Category: Uncategorized

WITH the technology sector coming under increased pressure in recent months, one Clare man has bucked the trend this week by being appoint- ed to one of the most senior positions in California’s Silicon Valley. Clarecastle’s Tim Leyden last week rejoined IT giants Western Digital, and will take over as Chief Finan- cial Officer (CFO) for the company, which is the worlds second largest producer of hard disks, on Septem-

ber 1, 2007.

Fifty-five year old Leyden is a sen- ior figure in the global software sec- tor and joins Western Digital from Sage Software where he was a Senior Vice-president and Chief Financial Officer.

This is Leyden’s second time at Western Digital having previously worked there from 1983 to 2000 in a variety of different capacities. He will be joining fellow Irishman, John Coyne, at the company which has more than doubled its revenues from

$2 billion in 2000 to $4.3 billion in paul eToys

“IT am delighted to welcome Tim back to the Western Digital team and look forward to having him work closely with me in addressing the tremendous opportunities available to Western Digital as the world’s sec- ond-largest supplier of hard drives,” said Western Digital CEO, John Srey sites

‘“Tim’s deep knowledge of the com- pany, its finances and operations and the hard drive industry will be major

assets to me and to the entire West- ern Digital organisation.”

Western Digital is currently consid- ered one of the most profitable firms in Silicon Valley. In recent years it was moved from making losses of $188 million to an income of $396 million, which has swelled it invest- ments to $699 million and posting one of the IT industry’s leading re- turns on invested capital in the proc- ess.

Coyne took over as CEO last No- vember and has acted early in an-

nouncing Leyden as successor for outgoing CFO, Steve Milligan.

Leyden will serve as Executive Vice President for Finance, reporting to Milligan until September 1, but will take full control before that date should Milligan decides to leave his post earlier than planned.

After leaving Western Digital for the first time, Leyden joined Sage Software in 2001 and also worked as a management consultant to tech- nology based companies such as Pit- tiglio, Rabin, Todd and McGrath.

SHANNON Airport is equipped to cater for more than 5 million passen- gers and will continue to develop in order to cater for any future expan- sion in passenger numbers, according to Airport Director Martin Moroney who was speaking after Ryanair’s announcement of eight new services from Shannon.

“If we see that passenger numbers will exceed five million, which we are well able to take, we will expand accordingly. We are expanding as it

is and we have already started to in- crease the number of departure gates for airlines including Ryanair,” he said.

“We are developing and expanding ahead of growth while Dublin Air- port is behind growth.

‘We are geared to take five million passengers and if we See it expanding beyond that, we will certainly invest. It will be difficult with the popula- tion base but with new road networks set to be finished by 2010, we will be very well placed,” Mr Moroney added.

“With the development of these roads we will try to draw passengers from Kilkenny, Kildare and Mulling- ar because the roads will make Shan- non more accessible than Dublin.

“We are better placed than most other airports and when the Ennis to Galway railway link is completed we will take advantage of that too.

“Galway people are the luckiest people in the world regarding inter- national connections with their own airport, Shannon and Knock but people still tend to travel to Dublin. We believe Shannon can take the

vast majority of this business in the future once the roads are completed and once we have increased both the short haul and transatlantic serv- Cone

Prior to Ryanair establishing its base at Shannon, the airport catered for approximately 2 million passen- gers every year.

“Galway is an important part of our catchment area for both inbound and outbound traffic, and we look forward to working with the tourism and business sector in harnessing support for these new Services”.

A PROJECT which has had a quiet existence in Shannon for the past 40 years was introduced to the wider community in the town last week.

The Sheltered Community Work- shops provide people with intellec- tual mental disabilities with an outlet that they would not otherwise have.

Through the project, hundreds of people – whose ages vary from 39 to 70 – work in a socially inclusive training environment, at the Indus- trial Estate in Shannon. They hail from all over the Munster region.

The group has been in existence for four decades, but has gone un- noticed by much of the community in Shannon, during that time.

Last week its co-ordinators decided to introduce the group and its work to the local community, through an open day at the Sean Lemass library in the town.

“The open day turned out very well. The aim was to get the people more involved in the community in which they live,’ said co-ordinator Martina Halpin.

‘People didn’t even know the work- shop and the disability centre was here. I was surprised by that,’ she added.

Art work, put together by members of the group, was put on display, for the open day.

Over the past 10 years, the group has mainly worked with Irish Coun- try Pottery, while some of its mem- bers have also worked in the restau- rant, located on the same premises. Their pottery is sold throughout the country and has grown in popularity in recent years.

Training, through Clare Adult Education Centre as well as through the FAS Community Employment Scheme, takes place on a regular ba- Sy

“We have done extensive training over time. The main focus of the workshops is to give people with mental intellectual disabilities an en- vironment where they feel included and it also puts something back into society, said Ms Halpin.

‘They produce the pottery here and are learning a lot at the same time,’

added Ms Halpin.

“If they didn’t have this place, they wouldn’t have any place. It is a home for them. It gives them an independ- ence,’ she said.

‘For over 40 years, the many train- ees within the workshop have seri-

ously contributed to the economic growth of Shannon town, bringing a beautiful selection of tableware, decorative lamps to the Irish and in- ternational markets,’ she added. More than 100 pieces of pottery will be displayed at the Sean Lemass

library during the month of June. These are the work of the commu- nity employment participants.

THE prices that farmers are receiv- ing for their produce continues to dominate across every sector of the industry this week, with a growing sense of dissatisfaction beginning to eaKO A

Last week, the ICMSA met with senior representatives of Meat In- dustry Ireland and stated clearly to them that the prices being returned to farmers at the present time are unsustainable and threaten the very future of winter finishing in Ireland.

“With significantly increased feed bills, nitrate directive investments and the losses already suffered this year, many farmers who tradition-

ally finished cattle during the winter period will change their system of production,” said Martin McMahon, Clare farmer and chairperson of IC- MSA’s Beef and Cattle Committee.

“These farmers have guaranteed meat plants a year-round supply of beef which has been critical in build- ing up high-value markets. The un- fortunate reality is that these high value markets are, at present, not leading to acceptable prices for win- ter finishers and these farmers are now being effectively penalised for providing the raw material for these markets.”

The ICMSA delegation told Meat Industry Ireland that unless beef prices increase immediately, farmers

will either scale back production or move to a system of finishing ani- mals off grass.

“The hard choice is for the meat plants, to either raise beef prices 1m- mediately or irreparably damage the long-term future of their own busi- ness. Farmers cannot be blamed for this; they cannot continue to supply beef at a loss,’ said McMahon.

Meanwhile, the IFA National Dairy Committee Chairman, Rich- ard Kennedy, has said EU markets for SMP and butter were continuing to be firm, pulling away ahead of even the historically high prices of €2,/00/t for butter and €3,100/t for SMP paid in May by the Irish Dairy Board.

However, only a fraction of this, he says, has been passed back to farm- ae

“EU market quotes have contin- ued to rise for both SMP and butter. I have no doubt that the Irish Dairy Board will reflect this further in- crease, worth a further 4.5c/l over the coming weeks. When they do, this will increase returns to co-ops from the current 38.8c/I to over 43c/l,” he said. “EU market returns have now increased by a total of 15.1c/l (68.7c/ gallon) since last July, of which the IDB has passed on 12.7c/l (58c/gal- lon) so far. Farmers have only been paid, at best, 2.6c/l (12c/gallon) — just about 1/6th of the actual market improvement,” he added.

UNDERAGE hurling and football in Shannon has received a timely boost, with the announcement that SkyCourt is to continue to sponsor Wolfe Tones na Sionna juvenile club, for the next three years.

The town centre company has ex- tended its current three-year backing for the juvenile section, up to and in- cluding 2009.

The juvenile club has enjoyed con- siderable success over the past three seasons, winning a number of county

titles in different grades. The club has grown during this time, and there are almost 400 young boys and girls under the age of 18 playing football, hurling and ladies football.

Since 2004, Wolfe Tones has tak- en top honours in football in minor (twice), under-16 championship and league, and under-12A champion- ship grades. In hurling, it won the minor B, under-12 hurling shield and under-12 B hurling titles. Underage ladies football honours were won by the minors, under-16, under-14A and B teams, and under-12s.

“We were delighted to be associ- ated with such success and with the wonderful efforts of Wolfe Tones members and mentors to coach and field up to 25 juvenile teams in all,” said Pat Kelly, SkyCourt Shannon manager.

“The company is strongly com- mitted to assisting local groups and sporting bodies in Shannon, and we are pleased to build on this partner- ship with such a successful organisa- tion as Wolfe Tones, by committing support for a further three years to the juvenile club,” he added.

Welcoming the announcement, Wolfe Tones Chairman, ‘Tony O’Connell thanked SkyCourt for its continuing support. He said it will greatly assist the club in its efforts to promote healthy recreation for the growing population of young people in the town.

“The task of preparing and provid- ing facilities and equipment for the different teams and age-groups is a formidable one for a voluntary or- ganisation. Help received from the business community 1s crucial to our efforts,’ he said.

THE Minister for Agriculture and Food, Mary Coughlan, last week an- nounced the publication of the An- nual Review and Outlook for Agri- culture and Food 2006/2007.

“The all-encompassing nature of the agri-food sector 1s very much ev1- denced in this publication,” she said. “It continues to be one of the most important and dynamic indigenous manufacturing elements in the Irish economy, consisting of over 130,000 family farms and around 700 in- dustrial units spread throughout the Coa

“Tt plays a vital role in the Irish economy through provision of direct

as well as indirect employment and constitutes the backbone of rural de- velopment from both an economic and social perspective. The annual review reflects the level of impor- tance and the wide ranging nature of the sector.”

Despite increased international competition agri-food exports reach- ing a record level of more than €8 billion in 2006.

Within the export sector, there were notable increases of 26 per cent for beverages, 14 per cent for beef and 10 per cent for prepared foods. Overall, the agri-food industry is estimated to account for 9.8 per cent of total ex- ports, 8.1 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP) and 8.1 per cent of

employment.

“The food, drink and _ tobacco (FDT) sector continues to play a vital role in the Irish economy. It remains one of the largest indigenous indus- tries both in terms of manufacturing and consumer spend,’ continued the minister.

The FDT sector, with just over 15 per cent of units located in Dublin, exhibits a wider regional spread than the manufacturing sector as a whole where one quarter of units are con- centrated in and around the capital.

Among Irish enterprises the FDT sector has consistently outperformed the manufacturing sector as a whole in terms of the proportion of expend- iture attributable to Irish goods and

ots one

This is highlighted by the fact that Irish Economic Expenditure (IEE) accounts for over 75 per cent of ex- penditure in the FDT sector com- pared with less than 50 per cent for the overall manufacturing sector.

Coughlan emphasised the Govern- ment’s commitment to the sector with public expenditure of €2.9 bil- lion in 2006.

She believes that the National De- velopment Plan (NDP) and Rural Development Programme 2007-2013 will ensure that adequate resources are made available for improving the structure and competitiveness of the Sector, in line with the vision set out in the Agri-Vision 2015 Action Plan.

THE students of St Caimin’s in Shan- non have lent a hand to a former stu- dent of the school, who is undertaking charity work overseas.

Brian Deighan is going to Zambia, doing volunteer work, next month. The St Caimin’s students engaged in three bag-packing days in Shan- non Town Centre, and in the process raised €1,000. This is being divided between Mr Deighan’s project and The Four Peaks Challenge, which is being undertaken by Shannon busi- ness Connor Winfield Limited.

The Students Council, second year classes and students who are involved in the french exchange, took part in

Hatem ADU OCOD ecDIpOTSS

Mr Deighan (22), from Sooreeney, Sixmilebridge, will travel to Lusaka, Zambia, in July, working as a volun- teer in St Lawrence’s Home of Hope for street children. This is a project of the Irish Jesuit’s outreach organisa- tion, Sli Eile.

Brian – who is a neuroscience re- search student in ‘Trinity College Dublin – and eleven others will work with the street children at St Law- rence’s through music, sport and teaching. They will be living in the local community, a shanty town, for the duration of the three-week project and will undertake ways in engag- ing young boys in activities such as sports, music, basic reading and writ-

ing for three weeks. Each volunteer has to collect almost €2,500 and all of the money will go directly to the project’s work.

Brian will depart on his trip on July 4 and will return on July 24.

In a separate fundraising project, Shannon electronic company, Con- nor Winfield is fundraising for Focus Ireland, through the Four Peaks Chal- lenge. It aims to advance the right of homeless people to live in a place they call home, through quality services, research and advocacy.

Focus Ireland responds to the needs of people who are at risk of becom- ing homeless, through a range of ap- propriate high quality services. It also provides emergency transitional and

long-term accommodation for people out-of-home and campaigns for the rights of people with no homes.

Focus Ireland organises The Four Peaks Challenge every year and in- vites teams of between three and five walkers, along with two drivers per vehicle, to climb the highest moun- tain in each of four provinces over one weekend. Each team must raise a minimum of €4,500 in sponsorship, to help homeless people. This is the second year that this company Is par- ticipant in The Four Peaks Challenge.

“We are very grateful for the very generous donation to our fundrais- ing efforts by St Caimin’s Secondary School,” said Connor Winfield man- aging director John O’Connell.

PHILIP O’Reilly Property Plus has just taken on the sale of a develop- ment site with full planning permis- sion in the heart of Ruan, which they say will “truly change the shape of the village”.

The corner site, located in the cen- tre of Ruan, is on the market with full planning permission in place for five houses, three first floor apartments, a bar and off-licence, two retail outlets, 24 car parking spaces anda service treatment plant.

According to the selling agent, “the

development site is ideally situated in the heart of Ruan, approximately 12km north of Ennis town centre. The property forms a pivotal position within the village, at the main Ennis Road and Toonagh Road junction. Ruan – a rural picturesque vil- lage, currently offers its residents

two pubs, a grocery shop, a primary school and a church. The village has grown considerably in recent years due to its close proximity to Ennis and further growth is anticipated.

OTe)

For full details

er rare toe

contact

ENNIS has been named as the venue for the 2008 International Pipe Band Association Championship.

Over 30,000 visitors are expected to descend on the town for the event, which takes place next July. Bands from both sides of the border along with entrants from Scotland, Canada and North America will compete at the championships, which will take place in the Showgrounds.

The championship is traditionally alternated between counties on both sides of the border. Ennis beat off stiff competition from Kilkenny and Limerick to be selected as the 2008 venue.

It is anticipated that a huge number

of visitors will generate a significant economic windfall for the town.

Ennis was highlighted as a poten- tial location following a statement made earlier this year by hotelier John Madden.

During his term as president of En- nis Chamber of Commerce, Mr Mad- den said Ennis was a suitable location for a major international festival.

Members of the Tulla Pipe Band approached the Irish Pipe Band As- sociation to put forward Ennis as a oF NLECOR

Capt Michael Egan, vice-president of the Irish Pipe Band Association said Ennis proved the ideal location.

“It’s close to the airport, you have rail connections. Space was another consideration, you need a ground

that can cater for the numbers, and plenty of hotel accommodation. En- nis has the new bypass. It’s ideal re- ally, its so close to Shannon its easy to get here by rail.

“Certainly we’d be keen and proud to have it in Clare. We’d like to have it in Limerick but we didn’t have the JeYeu DBL Bony

“Being from Munster myself, I take a personal interest in bringing it down here. We got a very posi- tive response from Ennis and Clare in general; they were keen to have it. And were keen to be down here, GET rem ole bercmdelem elena erm mm aten the strong traditional music.”

Capt Egan explained the event has always drawn big attendance num- leTouce

“You re talking between 20-25,000 maybe even 30,000 people would travel. Between 60 and 80 bands aoe eas

‘The top ones from the country es- pecially the north, they’d be heavy into it there.”

John Madden said he was delighted at the decision to award Ennis the ak-WeaheyCovervevl ence

“After coming back from Milwau- kee last year I saw the need for an Irish festival in Ennis, because I thought it was ready for it.

“The Fleadh Nua was in existence and I asked for it to be reorganised and for it to become and interna- tional event. We are very happy that today we have seen the conclusion of a lot of work”.

LAHINCH residents are fearful that the resort will become like the Costa Del Sol with large scale monolithic apartment blocks running along the beach front.

Lahinch Community Council is backing local objections against a five-storey apartment block planned for Lahinch promenade.

Developer Seamus Carroll is seek- ing to build a €3 million complex that involves the existing McDon- alds amusement arcade. He wants to construct a five-storey building, including 20 apartments, 18 duplex units and six ground floor retail units overlooking Lahinch promenade.

In its objection, Lahinch Commu- nity Council state, “The erection of thirty six residential apartments and six retail units in a dense develop- ment will place an intolerable bur- den upon the sewerage facilities in Lahinch which are already a source of grave concern. I would draw your attention to the fact that on a constant basis on the Main Street and Kettle Street, Lahinch, the smell of raw sewerage is a constant problem.

The objection adds, “Lahinch is a renowned tourist location and is a place of outstanding scenic beauty. Over the last number of years, Clare County Council has granted plan-

ning permission to a number of large developments which have not been adequately maintained and have de- tracted from the beauty and heritage of the surrounding area.”

The community council adds, “The creation of six retail outlets at the proposed development will cause a significant increase in traffic for which inadequate consideration has been given in the developers applica- tion.

“The construction of a development with the capacity to house 36 resi- dential apartments together with six retail outlets and parking facilities 1s, given its scale, size and bulk, entirely inappropriate for the promenade.

“The number of apartments and retail outlets to be built on the site raises serious concerns regarding the density of the development given the limited size and location of the site upon which the development is to be constructed.

Even the family who sold the site to Mr Carroll have expressed concerns about the proposal to the council.

In a submission to the planning authority, Eric, Mary and Isobel Mc- Donald stated, “The upper floors of the development have been reconfig- ured as such that there will be sub- stantial overlooking of my clients’ private apartment at the first floor of their property.”