The Clare People Archive

ALMOST two years after the first emergence of the dreaded HSNI1 Strain of bird flu, its effects are still being felt across the world.

Even though Ireland has yet to con- firm a single case of the dreaded dis- ease, the related industry and social pass-times continue to be affected on an almost daily basis.

An example of this was seen last week when the Minister for Agri- culture, Fisheries and Food, Mary Coughlan, announced an immediate ban on pigeon racing to Ireland from France and the Channel Islands.

This action was taken following the confirmation of cases of HSNI avian

‘flu in swans in the Moselle region of eastern France and a subsequent deci- sion by the French authorities to ban pigeon racing throughout France.

Minister Coughlan also confirmed that her officials had been in close contact in recent days with colleagues in the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development in Belfast and, given the all-island approach which the two Departments have been op- erating, said that a similar measure was also being introduced in North- ern Ireland today.

“The current ornithological advice available to the Department, from the National Parks and Wildlife Service, suggested that the recently confirmed cases in the Czech Repub-

lic, Germany and France did not sig- nificantly increase the risk to Ireland and that the overall risk of the intro- duction of HSN1 avian “flu to Ireland remained low,” she said.

‘Nonetheless, these measures are appropriate and entirely consistent with the actions taken by the French and UK authorities.”

Racing between Britain and Ireland and throughout the island will con- tinue to be permitted.

Coughlan reiterated that, notwith- standing the current low risk to Ire- land, there was no room for com- placency and she urged continued vigilance among the general public.

She strongly advised the poultry industry of the need to maintain very

high levels of biosecurity and added that a considerable amount of infor- mation and advice, for the poultry industry and the general public is available at www.birdflu.ie

Poultry flockowners have also been reminded of the grant scheme, in- troduced by Minister Coughlan’s department, for the installation of water chlorination facilities in com- mercial poultry units.

The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food’s helpline to which unusual patterns of wild bird or poultry mortalities should be re- ported is 1890 252283.

IT looks increasingly likely that the Minister for Agriculture, Fisher- ies and Food, Mary Coughlan, will face many of the same challenges in her second term of office as she did in her first. One issue that shows no sign of resolution is the ongoing issue concerning BSE testing.

Indeed Coughlan came under re- newed pressure to move on the is- sue of compensation for the cost of testing animals between 30 and 36 peeved ete

Last week Clare farmer and chair-

man of the ICMSA Beef and Cattle Committee, Martin McMahon, stat- ed that in line with the commitment given under “Towards 2016’, the De- partment should immediately agree to fund the cost of BSE testing cattle between 30 and 36 months until such time as EU legislation is changed to remove the requirement.

According to McMahon, under the terms of “Iowards 2016’, a commit- ment was secured that the Govern- ment would seek a higher age for BSE testing. The ICMSA has stated that it is very disappointed with the slow progress being made on this matter

with a conclusion now unlikely until well into 2008 at EU level.

Mr. McMahon added that the mat- ter was perfectly simple – farmers cannot continue to carry this cost.

‘At a time when beef farmers are under severe pressure on prices and costs, it is essential that regulatory costs are kept to a minimum.

BSE testing of cattle between 30 and 36 months cost farmers nearly €6 million in 2006 and farmers now want to see this cost removed imme- diately”, said McMahon.

Given the delay at EU level in ad- dressing the BSE testing age and as

recognition of the problems facing beef producers at this time, the IC- MSA 1s proposing that the Minister should immediately fund the full cost of BSE testing cattle between 30 and 36 months.

“This would represent a one-off cost only as it would no longer be re- quired once the EU raise the age of BSE testing. It would, however, 1m- mediately meet the commitment give under “Towards 2016’ and would re- move a substantial cost on beef farm- ers at this time of depressed prices,” concluded McMahon.

THE Minister for Agriculture, Fish- eries and Food Mary Coughlan, ac- companied by her colleague Minister of State John Browne, met with rep- resentatives of the major fishermens’ organisations at Agriculture House in Dublin last week.

Among the issues discussed were progress on the implementation of the new Seafood Strategy and the fu- ture development of the sector.

Minister Coughlan welcomed the Opportunity to meet with the catch- ing side of the industry to discuss important issues of concern to them and listened carefully to the case put forward by them.

She said, “I intend to work with the Federation and also to use the con- tacts I have built up at the Agricul- ture and Fisheries Council to pursue Ireland’s interests at EU level”.

Following a long meeting all par- ties fully endorsed the new Seafood Strategy that had resulted from the work of the Review Group led by Dr. Noel Cawley. Minister Cough- lan noted that all are committed to working positively to deliver on the outcomes”.

GoM etclmp usta Vue PMO LoM\U EINK Ro MEK ID Ese! the industry that it was a priority to get EU Commission agreement on a new decommissioning scheme as early as possible. Minister Coughlan welcomed the establishment of the

Federation which gives a single voice to fishermen right around the coast- line. She assured the Federation that she and her officials are committed to regular contact with the indus- try in the future and agreed to meet chee NDOM OMG elomr-lelaepesyee

In November 2006 the four main fishing organisations, Irish South and West Fishermen’s Organisation, Killybegs Fishermen’s Organisation, Irish Fish Producers Organisation and the Irish South and East Fisher- men’s Organisation, united into one representative organisation for the catching sector, to be called the Fed- eration of Irish Fishermen.

The Federation advises that it rep- resents over 90 per cent of full-time

fishing vessels over 12 metres in length in the country.

The Seafood Strategy Review Group, or Cawley Group, was estab- lished in June 2006, under the chair- manship of Dr. Noel Cawley, sup- ported by Mr. Joey Murrin and Mr. Ruain O’ Bric.

The objective was to consult with all stakeholders to devise a strategy for the 2007-13 period for the deliv- ery of a sustainable and profitable seafood industry in Ireland.

The establishment of the Cawley Group, and its analysis of the current state of the seafood industry, coin- cides with the ending of the current National Development Plan (NDP), and the advent of the NDP 2007-13.

SHERRY FitzGerald Hussey Mad- den, Ennistymon, have just reduced the asking price on a superb detached

house in a peaceful rural setting in Kilshanny, by €20,000. The new price representents excellent value for money at €375,000.

Located in Gortaboul, Kilshanny,

this recently constructed four bed- room dormer house, is presented to the market in excellent condition, with lots of stylish features and fin- ishes.

It occupies a 0.6 acre site and there’s a detached garage on the grounds. The garage is fully plumbed and fea- tures a stairwell leading to additional accommodation at first floor level.

The internal accommodation com- prises a spacious, tiled entrance porch, a kitchen cum dining room, with fully fitted kitchen units, with tiled splashbacks. The dining room area has wooden flooring and there’s access to a conservatory from this room. The conservatory, enjoys beau- tiful views over the rolling country- side and has double doors leading to the rear garden. The utility room is also very well kitted out.

The living room has an open fire with external gas supply, wooden floors and tranquil views. Also on the ground floor is a double bed- room, with double aspect windows and wooden floors, there’s also a good sized bathroom on this floor.

Upstairs are three additonal bed- rooms and a large bathroom. The bedrooms are all double sized.

This house is close to Ennistymon and to the village of Kilfenora.

For full details contact 065 7072833.

BUSINESS interests have reacted to news that one of the mid-west’s larg- est employers is to cut jobs by say- ing that the situation could have been worse.

Rita McInerney, CEO of the Ennis Chamber of Commerce, has said that it bodes well that the Limerick Dell plant will only be losing 3 percent of the workforce as opposed to the 10 percent being shaved off elsewhere.

And the 80 to 100 jobs which will go at the Raheen Plant will all be voluntary redundancies, it was point- ree) b

While the cuts at Dell Ireland were smaller than expected McInerney said that it was “important for us to remain vigilant, to listen to the needs of industry and convey that back to the Government.”

She added that there had been many examples “of multi-nationals scaling down and coming good again so that they take on more people than they let go in the first place. I would hope that will be the case with Dell”.

Limerick chamber also reacted to the voluntary redundancy package announced at Dell’s Limerick plants, saying that although it was disap- pointing to hear of any job losses in Limerick, the announcement was

not a surprise and that realistically the situation could have been a lot worse.

“Luckily the global target was not sought in Limerick, otherwise three times more jobs could have been lost and the situation would be a lot more serious” said Reginald Freake, Pres- ident of Limerick chamber.

Staff were informed shortly before llam last Thursday that the company would be seeking voluntary redun- dancies. Dell would not comment on the details of the redundancy pack- age beyond describing it as “com- ORLA ome

But sources close to the company say that Dell is offering between 80 and 100 staff a redundancy package of six weeks’ pay per year worked, capped at one year’s salary. Job cuts are being sought among skilled staff from support functions such as IT, HR, marketing and manufacturing management and supervisors.

Production line staff will not be entitled to apply for redundancy.

Last month, Dell CEO Michael Dell announced that the company would reduce its global workforce by 10 percent. The company has been hit by falling sales of desktop computers and last year lost its spot as the world’s top PC maker to rival Hewlett- Packard.

A 17-YEAR-OLD youth was in Garda custody in Kilrush yesterday, amid allegations that a 14-year-old girl was raped in the town at the weekend.

A woman made a complaint to gardai on Saturday that her daugh- ter had been raped by a young man,

who was known to her, the previous night.

The 17-year-old was arrested yes- terday afternoon. He can be held for up to 24 hours. The young girl was treated at the Sexual Assault Unit at Limerick regional hospital and inter- viewed by gardai. Gardai say they are not looking for anyone else in relation to the incident.

Elsewhere in west Clare, gardai are investigating the theft of a shotgun during a break-in to a house near Cranny, on Sunday.

The house, located on the Cranny/ Ballynacally road, was ransacked between Ipm and midnight. A sin- gle-barrelled licensed shotgun and a portable television were taken in the incident.

MUSIC lover in north Clare are in have a real treat in store next month with the arrival of the Munich Boys and Girls Choir to Ennistymon.

The 40 strong German choir have gained renown over the years through a series of international appearance and now spends most of each sum- mer touring across Europe and North America.

The choir, which contains members from between the ages of 10 and 20, will perform in Ennistymon Church on Wednesday, August 22.

The concert itself is free, but organ-

isers are appealing to the local peo- ple to pitch in by offering the mem- bers of the choir a place to stay on the evening of the concert.

‘The choir contains about 40 mem- bers, 20 boys and 20 girls. They travel all around Europe during the summer months playing concerts as they go to pay their way,” said Can- non Richard Thorpy.

“The concerts themselves are free but the people who attend are asked to make a small donation and they also sell CD’s after the performance to help pay for the journey. To save on the costs they also ask local people to put them up for the night and save on

the cost of accommodation.”

Ennistymon Church has hosted a number of high profile performances in recent years, most notably the Irish National Orchestra last year.

“We are looking for people to host some of the children, there are about 40 in total and about six or seven adults who travel with them. We al- ready have a good few people signed to help put the children up for the night, some are taking two children but there have been others who say they can take four or five,’ continued Cannon Thorpy.

“They have been touring in various countries and have had a number of

concerts in Ireland before this. It is how they spend their summers. They sing a great variety of music, from the classical to the more religious songs, so there should be something for everyone’s taste.”

The group will arrive in the early afternoon of August 22, and have a short rehearsal before the perform- ance that evening. After spending the evening in Ennistymon they will be leaving the area early on August 23.

Anyone interested in taking in members of the choir for the evening should contact 065 7071346. The concert will take place in Ennisty- mon Church on August 22 at 8pm.

ALMOST 60 students at Ennisty- mon’s Mol an Oige Steiner School will be going ‘to school through the falls’ from September following the eranting of planning permission for four prefabs at last weeks meeting of Clare County Council.

Parents, teachers and_ students were in council chambers for the announcement last week which re- ceived the unanimous support of all county councilors present.

The planning will allow the school to erect four prefab buildings on a site beside the Falls Hotel. It is an important step for the school which is involved in a long running battle to secure official state recognition from the Department of Education.

“We are delighted with the unani- mous cross party support received from Clare County Council in fa- vour of the temporary re-zoning of a site in Ennistymon for Mol an Oige school,” said Mary Fahy, secretary of Mol an Oige.

“This honoured a previous guar- antee made by the April ’06 council meeting when a unanimous motion was passed in support of Steiner multi-denominational schools in north Clare.

“We would like to sincerely thank the 25 county councillors present. Their lOO per cent support reflects the broad support in the local com- munity for diversity in education. Sincere thanks to the planning au- thorities for furthering our applica- tion for temporary planning.”

Hopes are now high that the schools new premises will help in the schools aim of getting official state recogni- tion. To date the school has received no support from the Department of Education and has survived through an ongoing series of fund raising events.

“Our understanding is that a posi- tive recommendation went from the New School’s Advisory Committee to the Department of Education,” she continued.

“With 56 pupils pre-enrolled in Mol an Oige for September ’07, we are confident that Minister Hanafin will respect the growing trend in multi-denominational education and respond to the need for choice in education in rural Ireland.

Steiner schools approach learning

in childhood through a process of imitation and example. For exam- ple, language development in Steiner Schools is addressed through songs, poems and movement games.

Extensive time is given for children to play freely, under the guidance of adult(s), in a home-like classroom environment that includes natural materials. The school emphasises the importance of children experiencing the rhythms of the year and seasons, including seasonal festivals drawn from a variety of traditions.

A KINVARA musician is preparing to turn the world of traditional Irish music on it’s head with the produc- tion of the world’s first ever trad-mu- sical.

The Year of the German is an ex- citing and ambitious new production from Gerry Kennedy, who last year produced the Road to Clare with Druid Theatre. Indeed, the Year of the German takes it’s inspiration from his 2006 production, which became one of the highlights of the Galway Sessions 2006 programme.

“It is set in the 1970’s when trad

music began to become popular with the Europeans and especially the Germans. This happened because German traditional music itself had been used by the Nazis and they wanted to find something else,” said Gerry Conneely.

“You began to see young German men and women hanging around Doolin with tin whistles in their back pockets, around McGann’s and Gus- sie O’Connors. These European also made their way up as far as Kinvara and that is what the story is about.”

The Road to Clare is set in Kinvara and tells the story of the impact these European visitors had on the local

community and musicians. The Year of the German is a continuation of this story, set in the imaginary town of Ardbo and put to music.

The Year of the German is cur- rently preparing for it debut in Aras Inis Gluaire in Belmullet but plans are already underway to take it on the road.

“It is very much a work in progress. I mean, this production is being done with transition year actors and mu- sicians and is very much something that I am playing with at the moment, seeing how it can be developed,” con- HOM OCoNaA

“It has been going well and the con-

cepts seems to be catching on. So it is something that I will be looking to get professional actors involved in and develop more in the near future.” The musical tells the story of Johnny Keogh, who seized the reins of the well-known Keogh’s Bar in Main from his alcoholic father. He pro- ceeds to run it into the ground and alienates most of his customers, 1n- cludes local musician Patsy McMa- hon. In a weird twist of fate, Patsy is ‘discovered’ and becomes a radio sensation in Germany. Patsy’s fame draws thousands to the town and Johnny has to befriend Patsy again in order to save his own business.

AN ECONOMIC disaster could be just weeks away for Clare with reports indicating that as many as 3,000 builders face redundancy later debhwpesreyniaee

A leading representative of the Clare construction industry claims that hundreds have already left the industry, with a return to mass emi- eration of the 1970s and 80s already

underway.

Fears are now growing that a mass lay-off will take place following the builders’ holiday later this month, with a numbers of contractors be- lieved to be holding off until the holiday in the hope of an upsurge in the market.

The two-week annual holiday be- gins on July 27, a date which sections within the construction industry have already dubbed ‘Black Friday’.

“The only thing that is keeping us going at her moment is houses out in the country. There is nothing at all going on in the towns. Traditional places where there would be build- ing like Kilkee and Lahinch are just dead. The building has stopped,” said Paddy Kenneally, head of the Clare Plasters Union.

‘There is a lot of employment out there at the moment, it’s easy to get a plasterer in Clare at the moment.

People are ringing me up all the time looking for work and I don’t have much to tell them.

“A lot of plasterers are just leaving the trade and going to work in facto- ries or whatever they can get. There are quite of few who have emigrated already, especially from the Shannon area.”

It 1s believed that 30 per cent of Clare’s estimated 11,000 to 13,000 construction workers could be let go this year.

One of the companies believed to be preparing to cut numbers after the builders holidays is McInerney Con- struction, which was formed in Clare almost 100 years ago and has bases in a number of EU countries.

“We have heard that McInerney Construction and a number of the other big companies will be laying a lot of people off. The builders will be paid their two weeks of holiday mon- ey and they won’t be taken back,” continued Mr Kenneally.

‘There is a huge fall off all over Ire- land, we are down at least 30 per cent in Clare since the beginning of the year. A surplus of houses has been created and the fact is that people can’t sell them.

“I can’t see anyway out of this, un- less we go back to the old days when we are building council houses all the time.”