare railway which will not conflict with or restrict the recreational po- tential of the line.

In his appeal, Mr O’Keeffe point-

ed out that the railway bridge to the south-east was removed presumably by the council some 40 or 50 years ago and that over the years, the west Clare railway has been ploughed out across the subject site and was not now visible except for the bridge abutment and a small area adjacent to it.

The west Clare railway — immortal- ised in song by Percy French — was closed by the Government in 196] with the 27-mile line from Ennis to Miltown Malbay losing £23,000 per

annum.

However, the council’s view was endorsed by the board inspector who recommended refusal on four sepa- rate grounds with one of those re- lated to the preservation of the west Eee eee

The inspector was overruled, An Bord Pleanala recommending instead that planning permission be granted as the proposed development would not seriously injure the amenities of the area or of property in the vicin- ity, would be acceptable in terms of

traffic safety and convenience and would, therefore, be in accordance with the proper planning and sus- tainable development of the area.

The board explained, “In deciding not to accept the inspector’s recom- mendation to refuse permission, the board took account of the zoning of the site, the final design and the in- formation received in response to the section 132 notice.”

The board also ruled out one home that was located across the route of the west Clare railway.

FINAL preparation are being made for this year’s Merriman Summer School which takes place in Lisdoon- varna from August 19 to 25.

This year’s school marks the 40th Anniversary of the event and is enti- tled Changed Utterly? Ireland 1967- 2007. The school brings thousand of extra tourists to north Clare each year and 1s now and essential part of the local tourism scene.

‘That week is a quite week around Lisdoonvarna. Holiday makers are starting to go home and September hasn’t hit. The Summer School is very important for the tourism of the area,’ said local organiser, Marian O’Callaghan.

“It is a very high profile event and it gives Lisdoonvarna a lot of very pos- itive publicity all over the country. It shows people that there is more to Lisdoonvarna, that it’s not all about September.

The school will be directed this year by well-known broadcaster and arts consultant, Doireann Ni Bhriain, and focuses on the massive changes that have taken place in Ireland over the last four decades.

“One of the highlights of this year school will be a concert by the Lis- morahaun Singers in Corpus Christi Church in Lisdoonvarna on August POAC) e mA Ebert

“This concert will feature Naomi O’Connell who began her singing with the Lismorahaun and has gone

on to win countless prizes.”

The school will be opened this year by eminent historian, Professor Gearoid O Tuathaigh of NUI Galway, who will set the tone for the week of debate, discussion, music, poetry, set dancing and general good fun.

Other highlights include a discus- sion on the changed role of the Irish female involving Nuala O’Faolain, Anne Enright and Marian Finucane, an examination of Ireland’s new- found wealth by economist, John Bradley and former Minister of State, Eithne Fitzgerald.

As the week draws to a close, Irish Times journalist and commentator, Fintan O’Toole and historian Di- armuid Ferriter will take a look at how the lessons of the past might in-

form our future on the island.

A series of local history seminars will also profile some local historical personalities including George Un- thank McNamara by Dr Peter Har- bison, Thomas Johnson Westropp by Maire Ashe Fitzgerald, Brendan O’Regan by Bernard Share while Conor Keane will look at Curious examples of Gaelic signage and place-names in Clare.

For more information check out WwWww.merriman.ie

WHEN Adam Coleman, director of Lahinch-based business _ solutions company, Interventions took the helm at A Clare Industry Service Tourism (ACIST) skillnet, the aim was to provide training for 435 peo- ple in the first two years.

Six months short of that target they have trained 536 with more courses in the pipeline.

Interventions is the training bro- kerage for ACIST and has organ- ised all kinds of training for the 70 companies which are now on board and now Limerick and Galway based businesses are also joining.

The organisation has become so succesfull that it has been decided to hold open recruitment days with plans being laid to apply for addi- tional funding from Skillsnet Ltd, through the Department of Enter- prise and Employment.

ACIST, which is a not for profit organisation, set up with a training and business networking grant of €300,000 from the Skillsnet parent body.

Member companies pay a small joining fee but the returns are worth every penny, says Interventions D1- rector, Coleman.

“What we provide is training and development across the board, tai- lored to the individual company’s needs. It’s training that small compa- nies, particularly, could never access with this kind of subsidisation.”

An example of that access was the

arranged two day visit last year of French cheese making guru, Jamal Kebchaoui, who gave instruction to two cheesmaking companies which are members of Acist. And a follow- up tarining visit is planned for later this year.

A keystone of the ACIST mindset is that they “engage expert trainers – people who been there and done that, actually worked and suceeded

in thier field’, said Coleman.

Companies involved vary from the huge multi-nationals such as Gen- worth to the three surf schools in Clare and companies which make chocolate, market goods, provide lifting machinery or hotels, pubs and restaurants.

ACIST tailors training to the needs of each member company as well as organising networking events and

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Two major courses run by ACIST are the Applied Management and Applied Marketing courses, which can be done in modules and one of the latest initiatives from the organi- sation is the Loyalty Programme, with which companies and services give discounts to other members, en- couraging members to do business with each other and network.

ACIST has even also organised English language courses for polish workers and are planning to organ- ise Polish classes for members in September. “It’s a training need and we re meeting it”, said Coleman.

The bottom line, Coleman stresses, is that membership is a win/win situ- ation for businesses. “Our brief is to see how we can work with compa- nies to improve their situation. They can take advantage of training and development opportunities which are organised to to suit their needs, in their time and conducted locally.”

The ACIST expose days are being held in Genworth Financial Offices in Shannon on July 25 between 4pm and 8pm and in the Temple Gate Ho- tel in Ennis, also from 4pm to 8pm.

Everyone is welcome and Coleman predicts a large rise 1n companies wanting to join.

“Training can start at any time that the members want after joining but it would be important that new mem- bers sign up soon, because we need to do a trainig needs analysis with each new company very soon, as we will be reapplying for funding.”

Further information available at www.skillsacist.com.

THE HSE has this week announced that a 15-station satellite dialysis unit for the Midwest will be up and run- ning within the next six months.

The unit is a response to what the Irish Kidney Association has de- scribed as a crisis in the dialysis Service.

The Haemodialysis Unit at the Mid Western Regional Hospital Limerick has been unable to take any new pa- tients for the last number of months due to overcrowding.

Renal patients were instead sent to Tullamore, Tralee and Galway.

This week the HSE said that it had been working to provide the addi- tional capacity needed to enable pa- tients receive their dialysis as near as possible to their homes.

As part of that work a short term, 15-station satellite dialysis unit has been commissioned for Limerick.

A tender competition was held for the provision of the unit and the suc- cessful company has been notified within the last week.

The new facility is expected to

be operational within the next six months, according to the HSE.

Patients treated in the satellite unit will remain under the care of the referring consultant and multidisci- plinary team from the regional hos- pital.

SU ilem eR Sa seme slepeeComKen one Busnr-)| patients to Galway in the interim.

‘As a further measure and because of the urgent needs of this area in the Short term, the HSE has entered into a further contract with a dialysis pro- vider in Galway which will be able to accept mid-west patients imme-

diately and will help to avoid more protracted travel times for mid-west patients to Dublin and elsewhere,” a HSE spokespersons said.

“While we regret the inconven- lence that this travel imposes on some patients in the short term, we are confident that it will provide sig- nificant relief for the particular pa- tients affected while we are working on achieving self-sufficiency for the region over the next six months.”

‘Because of the urgent need for ad- ditional capacity the HSE has also funded a home dialysis programme

for medically suitable patients in the Limerick area as an alternative to hospital dialysis.”

As part of its long term plan the Mid Western Regional Hospital Limerick is currently developing a capital plan for an extension, which will expand the existing dialysis unit in Doora- doyle to 25 stations.

Each year in Ireland about 170 peo- ple reach the “end-stage” of renal failure and need treatment to replace their non-functioning kidneys. Ap- proximately 30 Clare people require dialysis three times a week.

IF you have ever wanted to prove just how strong you really are, then the Gort Show is the place for you this SUT Ter Naa Urea bk Oe

Strong men and women will be de- scending on Community Centre and Community School Grounds to take part in the first ever Carry the Guin- ness Barrel Competition ever held in Ireland.

The competition, as you might ex- pect, involves carrying the barrel of Guinness as far possible and was the brainchild of Gort man Noel Cor- less. This year show will also feature a Senior and Novice Sheaf Throw-

ing competition, which will test the strength of anyone who survives the barrel challenge.

Entries in the indoor show classes are now closed but last minute entries will be taken at the show from llam for horses, ponies and donkeys, lpm for the dog show and from 1.30pm for the cat show.

Entries will also be taken at 2pm for the new Pet Corner. The classes are Cutest Pet and The Pet, Show Queen would like to take home. The Pet Corner is confined to small pets, such as rabbits and guinea pigs.

One of the highlights of this year’s Show will be the final of the new All-Ireland Amateur Painting Cham-

pionship. Finalists in this Champion- ship have already qualified at twen- ty-three shows held throughout the 32 counties.

This will be the first time for Gort to hold a final of an All-Ireland com- petition. The qualifying paintings will be displayed on the stage in the Community Centre. The champion- ship was devised by Amanda Nor- ton, new secretary of Gort Show and is being held in conjunction with the Irish Shows Association of which Gort Show is a member.

The Poultry section has expanded greatly over the years and is one of the most interesting parts of the show. In addition to the competi-

tive classes, Derek and Tracey Pul- lein, Gortavoher, Tubber will display a sample of their unusual poultry and ducks, including such breeds as Rhode Island Reds, Light Sussex, Orpingtons, Wyandottes, Leghorns, Anconas and Pekens. Tracey is the National Secretary of the Irish Poul- try Society.

All attending will be able to re-live times olden times by viewing the dis- play of vintage cars, tractors, farm and static machinery. The vintage display is always well supported by members of the Western Veteran and Vintage Motor Club, based in Gal- way, and by members of the Clare Classic and Vintage Club.

THE Dermot Power and Kildysart Cultural Festival four mile open road race and fun walk sponsored by Clare Oil Co Ltd will take place this Friday evening, August 3, around the roads of Kildysart starting with the walk at 7pm and the road race at 7.30pm.

Entries will be taken at the Com- munity Centre in Kildysart and their will be t-shirts to all competitors.

This will be the fifth annual road race around the roads of Kildysart and many of the well known stars will be taking part.

John Downes, Donore Harriers, Brian Maher, Kilkenny City Harri- ers, Gerry Ryan, Galway City Harri- ers, Dermot Galvin, St John’s (runner up three years ago) will take part.

Former Inter Club Cross Country Champion and nine times All-Ire- land Inter Counties Cross Country Champion and defending his title and going for five straight wins in a row will be Seamus Power, Kilmurry Ibrickane/North Clare.

He will be looking to big local sup- port to retain his crown from his former training partner Peter Mat- thews and Cormac Smith, both Dun-

drum South Dublin.

Also in contention will be James Liddane, Tulla, who finished second in the Dundrum 10k Road Race a few weeks ago. Other leading contend- ers will be Brian Murphy, Marian,

Rory Chesser, Michael Maher, Dav- id Quinn, all Ennis Track, Eugene Moynihan, Marian, Michael Harvey, James Kenny, Donal Howley, Kil- murry I[brickane/North Clare, Ger- ard Mullane, Tom Blackburn, both

of Bilboa AC, Limerick, Mick Rice Athenry, and the Clare hill running champion, James McIntyre, Tulla.

In the team contest Galway City Harriers will start as favourites from the host club Kilmurry Ibrickane/ North Clare, Tulla, Bilboa, West Limerick, St Mary’s, Ennis Track Club, and Marian.

The ladies race will be a very com- petitive race with many fine athletes in contention. The girls to watch will be the Cork Marathon champion Tracy Guilfoyle, Kilnaboy, and her training partner Veronica Colleran, Ennis Track Club, the 2005 cham- pion. Also in contention will be Sue Garrahy, Kilmurry Ibrickane/North Clare, the road specialist Loretta Duggan, St Mary’s, who has pro- duced outstanding performances re- cently in Dundrum, along with Mar1i- an Burke, St Mary’s, Cushla Murphy Hehir, Marian, Maura Falsey, Sile O’Loughlin, both Kilmurry Ibrick- ane/North Clare, Margaret Ryan and Frances Guilfoyle, Kilnaboy, Mar- ion O’Loughlin, Ennis Track Club, Bernie Kelly, Galway City Harriers, and Ciara Hassett, Marian.

The ladies team award will be well contested between Ennis Track Club,

Kilmurry Ibrickane/North Clare, St Mary’s, Marian, and West Limerick.

AN BORD Pleanala has over-ruled the recommendation of its own in- spector to grant planning permission for contentious plans for a housing development in Ballyvaughan.

Earlier this year, Clare County Council granted planning permis- sion to Thomas P Considine for 21 homes in the face of opposition from local residents.

However, the residents appealed the decision to An Bord Pleanala. They stated that the proposed houses are suburban in massing, design and density and are therefore inappro-

priate for the location proposed and damaging to visual amenity.

The residents also stated that the pro- posed development by reason of the number of residential units proposed, would prejudice the orderly develop- ment of the settlement as envisaged in the development plan and also argued that the pattern of development is in- consistent with the historic pattern of development of the area.

The residents also argued that the development would overlook certain neighbouring residential properties and that the site is prone to flooding.

In the recommendation by its in- spector, Keith Sargent, he recom-

mended refusal after ruling that the proposed dwellings would have an unacceptable visual impact on the scenic amenities of this visually sen- sitive area, and would set an inappro- priate precedent for the construction of similar dwellings on other unde- veloped lands in Ballyvaughan.

He stated, “The proposed develop- ment would, therefore, be contrary to proper planning and sustainable de- velopment of the area.”

The inspector also ruled that, con- sidering the existing deficiency in the Ballyvaughan sewerage system and the uncertainty regarding the timing of future improvements to the system,

development of the kind proposed on the land would be premature.

Mr Sergeant ruled that access to the development is proposed via a cul-de-sac road serving an existing residential estate and involving con- struction of a road on existing public Open space serving the said existing residential estate. He said, “The pro- posed development would therefore seriously injure the amenities and depreciate the value of property in the vicinity and would be contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.”

However, in its ruling, the council stated that the development would

not seriously injure the amenities of the area or of property in the vicinity, would be acceptable in terms of traf- fic safety and convenience and would not be prejudicial to public health. The board explained not accept- ing the inspector’s recommendation by stating that the proposed devel- opment as designed represented an acceptable standard appropriate to its context, the issue of foul sewage could be addressed by condition, and the access proposed was appropriate in the context of the planned expan- sion of residential development in the area and would not unduly injure the amenities of adjoining property.

THE mayor of Kilrush is to consider making a trip to France for the coun- cil members part of next year’s local authority budget.

Cllr Tom Clyne (Ind) said, “I would like to say that I am keen that mem- bers of the current elected council, in place since 2004, would be part of a return visit to Plouzane and I will be bringing this to the fore later in the year when we are considering budg- ets for the coming 12 months.”

He was speaking at the 25th anni- versary of the twinning of Kilrush with the French town of Plouzane at a special monthly meeting of the Kilrush Town Council in the Vande- leur Walled Garden.

The 30-strong French delegation was led by the deputy mayor of the French town, Yves Dubuit.

The very first exchange took place in 1982, when Michael Flynn, the

then mayor, lead the inaugural twin- ning delegation to Plouzane.

Members of that delegation were also present at the special meet- ing including Michael Flynn and PJ Hanrahan. The late John McNama- ra was represented by his wife Kitty McNamara.

‘You must be very proud that some- thing started 25 years ago continues to thrive to this day,” Mayor Clyne told the members in the public gal- Says

“The first Plouzane delegation to come to Kilrush will have witnessed many changes since 1982. And even as some things change, some things remain the same. Kilrush still en- joys the same natural advantages it always has had – the same beautiful wide streets, the waterside location, accessible woodlands, fine architec- ture and streetscapes and the same vibrant community spirit – of which the Plouzane-Kilrush Twinning

Committee is a good example,’ the mayor continued.

“The advantages that Kilrush has to offer are now being recognised widely, by developers and others. Kilrush has received numerous Tidy Towns Awards in recent years. A Government department has recent- ly decentralised to Kilrush and there are 50 new revenue commissioners working in town. The commercial and business life of the town 1s thriv- ing and set to continue to thrive. The high standard of quality of life that can be enjoyed in Kilrush is reaping economic rewards.”

Plouzane shares a maritime tradi- tion with Kilrush, and Cllr Clyne took every opportunity to mention the new marina development to the visitors. He also outlined the on-set of full broadband facilities for the town.

“Our friends from Plouzane and ourselves have in common the best

interests of our towns at heart and we thank the people and the town of Plouzane for your sustained friend- ship and interest in Kilrush over the years. Regardless of any changes to shopping or tourism or technology, the key to successful twinning is in the friendships formed between or- dinary people. I congratulate both the Kilrush and Plouzane twinning committees for their dedicated hard work and for ensuring that the con- nections between people remain at the heart of this successful twinning relationship,’ he said.