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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

MORE potential problems for farm- ers in relation to the N18& Ennis by-pass emerged this week as lo- cal farming leaders put pressure on Clare County Council over what they described as roadside fencing. During a meeting with Clare Coun- ty Council officials the chairperson of the IFA in Clare, Seamus Murphy, expressed his concern for motorists if the problem is not rectified in the

near future.

“Under the terms of the National Roads Agreement which was negoti- ated by IFA with the National Roads Authority, all local authorities are required to construct ‘stock-proof’ fencing,’ said Mr Murphy.

“However much of the fencing along the new motorway remains unfinished and a significant number of gates still have to be erected.

“As the grass grazing season starts again many farmers are about to let

their livestock out in the fields. Clare County Council must immediately inspect all roadside fencing and gen- eral accommodation works and en- sure all livestock are fenced in and motorists using the new N18 Ennis by-pass are not put in danger.”

This is not the first standoff be- tween Clare IFA and Clare County Council over work on the bypass. Earlier this years a group from the farming organisation met with rep- resentatives from the local authority

and the main contractors, GAMA Construction, to discuss a number of farms which had been flooded as a result of run off waters from the by- eee

The main section of the Ennis bypass opened earlier this year, on budget and ahead of schedule. The rest of the project, including link roads into different parts of the town, are due for completion this week to meet the project deadline of April ae

SHANNON ‘Town Council has been urged to mark the 1916 Rising, fol- lowing commemorations in Ennis, Killaloe and Kilrush over the week- end.

All but one of the town’s councillors agreed at their meeting last Tuesday that the event should be recognised.

Shannon resident Sean O Nuanain raised the issue in a letter to the Town Clerk, Tomas MacCormaic, last week.

Mr O Nuanain, who is involved in various groups in the town and is the current Cathaoirleach of Club na Sionna, pointed out that there was no

annual event to mark 1916 in Shan- non, in contrast to most towns in Ire- land.

“IT would request Shannon Town Council to consider initiating such a ceremony, sooner or later,” he said in the letter.

The Mayor of Shannon, Cllr Tony McMahon (Lab) said he believed the town should acknowledge the com- memoration each year.

A number of other councillors agreed with this view. However Cllr Patricia McCarthy (Ind) said she didn’t agree that the event should be commemorated every year in Shan- non.

“I don’t have any difficulty in com-

memorating events from 1916 in ar- eas where events happened… This needs a lot more thought than just agreeing to do it,” she said.

Cllr Gerry Flynn (Ind) said, “It is very important we recognise the Easter Rising. I don’t think there would be anyone sitting around the table if it wasn’t for the struggle in years gone by.”

Cllr Sean Hillery (FF) said the re- quest by Mr O Nuanain should be sent to Clare County Council for consideration. Cllr Mike McKee (Ind) disagreed with this, saying it was the town council that was asked to mark the event.

Cllr Sean McLoughlin (FG) said

something should be done to mark the commemoration, but that “time is against us”.

Shannon Town Clerk Tomas Mac- Cormaic said if an event was to take place, it would need “dignity”.

“It would be very disappointing if there were five or six councillors out there and a flag being raised,” he SrHKGe

Cllr McCarthy criticised her fel- low councillors after some of them said the event should be marked over Easter when the rising took place on April 24.

The councillors agreed to meet this week, when the possibility of mark- ing the event would be discussed.

THE vote by staff at Shannon Air- port to accept the airport authority’s restructuring deal has been widely welcomed.

The Clare County Development Board described the result of the bal- lot by SIPTU members as a, “defin- ing moment for the future develop- ment of the local airport”.

The ballot followed last month’s agreement reached between airport trade unions and management.

Councillor Patricia McCarthy (Ind) acknowledged that 200 jobs would go

under the restructuring plan.

“T am confident that these jobs will be compensated for by the new serv- ice providers at the airport,” said Cllr McCarthy, Cathaoirleach of the County Development Board.

Tom Coughlan, Director of the board said that it looked forward to working with the Shannon Airport Authority to promote Shannon Air- port.

“With passenger numbers last year of 3.6 million, the County Develop- ment Board sees ongoing investment in the development of the airport as critical in determining the growth

potential of County Clare and the entire Shannon region. Shannon In- ternational Airport is at the heart of the success of the Atlantic Corridor and is fundamental to its potential to deliver innovation, economic growth, and a competitive industrial and tour- ism base,” he said.

Limerick Chamber of Commerce also welcomed the result. Chief Ex- ecutive, Maria Kelly said that with the advent of Open Skies, it had “become even more critical that the Airport reduces their cost base to be- come more competitive and attract new business”.

Shannon Airport management and the Dublin Airport Authority were among the first to react to the news on the vote. It will allow savings of €10m annually for the airport.

Shannon Airport Authority Execu- tive Chairman, Pat Shanahan said the acceptance was the “next step to en- suring Shannon Airport has a viable platform from which to grow. I would like to acknowledge the commitment shown by staff representatives”.

He added that the “implementation of the programme is vital if Shannon Airport is to successfully meet the challenges of Open Skies”.

UNA FITZGERALD, a community nurse in Tulla believes that health 1s- sues will be very important in this election.

‘Health is one of the big issues and particularly community health fa- cilities. I would have huge concerns about elderly people who are trying to look after people with a disability at home. We need more support fa- cilities for carers who are doing a job round the clock, seven days a week. There are not enough respite facili- ties and supports’, she said.

Una would like to see the next gov- ernment provide a much better range of facilities at community level for social and health purposes. “People need day-care facilities, they need drop-in centres and carers need res-

pite places. These are all important and people will be looking to Gov- ernment to provide them.”

Una says people are also becoming increasingly alarmed and concerned about the number of road deaths, particularly among young people.

“It will have to be tackled. There are just too many tragedies on our roads’, she said.

The Rural Transport Initiative will also have to be delivered on and in a meaningful way, said Una. “Isolation can be a big problem in rural communities, particularly for elderly people who are living outside the towns and villages and for people who are living in isolated areas with- out transport. They need a means of getting to the services they need, to get medical attention, or to shop and to meet people”.

ALMOST €60 million in funding was allocated to Irish forestry plan- tation holders for 2007, representa- tion one of the largest payments ever made in the history of the state. Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture and Food, Mary Wal- lace, made the announcement last week of €57 million to be allocated to the 15,000 forestry plantations na- tionwide. This is the annual forestry premium payment under the Forest- ry programme of the Department of Agriculture and Food. With the aver- age size of forestry holdings being in the region of eight hectares, and the average payment per forest-owner will be approximately €3,800. “New planting of forestry is vital

to sustain the forestry sector into the years ahead and it is important that the package on offer is most attrac- tive to landowners,” said Minister AWETEE Teron

“I was particularly pleased there- fore that planting grant levels have increased in some cases by up to 25 per cent in the last two years, while the annual forestry premium paid to farm foresters has increased by 15 per cent, with a new maximum pay- ment of up to €574 per hectare per annum.”

In addition to this the newly intro- duced Forest Environment Protec- tion Scheme (FEPS) providing a top up grant of €200 per hectare bring- ing the €574 per hectare to €774 per hectare per annum. This scheme was designed to encourage the establish-

ment of high nature value forestry on farms that participate in REPS.

“Properly planned forestry is one of the most environmentally friendly end-uses to which we can put our land, directly affecting the sequestra- tion of carbon from the atmosphere. Forestry in Ireland already delivers a significant range of environmental goods in addition to its timber out- jouulm

“I believe that every landowner should seriously examine forestry as a land use option taking into account the returns, both short and long term, and how it would fit in with their cur- rent enterprises and activities.”

Meanwhile, Minister Wallace also warned forest owners about the risk of forest fires in the coming weeks. Every spring in Ireland, several hun-

dred hectares of forests and wood- land are destroyed by fire.

Recent good weather conditions indicate a serious risk of forest fires over the next few days and weeks.

‘Forest owners have a duty to make themselves aware of these threats and to take appropriate actions to se- cure the safety of their forest invest- ments,” she said.

“The highest risk period occurs between February and June, when eround vegetation is dead and dry following winter. The areas at high- est risk from wildfire tend to be lo- cated adjacent to or within moorland areas. Prolonged dry periods and seasonal high winds in spring help create ideal conditions for wildfire to spread quickly through highly flam- mable moorland vegetation.”

THE people of Kilmurry Ibrickane are planning to buy the election, and the news is unlikely to lead to any controversy or tribunal.

The plan is all legal and above board – as the election is the local mayoral election and buying the position 1s all part of the fundraising for the Leon XII celebrations later this year.

The Leon Committee in Quilty are moving full steam ahead with a number of projects in the run up to the centenary celebrations of the Leon XIII rescue.

The main event of the year, the Leon festival, will be held during the last weekend in September. One of the highlights of the festival will be

the open currach racing competition, with teams from Connemara and Kerry providing strong competition for the local crews who are practic- ing hard. Some of the local people, including their priest, never even sat in acurrach before they started train- ing for the event.

Another part of the build up to the festival is the Mayor of Kilmurry Ibrickane and Deputy Mayor “elec- tion”.

Once elected both dignitaries will act as the official representatives of the area for the centenary year.

With attendance of other dignitaries from far and wide already confirmed for the festival, the new mayor and deputy will be responsible for pro- viding the Céad Mile Failte.

The Leon Committee are now look- ing for nominations for the office.

All nominations are to be placed in the official nomination boxes by April 15. The nomination forms and nomination boxes are located in shops in Kilmurry Ibrickane and anyone can enter.

Once nominated the candidates must buy their way into office, with the help of friends and generous pa- triots.

The “election” will be decided by the number of tickets each candi- date sells for the June Bank Holiday weekend fundraiser in the Quilty Tavern.

The candidate who sells the most tickets will be elected the Mayor of Kilmurry Ibrickane for one year.

A comedian and live music have been lined up for the fundraiser on June 2, before the mayor is presented with the chain of office.

The official mayoral candidates will be announced in the local media and will start selling tickets as early as April 16. The funds raised will go towards the running costs of the OORT Ee

Full details are available from members of the Leon Committee or on official nomination forms in- Store.