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THE Labour Court has dismissed a claim by SIPTU that catering workers at Shannon Airport can retain a meal allowance as part of the €36 million restructuring deal at the airport.

The deal was reached between the Shannon Airport Authority (SAA) and SIPTU two years ago and the dispute that came before the Labour Court concerned the interpretation of the part of the agreement relat- ing to a meal allowance for workers formerly employed in the catering olor busesoelm

This dispute could not be resolved at local level and was the subject of

a Conciliation Conference under the auspices of the Labour Relations Commission before the matter was referred to the Labour Court.

A hearing in the case was held at the end of June and the union ar- gued that catering staff are histori- cally the lowest paid staff in Shan- non Airport and, in accepting the restructuring agreement, the union did not concede the ending of the meal allowance.

SIPTU also stated that it did not agree with the wording of the clauses dealing with the meal allowance in the restructuring agreement.

The union also pointed out that the agreement was accepted on a “with-

out prejudice” basis, which meant that they could re-enter this claim once re-structuring was completed.

In response, the SAA stated that the workers received compensation of €16,000 under the agreement and in the current challanging financial cli- mate, no additional payments could be conceeded.

The SAA also pointed out that the concession of the claim could result in the unravelling of the entire agree- ment.

The matter came before the Labour Relations Commission in 2007, but it could not be resolved and was re- ferred to the Labour Court.

In its ruling the Labour Court stat-

ed, “The union maintained that all persons re-deployed from the cater- ing department should be covered by any further follow-on claim regard- less of the position they were re-de- ployed to, whereas management hold the view that any claim which might be made must be confined to those not re-deployed to higher paid posi- Wey etsy

“Having carefully considered the submissions and the written clauses in the agreement, the court is satis- fied that the agreement restricts any further claim to those not re-de- ployed to higher paid positions and, accordingly, upholds the interpreta- tion held by management.

A NEW facility to help small busi- nesses manage their staff and em- ployment law obligations in the current economic climate has been introduced by the Shannon and Dis- trict Chamber of Commerce.

Through their affiliation with Chamber HR, the Shannon Chamber is offering the new product, created to assist employers with five staff or less, at a cost price of €84 per month (excl. VAT) over a fixed payment pe- riod.

The contract provides the same level of cover as the standard Cham- ber HR product, in terms of access to the 24-hour human resources advice service and insurance indemnity. The indemnity funds the defence of employment litigation claims and settlements/awards where appropri- ate, if advice is taken and followed, including claims for unfair selection on the grounds of a redundancy dis- missal.

“Given the current economic cli- mate, coupled with the introduction of the National Employment Rights Authority (NERA) and the other many changes in employment law, it is essential that businesses of all siz- es are compliant with current and fu- ture legislation. Even the most finan- cially-robust business may face hefty awards or fines,” explained Helen Downes, chief executive, Shannon and District Chamber.

The Chamber HR service will be offered by the Chamber network across Ireland, including Shannon and District Chamber, and cham- ber members will also be entitled to use the BusinessWise facility, an exclusive online service for employ- ers to keep track of the day to day management of their workforce and the ongoing, recurring obligations. SU ia ster Nem Ese aie

Calls for N18 safety audit

I SUPPOSE a common sight in many villages and small towns is a few of the senior citizens who have “borne the heat of the day” for many years, rambling the quiet lanes around the outskirts, somewhat like the char- acters in the British TV show “Last of the Summer Wine’. Well, our vil- lage, way back in the last Century had such a group who were promi- nent whenever the weather suited such leisurely activity.

The group varied in number from four to five and by their disparate make up spawned many a humorous anecdote. The Master — long retired but in good health as he approached 80 probably had the best attendance record. A quiet erudite man he was also the least confrontational mem- ber: while giving his opinion he never openly contradicted any of his peers.

Matt was an ageing, sable-clothed parish clerk who took his church du- ties very seriously and indeed had a serious view of life in general. His conversatism often caused heated debates and proof positive had to be 100% positive.

Foxy Pa, the village 60 something artful dodger, was the third mem- ber and was an erratic attender — his presence was dependant on fiscal conditions. If he was in funds, he was elsewhere: usually where there was a counter and some sawdust.

Mike, who lived alone at the edge of the village had been in England

and had served in the army — a fact which he did not advertise, but which was broadly accepted as being driven more by hunger than political con- viction.

John, who worked in London in one of the most upmarket homes for the mentally disturbed upper class, had retired to a nice tidy cottage by the river’s edge and promised to “hus- band out life’s taper at the close” in the Sugan city which he had left as a boy.

This July evening the five had walked nice and easy up to the Can- on’s gate and were now resting by the little bridge near the creamery. Foxy had gone over to Mary Ellen’s for five woodbines and when he rejoined the group they were in deep discus- sion about a very rich and unmarried neighbour who had recently died. They debated who would greatly benefit from his death and wondered which of his many neighbours would be left the farm in the will. Foxy dis- lodged one Woodbine, assumed an air of great gravity and pronounced “T hear he made no will at all, at all, he died intestine.’ John, who was quite articulate and accurate in speech winced visibly “Oh Jesus, Pa, | eaemucbuseme

As they sat on the window-sill of one of the village pubs soaking up the comforting rays of a declining sun, they waited for Matt’s return after he rang the Angelus bell. The bell-ringing had directed their think- ing towards a religious subject. They debated aspects of the Old Testament

and wondered as to how many off- spring Adam and Eve had produced. The master opined that the Bible didn’t provide much information on the subject. Matt was adamant — Cain and Abel and the old fellow Methusalah were the only siblings mentioned — the Good Book had spo- ken and that was that. It didn’t seem to solve the burning question at all, but until the Bible indicated other- wise Matt was adamant; John soberly disagreed and submitted that without a female input the human race would never have got off the ground. Foxy Pa was the unlikely one that broke the deadlock “You know ‘tis like a dream to me that there was a few lit- tle girls in it that went to America an they young.” A local habit.

A week of fierce South Westerly gales and terrible downpours had scourged the Peninsula and had con- fined the strollers indoors. Saturday had relented and the Master had read in The Irish Press that the gales had done much damage: as they ventured down the village the weather was the only topic. Matt had heard in an an- cient Philco that much damage had been done along the coast and many strange events had occurred due to high tides. A whale had been washed up somewhere. Matt didn’t rightly know where, but Foxy Pa had it all solved. “Iwas ayther Tullamore or Atklone an’ I’m thinking twas Ark- ey none

The master’s forbearance overcame his Geographic knowledge and he declined to comment.

A 77-YEAR-OLD man was tied up in his home in west Clare in the early hours of last Wednesday morning by two men who ransacked his house, before getting away with just €68. The pensioner, who lives alone at Clonakilla close to the village of Ballynacally, was not seriously in- jured in the incident although his wrists were cut by the rope used to

tie him up.

The man managed to break free and raise the alarm.

The incident occurred shortly after midnight. However, the suspects had fled the scene by the time gardai ar- TU AMoreb

Patrol cars from Ennis and Kilrush were sent to the scene.

Gardai are looking for two men who are believed to have been trav- elling in a car. However, no details

about the vehicle were available.

Investigating officers are still trying to the establish all the circumstances of the incident but say the pensioner was unhurt apart from rope burns on his wrists.

It is known, however, that the victim was visited and examined by a doctor some hours after his ordeal.

Gardai are also investigating two similar incidents just a few miles

away, near Kildysart.

The homes of an elderly woman, who also lived on her own, and a young couple were also broken into.

Both incidents occurred in the Sha- nacoole area of Kildysart.

It is not thought the thieves got away with any valuables in those incidents while the occupants are not believed to have been harmed.

A garda spokesperson confirmed that they are keeping an open mind

about whether the incidents are con- nected and are seeking the public’s help in their investigation.

In the wake of the attacks, gardai have asked people to be vigilant and to report anything suspicious in their area.

They have also asked that people keep an eye on elderly neighbours, particularly those who live alone.

Kilrush garda station can be con- tacted at (065) 9080550.

And while the watery skies might have tried to flood the festival out, there was still a lively interest in free boats trips on the river, courtesy of Waterways Ireland.

The outdoor market carried on bravely, and one thing that the weather couldn’t ruin was the music and the craic that was evident in the pubs in the town.

Unusual skills were one aspect of the festival that visitors found fasci- nating, regardless of the weather.

A two-man Donegal-type currach was built over the festival weekend

to give the public a chance to see this ancient Irish tradition in action.

By the 1970s and ‘80s, currach fishing out of west Clare was dy- ing out and the traditional wooden hull covered by hide or canvas and painted with tar was replaced by fi- bre glass. Recognising the need to protect its heritage, local fishermen and boatbuilders decided to build a local-style currach and pass on asso- ciated skills including the language and terms that go with it. Six boats were built over a two-year period with the help of a LEADER-funded programme and were made avail- able to regatta clubs along the Clare coastline.

In the week running up to the festi- val, another currach – this time a west Clare type – was constructed by by 23 young people from west Belfast and east Clare as part of an initiative funded by the Leargas Causeway Youth Exchange Programme, and with the support of Waterways Ire- land. The young people also took part in a range of other activities aimed at promoting integration, exploring diversity and building relationships. “The Scariff Harbour Festival is es- pecially proud to give a new genera- tion of young people, both north and south of the border, an opportunity to learn these skills and hopefully to carry them with them for a lifetime,” said Mike Rodgers, Chairman of the Harbour Festival Organising Com- nap LAKoten

TWO people arrested in Ennis, as part of an operation involving the Criminal Assets Bureau and gardai, have been released without charge. The arrests were made last Tues- day, aS part of a major operation which involved searches of homes and business premises. Two houses in Ennis and two in Limerick, along with four offices in Limerick, were

searched.

A handgun, along with a substan- tial quantity of paperwork, were also seized during the operation. The gun was seized at a house in Ennis, where one of the people was NU Ko Kole e

The two arrests were made in En- nis. A man in his late 30s and a woman in her 20s were detained at Ennis Garda Station for question- ing, under Section 30 of the Offenc-

es Against the State Act. The wom- an was released later that evening, while the man was detained over- night, before being released the fol- lowing day. One of those arrested is from the Ennis area and the other is from Limerick. Both have strong connections to Limerick.

The raids were carried out under Operation Platinum, which was es- tablished by the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) over a year ago, to

tackle organised crime in Limerick. These searches are part of an op- eration – spearheaded by CAB and also involving gardai – focusing on organised crime in the general Lim- erick area.

Since Operation Platinum was set up, additional specialist support has been provided by the Emergency Response Unit, the Organised Crime Unit, the Computer Crime Inves- tigation Unit, the Garda Technical

Bureau, the Garda Dog Unit and the Garda Air Support Unit.

In May 2008, 150 premises were searched. While most of those were in Limerick, some of them were in the surrounding counties and in Dublin.

During those searches, a variety of materials was seized. It includ- ed a car, motorcycle, more than €100,000 in cash, drugs, two fire- arms and a quantity of ammunition.

AVENUE United face off against some of the best teams in the coun- try this week when they compete in the fifth international Umbro Galway Citi}

The Ennis club have been drawn against Templeogue United, Salt- hill Devon and the Gawlay District League in Group A in the under 13 section of the competition.

The tournament will take place at Drom Soccer Park, home of Salthill Devon FC, in Galway City and will run from August 5-8. The Galway Cup is aimed at talented soccer play- ers from 12 to 17 years of age. It at- tracts teams from the UK, the US, Canada, Mexico, the Middle East and Europe, as well as a strong rep- resentation of Irish clubs. The aim of the Galway Cup is to bring inter- national class teams together to test them against quality opposition to develop their skills.

Thousands of spectators are ex- pected from Ireland and overseas to capture the action in Drom Soccer Park. Tickets can be purchased at the entrance gate each day.

“The Galway Cup is now in its fifth

successive year and is considered one of the leading underage soccer competitions around the globe’, said Liam Brady, FAI. “This tournament offers the FAI and overseas repre- sentatives the opportunity to assess players who are on the fringe of the international squad. It also gives the best of our home grown talent a real opportunity to perform at the high- est levels and showcase their ability in front of scouts from the UK and Ireland.”

The Failte Ireland Elite U13 Group includes the first Mexican entrant to the cup from Mexico, Sports Clinic which is associated with Cruz Azul, one of the top Mexican sides. Other teams include the Donegal School Boys, Athlone, North Tipperary, St. Kevins Boys, F.C. Carlow and Gal- way. Salthill Devon enters into this Elite section having won the Galway & District League Cup, and the Con- nacht Cup in 2008-2009.

Fiona Monaghan, General Man- ager Failte Ireland West Region, said, “Failte Ireland is delighted to partner with the Umbro Galway Cup as sponsor of the U13 Elite Tourna- ment. The Umbro Galway Cup is one of the key events on the sporting

calendar in the West of Ireland and has gained strong international rec- ognition since its inception five years ago. Failte Ireland West region has positioned itself as the outdoor and activity region of Ireland and this sponsorship is in line with our stra- tegic goals. The Umbro Galway Cup is a great opportunity to promote the West Region as a destination for sporting events combined with activ- ity based holidays to a wide audience and to showcase Galway as a fam- ily friendly holiday destination with plenty to do for all ages. We look forward to welcoming the players and their families both from home and overseas to Galway in early Au- gust”.

This year Lifestyle Sports and Fail- te Ireland have signed up as “Elite Group” sponsors. Lifestyle Sports will be sponsoring the UI5 Elite competition which includes the FAI Emerging Talent Squad and leading UK clubs such as Sunderland, Ful- ham, Leicester City, Ipswich Town and Aberdeen. Cherry Orchard and St. Joseph’s Boys will represent the DDSL and leading Norwegian Club, Valerenga will also compete for the UI15 Elite Cup.

FEARS for jobs and services were raised afresh at Aer Lingus in Shan- non this week, with news that the airline are looking at ways to save another €130 million in spending cuts.

Company chairman, Colm Bar- rington revealed the need for more savings at a meeting involving pilots who want to see the Shannon/New York route restored.

He told pilots of the need for more cuts after they offered to work free for a month if the airline would re-

Store the Shannon route, and the Dublin San Francisco route.

Further changes are thought to be on the way with the company’s in- coming chief executive, Christopher Mueller due to join the airline on September 1, a full month ahead of schedule.

Meanwhile, Clare Fine Gael TD Joe Carey has today said that the news that Aer Lingus is working ona plan to target costs, including trans- atlantic services, will be a worry to the mid-west region.

Deputy Carey said, “The airline industry is facing a difficult period,

and Aer Lingus is no exception. But what I would ask is that key services and routes are safeguarded from any cost cutting measures. In particu- lar, the transatlantic services from Shannon have served Ireland and the mid- west well for generations. These routes are very important for business and tourism. I believe that once the US economy begins to pull out of recession, Ireland’s connec- tivity will again be a major factor in attracting inward investment to the mid-west region.”

He added, “We cannot allow deci- sions to be made now in a knee-jerk

fashion that will affect the region in the long run. I would hope in their current financial re-assessments that Aer Lingus management has learned from the Shannon-Heathrow affair. Those flights were pulled as a result of short-term thinking and now that the route has been returned, it has proved financially viable. Transat- lantic routes are profitable, if mar- keted and timetabled in the right manner. These routes are vital for business interests in the region.” The Mid West Regional Author- ity has pledged that the airport and tourism development are to remain

at the top of their agenda for the coming year.

Newly elected chairman Cllr Leo Walsh (FG) said that the authority is “determined to get on with its work” despite the threat of being scrapped under the recommendations of An Bord Snip Nua.

“We are involved in a big push in promoting tourism whether it 1s bringing visitors in through Shan- non or growing domestic tourism, and we are currently looking at ini- tiatives at Lough Derg, for example, that will be great for people who are interested in boating and fishing.”

Clare Shell protester jailed