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WATER shortages in homes in east Clare are becoming a major problem, councillors have told local authority officials.

At a meeting last week of the Scar- iff area committee, councillor Joe Cooney said that there “have been in- creasing incidents of water shortages. In Tuamgraney on the last two bank holiday weekends, there were some houses that had no water all through Saturday and Sunday”’.

The councillors were discussing motions from Cllr Cooney and Cllr Pat Hayes asking what the council intends to do about water shortages which are affecting Tulla and Tuam- eraney.

In a written answer, senior execu- tive engineer, Sean Lenihan told Cllr Hayes that pumps serving Tulla were upgraded in April and it has been es- tablished that there are no significant oF CSE PO MS aCemD ACK 80F

But he added that in the event of wa- ter shortages this summer, it may be

necessary to restrict supply to some of the lower areas in order to boost the flow to areas on higher levels in the town.

The council will have to ask for the co-operation of residents in conserv- ing water and reducing how much they use if this happens, the engineer Sr RIOR

Problems with water supply in the Tuamgraney area would be im- proved when work goes ahead on the €392,000 sewerage and water scheme for Scariff before Christmas,

the members were told.

A further €190,000 has been made available for work on the water sys- tem in Tulla while Feakle will benefit to the tune of €105,000 for work on the water supply there.

Cllr Hayes said that at a recent meet- ing of residents in Tulla, the issue of water shortages were raised. “It was also raised in the context of future development. I would welcome this funding but we have to consider that an adequate water supply is vital to the future development of our towns.”

ACTIONS speak as loud as words for Cooraclare School of Speech and Drama with five of its students win- ning awards for performing from the Irish Board of Speech and Drama. Three students won gold medals and two senior students were given special awards with distinction for their achievements after completing their final grade examinations. Grade Four student Jenny Ryan from Kilrush and Grade Three stu- dents, Saoirse Griffin from Cappagh and Breda Quinn from Cooraclare

were awarded gold medals by the board while the other distinctions were given to Kate O’Gorman from Cree and Edel Tubridy from Coora- OE NKeor

Founder of the school, Bernie Tu- bridy, said that the examiner had congratulated all of the girls on the high standard.

“They all put in a lot of work get- ting ready for the exams. Different exams consist of recitation of po- etry, reading, mime and dramatic solos. The younger students would have given an impromptu talk about themselves as well.”

Ms Tubridy added that all of the school’s students, over twenty be- tween the ages of six and 16 years, also took part in an annual show.

“All of the children performed on the stage in Cooraclare Community Centre for parents in March and there was a variety of short plays, solos and poetry that night. They all take a great interest in it- especially on the drama side of things. We put a big emphasis on that and communi- cation skills of course.”

Since 1994, the school has had many graduates from its weekly classes perform in local drama pro-

ductions.

‘“Cooraclare has a strong dramatic tradition with well-known producer Tom McNamara organising plays for the Doonbeg Drama Festival. One of our award winners, Edel, played Molly in this year’s Cooraclare Dra- ma Group play –

IT’S not everyday you see young- sters aged between 10 and 12 years taking to the stage to tackle the very serious issues of illegal drugs and alcohol abuse.

But the kids who have been taking part in the Clarecare sex education, drug and alcohol awareness pro- gramme have taken the challenge on board in a play specially written for

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The 25 youngsters who took part in the eight week course at the Molua centre have formed a drama group to stage “Friendship” at the Kuin- cora Hall Hotel tomorrow night. (Wednesday, May 30).

This is the second year that the course has been run by childcare worker, Sinead Corbett.

“We wanted some way of showing the public what the children have

been doing on the course and this seemed a good idea,” said Sinead.

Drama therapist, Deirdre Clair came on board to pen the play for the youngsters around the themes which they had been exploring.

The result was a chance for the children from fifth and sixth class in the girls national school and the boys primary school to come together and stage the drama.

As well as exploring the themes

which they encountered on _ the course, it gave the children a chance to have fun and learn some stage craft into the bargain.

And after intensive rehearsals they’re ready to show the world what they can do.

Curtain up 1s at 7pm and tickets can be bought at the door.

Clarecare also run youth summer camps starting shortly and details of these are available from the centre.

A NATIONAL charity won’t be looking a gift horse in the mouth this June bank holiday weekend as a line of horse-drawn carriages makes a 150 mile journey to west Clare in a bid to raise money.

The unusual cavalcade, benefiting the Barretstown therapeutic recrea- tion programme, will saddle up in Kildare at 6am on Saturday, June 2 before travelling south.

Local volunteer Noreen O’Brien said that at least 20 carriages as well

as horse boxes and support staff from the Kildare Horse Driving Club will pass through Killaloe on Saturday afternoon before stopping in Inagh for the night.

“I got involved because my kids are into showjumping and we have friends in this club in Kildare. One of the organisers, Pat Commane, 1s originally from Miltown Malbay so that inspired a ‘Kildare to Clare’ trip. We are distributing lines locally and there will be buckets for dona- tions as they pass through.”

The cavalcade will leave Inagh at

midday on Sunday, June 3 arriving in Miltown Malbay an hour later and finishing in Quilty in the afternoon. There will be more fundraising that night in the Quilty Tavern with mu- sic and a raffle as the club try to pass the post for their €15,000 target.

Ms O’Brien added that the entire operation would be massive.

“The line itself is only one thing. They will have lorries with horse boxes because they will change to fresh horses every 10 miles, as well as a bus in front of them. Barrets- town is the only facility of its kind

in Ireland. It is like a summer camp for children recovering from serious illnesses so it’s a huge effort but for a very worthy cause.”

She said that anyone with their own carriage can join the line along the way but regretfully sulkies are ex- cluded because they are not covered by insurance.

It is hoped that the event will be successful enough to ride again next year.

To make a donation and support Barretstown, telephone Noreen on 065-7084708.

MOUNTSHANNON ands Scariff are in for a funding boost to help to- wards creating a playground for each area.

At a meeting of the Scariff area committee last week, local council- lors approved the equal division of the €83,000 in available funds under the Community Playground Grant Scheme between the two areas.

Members heard that committees in both east Clare areas have already put in considerable ground-work in terms of fundraising and both have secured sites where the facilities can be built.

Administrative Officer with the

council’s community and enterprise Section, Catherine O’ Hara, said that looking at population growth in both areas, “they both have a need of these facilities and they have already done a lot of fundraising and planning be- fore their applications came in”.

She told the meeting that a third ap- plication, which had previously been approved in Tulla for funding under the scheme, can’t progress at the mo- ment as the local committee have yet to find a site.

Councillor Colm Wiley suggested that the Tulla committee could be given extra time to come up with a site before the money allocated to WeJOOMKMRerrEse oem

Councillors queried whether it

would be more effective to give the entire sum to one of the areas and earmark next years funding for the Oo) ister

The members said they were con- cerned that both schemes would end up being half finished.

But Ms O’Hara said that as both committees already have sites, di- viding funds would be of benefit.

“The grants are not intended to cov- er the entire cost of providing these facilities. The residents committees still have to fundraise, take charge of the area when it is finished and come up with money every year for insur- ance and maintenance and while we can’t guarantee top up funding, they are free to come back and put in an-

other application in the future.”

Cllr Pat Hayes said that “both ar- eas could probably do with being al- located the full amount. They have both put together very impressive proposals”.

Senior Executive Engineer, Sean Lenihan, said that the cost of equip- ment for playgrounds is very high.

“One of those carousels, for in- Stance, costs €9,/00,” he said.

He added that council staff have spoken to both committees “and they are both ready to get started. This would give them the impetus to get on to the next stage.”

The councillors voted to allocate the money equally to both schemes in Mountshannon and Scariff.

CLARE farmers are being urged to attend an IFA Skillnet training workshop which takes place later this week at the Auburn Lodge Hotel in Ennis

The survey, which has been or- ganised by the newly appointed IFA Skillnet Network Manager and Clareman, Karl Skehan, will provide IFA members with the opportunity to get trained in completing the Farm Safety Code.

“Tax planning for succession 1s

very important, there were a number of tax issues which should be consid- ered when transferring assets such as the family farm,” said Clare IFA county chairman Seamus Murphy. “Any farmer making a will needs to clearly state the allocation of the Single Farm Payment in their wills that where the Single Farm Payment was not addressed in a will that it falls into the residue of the estate and were this to happen it may become inactive as there may be no land on which to activate the payment.” Meanwhile, IFA President Padraig

Walshe, launching the IFA Skillnet Safety Training Project in Dublin last week.

‘Already in 2007 there have been six farm deaths. These are great tragedies for the farm families con- cerned.

“The IFA Skillnet courses will as- sist farmers to manage their farms with safety and health to the fore, by completing the new Code of Prac- tice,” he said

IFA Skillnet is a member of a na- tional group of learning networks. These provide innovative, non-man-

datory training for a range of sectors. Skillnet organisations are funded by the National Training Fund operated by the Department of Enterprise Trade and Employment.

The workshop will take place from 10am 4pm at the Auburn Lodge Hotel, this Friday June 1. Places are limited and should be booked through the IFA Office in Limer- ick on 061-314196. There is a €50 charge per place for IFA members and €100 for non members. Lunch will be provided for all who attend the training event..

EXPERIENCE has made way for youth, with two Clare young guns securing positions on the national political stage.

Fianna Fail’s Timmy Dooley, at 38 and Fine Gael’s Joe Carey, 31, were among the youngest TDs elected in last week’s general election.

Former poll topper James Breen (Ind) and veteran politician Sena- tor Brendan Daly (FF) were forced to reconsider their political futures,

having been defeated in the final ODEN aE

In contrast, the two young guns are anticipating their progression to the DEE

Deputy Dooley, who has spent the past five years in the Seanad, said he felt young people showed a great interest in politics in the run-up to the election and this translated into votes.

“Clare will be well represented in the younger stakes. We have to look at demographics in the county.

Joe and I will be able to look after a young County Clare. No doubt we both benefited from the young vote,” he said.

Fine Gael’s newest TD in Clare, Joe Carey 1s not going to be overawed by the presence of older, more experi- enced members of the Dail.

“Tis a young man’s or woman’s game now. I will bring a new energy, enthusiasm and vigour as anew TD,” he said.

He said he will be sad to vacate his seat on Clare County Council, after

eight years.

“T have great friends in the council. I got great support from councillors in the chamber. I will be sad to let it go, but I have progressed politically,” he said.

Mr Dooley believes that Clare is in with a healthy chance of getting a senior ministerial post, despite not securing a third Fianna Fail seat in the county.

“We haven’t the three but Tony Killeen has done a very good job in the Department of Labour. It would

be no harm to freshen up the Cabi- net with someone like Tony. We need somebody in the mid-west to west.

“It was disappointing we didn’t take the third (seat), but you’ve got to take ability into account too,” he said. Speaking shortly after his elec- tion on Friday, his party colleague Tony Killeen said, “Our situation in the county would be a lot better ob- viously if we had three candidates. I think the judgement made nationally about the performance of Fianna Fail in Clare won’t be positive.”

PRESSURE is mounting on the Eu- ropean Commission to introduce an all out ban on Brazilian beef follow- ing an IFA survey into the South American beef sector.

IFA President, Padraig Walshe, presented the results of the study to EU Commission officials in Brussels last Thursday which he claims in- cludes “extensive factual evidence” that raises major questions over sec- tor.

During the 7-day visit to Brazil, a team from the IFA and the Farmers Journal visited 15 farms in the states of Parana, Mato Grosso de Sol and Mato Grosso. In addition, the team observed farming practices on a fur-

ther 27 farms on their travels.

‘Based on the evidence we found of non existent cattle traceability, wide- spread illegal removal and cutting out of tags, totally inadequate move- ment and FMD controls and the use of hormone growth promoters, the only conclusion for the EU Commis- sion is to immediately impose a total ban on all Brazilian beef imports into Europe,” said IFA national livestock chairman John Bryan, who was part of the Brazilian trip.

Bryan went on to accused the EU Commission, particularly ‘Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson and Consumer Protection Commissioner Markos Kyprianou, of pursuing a politically-motivated trade agenda on Brazilian beef imports.

“On the few farms where there were tags, we found routine and widespread removal and cutting out of the official SISBOV tags in order to facilitate illegal movement,” he SrHTOR

“It is clear from our visit that the movement of cattle from FMD re- stricted states into unrestricted clear states 1s widespread.

“This explains why actual imports into the EU have fallen by only 2 per cent, despite restrictions on states which accounted for over 60 per cent of EU imports before the FMD crisis new lO ey

“We saw evidence of large scale cattle movement across state borders driven by higher prices in the unre- stricted states.”

Bryan went on to say that Irish and European farmers operated to the highest international standards of food safety, animal identification and traceability and strict controls on animal medicines and residue KRU NTS

‘European consumers expect that all beef on sale in the EU meet these standards. Producers and consum- ers rely on the Commission to up- hold European standards across the board,’ he continued.

“By accepting Brazilian beef im- ports, which clearly fall below Euro- pean standards, the EU Commission are failing in their duty to European consumers and undermining Euro- pean producers.”

PLANS have been put in place for the fifth annual Sixmilebridge Sum- mer Festival, which will take place from Friday, July 13 to Sunday, July iy

The highlight of this year’s festival will be a performance by American country singer Robert Muizzell, on Saturday night.

Among the other performances scheduled to take place are the Kil- fenora Ceili Band and Dublin band Prison Love.

Organiser of the festival, Vicky Ward said this is the first year that there is a major concentration on pa LUESSLen

With this in mind, a 2,400 square foot marquee has been hired and will be in place on the old soccer pitch on the Shannon Road in Sixmileb- ju (ener

This is a change from previous fes- tivals, which were mainly focused in the pubs and the school field.

‘This year we decided to get a big marquee. The whole weekend will be focused there. It will be the big- gest and best festival ever,” said Ms Ward.

The festival will kick off on a col- ourful note on Friday night, with the helium balloon race. Some 500 bal- loons will be released and the bal- loon that travels the furthest will be the winner.

“We placed tags on the balloons and the owner of the balloon that travels furthest will receive a €100 toy voucher. Last year, the furthest balloon went to Scotland and its tag was read, six days later,’ said Ms Ward.

There will be a mixed bag on Sat- urday, with events such as road kart racing, children’s workshops and a car boot sale poised to attract sev- eral people.

The family day will take place on Sunday. There will be a country theme, with best dressed cowboy competitions, along with various family attractions such as wheel of fortune, bouncy castles, clowns and magicians.

Sunday should attract several hun- dred families, pending weather con- ditions.

Organisers are hopeful that people will travel to the festival, from all over the county and beyond.

The organising committee is in- debted to the local business commu- nity, which has come on board again this year.

“We can always rely on the local businesses to help out,” said Ms AWETKCE

Tickets for the concerts are avail- able in advance from The Bridge Complex, phone 061 713666.

The Robert Muizzell tickets cost €15 each and weekend tickets are available, at a cost of €25.

WEST Clare may not have returned a local TD to represent it in the 30th Dail but it can take heart that one of its own was among the 166 Dail deputies elected on Thursday.

Kilrush native, Dr Mary Upton was re-elected to the Dail for Dublin South Central after a long drawn-out count in the capital.

The Labour TD was elected on the ninth count to the five-seater con- stituency.

A qualified microbiologist and

former lecturer at University College Dublin, Dr Upton won her first Dail seat in the 1999 by-election follow- ing the death of her brother, Pat.

She was re-elected in 2002, and ap- pointed Labour Party spokesperson on Agriculture and Food.

Among her other achievements in politics was her appointment to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture and Food from 2002 to 2007.

She is also a board member of Fa- tima Mansions Regeneration Board and of James’ Street CBS.

The 60-year-old Kilrush woman was chairperson of the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland and the National Council for Educational Awards.

She previously held the portfolio of food safety, consumer affairs and health promotion.

Her academic background and her quietly spoken articulate manner saw her comments in these roles respect- ed and rarely challenged.

Dr Upton was educated in Colaiste Mhuire, Ennis, before attending Un1- versity College, Galway and Univer-

sity College Dublin.

The newly returned TD now lives in Dundrum. She was the third TD to be returned to the hotly contested Dublin constituency, with a first pref- erence vote of 5,987 and a surplus on the ninth count of 1,261 votes.

The transfers were not enough how- ever to bring in running mate Eric Byrne.

Byrne lost out in a lengthy battle with sitting TD, Aengus O Snodaigh (SF), who eventually took the seat by 69 votes after a recheck of ballot papers.