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THE smaller parties continue to keep the faith that they will be in the final shake-up when it comes to announcing Clare’s four TDs for the 30th Dail.

With the Green Party’s Brian Meaney tipped by many to be one of the contenders for the coveted “fourth seat”, the Barefield na- tive says that if “all of the positive feedback we’ve been getting trans- lated into first-preference votes, I’d have two quotas”.

“T think Clare people will recog- nise that I’m a safe pair of hands,” he said. Meaney feels the Green agenda is an idea whose time has fey nner

“The economic realities have en- sured there is a move towards the Green agenda. You only have to look at the cost of fuel. People see this and are seeing that the Green agenda makes economic sense.”

Labour candidate Pascal Fitzger- ald is also staying positive.

“IT am going out to win a Seat. People won’t make up their mind

until the day of the election,” he Said.

The Clare councillor is aware of the disadvantage of living just out- side the Clare constituency, in the Limerick east constituency, but believes this campaign will help raise his profile.

“Everyone had Bhamjee written off and we saw what happened there,” he said.

Progressive Democrat candidate, Murt Collins said on the canvass in Kilrush that he is getting “very positive feedback” on the door-

steps. “The future of the hospital and the state of the roads are is- sues that come up a lot, as does the creation of jobs in west Clare.” Collins said that it is “important to get a good vote. I’m looking for- ward to strong support on election day. A lot of people have promised me their number one or two.”

Sinn Féin’s Anna Prior has been experiencing a “very positive reac- tion’ for a new candidate, accord- ing to her spokesman. “The issues people are bringing up are the fu- ture of the hospital and healthcare

generally as well as maintaining the rural environment, provid- ing transport and services such as broadband.”

The spokesman said that the “northern situation doesn’t come up very much and when it does, people are pleased with the devel- opments there.”

In terms of party politics, the Sinn Féin candidate believes that people “are interested in who they can trust to deliver on the impor- tant issues. There is a lot of disil- lusion out there.”

THE IFA has reignited the war of words between farmers and factories this week by launching a blistering attack on the beef factories for the price paid to winter finishers.

IFA President, Padraig Walshe, lashed factories, describing it as “an outright disgrace and a body blow” inflicted by factories on the coun- try’s best and most committed beef producers.

Beef finishers have taken a ham- mering this spring and there was now a serious question mark over beef factories’ commitment to a 52-

week supply from Irish farmers.

The IFA President said the big play- ers now had significant investment in Brazil and he was highly suspicious that price manipulation was taking place, not just in the Irish market, but across Europe including Italy, which has always been a high-priced outlet for beef and cattle.

‘Factories that had talked up cat- tle prices in November and Decem- ber were now gone to ground and messing farmers around getting cat- tle killed, and at bad prices,” said Walshe.

“Tam so angry at factories that to- day I have called on Minister Cough-

lan to put a stay on the €50 million government grants she announced for the industry some weeks ago, un- til law and order 1s restored.

“T am demanding that the Depart- ment of Agriculture publish the weekly kill for each factory. This in- formation is available in the Depart- ment and I’ve repeatedly asked for it to be published in the interests of transparency.

“The Minister for Agriculture must stop the foot—dragging. If factories have nothing to hide, then the figures will make it quite clear that the beef leaving the plant was slaughtered under the supervision of the Depart-

ment’s vets in that plant.”

The IFA President said that unless the meat factory owners put forward real and coherent marketing plans to lift the price of Irish beef, there is no reason the government should fund their Irish plants and allow them in- vest their own capital in Brazil.

“IT am also calling on the Minister to ban trade in imported beef by li- censed exporters to preserve the integrity and good name of Irish beef, both at home and in our export markets. A factory with an export h- cence should not be allowed import or handle South American beef on the same premises,’ he added.

PUBLIC TRANSPORT is the main is- sue concerning people in the Shannon and Sixmilebridge areas, according to a survey undertaken locally.

The Shannon Community Network has concluded that people living in the area are most concerned about lack of suitable transport.

They believe that the re-opening of the railway station in Sixmilebridge 1s long overdue, while the frequency of bus services serving the area is insutf- ne toele

Secretary of the Shannon Commu- nity Network, Richard Cahill said the transport issue was identified at the re-

cent AGM.

“The main topic people wanted in- formation on was when will the train station be re-opened. Public transport was the main issue,” he said.

In response to the feedback, the Net- work has now organised a meeting on transport in Sixmilebridge next month (Thursday June 7, at Teach Cuirte, Sixmilebridge). Iarnr6d Eireann’s Re- gional Manager Jim Meade and the Regional Manager of Bus Eireann Paddy McGuinness will attend, as will Laura Ward of East Clare Accessible Transport (ECAT).

They will give powerpoint presenta- tions and will be the focus of a ques- tions and answers session, where issues

of concern will be addressed.

“We have asked politicians running in the election will they commit to come along, if elected,” said Mr Cahill.

The Bridge Complex provides a bus service for senior citizens, who travel from Sixmilebridge to the daycare cen- tre in Clarecastle every week. While this service 1s welcome, there 1s a need for additional bus services for people of AV Toe

‘People want more than that. For the past four years, ECAT has echoed that it would be wonderful to have services around the train station in Sixmilebri- dge,” he said.

He said that locals are also concerned about the state of access roads into and

out of Sixmilebridge.

‘The roads are poor. At best they are regional roads, with just enough room for a car and truck. If two trucks meet, one has to pull in so the other can pass,” he said.

sixmilebridge councillor John Crowe (FG) is hopeful, meanwhile, that the railway station will be built within the next year.

“The money has been allocated by the Government, Clare County Coun- cil now has to allocate funding for the development of a car park. The land has been sterilised for the car park. It is badly needed and we are hoping it will be started within the next year,” said Cllr Crowe.

THE inadequate public sewerage in- frastructure in the greater Ennis area is beginning to halt residential devel- opment on the outskirts of the town.

Clare County Council and Ennis Town Council jointly refused plan- ning permission for a development that would have opened up lands at Bunnow, Doora, Skehanagh and Clar- eabbey for housing development.

The council refused to grant plan- ning permission to Gareth Kelly on

four grounds. One of these is that the council “is not satisfied that there is sufficient capacity for the existing Clareabbey treatment plant to ac- commodate the proposed develop- nates Laan

It is understood that a new €50 mil- lion plant may not be in place for two to three years and further planning applications may be refused, pending the completion of the new plant.

Mr Kelly had lodged plans seeking planning for a sewerage and water supply scheme to facilitate the devel-

opment of the lands 1n question.

The proposal was said to be “pre- mature, pending the completion of an integrated sewerage design scheme to serve the general locality”.

Mr Kelly applied to have a total of 150 acres of land in those areas re- zoned from low-density housing to residential/commercial and remove the flood risk designation as part of the review of the Ennis and Environs Development Plan.

A further impediment to future housing growth around Ennis has

also been identified with the council refusing planning permission pend- ing the completion of a flood risk study of lands around Ennis.

The council pointed out that the proposed development encroaches on an area of land zoned as “flood risk” in the 2003 Ennis and Environs De- velopment Plan- the role and future of which is under review at present.

The council also ruled that it is not satisfied that the applicant has demonstrated sufficient legal inter- est to enable him to carry out the de-

velopment and that the route of the proposed Quin Road to Skehanagh roundabout ‘link road’ is not in ac- cordance with part of the develop- ment plan.

The Department of the Environ- ment and the National Roads Au- thority (NRA) also raised concerns about the application.

The department stated that a major development in this low-lying coastal floodplain area could create a need for upgraded flood defences in the OUTRUN Kon

THE Shannon Airport Authority is seeking a significant cash injection from the Dublin Airport Authority to upgrade the airport.

In an interview with Shannon Com- munity Radio Jet-FM this week, Ex- ecutive Chairman Pat Shanahan ad- mitted that the airport has suffered from under-investment in recent years.

“Shannon needs some equity now. Up until fairly recently, it was loss- making but with the restructuring we have made it profitable and it will be able to sustain its capital programme

into the future.”

“We have catch-up investment to put into the airport and it is impor- tant we consolidate that and Shannon gets a significant equity injection and moves into an environment where it is profitable and can pay for its own capital programme.

“We are now talking to the DAA about that. It is about putting the company on a good financial footing So it can invest in infrastructure,” he added

Mr Shanahan said the airport has offered discount deals for airlines operating transatlantic services over the winter.

“We are doing our bit from a com- petitive point of view so that these airlines are making money year round in Shannon and if they are making money year round, they will continue to serve Shannon.”

Mr Shanahan also revealed that a customs and borders protection fa- cility will be in place in Shannon by April 2008, when the ending of the Shannon stop-over will be complete.

Explaining the significance of the move, he said airlines could fly into any domestic terminal in the US, without going through international hubs. Shannon would be the first air- port in Europe to have that facility.

ILLEGAL parking outside SkyCourt in Shannon is being addressed and offenders are being hit with fines.

This was revealed to councillors last week, during a meeting with lo- cal garda representatives.

Inspector Tom Kennedy and Ser- geant Dermot O’Connor met with Shannon-based county councillors, Where the issue of unauthorised parking was top of the agenda.

Councillors expressed concern about cars being parked on double yellow lines, close to Xtra Vision and the pass machine, outside SkyCourt.

The mayor of Shannon, Cllr Tony McMahon said the traffic situation is becoming “hazardous” outside the shopping centre.

‘There seems to be a difficulty with applying the law to the problems that arise here. I fear there is going to be a serious accident in that area,’ he Sr AKOE

Cllr Patricia McCarthy (Independ- ent) said the issue of unauthorised parking is of huge concern.

‘There are Road Traffic Acts there. If they are being broken, they should be enforced,’ she said.

Inspector Kennedy said, “It would seem to me that there is a danger by people parking there. We will con- tinue to enforce the Road Traffic Act.”

Sergeant O’Connor said the issue had been discussed previously.

‘“T understood there were plans in place to put in parking bays. The gardai are issuing several tickets

there in relation to illegal parking. If people continue to park there, they will continue to be fined,’ he said.

Councillors rose a number of other issues with the gardai, at the meet- ing.

Councillor Gerry Flynn (Independ- ent) said there was a need for Shan- non Garda Station to be upgraded, Where a Superintendent would be located, permanently.

Currently, Superintendent John Scanlan, who is based in Ennis, is responsible for the running of Shan- neve

Cllr Flynn said the addition of the garda bicycles in Shannon has been welcome, adding, “You might see fit to get a motorbike too.”

He also expressed concern that the majority of gardai who are attached

to Shannon garda station live outside the area.

“The percentage of gardai liv- ing locally has changed and that is a backward step. There have been a few forward steps, but there also have been backward steps,” said Cllr ahaa

SC NINe mo. qo) Keniore CONC UI UTR te tion to drinking in public in Drum- geely. This, he said, stopped one family from walking in the area.

Cllr Tony Mulcahy (FG) said there is a problem in relation to speeding between Clonmoney and Sixmilebri- dge and between Sixmilebridge and Cratloe.

“It is unbelievable. The speed go- ing down that road is phenomenal . . well in excess of 120kph,” said Cllr WZ TUN Core N ahve

can reveal.

Folklore, which is being developed by Sony Computer Entertainment, is scheduled for a worldwide release in October of this year and is set in a fantasy version of the north Clare AUN ETSXon

Little is presently known about the game but it 1s believed to be a “dark fantasy” inspired by fairy tales and ancient adventure stories.

The game’s version of Doolin is de- scribed as a “mysterious town” where it is said that the living can speak to the dead. It follows the story of two strangers, Keats and Ellen, who are drawn together to uncover a myster1- ous legend of the town, which serves as a gateway between Earth and a number of fantastic other worlds in- habited by creatures, fairies, spirits

and monsters.

“Doolin is a worldwide tourist at- traction and it doesn’t surprise me that Playstation would decide to model a game on the town,” said lo- cal councillor, Martin Conway (FG).

“It is a unique spot, there is a magi- cal feel about the place. I think that Doolin itself is the best attraction for tourists but this could also be a help, not just for Doolin but for the whole north Clare region.

“With Fine Gael going into Gov- ernment, I would be fighting to see supports put in place for more projects like this as well as films and TV to be promoted in the area. Look at the boost that Fr Ted had for the area when it was shot here. It was a brilliant boost, especially as it came in off season times of the year.”

Folklore is due for release on the PS3 later this year.

PUPILS and staff at Scariff Com- munity College are preparing to take on a brave new world, with the start- up of a subject that will see students abandon copy books for lap-tops.

The school is preparing to intro- duce the latest subject to be added to the Leaving Certificate programme, Design and Communication Graph- ee

The new subject will come on- stream next September and _ the school is currently in the process of acquiring the necessary lap-tops and

preparing course materials.

“Tt’s an exciting challenge and we’re looking forward to it,’ said Deputy Principal, John O’Donovan.

The new subject is not the only new start at the east Clare community college.

Last week, students, teachers and parents representatives gathered for a rededication ceremony after the school building got a €2.5 million re-vamp.

When it was discovered last year that there was asbestos in the roof, it was decided to replace it.

The Office of Public Works stepped

in to do the work and this gave the school an opportunity for a complete overhaul, including new flooring and decor.

And now they have also been given a Department of Education grant to re-equip rooms for practical subjects such as engineering and woodwork.

“We’re very pleased that the OPW paid for the work on the roof. The school could never have afforded it and now everything has been done to the highest standards of safety and design,’ Mr O’Donovan said.

At the rededication ceremony, school chaplain, Fr Brendan Quinl-

livan lead the prayers. School prin- cipal, Sean Daly acted as mc and traditional music was performed by Students from the school, with solo singing from student Edel O’Grady.

Local politicians attended the cer- emony as guests along with students, teachers and members of the Board of Management and the Parents Council.

KILRUSH Farmers’ Market is hoping to prove that the egg came before the chicken in attracting local producers and customers to the weekly collec- tion of stalls every Thursday to 2pm.

Fresh eggs (organic of course) are just one of the products available at the market along with seasonal veg- etables, flowers, plants, seedlings, jams, dairy products, baked goods and local crafts.

Michael Gleeson, market organiser and rural development officer with community initiative EIRI Corca Baiscinn, said that “without a market

and a demand” farmers are less likely to produce goods for sale.

“We just decided that we could cre- ate a new outlet for farm produce and started making enquiries. Location 1s a key thing and we are blessed to have the market square in Kilrush. It gives farmers somewhere to sell and the cost to them is low. It started with six stalls and last summer we had more than 15 stalls at peak times. For the most part, people tend to be sold out at the end of a day which is quite good.”

He added that by reducing the scale and cutting out the middle man, farm- ers can really benefit from the mar- oe

“The main thing is that they’re sell- ing direct so the producer gets 100 per cent of the retail value. Most people who sold to restaurants or suppliers before still do that but now they can use the market to get good prices and profits on a local level.”

Mr Gleeson does not think that the arrival of large supermarkets in west Clare has affected local schemes like the farmers’ market.

“It doesn’t apply too much because the market supplies different prod- ucts. The goods here are about quality rather than quantity. There are super- markets, like Supervalu in Clonakilty in Cork, that network with local pro-

ducers to get something different but no-one is unduly worried because it’s a separate market.”

The market is no spring chicken- it has been running from April to De- cember every year since 2003.

An annual membership costs €20 and €8 is paid for a stall every week. The costs are deliberately low to en- courage new producers and stalls.

Mr Gleeson said that everyone in- volved is pleased with the success of the project.

“It has grown gradually. The prod- ucts are good value and quality and the people care about what they’re do- rhea

IT’S A long way from Bodyke to Bu- rundi but a development charity which has been set up to link the two 1s bridg- ing that distance.

The idea for the charity came from Leocadie Murray who is a native of the village of Karambi in Burundi and who is married in Bodyke, County OE

During four visits to Karambi be- tween July 2005 and Oct 2006 Leo- cadie tried to get a better understand- ing of the main problems affecting the village through a series of meetings and competitions.

As a result of this, meetings were held in Bodyke earlier this year with

the aim of forming a charity to help with the development of the village and A2B (Aid to Burundi) was formed.

The charity now has a committee and constitution and has applied for DU KeoMIE-IRUISD

A2B is planning fundraising activi- ties starting this month.

As well as fundraisers, A 2B is plan- ning to go into the schools to give talks and organise events which will “lead to a greater level of awareness among the community in relation to the char- ity and to third world development in general”, a spokesman for the charity eIOb

“In Burundi A2B are funding a de- velopment worker, Raziki Gaspard, to act as an extension worker with the

villagers and as a liason between A2B and the various village committees. The needs and ideas of the population which he will develop will form the basis of the micro-projects which will be set up in the village,” the spokes- pPOLDOMNT-0(6 B

Special attention will be given to projects’ sustainability and to the vil- lagers contribution to them. They will either be financed by A2B or co-fi- nanced with other aid organisations in Ireland.

The supervision of these projects will be carried out by Raziki Gaspard with regular interventions by Leocadie Zlob wee hyA

During the course of his work a more detailed study of the major problems

in the village was carried out by the project worker. The findings have identified eight priority areas where the needs of the village are greatest, the first being the need for clean drink- TPAToMA Weed

It is hoped that further research can be done on this project by June for an application for funding from the Development Council of Ireland. It’s hoped work on the project should be- gin later on in the year.

As part of the fundraising drive, a coffee evening will be held in Has- sett’s bar, Tuamgraney after 6.30pm mass on Saturday, May 19 and a coffee morning will be held in the lounge of the Cobblers Rest, Bodyke after Mass on Sunday, May 20.