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ENNIS Town Council has intro- duced a raft of new measures aimed at streamlining the chamber’s deci- sion-making process.

The council undertook a review of the standing orders governing meet- ings of Ennis Town Council follow- ing debate over the effectiveness of current procedures.

Changes were adopted regarding notices of motion, the order of busi- ness, the date of and timing of meet- ings and the suspension of standing orders.

Explaining the reasons for the changes, town manager Jom Cough- lan said greater clarity was needed for the council to operate more ef- fectively. Mr Coughlan was speak- ing at the June meeting of Ennis steam Oretiene

He said, ““We had a situation at one meeting where we took a decision on an issue and then changed it at anoth- er meeting. The discussion should be on the accuracy of the minutes as op- posed to the decision taken”.

Responding to a question put for- ward by Green Party councillor Donal O’Bearra, Mr Coughlan said councillors did not have to wait un- til monthly meetings to raise council

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“You can raise issues at any time and we will try to get you an answer. These changes are useful for the pur- pose of the council actually having achieved something at the meeting.”

The amendments, which drew the most debate, were those concerning notices of motion.

Under the new system “any mem- ber of the council may submit a ques- tion for inclusion in the agenda in the Same manner as a notice of motion maybe submitted under standing or- der number 14.

“Each such question shall be sub- ject to the rules relating to notice of motion as defined under standing order number 19. Questions shall be dealt with by written reply without discussion.

Concern was raised over the revised standing order that bans discussion of responses given to notices of mo- tion. Green Party councillor Donal O’Bearra question what councillors could do if they were unhappy with the response.

Mayor of Ennis Joe Reidy (FF) said the changes were needed.

“The order of business was being skipped from one meeting to the oth- er and the important stuff was being left out.”

RESIDENTS in Ennistymon have claimed that the water quality in the area is still bad despite extensive work being carried out on local pipes, replacing and upgrading them.

Margaret and Victor Mulcahy, own- ers of The Green Briar guest house on the road to Lahinch, said that the problem of what appears to be rust in the water supply has been going on for at least a decade.

“Work has been done on the pip- ing system locally and granted, the problem is not as bad as it was but I still don’t trust the water. For the last few weeks there has been an awful

chemical or disinfectant-type smell from the water that even filtering it overnight would not get rid of.

“There are also little brown blobs in it. If you put it in a glass, mate- rial settles at the bottom,’ said Ms WY TUN er Vas

She said that extra work and ex- penses were being created for her business as well as causing incon- venience to guests.

“If I put in a white wash of sheets or towels, they come out with little brown marks all over them. When we replaced napkins lately they were Amo tom ee) Celtbe

“Tiles and baths are stained so that is extra cleaning. The first thing

guests see when they come in is a no- tice about the water.”

She added that they have been told that the water is safe to drink but would still have misgivings and buy bottled water.

She said that her neighbours, par- ticularly next door, were having the same problem.

Councillor Martin Conway (FG) added that he had also been contact- ed by a local resident in relation to discoloured water that she had col- lected a sample of.

“Sewerage systems in Clare should have been upgraded years ago. There has been a huge amount of develop- ment but not in tandem with infra-

structure. I don’t blame local authori- ties but hopefully our four TDs will work to rectify the situation.”

Engineer for Ennistymon, Caimin Dillon, said that old cast iron pip- ing had recently been replaced and a new system was operating. He added that there had not been complaints recently and a scouring of the line had been done last Thursday and had shown up clear.

“As for the strong smell, that is probably chlorine and we will look into it. There could be a problem with sediment in internal tanks or something between the main pipes and the building. There should not be sediment in the line.”

DUMPING of bottles, cardboard and even household rubbish at the recy- cling bins in Kilrush is becoming an eyesore, a health hazard and could nobble the town’s chances in the tidy towns competition.

The matter was highlighted during a discussion at a recent meeting of the town council when councillors Colie Sweeney and Liam O’Looney raised the matter in motions calling for a proper recycling facility for the

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“It’s about time this council got real about recycling. The bottle bank at Place de Plouzane is an utter dis- erace, rats, flies and stray dogs are adding to the public nuisance there.

“Up in Kells and Mullingar they have brand new state of the art re- cycling centres through 75 per cent erants from the Department of the Environment. We have a tip head doubling as a bottle bank.,” Cllr Sweeney said.

Cllr O’Looney said that he had seen

the Kells facility and “it has every- thing. This town is growing and we should apply immediately for grant- aid for this project. We even have suitable land.”

ClUlr Tom Prendeville warned that “if the tidy towns judges go into Place de Plouzane and see the mess in there, we’ll drop by 100 marks”.

Town Clerk Fiona Looney, told the meeting that following a previous discussion about the facility, plans had been made to replace the collec- tion bins with a more modern design

and to reorient them in a block.

A CCTV system is planned to mon- itor the area so that prosecutions can be brought against people who use the recycling facility for dumping.

Councillors told officials that any plan to improve the situation at Place de Plouzane should not be used to side-track plans for a major recycling facility for the town.

It was agreed that an application for funding for such a facility should be drawn up for presentation to the De- partment of the Environment.

PLANS for a €30 million retail park for Shannon have been turned down. Clare County Council ruled that the plan would be premature pending the preparation of a masterplan for the area.

Last year Greenbrand Investments and Sean Halpin lodged plans to de- velop a mixed-use retail park devel- opment consisting of a DIY anchor store, garden centre, three retail warehouses, 10 retail units, eight of- fice units and one department store.

The council refused planning per- mission for the proposal as it would

materially contravene the South-East Clare Economic Plan.

The report also stated that the “over- all layout and design of the proposed development fails to exploit opportu- nity for development of a key-site in a manner which relates satisfactorily to its siting as a prominent location on the approach to Shannon. There- fore, the proposal seriously injures the visual amenities”.

According to developers the project, located at Smithstown with 15,777m2 in gross floor retail space and 1,336m2 in office space, would “promote growth in a sustainable manner by concentrating develop-

ment in an area adjacent to the town oe) Kemet

They also claimed that their pro- posal “would improve the socio-eco- nomic profile of Shannon and will create additional jobs representing a significant boost to the local econo- neha

A decision was due on the applica- tion in June of last year but the devel- opers requested a year long extension for the council to consider it.

The developers deferred a decision on the application after a planner’s report into the project recommended refusing permission on two grounds.

The developers failed to convince

the planners, while the public con- sultation phase for the drawing up of a Shannon area masterplan will start in a few weeks.

The proposal attracted a number of objections. The promoters of the €135 million redevelopment of Shannon also expressed concern.

The Shannon Town Centre Man- agement Company stressed that it was not opposed to appropriate retail development but said that to “dis- perse the focus of department stores and other large floorplates from the defined core area” was inappropriate with redevelopment still in the early SE Toe

THE closure of a west Clare school left the local electorate without a lo- cal polling station for last month’s General Election.

Leitrim National School provided a polling booth for the locality dur- ing the 2004 Local and European Elections, but for last month’s Gen- eral Election the people living in town lands around Leitrim had to travel to Kilmihil and Cree.

Clare county councillor Christy Curtin (Ind) is aggrieved that the council were not informed of the

change of venue for these electors.

CUE Gitta ec Desmmcninceet:ICccmmser-beumr-l on proximately 130 of the Leitrim electorate had their voting rights in Cree, with the remaining 113 voting in Kilmihil.

The members of Clare County Council adopted a polling scheme, which sets out polling places for each Electoral Division in the coun- ty in June 2006. Leitrim was in- cluded on this list.

However the returning officer has the right to change a polling station if there are any difficulties with the station.

Cllr Curtain accepts this, but feels the council who adopt the “polling scheme” should be informed of such Ost berxone

‘“T reserve the right to be informed if not consulted in the first instance of any change to the polling scheme adopted in 2006. Leitrim National School was not used as a polling place at the recent General Election with the result that voters were dis- patched to Kilmihil National School and Cree National School.

“T would suggest that an additional polling booth should have been available at each of these polling

stations for the convenience of these displaced voters. The democratic process in any part of Clare must be sustained and buttressed with all the necessary facilities,’ said Cllr Grae-sb

A spokesperson from the office of the returning officer said that Lei- trim National School was not used as a polling station for three rea- sons.

Firstly the building is no longer being used as a primary school, sec- ondly it is in the process of being sold, and thirdly it has no electric- ity, she said.

SHOPPERS in Kilrush could soon have their parking fees paid for them under a new scheme draw up by the Chamber of Commerce.

The proposal from the chamber is that a new type of parking ticket would be brought in with a detach- able portion which drivers can then bring with them to be given a refund in participating shops.

The meeting of Kilrush Town Council at which the proposal was

presented heard that individual busi- nesses would set their own ceiling on how much customers have to spend to get their parking fee back.

And the chamber has said it will contribute €1,350 – one third of the cost of redesigning and reprint- ing tickets – if the town council will come on board and pay for the rest.

In a letter outlining the proposal, the council said that the move would attract more business into the town and would be supported by cham- ber members, making parking discs

more readily available and increas- ing revenue for the council.

Cllr Stephan O’Gorman described the proposal as “a very positive initi- ative and very community oriented.”

Cllr Liam O’Looney said that there was “a big onus on every business in the town to participate. The real winner here is the customer and it could make the difference between a person shopping in Kilrush or some- where else.”

Councillor Marian McMahon- Jones said that while she welcomed

the initiative, she was saddened to think that businesses which didn’t participate would lose out. “It’s busi- nesses that are paying for the parking now’, she said.

Cllr Deirdre Culligan said that she would “hate to see the cost of this added to any item being bought. I’d hate to think that pensioners or peo- ple who don’t have cars will have to pay 30 or 40 cents more because of this initiative.”

The council members voted in fa- vour of the initiative.

THE Ennis-based company, Mangan Brothers Wholesalers, is once again the top locally owned company in Clare according to a new survey.

Mangan Brothers, measured in terms of business size, 1s one of 24 Clare-based companies listed in Ire- land’s top 1,000 companies.

The company came in at 219 on the list with a turnover of €192 mil- lion to the end of 2005 while Cement Roadstone Holdings (CRH) was once again the top ranked company with a turnover of €18 billion.

Employing 263 people, Mangan

Brothers enjoys a comparatively low profile and has outlets in Galway, Tullamore, Sligo and Letterkenny. Its headquarters are located at Ashline on Ennis’s Kilrush Road.

It was one of only four locally owned companies in the 24 firms featured in the survey.

The top Clare-based multi-national is Tyco Electronics in Shannon with a €1 billion turnover to the end of September 2005 and 285 Clare em- ployees.

Tyco Electronics is one of 13 com- panies based in the Shannon Free Zone that feature in the survey.

The next largest firm in the Shan-

non Free Zone, Element Six — for- merly De Beers — is ranked 198 on the list.

Element Six had a turnover of €214 million in 2005 – a loss of €7 million – and employed 533 people.

Other companies that appeared in the top five included the US-owned computer parts menufacturer Avo- Cone

Avocent had a turnover of €166 million to the end of 2006 including a profit of €36 million. The company employs 170 people.

Molex Ireland was at number six with a turnover of €122 million to the end of June 2006 and a profit of

around €3 million.

Other top ten companies included Roche Ireland with a turnover of €118 million, Enterasys Network with a turnover of €117 million and GE Commercial Services with a €112 million turnover.

Other companies on the list includ- ed: RSA Security Ireland, Shannon Engine Support, Finsa Forest Prod- ucts, Brian McCarthy Contractors Ltd, Whelan Limestone Quarries, Olympus Diagnostica, Clare Marts, EI Electronics, Shannon Aerospace, GE Sensing, Organic Lens, Lynch Hotels, Schwarz Pharma, Microsemi and T Sheils.

SEVERAL years ago Kildysart Cul- tural Festival Committee set about the task of providing a multi-age playground and associated ameni- ties for the children of the parish and surrounding hinterland. The Quay Road field where the playground is situated was entrusted to the people of Kildysart parish by the Killaloe Diocesan Trust for which the com- mittee is eternally grateful. A state of the art playground ideally located in the heart of the village now caters

for 0-6 year olds, 6-12 year olds and 12 years and upwards in a safe envi- ronment.

The project entailed the raising of funds in excess of €100,000 volun- tarily through the running of our an- nual cultural festival. Clare County Council provided a grant of €60,000 towards the cost of some of the equipment. As the project neared fruition the committee realised that further funds were required and thus a novel method of raising the neces- sary monies was instigated.

This is the “Buy a Brick’ campaign.

It entails the purchase of a brick at a cost of €50 inscribed with a fam- ily name and town-land or in com- memoration of a deceased family member. The bricks are then used to pave the walkways throughout the playground. It has proved a tremen- dous success to-date and has enabled the participation of many, including those living abroad, to make a tan- gible contribution to their own local- ity.

The installation of the equipment, the laying of the safety matting and the landscaping has only been pos-

sible due to the generous voluntary labour provided by many in the lo- cal community. The pathways and shrubberies enhance the _ overall appeal of this picturesque village amenity.

The festival committee, under the chairmanship of Fintan Ginnane, would like to acknowledge with ap- preciation our sponsors and the tire- less volunteers without whom the dream would never have been real- ised and we look forward to provid- ing many hours of fun for the chil- dren of the area and for posterity.

LISCANNOR open sports day held in Liscannor Community Sports field attracted a huge crowd of ath- letes turned out in big numbers and all races were well contested with many fine doubles recorded.

Shauna Fitzhenry, Kilmurry [brick- ane/North Clare, captured the first double of the day when taking gold in the girls U6 60m and 80m with Gavin Power, Kilmurry Ibrickane/ North Clare, also took double gold in the boys U6 60m and 80m.

Nicole Doherty, Kilmurry Ibrick- ane/North Clare, was a very impres- sive winner in the girls U8 60m and 200 metres and in the girls U10 Cli- odhna Blake, St John’s, gave a fine display of front running to take dou- ble gold medals in the 100 metres and 300 metres with Brian Leyden, Kil- murry Ibrickane/North Clare, win- ning the Liscannor National School

Confined 100 metres U10 and he also took gold in the 300m.

The boys U12 saw Barry Fitz- patrick, Olympic Harriers, come away with a double gold in the 100m and 300m and in the boys U14 Kieran Roche, Liscannor, taking the 100m and 600m with Niamh Murray, Lis- cannor, winning the girls U18 Kick Fada and 600 metres and in the boys U18 John Kerin, Liscannor, taking gold in the 100m and Puck Fada.

The married ladies 100 metres saw over 15 athletes go to the start and Marian Burke, St Marys, had to hold off a stiff challenge from Marie Mor- gan McDonagh, Kilmurry Ibrickane/ North Clare, and Marian O’ Doherty, Liscannor.

The married mens 100metres had Ray Coughlan, Liscannor, come away with a big sprint over the final 30metres to beat Liscannor Football- er Patrick Nagle and Frank McDon- agh both Liscannor.

The big highlight of the day was the Tom Kennedy Sheaf Tossing com- petition and the ladies were the big winners with a great contest over 10 rounds. Marie Morgan McDonagh, Kilmurry Ibrickane/North Clare, won with a massive throw and the big crowd were on edge with second and third place finish having to go to 14 throws and Catherine Fitzhenry, Kilmurry Ibrickane/North Clare, having to produce a big throw to fin- ish second after a mighty battle with Kathleen Cullinan, Liscannor.

The mens was also another exciting contest to watch with 12 competi- tors and with six big throws Donal Malone, Liscannor, merged as win- ner after a great contest with Ronan Slattery, Liscannor, and third place going to Frank Vaughan, Ennisty- mon.

NEWS that a €30,000 grant has been allocated to help refurbish a GAA building which can then be used by community groups has been warmly welcomed in Killaloe.

Last week, outgoing Environment Munister, Dick Roche announced al- locations of grants under the Social and Community Facilities scheme.

The project to refurbish and im- prove the building on the GAA erounds was granted €30,000 under the scheme.

Other Clare projects which got matching funding were the Shan- non Community Leisure Centre, the respite services for the elderly run by the support group for Raheen Hospi-

tal, Kilfenora Community Hall and the Cooraclare Community Grave- yard.

The money will help provide new windows, plastering, a heating sys- tem and a new kitchen for the build- ing, which will be used by the GAA but which will now also be available for community groups and local meetings.

The club chairman, Naoise Lawlor, said they are “absolutely delighted” with the allocation.

“We had already made a start be- cause we were fund-raising ourselves but this will be a big help. It’s the first time anyone has come forward with this level of financial help.”

The aim of the project is to make the space comfortable for commu-

nity use and this involves putting in a new kitchen, a heating system, plumbing, rewiring, new windows and a total redecoration job.

“There’s a fair bit of work involved. Apart from just doing up the build- ing, you have to provide car parking and public lighting. There’s more involved than you might think. Until now, what we did was to raise some money and get a bit done the wait un- til we had a bit more raised to carry on,” he said.

Naoise said he wants to extend the thanks of all involved in the club to local councillor, Tony O’Brien.

‘He pushed hard for us to get this erant and he’s been very supportive of us. We’re very grateful to him,” the chairman said.

Cllr O’Brien said that he is very pleased that the money has been al- located to the project. “The people involved are putting a huge effort in themselves. And this will be a facility for the whole community Where meetings and activities can take place. We had the application in for the last few months and I’m very pleased it was granted. It’s a project that will make a difference to a lot of voluntary groups in Killaloe,’ he said.