The Clare People Archive

IRISH beef farmers struggling to remove potentially dangerous and sub-par Brazilian beef from the EU market received a timely boost this week from an unlikely source.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) confirmed to the IFA last week that, based on sci- entific assessments, the USDA con- sider the risks too high and are not prepared to import fresh beef from Brazil.

Both Brazilian and Argentine beef has been underfire in recent times because of doubts over the safety of production methods as well as the documented foot and mouth problem in the region.

IFA National Livestock Chairman John Bryan last week contrasted this strong position of the USDA with that of the EU Commission which adopts the opposite policy on risk and imports 331,000 tonnes of beef from Brazil.

The IFA livestock leader had just returned from a visit to the USDA head office in Washington where he met with senior policy and veterinary experts to discuss the US approach

in not accepting fresh beef imports from Brazil.

“It is clear the USDA have a strong and robust policy when it comes to food safety and animal health risk assessment,’ he said.

‘They are not prepared to take un- necessary risks with their consumers and livestock sector. The US do not import fresh beef from Brazil be- cause they consider it too high a risk to take, both from a consumer and livestock point of view. We simply cannot afford to risk allowing fresh beef imports from Brazil into the ON ie

The IFA Livestock leader said the USDA are very proud of their robust policy on risk assessment and point to the fact that they have not had an outbreak of FMD since 1926. They put this down to not accepting fresh beef imports from Brazil and other abhcd eto Wh) ere Busts

He said the EU Commission must reassess its policy on imports from high-risk regions such as Brazil, where there are FMD outbreaks on a continuing basis related to the lack of standards and controls, particularly a lack of traceability and an absence of movement and border controls.

IRISH farmers are one of the most likely groups to be deprived and liv- ing in poverty, according to results of a study launched last week by the Economic and Social Research Insti- tute (ESRI).

The study, which was based on the European Union Statistics on Income and Living Conditions (SILC) sur- vey, looked at social inclusion from a number of different approaches.

It looked at five different areas of deprivation including consumption, housing, health and neighborhood or environment factors.

Farmers were found to be one of the groupings at risk, alongside the unemployed, lone parents and those

with less than a Leaving Certificate education.

‘There is an urgent need to imple- ment immediately the key farm sup- ports in the Rural Development Plan, which include an improved REPS Scheme, an increase in disadvan- taged area payments as well as other key rural development measures,” said the IFA’s Rural Development Chairman, Padraig Divilly.

‘Farmers also need social welfare supports through improved pension provision and farm assist assessment. Every farmer should devote some time to thoroughly reviewing his or her pension cover under both state pensions and supplementary private pensions.

“This review should also include

the pension provision for the spouse working on the family farm. The few hours spent by a farmer this week in planning for retirement income could be the most valuable time spent at work for the year.”

Less than one in four Irish farmers have any private pension provision at “Ne

“Low-income farmers, whose tax returns show that they have no net li- ability to pay income tax, and wrong- ly think that they do not have to pay PRSI, should do so,” he continues.

“The law requires that everybody with an income above €3,174 must pay PRSI. Farmers in this low-in- come category should pay the flat- rate PRSI contribution of €157 per year to secure their pensions.”

Overall, less than one per cent of people are deprived on all five of the criteria set out by the ESRI. Indeed, only eight per cent of the population were found to be lacking in three of WtoRGulKout.

‘For maximal deprivation, labour market inactivity and illness or dis- ability are powerful predictors,” said a spokesman for the ESRI.

‘Education is also a strong influ- ence and so is being an urban local authority tenant.

“The fact that multiple depriva- tion and multiple disadvantage are relatively rare acts as a counter to the sometimes despairing tone of com- mentary focusing on a so-called un- derclass entirely detached from the mainstream of society.”

PARENTS of the Under 14 football team at St Joseph’s GAA Club in Miltown Malbay face a formidable battle against time to raise funds for the team’s trip to the Peil na n-Og All Ireland finals in Sligo this June. Upcoming events- to add to a table quiz and church gate collections in Miltown Malbay and Moy- include a poker classic and a sponsored walk. The team is the only Clare football outfit to go west for the finals, taking place over June 29-30 and July 1, and around €7,000 must be raised to pay

for transport, accommodation and kit.

The poker classic will take place in the golf club in Spanish Point on the night of June 15. The walk will follow on June 17, leaving Miltown Malbay at lpm on a planned five mile route to Spanish Point. Participants of all levels and children can take part. Entrants will pay a registration fee of €20.

Pat Keane, a parent and volunteer at the club said that the team had done exceptionally well in qualifying for the finals.

“This 1s a big deal for the club.

We’ve been in three county finals in four years. It has been seven or eight years since a local club got to the final stages of the competition. The coach- es, John Sullivan and Gerry Curtin, have done trojan work and so have all the players. We will have to do well against the eight teams in our group to qualify for the semi-finals and overall final so it’s fingers crossed.”

He added that all the team mem- bers’ parents were very proactive in collecting and getting involved.

The finals take place at various ven- ues around Sligo, Leitrim and Ros- common and the team will also take

part in a parade on the opening night in Carrick-On-Shannon.

Another parent, Noreen Ryan, said that the club is up against the clock with six weeks to raise the money for the panel of 22 to travel. But she was confident that the call would be an- Woke eo

“The lads are all excited to be going and itis a great achievement. The fun- draising will be no problem because there is great goodwill in the area. We have to keep the colours flying so if anyone wants to make a donation that would be greatly appreciated.”

KILRUSH town will soon be on the information superhighway as one of eight towns to benefit from 52kms of broadband fibre network to be laid around the mid west with work start- TbercaB ee MM Lease

“In today’s knowledge-based econ- omy and society, the availability of high speed, competitively priced broadband 1s critical. Once complete, this network will have major benefits for the people of Kilrush,” said Clare County Manager, Alec Fleming.

“The applications for Broadband

are many and varied and include; the business sector, the retail service sector, and public services, but also it is just as important for home users, local communities and education, and this is why Clare County Coun- cil is delighted to be playing its part in the development of this critical in- frastructure,’ he added.

He said that a big effort would be made to minimise disruption while the work by Clarke Quarries (for Shannon Broadband Ltd) was ongo- ing.

“Advance work in laying duct- ing has already been undertaken on

some roads by the local authorities during work on other construction projects, which should keep disrup- tion to the public to a minimum in those streets,” he said.

Announcing the appointment, Kevin Thompstone, chief executive of Shannon Development and chair- man of Shannon Broadband Ltd said: “We are delighted to be undertaking phase two of the Metropolitan Area Network project. The aim of Shan- non Broadband is to develop world- class broadband infrastructure and services network throughout the Shannon region.”

The work will ensure “fast, cost effective broadband services…key to attracting inward investment and creating more jobs in the future,” he added.

Other towns to benefit from the work will include Abbeyfeale, New- castle West, Nenagh, Roscrea, ‘Tem- plemore, Banagher and Birr. Work 1s expected to finish by the end of the year.

A phone line has been set up to answer any queries from the public on 061-402233. Further information on the project can be obtained from Www.shannonbroadband.com.

include

field identification of cetaceans (whales, dolphins and porpoises) at sea and from remains washed up on shore including skull characteristics. The course, on at the Shannon Dol-

phin and Wildlife Centre on Mer- chants Quay in Kilrush, will also look at ways of recording cetaceans and the validation procedure for ac- cepting records.

The centre has a large collection of skulls, bones and other interesting cetacean on display and the work- shop will also examine these.

Dr Simon Berrow of the Shannon Dolphin and Wildlife Foundation and IWDG co-ordinator will lead the workshop and he explained what people could expect to see.

‘The group has a large sighting and

stranding project so we do courses all over the country. I recently saw a minke whale and a basking shark off Loop Head. This time of year there could be dolphins, porpoises, hump- back or killer whales.”

He added that he hoped that ordi- nary people would “contribute to knowledge and conservation” by voluntarily reporting and recording information.

The workshop will start at 10am in the centre with introductory infor- mation and weather permitting, will include an afternoon trip to Loop

Head and Kilcredaun Head to prac- tice whalewatching in the field. The workshop ends at around 5pm.

Participants are asked to bring bin- oculars or a telescopes if they own them as well as any interesting bones or material they might have found washed up on the shore.

The cost of the course is €25 for members of the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group and €40 for non members

For more details contact Dr Simon Berrow on 086 8545450 or email si- mon.berrow@1wdg.ie.

that the latest test taken from the drink- ing water supplied to the west Clare village and surrounding areas came back clear, but the local authority will not be removing the warnings until the next test shows a similar KeUO Le The “Miltown Malbay Public Wa- ter Supply” taken from Rockmount Treatment Works was found to have

aluminium levels above those rec- ommended.

Users were experiencing a strong taste from the water when the alert was issued.

According to the council and the local Health Service Executive in the short term there is no “evidence of increased ill-health due to drinking water containing levels of alumin- ium which are higher than recom- mended”’.

However, people with poor kid- ney or renal function are advised to source alternative drinking water until advised that the aluminium lev- els have reduced.

This includes water used in the preparation of hot beverages and soft Clann ecp

A spokesperson for the council ex- plained that boiling the water has no effect on aluminium, and is effective only if bacteria were found in a water supply.

Aluminium is added to the water at the treatment plant to clean the water, but more than is required was found in the water in the past weeks.

Clare County Council has since rectified the situation at the plant and altered the dosage of aluminium as required.

The local authority plans to carry

out another test on the affected water next week. The test will be sent for independent testing as well as being analysed in its own lab.

The council must then meet with the HSE before the water warning is lifted.

The notice also applies to the Bal- lard, Dunsallagh/Killeran, Glendine, Leagard South and Dough (Spanish Point) group water schemes.

Local County Councillor Christy Curtin said he was delighted that the water tests were beginning to prove positive. He said there was a lot of uncertainty about the water supply, but that was “being cleared up”.

THE council came with two lorries and left with each filled to overflow- ing and a sparkling clean beach in Fanore behind them. Over the last number of months, local man Wil- liam Verhulst has been walking the shoreline and coast, gathering rub- ten

Since February, William has col- lected more than 120 bags of rubbish and greatly improved the view from one of Clare’s most scenic villages.

“I covered the area from Creggagh up as far as the beach, fields as well as coastline. After every storm, it keeps coming in. It 1s a global prob- lem. It is inevitable that fishing boats

would lose some of their material during storms or whenever, but in terms of the bottles and rubbish, I think that they should be stored in appropriate places until they get back to harbour,” he said.

“IT started in February. My doctor advised me to take a lot of exercise. So I asked Patsy Corrucan for per- mission to walk across his fields and I thought to myself, ‘this doesn’t look right’.

“So I started collecting the rubbish. I then spoke to the area office of the county council in Ennistymon and they said that they would come out and take the rubbish away. But they said that they wouldn’t come out for 20 or 30 bags. I contacted them in

April to say that there were over 100 bags now.”

Originally from Holland, William retired to north Clare four years ago. A keen traditional music fan, he had been coming to Ireland for years to the Fleadh Nua and other festivals.

“IT found large plastic contain- ers that had come in from all over. One was from Norway, I discovered from reading the writing on the con- tainer. There were some from Spain and Portugal and some with Chinese characters, they probably came from passing ships,” he said.

“There is no telling where the rub- bish comes from, but I would imag- ine that a lot would come from ships, being thrown overboard.

‘From the way that it had been dis- integrated, I would guess that some of it has been away for up to four or five years.”

William continues his work clean- ing the shoreline and hopes that oth- ers will join him in the task.

‘I do hope that this will inspire oth- er people to help clean up the beaches in their own area,” he continued.

“Now I have started working my way towards Dorreen and so far I have collected another eight bags with Bernie Conway who looks after the beach here 1n Fanore.”

INAGH native, Sr Mary Neylon, re- turned to her native town this week in preparation for a major fundraiser which could drastically improve the lives of countless women living in poverty in Peru.

A mid-summer ball will take place in the West County Hotel on June 15, with all the proceeds going to the work of Sr Mary and the Cahercalla Hospice. Sr Mary is a Columbine nun and has been based in Lima for the last 20 years.

“She went to Lima in Peru, she

is there since 1989 or ‘90 and she comes homes every three years. She works with the poor, women’s groups mostly. She is trying to improve their situation, teaching skills and crafts so that they can make a bit of money and have a bit of independence for themselves,” said her sister, Brid Ca- eas

“There are a lot of poor people out there, especially in the remote parts. There are extremes. There is a lot of wealth, but there is an awful lot of poverty as well.”

The ball is being organised by fel- low Inagh native and Mayor of Clare,

Flan Garvey.

“When I became mayor, I said dur- ing my inauguration speech I would be listening very closely to what peo- ple needed and to help them out as best I could,’ said Flan.

“T am a director of the board at Ca- hercalla and Cahercalla Hospice is very dear to my heart. They give tre- mendous comfort to the terminally UU MeVele maetssbmBKo EIB Lore

“T said that I would organise this ball to help that cause. Then I was in contact with an old neighbour of mine, Sr Mary Neylon, who is in Peru. I asked her what help she

needed and she gave me a request of roughly €3,000 for an initiative with the women in Lima.

“The project involves setting up schemes where they can work them- selves and make a few bob of their own, make them feel good and make them feel wanted.”

The night will include a pre-dinner reception, a meal and then an evening of entertainment from Johnny Car- roll of the Famous Golden Trumpet and his band.

Tickets at €100 each are available from Flan Garvey or through the West County at 065 6823000.

C’S DRY e iene namee ulus Ireland are oiling their bikes and stretching out their calf muscles in preparation for the fourth annual Tour the Burren which will be hitting the roads of north Clare on June 16.

This year’s tour will have two sepa- rate routes and is designed to cater for everyone from the experienced cyclist looking for a challenge to the day tripper after a bit of fun.

“We cater for all kinds of cyclists, from the slow to the fast, from the tall to the small. We accommodate everybody, for as long as they want to take part they will be looked af- ter,’ said Patrick O’Donohue of the Burren Cycle Club.

“We will have a broom wagon go- ing after the cycle, picking up anyone who needs a lift. We will also have full assistance for anyone who has any mechanical problems.

“We have two routes. The first route is 16O0km and has four main climbs at Ballaghtdine, up Corker Hill, up the Cork Screw Hill and at the Cliffs of Moher. It leaves Ballyvaughan at 9.30am and 1s for cyclists who have a bit of experience.

“The second route leaves Bally- vaughan at llam and is 60km long. There will be a food stop with food, beverages, sandwiches the whole lot at the Royal Spa in Lisdoonvarna. Afterwards we will have a celebra- tion at Monks Pub in Ballyvaughan with a jazz band.”

Since its formation in 2003, the Burren Club has gone from strength to strength and this year boasts more than 40 members. Some 120 people took part in the tour last year and or- ganisers are hoping for an even big- ger turnout this year.

“We just finished the Croi tour last weekend round Lough Corrib, some of us are going to do the Wicklow Tour in early June and then we have the Tour de Burren. We are also look- ing at doing the Ring of Kerry in July if people are interested in taking part in that,” continued Patrick.

“The challenge of the tour is the climbs but more important than that is the scenery. It’s spectacular. A few people will take the race seriously but it’s mainly for average cyclists to

have a good day out. The last person home is the most important person.”

Tour de Burren takes place on Saturday, June 16, with registra- tion taking place in Ballyvaughan between 8.30am and 930am. Entry for licensed members is €10, €20 unlicensed. For more info, contact Patrick on 086 2579682, John at 086 8405449 or www.burrencyclingclub. onee

SDE still available to buy in local shops, the success of the inaugural festival should guarantee a continued early summer festival in Gort for years to Koya lon

“It was a great day, a day that Gort can be really proud of,” said Niamh Clune, managing director of GRACE and organiser of the Changing Colours.

“So many people contributed in

the festival, people like Anne Kelly who never flinches no matter what the task, the GRACE directors and volunteers, all our sponsors, the mu- sicilans and technical team, Garry Connolly for his help on the day, my husband, Doug who was always behind the scenes helping and my daughter, Aleisha, for the music and friendship.”

Giant puppets and jugglers walked the streets, the ICA arrived on pony and trap to signify the arrival of the Sisters of Mercy in 1857, as the his- tory of Gort was depicted in graphic action.

The carnival atmosphere contin- ued with Marie Gavin’s dancers

who performed a war and fire dance, before Euro-Samba played some au- thentic samba from the San Paolo region and were joined by Brazilian CN eo ace

“There are too many people to thank, but I would like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to all the teachers and loop leaders for their brilliant guidance and participation; to Michael O’Grady, Frank Murray, Nilton De Viera Souza and Isaiais for helping on the day and with the Brazilian translations,’ she contin- tere

“T would also like to thank the Garda Siochana, the Court Serv- ices, Galway County Council Spe-

cial Events Licensing for Arts and Crafts Fair, the brilliant staff of the Lady Gregory, Dennis Corry and the Board of Trustees at Gort Com- munity School and the business people of Gort.

‘To Pat Howley and the Red Cross team, to all those who provided out- lets for ticket and CD sales, to James Lee and staff of the Gort Communi- ty Centre and to Mayor Mullins for helping us to launch the festival.”

The