The Clare People Archive

MANAGEMENT at Shannon Airport yesterday delivered on its promise to withdraw a €30 million voluntary severance package.

The package was put on the table last year, as part of a viability plan for the airport, but unions representing staff at the airport did not accept it.

Management warned earlier this year that the package – put together as part of cost-cutting measures – would be withdrawn if agreement was not reached by this month. According to sources, the package was scrapped, because there was no “meaningful engagement.”

The National Implementation Body now wants both sides to engage in talks, over a four-week period. SIPTU, which represents the majority of staff, did not want to be drawn on the issue, when contacted by The Clare People last evening, but confirmed it wouild take part in talks.

“We are in a process. The National Implementation Body has made a statement. We are going along the basis of that,” said SIPTU spokesman Tony Carroll.

“The Labour Relations Commission has been instructed to take it. As soon as they assemble the parties, we will go there,” he said.

Fine Gael general election candidate Cllr Madeleine Taylor-Quinn (FG) said she was disappointed that this opportunity had been “lost.”

“Last week, I appealed to both sides to get involved in negotiations. We have to ensure that the future of the airport is secured. I am calling on the Minister for Labour Affairs, Deputy Tony Killeen, to engage in the necessary resources to ensure this situation is resolved, sooner rather than later,” said Cllr Taylor-Quinn.

“There must be some respect for the position of the workforce. What is the future for the workers? This needs to be clarified at an early stage,” she added.

Fianna Fáil’s Seanad Transport spokesman Timmy Dooley said the Dublin Airport Authority must consider the needs of those who wish to stay on and those who wish to leave.

“This is an effort to divide the workers, to turn those who intend to leave against those who want to make a career out of their work at the airport. It is important that those who leave get a proper package to ensure they get a good retirement. There is no mechanism other than the two sides sitting down and thrashing it out,” he added.

He said that the Director of Change Management at Shannon, John Horgan, must be removed.

“He doesn’t have the confidence of the workers and is no longer effective,” he said. Mr Horgan was unavailable for comment when contacted by The Clare People last evening.

THE final hours of three young men who were drowned in Doolin during the October Bank Holiday weekend last year will be recalled at their inquests next week.

Joe O’Callaghan (34) from Tulla, Mick Doran (31), who lived in Broadford, and Martin Griffin (24) from Ennis, disappeared after a night out in Doolin.

Their bodies, and the jeep in which they were travelling, were subsequently found in the local area.

The entire search, co-ordinated by Doolin Coastguard and assisted by hundreds of people, lasted 11 days.

Up to 20 members of Doolin Coastguard were involved in the search, along with other search teams, navy divers, the garda water unit and families and friends of the three men.

The body of popular Ennis man Martin Griffin was washed up the following Tuesday, at Trá Leathan, Doonagore, Doolin.

As the search for the other two bodies intensified, the Naval Service sent sonar equipment to Doolin to search the sea, amid treacherous conditions.

Waterford native Mick Doran’s body was located a week after they disappeared.

Much of the searching was confined to the shoreline, as the seas became increasingly rough.

Mr O’Callaghan’s body was washed up on the 11th day.

All three were found within 100 metres of each other.

Parts of Mr O’Callaghan’s Suzuki Vitara jeep in which they were travelling were washed up throughout the days of the the search.

In the immediate aftermath of it becoming apparent that the men were missing, a Garda appeal was launched.

Superintendent Eamon Dolan, who coordinated the investigation, appealed for anyone who saw the men in Doolin to come forward, in an effort to trace their final movements.

The trio were last seen outside McGann’s public house at 1.30am on Bank Holiday Monday, October 31.

The three were all craftsmen and were known to be hard-working and popular and thoroughly enjoyed their lives. They had worked together on the restoration of Coolreagh House at the East Clare Golf Club in Bodyke.

The sense of grief was palpable not only in Doolin, but also throughout the county, not least in the home towns and villages of the three missing men.

AIRPORT Director with the Shannon Airport Authority (SAA) Martin Moroney yesterday welcomed the commencement of construction work on the €349 million Shannon tunnel.

The tunnel forms part of the €349 million 10km southern bypass of Limerick city and is set to extend the catchment area for Shannon airport.

Mr Moroney told The Clare People , “It is a very, very important route and we would like to see it finished as soon as possible. The airport is suffering from bottlenecks on the roads in the Galway and Limerick directions, so news that the work has started on the tunnel is very good.”

The scheme is the largest road infrastructure project in the State outside Dublin and will be completed by 2010.

The National Roads Authority (NRA) announced that the contract for the €349 million scheme had been awarded to the Direct Route consortium, made up of Austrian company, Strabag AG; John Sisk & Son (Holdings) Limited, Lagan Holdings Limited and Roadbridge Ltd. The consortium is expected to genenate an estimated €456 million in tolls from the tunnel over the first 30 years of its operation.

In the toll scheme adopted by the NRA for the project,car drivers are to be charged €1.60 to access the tunnel, while truck drivers will have to pay €5.46.

According to a spokesman for Limerick County Council, the project is expected to be completed by 2010. The height of the Limerick tunnel is the same height as the Dublin Port Tunnel and An Bord Pleanála dismissed pleas by road hauliers to increase the height of the tunnel. The tunnel will be composed of six precast pieces, which will be built in an adjacent casting basin which will later be immersed into the river and anchored into the river bed to allow the pieces to be put in place in the dredged river site.

Limerick city mayor, Joe Leddin (Lab) has welcomed the works starting on the scheme but expressed disappointment that the road will be tolled.

“I do not object in principle to the Public Private Partnerships (PPP), but with the exchequer awash with money and motorists paying large amounts through car tax, there is no need to toll the tunnel and I would fear that a percentage of motorists would divert away from the tunnel and use the existing road network. The Jack Lynch tunnel isn’t tolled for instance,” he said.

MORE than 14,000 extra people could be traveling through Ennis train station daily before the end of 2008.

These figures were released last week after the Minister for Transport Martin Cullen granted permission for work to begin on the €100 million Western Rail Corridor, which when completed will link Limerick to Galway.

The Ennis to Galway line will form the first phase of development and should be completed early in 2008.

Under the proposals, seven trains per day will travel between Galway and Limerick, passing through existing stations in Ennis and Athenry as well as five restored stations at Sixmilebridge, Gort, Ardrahan, Craughwell and Oranmore.

“Once the line is opened it will enhance Clare as a tourist and business location, and help towards balanced regional growth and development,” said General Election candidate, Madeleine Taylor-Quinn (FG).

However, she added that it was imperative that the rail spur to Shannon from the Ennis/Limerick line was advanced with urgency.

“I am calling on Minister Cullen to expedite the feasibility study for the spur line to Shannon, so that the region can maximise on the benefits of the international airport, and that the construction of the rail spur is prioritised,” she continued.

The present plan includes the provision for a commuter bus between Shannon Airport and Sixmilebridge. Plans are also in an advanced stage to reopen the tracks as far as Castlebar in the near future.

“This whole project will be absolutely fantastic for Shannon Airport and especially if the whole project comes on line as soon as possible,” said Colmán Ó Raghallaigh of West on Track. “It would open up Shannon to all of Mayo and Galway as well as Clare and Limerick. This is a huge operation and a bits and pieces approach won’t have the same effect.”

Mr Ó Raghallaigh also expressed his hope that the project could be completed ahead of schedule.

A CONSULTANT’S report has revealed that last year’s average staff cost at the Moneypoint power station in west Clare was €124,419.

The report, carried out by Deloitte on the Irish electricity sector, found that staff costs at ESB Power Generation facilities were high, compared to those in other jurisdictions.

However, Moneypoint ESB worker director candidate, John Coleman, strongly disputed the figures, stating that the average salary at Moneypoint was “nowhere near the figure quoted in the report”.

The Deloitte report concluded that ESB Power Generation staff costs were 20 to 30 per cent higher than the benchmark stations in the UK. A significant level of overtime was paid and this was not the practice for the vast majority of UK facilities.

This was disputed by Mr Coleman who said that payroll costs at Moneypoint had gone down dramatically.

“Workers at Moneypoint would not be on even half the amount quoted in the report. They no longer work overtime and General Services day workers receive around €60,000. We are well paid. It is a marvellous job, but the figures in the report are way out.”

Two years ago, Moneypoint work ers agreed to paycuts of up to 30 per cent and an end to overtime. When the deal was struck, there were 320 employed at the plant and the target was to reduce numbers by 80 through voluntary redundancy and natural wastage.

Local county councillor, Tom Prendeville (FF), said average staff costs would include management salaries, shift allowances and unsocial hours.

“The wages at Moneypoint have been agreed between management and unions and it is the price management are willing to pay for industrial peace. If Moneypoint was to close in the morning, west Clare would become an economic wasteland,” he said.

PLANS for a ‘world-class’ €20 million greyhound stadium may not be able to proceed until the completion of the €400 million River Shannon tunnel – in four years time.

This follows the National Roads Authority (NRA) making a submission to Clare County Council stating that the stadium should not be opened until the Shannon tunnel and connecting roads become operational.

In its submission, the NRA state, “The authority requests that all recommendations of the Road Safety Audit (RSA) should be conditioned on the developer and the proposed development should not be opened until the entire N7 Limerick Southern Ring Road, including all ancillary works for Clare and Meelick are fully completed and operational.”

Earlier this year, plans were lodged by the Irish Greyhound Board for the 3,000 capacity stadium with a board spokeswoman anticipating that the facility will be operational by 2008.

However, the NRA puts that timeline in jeopardy now. The Shannon tunnel is the biggest infrastructural scheme being undertaken by the NRA outside the capital and construction work on the scheme is due to commence early next year with a three to four year works programme.

The planned stadium is proposed for a site near the well-known the Two Mile Inn Hotel.

In spite of concerns expressed over the plan by the NRA, Councillor Joe Carey (FG) said that the proposed stadium “could become one of the great sporting success stories of the mid-west region.

“This is a fantastic proposal which will transform the whole greyhound experience for the general public, dog owners and trainers alike in the Clare, Limerick and greater midwest region,” he said.

“The sport of greyhound racing has grown dramatically in modern times with so many people getting involved in dog racing syndicates. The current facility at the Markets Field in Limerick is lagging light years behind such stadiums in Galway and Cork.”

Cllr Carey said that the plans lodged with the council will not only rival stadium facilities in Cork and Galway, but surpass them.

The plan is to construct the five storey stadium and a three storey office building at Meelick and will employ 100 people.

The plan is to also include betting facilities, two restaurants and four bars with a dance floor and function areas.

CLARE Fine Gael Deputy Pat Breen has vowed to hold the Taoiseach to account when the Dáil resumes tomorrow (Wednesday) over comments he made in an interview on local radio last week in which he described the closure of Shannon Airport’s only public bar as “petty.”

Deputy Breen was speaking following last Thursdays interview on Clare FM when Taoiseach Bertie Ahern said that the closure of any service at Shannon should not have anything to do with the airport’s ongoing development.

“Obviously if you have more people you require more services. If there is something petty like that going through I am sure I will hear about it during the day,” the Taoiseach said.

Earlier this month, Shannon Airport confirmed the closure of the airports only public bar “until further notice”. The Shannon Airport Authority said, “The airport has begun to implement a policy of non-replacement of seasonal staff in response to its ongoing financial difficulties. As a consequence, it will not be possible for the foreseeable future to continue operating all the current catering services in the terminal.”

Deputy Pat Breen says he will hold the Taoiseach to account over his comment on the cost-cutting measures being introduced throughout Shannon Airport when the Dáil resumes this week.

“The Taoiseach will attempt to wash his hands of the swingeing cuts taking place at Shannon just as he has with the HSE. The truth is that he heads up the Government, the sole shareholder of the Dublin Airport Authority, and must take responsibility for the savage policies being implemented to reduce the Airport cost base.”

Deputy Breen said that he has met airport workers who informed him that staff numbers were being run down in preparation for the outsourcing of food and drink facilities and critical services at the airport.

“The closure of the Marsh Point and the reduced hours for the Londis shop are the tip of the iceberg. Staff are bracing themselves for the curtailing of opening hours at other profit making ventures such as the Estuary Restaurant and the Duty Free Shop. There is also a clear attempt to shut down the Shannon InFlight catering operation by letting seasonal staff go and keeping airport operational costs artificially high through paying of overtime instead of hiring and keeping the extra staff needed,” Deputy Breen said. MINISTER for Transport, Martin Cullen TD will be at Athenry Station at noon today (Tuesday) to announce the reopening of the Western Rail Corridor, Phase 1, Ennis – Athenry. The line has been disused for passenger services for the last 30 years. Funded under the government’s transport initiative, Transport 21, this historic announcement will see a major investment into public transport for the west of Ireland.

FOUR locals in Doonbeg have lodged circuit court proceedings in a bid to compel Doonbeg golf club to implement the terms of a High Court settlement reached two years ago.

In February 2004, the golf club reached a High Court settlement with five locals over a contentious right of way dispute.

As part of the terms of the agreement, the five agreed to an alternative right of way leading the golf club to build a barrier across the existing right of way which traverses the 15th hole of the golf course to Doughmore beach.

The five that secured the agreement with the golf club were Thomas Considine, James O’Leary, Chris Carroll, Sinead Carroll and Simon O’Donnell, who has since passed on.

Arising from the High Court settlement, Doonbeg golf club built a six foot high wall across the disputed right of way.

However, this precipitated An Bord Pleanala ruling that the club acted illegally in building the wall and that decision is now the subject of a separate High Court action by Doonbeg Golf Club.

Now, the surviving four involved in the original High Court settlement have lodged papers with Ennis Circuit Court alleging that Doonbeg golf club “has failed, refused and neglected to take the requisite steps to comply with the Terms of Settlement and has failed to meet its obligations on foot of the settlement”.

The four claim that no steps have been taken by Doonbeg golf club to register the four’s right of way as a burden on their title deed; that no steps have been taken by Doonbeg Golf Club to register the right of the four to drive onto Doughmore beach and that Doonbeg golf club has failed to extend the existing carpark by July 1, 2004.

The four also claim that Doonbeg golf club have failed to provide a tarred access road from the Caherfeenick Road to the entrance of the proposed car park and they have failed to erect the collapsible bollards, failed to provide the keys and failed to provide the designated carparking spaces for each of the four.

The four state in breach of the undertaking at clause 5, Doonbeg Golf Club erected collapsible bollards, but have failed, refused and neglected to provide the four with electronic keys for the purpose of collapsing the bollards in question.

The four are now seeking an order compelling Doonbeg to comply with the terms of the High Court settlement.

Counsel for Doonbeg golf club is likely to seek an adjournment in the case pending the completion of the High Court action concerning the An Bord Pleanala decision.

The High Court proceedings in relation to the An Bord Pleanala decision were launched by the golf club in June of last year and the case is likely to be heard again in the High Court before the end of the year.

PRESSING the flesh, meeting the party faithful, kissing babies and even dropping in on a high-profile wedding; it’s all in a day’s work when you are the leader of the country and just months from an election.

In a whirlwind visit (with a few showers of rain thrown in for good measure) to the county on Thursday, Taoiseach Bertie Ahern visited schools, community projects, golf clubs and homegrown companies before returning to Ennis to rally the troops for nine months of battle.

The cloud of controversy hanging over the Irish premier when he arrived by car ferry in Killimer didn’t seem to dampen the enthusiasm of those there to greet him.

A quick smile and some photos and he was off on his nine-hour, 14-town tour of the Banner County.

After a quick visit to the power station at Moneypoint, the Taoiseach decided it was time to weather the storm of the gathering media in Kilrush.

Taking refuge from the rain at the Marina clubhouse, Mr Ahern fielded questions about multi-million euro payments.

Minutes later, back in the warm glow of his followers, he listened as John O’Rourke, Chairman of west Clare Fianna Fáil, spoke fondly of the party and his leader.

Warm and content, it was off to the seaside town of Kilkee, during one of the wettest days of the year, before drying off in the luxury of the Doonbeg Golf Club.

A quick stop at the Quilty Tavern ensured a few more handshakes and perspective votes, before visiting St Joseph’s Secondary School in Spanishpoint. Minutes later, the perfect photo opportunity to distract the journalists from the contentious story of the day presented itself.

The daughter of one of Ireland’s most popular comedians was getting married in the Spanish Armada.

Rós na Run actress Melanie Grace, daughter of Brendan, was celebrating her nuptials to Frank Gillespie, former owner of the Baggot Inn, when the Taoiseach arrived to offer his congratulations.

Among the guests was Frank’s former business partner, soccer hero Jack Charlton, as well as current Irish manager Steven Staunton and former player Kevin Moran.

Having kissed the bride, Mr Ahern made his way to Ennis for a few planned engagements, then onto Sixmilebridge, Tulla, Scarrif, Raheen and Killaloe. Arriving back in Ennis to speak to the party faithful, the Taoiseach later jetted out of Shannon Airport, a day’s work done.

THE great election giveaway is underway with Taoiseach Bertie Ahern giving the greenlight to two major infrastructural developments for Clare.

With a general election looming, Mr. Ahern announced that the N18 Ennis Bypass would open four months ahead of schedule in December and that the €119 million project would be completed on budget.

During his visit to the county last week, Mr Ahern also announced that the government had given approval to the €57 million Ennis Clarecastle main drainage scheme.

The National Roads Authority estimates that the all-in cost of the Ennis Bypass will be €204.75m inclusive of construction, land acquisition, planning and design costs. The contract also includes a 7km western relief road N85 to the south and west of the town and will consist of 2.5km of new dual carriageway from Killaw to Clareabbey and 4.6km of single carriageway to Claureen. The bypass is expected to remove 14,000 vehicles from the town on the day of opening, rising to 35,000 in 20 years time.

Speaking in Clare Mr Ahern said, “The Ennis Bypass is an integral part of our ambitious Transport 21 blueprint and, in particular, the Atlantic Road Corridor. Its completion ahead of time and on budget marks the end of yet another one of the country’s notorious traffic blackspots. At peak times, I expect the Ennis Bypass to cut 30 minutes off journey times for people travelling on the N18.”

Ennis Chamber of Commerce has welcomed the announcement but say that a route linking the Quin Road and the bypass must be put in place.

CEO Rita McInerney said, “We have campaigned for a long while to get a link from the Quin road. There is a lot of good development going on out there and the area is a real asset to the town. A link road must be provided in some shape or form. We don’t want the town to be bypassed from a commercial point of view.”

The Chamber also want further consultation on the issue of signage in order to better promote Ennis.

Announcing the approval of the Ennis Clarecastle main drainage scheme, Mr Ahern said it reflected the government’s commitment to infrastructural development in Clare.

“When complete, it will provide sewerage facilities that will cater for continuing residential, commercial and tourism development in Ennis and Clarecastle.”

Ennis Chamber of Commerce also stated the scheme would boost commercial development in and around Ennis.

Councillor Joe Carey (FG) welcomed the news but claimed the delay cost the taxpayers millions.

“I am calling on the Minister of the Environment to avoid any further delay in approving the next step of the project which is assessment of the detailed design and contract documents so that this essential project can move to tender and construction phases as soon as possible.”