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A FISH which is threatened with extinction, could be saved by a new plan to increase its numbers in Lough DOyse

The humble Pollan could repay the favour by breeding in large enough numbers to make the lake more at- tractive to anglers.

The scientific co-ordinator of the study, Dr Fran Igoe, a marine bi- Ologist with the Shannon Regional

Fisheries board says a new scheme will try to solve why stocks of once plentiful Pollan in Lough Derg have declined.

If the Tipperary Leader Group car- rying out the research are successful, “it will hopefully restore the once ac- tive Pollan commercial fishery in the lough”, Dr Igoe said.

The fish species is found only in Ire- land’s five large lakes, and stocks in Lough Derg, Lough Ree and Lough Erne have seriously declined.

The situation has become so bad that a Local Area Species Action Plan has been drawn up by the Clare Biodiversity Forum.

Dr Igoe explained that the neces- sary steps include investigations into the possible impact of hydro-power, pollution and non-native organisms on fish numbers.

Eleven angling clubs which use the lakes and the Lough Derg Sub-Aqua club will be supporting the research.

“This is very significant as there is

no other animal except perhaps the Irish hare, that comes close to this kind of uniqueness when it comes to our wildlife heritage in Ireland’, said Dr Igoe.

Competition for food, the impact of water quality and a study to see where the fish spawn will all be part of the investigation.

Universities in Ireland and Canada as well as experts with the Irish Char Conservation group will be working with personnel involved in the study.

A TOTAL of 104 houses and apart- ments in private estates throughout the county have been made available at an average discount of €60,000 to first time buyers over the past few years.

These included housing units in Ennis, Clarecastle, Newmarket-on- Fergus, Quin, Sixmilebridge, Shan- non and Kilrush. The market price averaged at €225,000 while the special discounted price averaged alow nee eF

Cllr. Joe Arkins, Cathaoirleach of the Council’s Strategic Policy Com- mittee for Housing and Social Serv- ices, says that the concept of afford-

able housing has really taken off in Clare. It is anticipated that an addi- tional 300 units will be made avail- able in the next three years at various locations throughout the county.

“I would encourage people with incomes of € 35,000 – € 40,000 to avail of this excellent opportunity to own their own homes. Having regard to the fact that the average house price in Clare during 2006 was € 263,000, the possibility of purchas- ing a quality home at a discounted rate of between 20% and 25% should be seriously considered”.

Commenting on the scheme, one developer stated that his firm has pro- vided over 20 housing units in Ennis. “We found the scheme to very effec-

tive and easy to administer.Without it many people would be deprived of the opportunity of owning their own home”.

David Timlin, Director of Serv- ices, Housing & Social Policy, said the investment in housing services had never been greater. “The com- mitment of the government in mak- ing available a wide range of options allows local authorities to focus on a comprehensive set of actions to 1m- prove housing availability to develop sustainable communities.”

At present there are affordable homes available in Ennis, Clare-

castle, Crusheen, Lisdoonvarna, Kildysart, Miltown Malbay and Shannon.

ENNISMAN Noel Moloney, a re- gional manager with Trocaire in Af- rica, has thanked the people of his hometown for their continued sup- port of Trdcaire’s Lenten campaign.

This year’s campaign highlights the agency’s work supporting equal rights for women and men in the de-

veloping world.

“Statistics show that 70 per cent of those living in poverty worldwide are women,’ said Noel, “while in Africa women produce 80 per cent of the food from agriculture but earn only ten per cent of the income. If we don’t support equal rights for women and men in the developing world, we have no chance of eradicating pov-

erty. Trocaire’s work helps women to have a voice, to earn an income and to become more independent.’ ‘“Trocaire has received fantastic feedback from people in Clare again this year,’ continued Noel. “The amount of work that goes on behind the scenes by clergy, parish workers and teachers is phenomenal and can never be underestimated. Their com-

mitment to Trocaire’s Lenten cam- paign every year is crucial”.

Trocaire boxes can be returned to any Catholic church around the country. Donors returning their con- tributions by post are asked to send cheques or money orders to Trocaire, Maynooth, County Kildare.

Call 1850 408 408 or log on to www.lent.ie for further information.

TAOISEACH Bertie Ahern’s deci- sion to hold the forthcoming general

election on Thurs- day will alienate hundreds of young Clare voters accord- ing to a member of Clare County Coun- oe

Ennistymon Cllr WE Taabe) Conway (FG) lashed the Taoiseach over sug- gestions that this summer’s election would not take place on a Friday.

“This is going to

have a massive effect on young peo- ple from Clare and other counties who want to travel home to vote,’ said Conway. “The last two general elections and the last two local and European — Elec- tions were held on a Friday. Why is this election so Che Knol “This is a cyni- cal attempt by a government _ that now realises that it has failed the young people of Ireland to deny deCejeeMm Oe Comm Urea OL mmKO vote,” he said.

THE most important thing about gardening is to begin.

Once you start to dig the soil, sow a seed, plant a plant or tend to nature in any way you are embarking ona journey that can lead to unexpected places. In many ways it is a journey within. When you are pottering in the garden, tidying and tending, embarking on a project or harvest- ing the fruits of your labour, you can feel at one with yourself and the universe. When you dig the soil you ANucm DOMOUD Kee meOynle-lMmy alee ser-lMmyyen(ee| nurtures and sustains us. There is no better way to get connected to the goodness and the bounty of the earth that I know of. And the results can be spectacular. Not just in the sense of peace and calm satisfaction that pervades the body and mind but in the abundant generosity of nature in her gifts of colour, form and taste.

So, how to begin? The first thing to say is that it’s easy; seeds and plants want to grow; all they need is a chance. So don’t be afraid, give it a go and see the results. There is something amazing about sowing a seed and witnessing its first green shoot piercing the soil and emerging into the light. Truly it is a miracle, and it happens all the time – even without our help.

Start small. A garden should be a pleasure not a burden. You can al-

ways expand. Pick a few seed pack- ets that you fancy. I would always encourage everyone to grow a few flowers. They are so easy and give us such joy. To begin with, annuals (ie they flower and go to seed in one year) are a good choice; Calendula (Marigold), with its beautiful bright orange and yellow heads, would cheer anybody up.

Nasturtiums are also good value, sprawling and crawling with their beautiful edible leaves and flow- ers to fill any vacant space. There is Cosmos to tower over them all summer long in their willowy grace and, of course, Sweet Pea to climb up a fence or a pole and provide a gorgeous aroma. To finish it off, if you have the space, poppies are easy to grow and self-seed abundantly, and sun-flowers (while needing a lit- tle more care) will reward you with a stunning display. They also attract beneficial insects to help keep your garden pest and disease free.

Apart from their beauty, all these flowers are easy to grow. You can start them in a tray or a pot of compost in early spring, say April or May, on a bright window sill inside, and plant them out once the danger of a hard frost 1s past. Or, even easier, once the soil has warmed up outside, say May or June, sow them directly in rows in a garden bed and transplant them to their final position once they have germinated

and are established. Be sure to water them well before you lift them care- fully with a fork, and water them into their new positions.

So there you have a beautiful flower garden which will flower throughout the summer and into the autumn, especially if you pick the flowers regularly. As a bonus it is easy to save the seed from these flowers for planting in subsequent years. You only have to buy the seed once and then you have them for Nate

Now for food plants. Again, start small. Even a window-box and a few pots can provide an abundance of leafy greens and herbs to enliven and season your meals. Once you begin to eat them from your own garden there is no turning back.

There is nothing like fresh, vi- brant, tasty, succulent and flavour- some vegetables harvested from your own garden. That is just the taste, let alone the wonderful feeling of pride and achievement you get from growing some of your own food and being, in some small way, self-reliant. Then there’s the treats for the belly.

Your body knows what’s good for it and once it gets sufficient expo- sure to real food; food that is grown in a live organic soil, food that is full of health and vigour and life- giving forces, there is no going back to the dead stuff; food that has been

poisoned, pumped up, irradiated and bred for a long shelf-life.

So be warned, you are embark- ing on an anarchic journey when you plant a seed. Salad greens are a good place to start. They are easy, quick, look beautiful and taste delicious. Because we eat them raw they are a particularly important and nutritious food.

There is no harm in having some ordinary lettuce such as a Cos-type, loose-leaf or Iceberg mixed in as well. A few Nasturtium flowers thrown in adds colour and the leaves add a peppery taste. Other easy-to- erow vegetables for beginner gar- deners include peas, beans, potatoes, cabbages, kale, beetroot, parsnip, swede, turnip, onions, radish and carrots.

Most of these can be sown thinly, in the positions where you want them to grow, once the soil has warmed up and been cleared of weeds. Then you can thin them, to the spacing they require, when they get big enough to handle. Thinnings of young plants often make lovely snacks early on in the year, they are extra-sweet and succulent.

Another way is to begin some seeds inside in trays or pots of soil or compost on a bright window sill. | QT om daTereemeslOmMm ns sloe MU sloAa IE hVc reached a good size and the danger of frosts is past, transplant them out- side in their growing position. Water

them in well.

Frost-sensitive plants, such as tomatoes, peppers, aubergines, pumpkins and courgettes respond well to this treatment and then you don’t always need a greenhouse or polytunnel to grow them on. Some of the varieties we grow at Seed Savers have been selected for their ability to ripen outside in an aver- age Irish summer, such as Stupice, Marcel and Aurora tomatoes, the Ebisu pumpkin (the creamiest one I’ve ever had the good fortune to eat), and the Healthy Pepper (better in the warmer south of the country).

SO go on, get a window-box or cultivate a piece of ground. Begin with a few seeds. Look after them and they will return your care many times over. When you pick those flowers or harvest your own vegeta- bles you will get a warm, satisfying (even Self righteous) feeling inside. When you cook the food and share it with friends you will be glad.

MORE than 45,000 passengers trav- elled through Shannon Airport over the course of the Easter Bank Holi- day weekend, according to airport management.

But none of them found their way to one of the most scenic areas in the county, because of a lack of direc- tional signs, it is claimed.

Around 300 flights landed and took off over the weekend. This was an in- crease of 10 per cent on last year.

“With more than 50 destinations on offer, the European market generated the largest volume of passengers this Easter, as many people take advan- tage of the long weekend to soak up some sun or fit in a short city break”, an airport spokeswoman said.

But Teresa Browne of the East

Clare Tourism group said that the Lough Derg end of the county would see no benefit from increased num- bers of visitors to the county unless the council erected the directional signs which they promised.

‘“There’s not one sign for east Clare, not even for Lough Derg. North Clare and west Clare have got their signs from what we hear and the council is still talking about putting a design

team in place for East Clare. There’s no hope that they will be ready for this season. That’s another season gone with nothing being done’, she SrHKOe

The East Clare Tourism secretary said that the NRA was responsible for signs on national roads, but that “ours are non-national roads. The re- sponsibility for this lies firmly with the council. I’m delighted to hear

there are increased numbers of pas- sengers moving through Shannon but none of them are going to be able to find their way here. There’s nothing to say we even exist.”

Meanwhile, a spokeswoman for the airport authority said that passengers needed to remember to give them- selves plenty of time to comply with check-in and security regulations at Shannon.

ENNIS Chamber of Commerce has urged the Government to make em- ployment legislation more _ under- standable and accessible to small businesses.

The call came as Minister for La- bour Affairs Tony Killeen launched the Code of Practice for Employer and Employees on the Prevention and Resolution of Bullying at Work.

The code is an update of the Health And Safety Authority’s existing code of practice, bringing it in line with

the 2005 Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act.

The Act requires employers to manage work activities in such a way so as to prevent, as far as reasonably possible, improper conduct or be- haviour at work.

The code will come into practice on May 1. Launching it during the week, the minister said the code, “emphasises that the best place to deal with a complaint of bullying is at the level of the company work- place. A significant element of the code places an emphasis on the reso-

lution of incidents of bullying using an informal process and professional mediation services.”

The code explains what bullying means and deals with the responsi- bilities of employers and employees to prevent or resolve it. It also reflects the legal requirement that employ- ers carry out a risk assessment and where bullying is identified as a haz- ard, they ensure that it is included in the safety statement.

Welcoming the publication of the code, Ennis chamber chief execu- tive, Rita McInerney, said that it was

essential that workplace bullying be tackled.

But she added that it was to be hoped that the code was presented in a way which could be understood and incorporated into businesses jo e-le18 (een

“There is such a a high amount of new legislation coming out and it needs to be communicated and de- livered in a consumable fashion,’ she said.

Such is the confusion among busi- ness people about interpreting leg- islation which they are obliged to

implement that the chamber has run courses for its members on under- standing employment legislation.

The code also provides guidance on identifying bullying and gives advice on how to prepare an anti-bullying policy for the workplace.

The code requires all employees and employers to be vigilant of their own behaviours. promotes a “sys- temic and robust method for dealing with cases of bullying as the best way to prevent the behaviour being re- peated and reduce the health effects for those who have been bullied”.

THE people of Clare strongly be- lieve that one issue will dominate the general election – 47.49 per cent of those polled last week expressed the view that health 1s the single biggest factor.

While Shannon Airport, jobs, im- migration and farming all featured among the main concerns for people in Clare, health stands out head and shoulders above any other issue.

Ongoing disquiet over the future of Ennis General Hospital, allied to the escalation of the nurses’ dispute this week, are to the forefront of the minds of the electorate.

The publication of the Hanly report has created major negative reaction over the past four years and a failure by the government to show definite commitment to the future of Ennis General Hospital has created bad taste in Clare.

The Ennis Hospital Development Committee has highlighted its con- cerns on a continuous basis and has pledged to continue its fight for the future of the hospital. They want to ensure the hospital retains full status and also want to preserve the a & e unit.

Chairman of the committee, Pea- dar McNamara said he would expect that more than 47 per cent of people would list health as their chief con- cern.

“T would like to see the figure high- er,’ he said.

“T expect that any alternative ad- ministration would be an improve- ment. The government has been in power for 10 years. The Hanly report has been there for four years. The three Fianna Fail Oireachtas mem- bers have been ineffective. The pro- posal to close the a & e units in Ennis and Nenagh is ridiculous,” he said.

“The Health Service in many re- spects has been riddled with faults and difficulties. The Hanly Report was published without the electorate being asked and Ennis was to lose its a & e,’ said Mr McNamara.

Two consultancy groups – Team- work and Horwath – are currently compiling reports on hospitals in the mid-west, but Mr McNamara does not believe that these will be com- pleted until after the General Elec- wove

Meanwhile, former Labour TD Dr Moosajee Bhamjee believes that the figure of 47 per cent of people – who list health as their main bone of con- tention – is accurate.

“47 per cent is a good indication of health being the primary issue. If Ennis General Hospital closes, there would be more concern. Maybe some Fianna Fail supporters are be-

ing indoctrinated to think there is no health issue,” he said.

“The Hanly report is still the pri- mary report and that is not good for Ennis General Hospital,’ said Dr Bhamjee, who is a consultant psy- chiatrist.

He said he believes that Fianna Fail could lose a seat, solely on the hospi- tal issue, if the electorate assess their performance seriously enough.

“If people look at it in a serious way, that Fianna Fail is not serious about retaining Ennis General as an acute hospital for the people to stay overnight, over the next couple of years, they can lose a seat,’ he said.

FARMERS are being urged to look to the sea to insure their future pros- perity as a special conference hosted by the IFA last week pointed to the possibilities rewards to be gained through fish farming.

The conference, which took place in Enfield on Wednesday, also heard calls for the Government to take steps to maximise the farmed sea- food market.

IFA President Padraig Walshe, opening the conference, pointed out that recent developments had opened many opportunities for the industry.

“The Seafood Strategy report, pro- duced by Dr Noel Cawley, was the

result of a comprehensive process of dialogue and interaction with in- dustry, which a united body like IFA was able to engage in fully,” he said.

“I am pleased to see that there are 39 key IFA proposals in the final document, which is proof of the hard work put in by the respective salmon, freshwater and shellfish committees within the organisation.

“The fact that our campaign has led to a direct increase in public invest- ment supports to the sector from just over €30 million in the last NDP to over €100 million in the next one, 1s a key victory.

“Specific items proposed by IFA have been included, such as a dis- aster contingency fund, seed capital

arrangements for new businesses, a review of the licensing system and provisions for collective actions.” With only one in three fish on Irish plates coming from farmed stock, the IFA is calling on the Government to give priority to planning, invest- ment and marketing to those wishing to enter the fish farming sector. “The next crucial step is translating those proposals into action. IFA will play its full part in the implementa- tion of the strategy,’ he continued. “We see the strategy comprising four key action areas for the aqua- culture sector; the NDP investment and aid provisions, which IFA will work on with BIM and Udaras na Gaeltachta to translate into an Op-

erational Programme; the R and D priorities for issues such as biotox- ins and new species which IFA will work on with the Marine Institute under their “Sea Change” strategy; the licensing review, which IFA will work on with the Department to complete in 2007 through the Min- ister’s Aquaculture Forum and the Communications Programme, which IFA will draw up with BIM and im- plement as soon as possible.”

Others to speak at the conference included Donal Maguire of BIM, IFA Aquaculture Executive Secre- tary Richie Flynn, Marine Institute CEO Dr Peter Heffernan and RTE’s Marine Correspondent, Tom Mc- Sweeney.

that the third phase of the scheme is not expected to be complete until “late Slubeeeetoi uae “Notwithstanding contractual is- sues Clare County Council accepts that remaining sections of the project will be behind schedule,” he said. He said that section two – the Clare Road to Lahinch Road section — 1S now expected to be open in early

summer 2007. Section 3 — the Kil- low interchange to Clare Road – is now expected to open in late summer 2007 and this represents the entire scheme.

The original completion date for the scheme was April 11 but this was revised in negotiations between the council and the contractor GAMA Construction to allow for the open- ing of the eastern portion of the by- pass ahead of schedule.

Negotiations have continued be- tween the two with the council now resigned to a completion date in Au- AUB

The 97-page contract for the Ennis

bypass project states that if the con- tractor does not complete the con- tract on time, the contractor will pay delay damages to the council for not completing the bypass on schedule.

However, it is not known if the re- cent negotiations between the coun- cil and GAMA have resulted in the contract being revised to remove the threat of penalties.

The contract allows for an exten- sion of time of completion of the works, but only under certain cir- cumstances.

Acceptable problems include excep- tionally bad weather conditions and unforeseeable shortages in the avail-

ability of staff or materials caused by any delay or attributable to the council, council staff or the council’s other contractors on the site.

The contract states: “These delay damages shall be the sum stated in the ‘Appendix to Tender’, which shall be paid for every day which shall elapse between the relevant time for completion and the date stated in the taking-over certificate.”

The extent of the damages payable to the council is unspecified as the relevant appendix is not available.

Damages are only payable in the case of a justifiable delay or contract omsepeercleleee