The Clare People Archive

THE bilateral agreement on air serv- ices concluded by the Irish Govern- ment with the Canadian Government on April 30 last is the “total sell out” of Shannon Airport according to Fine Gael election candidate, Coun- cillor Madeleine Taylor-Quinn (FG).

CUlr Taylor-Quinn labelled the de- cision “the final act of sabotage on Shannon by Minister Cullen and the Creuse ae

“Not satisfied with undermining Shannon on US routes, Minister Cul- len and his Fianna Fail colleagues quietly concluded an agreement with Laurence Carmon, Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Com- munities, and David Emerson Min- ister for International Trade of the Canadian Government on April 30,” she said.

This agreement replaces the 1947 agreement that made Shannon the gateway into Ireland for Canadian airlines. Now that the Shannon stop- over is gone, flights from Canada can land in any airport in Ireland.

The new agreement has taken ef- fect immediately.

Cllr Taylor-Quinn added that “in- terestingly the new agreement came into place just as the election was called, with no public statements or announcements from the minister. Did he think the people of Clare could be kept in the dark until after the election? Has he any idea of the

damage he 1s doing to the airport and the region?” she asked.

The councillor said that the deal was “unnecessary” and poorly nego- tiated. “There was no push for this at all. The Government has diluted the significance of Shannon as an inter- national airport.”

She accused the Government of “total disregard” in relation to a similar agreement made with US ZNDU EDEL

‘The decision in relation to the US was reckless as well. There was no study on the impact these decisions would have on the economic fallout for the region. Shannon is the only airport which will be adversely af- fected by these deals.”

Cllr Taylor-Quinn expressed con- cern for the morale of airport staff and the wider community as mainte- nance workers are “fearful” for their jobs in the short term.

“While canvassing in the past few days I have met a lot of people who are upset and disturbed at the state of affairs with Shannon Airport. I also spoke to a number of service staff who are concerned about the future. If these flights go directly to Dublin there will be less need for services in Shannon. She added that “there is a complete lack of concern with the potential loss of jobs”.

She urged the people of Clare to take the opportunity on May 24 “to register their disgust with the current Government”.

A CONTRACTOR has been chosen and a deal is due to be signed in the coming days for a complete overhaul of the John Paul Estate in Kilrush.

Kilrush Town Council members were told that Martin Fitzgibbon Builders Ltd have been awarded the contract, which is worth €3.7 mil- lion.

The work will include the demoli- tion of 28 houses in one block and the infill development of seven hous- es. Back gardens will be lengthened

and made more secure with bounda- ry walls, while back lanes which had become the site of anti-social behav- iour are to be done away with.

Twenty local authority homes will be completely refurbished and cen- tral heating installed and a new com- munal amenity space will be created at the centre of Willow Green.

Members were told that to facilitate the project, some tenants would have to be temporarily relocated.

In a report on the move, town clerk Fiona Mooney said she wanted to “praise the families for their co-op-

eration in the temporary accommo- dation arrangements and for their support for the development.

“The level of positive engagement by these residents has been very hearten- ing and we are looking forward to continuing this positive momentum throughout the pilot phase.”

She described the upcoming sign- ing of contracts as “a red letter day” for the future of the local authority estate.

Cllr Tom Prendeville (FF) said that he wanted to compliment the clerk and the councillors “for champion-

ing this project. It is very satisfying that the people who live there have become empowered and they are fully behind this project.”

Council members were told that a project manager for the estate had also been appointed and was due to take up his office in the last week in May.

Earlier this year, Kilrush Town Council completed the installation of a street CCTV system in the estate.

The cameras are in situ at various points around the estate keeping a close watch on potential offenders

and bringing peace of mind to its many residents.

The cameras are distributed within the six areas that make up the estate and there is a link with the local Garda station, from where the cam- eras can be monitored.

Town clerk Fiona Mooney said that the CCTV installation was part of a multi-agency action plan of initia- tives that contributed to the overall regeneration programme for the John Paul Estate area.

She added that the vast majority of the community wanted the CCTV.

CONCERN for the welfare of the protected bird, the Hen Harrier, has prompted the Department of the Environment to put plans for a €10 million wind-farm in west Clare on hold.

Last month, a Cork-based com- pany, DP Energy Ltd overcame concerns by Clare County Council to secure planning permission for the eight wind-farm project in the Oe eae

However, questions were raised over the six-turbine development after the department appealed the decision to An Bord Pleanala.

In its appeal, the department stated that the company did not include a monitoring programme and mitiga- tion measures for the Hen Harrier.

“We consider that it is inappropri- ate to develop mitigation measures after a decision is made to grant per- mission. There is known Hen Har- rier activity in lands adjacent to the wind-farm extension. The depart- ment does not object in principle to the concept of further wind-farm development in this area and recog- nises the importance of wind-farm technologies in meeting our envi- ronmental energy commitments.”

The appeal also objected to the council’s decision to restrict opera-

tional life to six years. “The capital cost of wind-turbines is very high and an operational period of 20 years is normally required to ob- tain the necessary project finance to Lepr MUlelmre A bICCE: Dene

“Unfortunately, it is not feasible to fund the construction of a wind- farm where such a short life-time has been stipulated. A re-application for planning during the operational lifetime of the wind-farm is also not feasible for the same reason.”

The planning decision has also been appealed by a local man, Noel McGuane of Furoor, Kilmaley.

Mr McGuane points out that in a previous decision, the board ordered the reduction in number of wind- abba bate

‘The reason the board gave for the reduction was to reduce the visual impact on the area around Lough na Mine to reduce the risk of siltation and in the interest of the visual, rec- reational and residential amenities of the area. This is my concern as three of the proposed turbines are very close again to Loch na Mine, a fishing lake and also the only water supply to three parishes,” he said.

Currently, there are just two wind- farms in Clare and one of those is an existing 13-turbine windfarm oper- ated by DP Energy between Kilmi- hil and Connolly.

DESPITE a request for focus on playing matters, off the field contro- versies surrounding Clare hurling are to be the subject of further ex- amination.

That was the contradictory view expressed by the Clare County Board in a statement released late on Thurs- CP hasan rcanle

The statement pertained to matters discussed at a behind closed doors meeting of the County Board where a proposed vote of no confidence in manager Tony Considine was dis- cussed at length, but later withdrawn with no vote taken.

Beforehand County PRO Des Crowe informed assembled local and national media that they would not be allowed to report on the meeting.

SU slepaslereb MVE KE Ones NO eBE ROK! at the request of the board, he said. This decision, according to Crowe,

was based on sensitive legal issues that arose out of an investigation car- ried out by Chairman Michael Mc- Donagh and School’s Liaison officer John Fawl into the events which led to the departure of players including Davy Fitzgerald and coaching staff from the county set up.

“Trust us” urged Crowe, who said that a full statement on the meet- ing would be provided in I5 to 20 minutes. Any documents discussed would also be furnished, he stated.

The meeting started at 8.55pm but there was no word after 20 minutes. There was still no official word after an hour. 11.02pm and finally, white smoke.

Crowe rushed down stairs to the assembled media and flung open the doors leading to the almost empty bar.

The statement, written on A4 pa- per, contained one clear message — the focus is now totally on the May

27 clash with Cork in the quarter-fi- nal of the Munster Hurling Champi- onship. But then Crowe read, “After a full and frank discussion it was agreed that the matters would be rested at this time”.

In other words, the book was closed – but only temporarily. Crowe also confirmed that a motion of no con- fidence in manager Tony Considine had been tabled.

The motion was seconded, but after further debate was withdrawn. Smith O’Briens delegate Tony O’Brien put forward the motion and according to Crowe the seconder did not want their identity made public.

Crowe said, “There was a seconder for it. It was genuine, it came from genuine people. After the thing was discussed, the delegates spoke with the total focus to be on May 27. There was no problem for the proposer and seconder withdrawing the motion. I’ve been told not to [give name of

seconder]. It would be fair to say that the team manager was hardly men- tioned. It would also be right to tell you that in view of the fact that the Chairman and John Fawl had been investigating matters and talking to people, they spoke with all involved in what has been known to every- body in the media over the last three or four months in Clare GAA. There was a call from members of the team including the captain that there is full confidence in the training and the management and all they wanted to do tonigh wast put this thing to bed, forget about it and go forward and focus on the Clare/Cork game on May 27”.

However, when pressed further, Crowe confirmed the matter would be re-visited.

“This is the end of it as far as the County Board is concerned, as far we re all concerned. After the motion was withdrawn it was unanimous that

the focus is on Cork on May 27, but as we said in our official statement, the matter will be revisited further down the road”

He added, “Obviously it’s not going to happen between games. That’s a problem that people pointed out to- night, but at the end of the day the problem at the moment is we’re three weeks away from a Munster Cham- pionship game. But I won’t deny the fact that there were very strong feel- ings in the room. There were hurtful views. But at the end of the day eve- rybody is unanimous that the focus must be on Cork for the 27 and after that, who knows’.

Who knows indeed? This one could run and run.

IT MIGHT not mean bankruptcy just yet, but Clare is on the verge of los- ing out on a place on the latest ver- sion of Monopoly, currently under development by Hasbro Games.

Using an on-line vote, the public has been asked to decide which 22 counties will feature in the All-Ire- land version of the game due to be launched later this year.

After a solid start, the Banner county has plummeted a full 12 plac- es in the last seven days and now sits in 29th place with just 1844 votes. The crash from the comfortable 17th position has put Clare in a situation where it is fighting for its Monopoly life and one of the coveted county Soy 1eone

“It would be really great for the county to be included,’ said Rita McInerney, CEO of Ennis Chamber of Commerce.

“We have two of the top three tour- ist locations in the country if you consider the Cliffs of Moher/the Burren and Bunratty. It is impor- tant for the continued promotion of prestige developments like Doonbeg Golf Course and also in relation to property prices.”

The counties are rated depending on the amount of votes they receive with the best supported counties be- ing given the more expensive proper- Won

Currently Roscommon and Tipper- ary are in pole position to claim the purple properties, formerly Dublin’s Shrewsbury and Ailesbury Roads, with 7442 and 7370 votes respec- tively.

“It will be very interesting to see which counties get which prop- erty value. Clare is often forgotten between Kerry and Galway. With Shannon International Airport, Clare should be leading the way for coun- ties in the mid-west. I will certainly be voting for Clare this week and I would encourage everyone else to do So as well,” she added.

Clare is currently ahead of Antrim, Louth and West Meath.

Despite this position, Clare is only 700 votes behind Kildare, which cur- rently occupies the final place on the board with 2580 votes.

To put Clare on the monopoly map, simply log on to Www.monopoly.ie/ vote.aspx and cast your vote.

Each person can vote once per day and the closing date for votes is May 25.

IT’S cup final time in Clare with the County Grounds playing host to five deciders next weekend.

On Saturday the under 15 and un- der 13 finals take centre stage. Sun- day sees the under 12 final down for decision along with the under 14 and under 16 finals.

The under 11 cup final will take place on Thursday May 17. In the under 15 decider, Lifford take on Av- enue in a repeat of the league play- off final.

Avenue won that game 3-0 but the league was subsequently awarded to

Lifford when it emerged that Avenue fielded a suspended player, David Smith in a previous fixture. Avenue appealed the decision to the School- boys Football Association of Ireland (SFAI) who upheld the Clare league’s decision.

Avenue will be out to ensure their season doesn’t end pointless while Lifford will have double dreams on their mind.

Next up at 2pm on Saturday is the meeting of Newmarket Celtic and Avenue United in the under 13 final.

Newmarket edged out Fern Celtic in the semi final and a cup final success would be the perfect end to a season

that saw the club re-open their spir- itual home at McDonagh Park.

However they face an uphill task against the recently crowned league champions Avenue who will start as favourites.

The under 12 decider on Sunday is an all Ennis affair between Ennis town and Avenue United. Avenue pipped Ennis to the league title but Town will hope to summon the spirit that saw them overturn a 2-0 deficit against Moneypoint in a thrilling quarterfinal.

Then under 14 final looks an in- triguing prospect with division two champions Fern Celtic looking to

complete the double when they take on Avenue United.

By the time Moher take to the field for the under 16 final decider against Newtown, the pair will know if they are to meet in a league play off de- cider. Moher require victory against Avenue this week in order to force a play-off. Newtown will be out to erase memories of a 4-0 hammering dished out by Moher over the week- aXe

Lifford A and Avenue United A will contest the Under 11 final. Av- enue have already won the division one title but Lifford will present for- midable opposition.

MINISTER of State at the Depart- ment of Enterprise, Trade and Em- ployment Tony Killeen has published a second progress report on National Workplace Strategy. According to the minister, “The report highlights significant new initiatives to support workplace change and innovation in the public and private sectors.”

The report outlines key develop- ments in implementing the Strategy’s recommendations since the group last reported. The High Level Group, which is chaired by Minister Killeen, involves key Government depart- ments and agencies working together with the social partners to support workplace change and innovation in

the public and private sectors.

“IT am happy to be able to report that, building on the endorsement of the work of the group in the Frame- work Social Partnership Agreement Towards 2016, we have seen sig- nificant progress and the launch of important new initiatives across the five strategic priority areas of the Na- tional Workplace Strategy,’ Minister GTN ore yaork

The minister welcomed the fact that the National Workplace Strategy has reached an important juncture, Where the messages and objectives agreed and adopted at a national level by Government and the Social Partners are now to be targeted at workplace level to employees, trade unions and managers across the pub-

lic and private sectors.

“The new Workplace Innovation Fund will play an important role in supporting this process,’ the Minis- MEST BLOE

“The real success of the National Workplace Strategy will be meas- ured in terms of how it succeeds in influencing meaningful change at the level of the workplace.

‘“W hile this is no easy task, we have every reason to be optimistic. We know from our long experience with social partnership that our capacity to solve problems is best served by working together. The strategy gives us a unique opportunity to turn our creative problem-solving instincts into a source of sustained competi- tive advantage.”

AHEAD of the Clare Community Forum information night at the Tem- ple Gate Hotel on this Tuesday night, Fine Gael election candidate Cllr Joe Carey (FG) has called for strategic and comprehensive community sup- ports to bolster a vision of a stronger mid-west region.

Without strong and vibrant commu- nity infrastructure, the region will be ill-equipped to meet the challenges ahead, Cllr Carey said.

The construction of the Ennis by- pass and the resurgence of adjacent communities, such as _ Crusheen, Clarecastle, _Newmarket-on-Fergus

and Barefield means that proper facilities need to be put in place in these areas as a matter of urgency.

‘There are many areas where we need to be doing more in terms of playground facilities, activities for teenagers, recreational facilities, and generally implementing a vision for post by-pass Ennis. Currently this is not being done in any coherent or constructive manner’, said Cllr Carey.

The lack of adequate playground facilities continues to be a major is- sue for many communities, he said.

“I know for instance that residents in Quin are having to take on the 1s- sue themselves to try and get play-

ground facilities built in their vil- lage. And they are not the only ones. When funding has been earmarked for these initiatives, it 1s inconceiva- ble to think that people have to lobby to get basic facilities for their local area. It’s just not on”.

“IT am proposing that Fine Gael in government will appoint a Cabinet Minister for regional planning and development with sole responsibility for delivering a policy based on the principles of proper planned regional development”, he concluded.

A WOMAN has won her battle to transform a 19th-century school building into a holiday home.

The former primary school is lo- cated at Ballyfaudeen, Liscannor, in a remote, sparsely populated rural area. Nora French lodged plans to convert it last year.

The school dates from 1882 and has not operated for around 10 years.

However, Clare County Council turned down the proposal over site

drainage issues. Ms French appealed the decision to An Bord Pleanala.

The board inspector who investi- gated the case agreed with the coun- cil, stating that the proposal would be prejudicial to public health. The inspector was not satisfied that the site could be drained satisfactorily by means of a new Envirocare unit with peat-based system and outfall to an existing trickling filter on site.

However, the board over-ruled its own inspector to give Ms French the go-ahead.

It stated that having regard to the long established use of the existing building on the site as a school, the proposed development would not be prejudicial to public health and would be in accordance with the proper planning and sustainable de- velopment of the area.

The appeal lodged on Ms French’s behalf stated that the building had become derelict since its abandon- ment.

“Taking account of the prominent location of the building, and its his-

tory, it is appropriate to preserve and protect the local community spirit as many of the school attendees con- tinue to live in the area.

“Appropriate and imaginative re-use will provide for the general enhancement of the area. The ‘do- nothing’ scenario for a building in this location does nothing more than present a ‘no-confidence’ vote in the multiplicity of projects, which are undertaken countrywide to provide remediation for sites with similar drainage issues.

“On a broader note, the develop- ment is located in an area in which the houses to serve the increasing tourist market are not being permit- ted, and are only infrequently com- ing available on the local market.

“At the outset, it 1s important to make the distinction between a pro- posal for development on a green- field site and a proposal for rede- velopment of a building, which is constructed, has been used and is part and parcel of the local commu- ia Ae

FOLLOWING the Taoiseach’s visit to Ennis on Saturday, a notice seek- ing planning permission for the de- velopment of Ennis Hospital will appear in the press at the weekend, according to Fianna Fail election candidate Senator Brendan Daly.

“The move is a clear signal of our intent to get work started on the En- nis Hospital development as quickly as possible” he declared.

“On his visit to Ennis, the Taoi- seach reaffirmed his commitment to the development which has the Government’s full financial backing and political support. It’s now time to progress the project.

“Vd urge the HSE to get on with

securing plannng permission so that the people of Clare can finally get the medical services they deserve. The Taoiseach’s ongoing support for Ennis Hospital should allay any local fears, largely stoked by cynical Op- position politiking, that the future of Ennis Hospital was in doubt.

‘When the project is complete, the people of Clare will have a new day ward, upgraded radiology, A&E and pathology departments.The wards in the hospital will also be refurbished.

‘“We’ve made real progress on 1m- proving our health services in Clare. We’ll continue to drive that progress with the full support of the Govern- ment and the explict commitment of the Taoiseach,” Senator Daly con- cluded.