The Clare People Archive

MUSICIANS in Clare are bidding to benefit from a multi-million euro education programme sponsored by rock legends U2.

Representatives from the Ennisbased music school Maoin Cheoil an Chláir and Clare VEC, along with members of local authorities and Shannon Development, are due to meet in the coming weeks to prepare Clare’s application for ‘Music Generation’ – the U2 and Ireland Funds supported national music education programme for young people.

An initial meeting between members of Clare’s artistic community took place last October, with further discussions taking place in the run up to Christmas.

According to Hans Boller, Director of Maoin Cheoil an Chláir, funds from the Music Generation programme, would allow more children throughout Clare to learn music.

He explained, “We would be getting a substantial amount of money from U2 to promote music education in Clare.

“The aim of the programme would be to reduce fees for music lessons and that would be a benefit to families.”

The programme, enabled by a € 5 million donation from U2 with a further € 2 million being raised by the Ireland Funds, gives children and young people across the country access to music education in their own communities.

The music education partnership model, developed by Music Network, has been successfully piloted in Donegal and Dublin.

Mr Boller added, “At the moment, it is Maoin Cheoil and Clare VEC but that has to be finalised. There would also be input from the town councils, county council and other government bodies like Shannon Development. We are waiting for music networks to finalise the application process. Then we will know what we need to do in the application.”

Funding for up to twelve Music Ed- ucation Partnerships will be awarded on a phased basis from 2011-2015, most likely in three locations at a time. Music Education Partnerships are eligible to apply for 50 per cent funding, up to a maximum of € 200,000 per annum over three years. The closing date for Round 1 applications is Thursday, March 31.

Music Generation will provide three-year seed funding to establish local services, which will be sustained by Music Education Partnerships on a long-term basis.

MORE THAN half a million euro worth of cocaine was seized at Shannon airport last year, in 11 separate hauls, while the overall value of drugs seized more than doubled.

The cocaine hauls amounted for the bulk of drugs seizures at the airport during the entire year.

According to figures obtained by The Clare People , the value of cocaine seized was € 518,000. This compared with € 151,000 in 2009. The number of cocaine seizures al- most quadrupled in 2010, increasing from three to 11.

Overall, the value of drugs detected at the airport increased from less than € 260,000 in 2009 to more than € 570,000 last year. There were 43 drugs seizures last year, a significant increase on 19 during the previous year.

Seizures of cannabis herb increased from nine to 20, but decreased in value from € 88,000 to € 46,000. Hauls of amphetamine and cannabis resin remained on a par with the 2009 levels. There were four seizures of ecstasy last year and one seizure of MDMA – there were no seizures of either drug in 2009.

The figures also show that the number of cash seizures at Shannon last year increased from three (2009) to seven. The value of money taken in by Customs officers in 2009 was in excess of € 157,000 and amounted to almost € 270,000 last year.

Seizures of counterfeit goods, including dvds, cosmetics and jewellery, reduced in number from 74 to 40 and also decreased in value, from € 400,000 to € 39,000. There were 155 seizures of cigarettes last year, compared with 396 in 2009. However, the number of cigarettes seized was comparable in both years – 830,000 last year and 791,000 in 2009.

Twenty-one hauls of tobacco were confiscated in 2009 and this reduced to 15 last year. However, the size increased from 65 kgs to 95 kgs. Five weapons were taken in by Customs in both 2009 and last year, but their value dipped last year from € 1,035 to € 230. The value of medicines detected reduced from € 71,000 in 20098 to € 2,100 last year. There were 10 seizures in both years.

According to a spokesperson for Revenue, significant resources are put in place to detect the presence of illegal goods in the country’s airports. The drugs dog Shadow, a Labrador, which is based at Shannon, was involved in several seizures.

“The Revenue’s Customs Service is continuously engaged in the analysis and evaluation of seizure trends, routes and smuggling risks and consequential resource deployment,” said the spokesperson.

MEMBERS of Clare County Council have argued that the retention of the council’s existing wind strategy will aid job creation in the county.

The Clare wind energy strategy will form the basis of development plan policy on wind energy and will assist in the assessment of planning applications and in the decision making process.

Last week a majority of councillors voted to retain the existing strategy under the County Development Plan

A total of 18 councillors spoke on the issue when it was raised by Cllr Brian Meaney (GP) at last week’s meeting of Clare County Council.

Cllr Pat Hayes (FF) urged the council to keep the existing wind energy strategy, saying the effect of windfarms on rural areas was minimal.

Cllr PJ Kelly (FF) said he supported keeping the existing wind energy strategy as proposed. Cllr Richard Nagle (FF) argued the existing wind energy strategy was “very robust”.

He added, “Any watering down of the strategy will do a tremendous disservices to the county and to renewable energy in Clare.”

Councillor PJ Ryan (Ind) said that it was very important that the council retain the existing wind energy strategy.

In a reference to east Clare landowners who sat in the public gallery at last week’s council meeting, Cllr Ryan said, “These people in the gallery are dependant on a very meager income from farming”.

Cllr Pascal Fitzgerald (Lab) said he supported the retention of the existing strategy while Cllr Tony Mulqueen (FG) also expressed his support, saying, “jobs are number one”.

Cllr Joe Cooney (FG) said he strongly supported the strategy, as did Cllr Pat Burke (FG) and Cllr Paul Murphy (FG).

SUPPORTERS of a proposed wind farm in east Clare say the project could potentially generate up to 300 jobs in the area.

Local landowners and farmers are due to meet in the coming weeks to discuss the possibility of developing two wind farms in the Broadford and Ardnacrusha areas.

The project was lent extra impetus by last week’s decision by Clare County Council to keep its existing wind energy strategy in the new County Development Plan.

Councillors had argued that a re- vised strategy would place a number of proposed wind farm projects, such as the one in Broadford, in jeopardy.

Though still in the early stages, landowner PJ Donnellan said that if successful, the project could help revitalise the local economy.

He explained, “There would be one starting in Broadford, going into Ardnacrusha and there’s another one from the Windy Gap going down into Ardnacrusha. It’s a co-op project. We set up the co-op to create jobs for people in our area. We hope it could create about 300 jobs.”

Mr O’Donnell continued, “We’re trying to get jobs for that area and keep everything going. Farmers would be getting an income out of it. The local GAA clubs, sports clubs would benefit out of it. The big companies would just want the land to set up and they would put nothing back. There are complaints about noise and that but I’ve been down at other wind farms and they don’t have any noise out of them. All the councillors supported it the last day. We’re only just at the early stages. We will be looking for planning. Our biggest thing was to get the land re-zoned again.”

Mr O’Donnell said that as many as 30 farmers are looking to get involved in the project which he said has been supported by the local branch of the Irish Farmer’s Association (IFA).

He added, “We’re looking to create jobs for the local area, number one. They would have an income out of it. The local sports teams would all benefit. Young fellas wouldn’t have to go Australia; you wouldn’t have all these guys forced out of the country. And we would be producing energy for this country, we wouldn’t have to be going around the world, to Iraq or wherever to buy oil. The money for oil and diesel, that goes out of the country, back to Dubai or wherever…With wind power, it’s produced in Ireland, the money stays in Ireland. That’s the way it should go.”

Another supporter, Joe O’Connell, cautioned that the project was still very much in the early stages and that there is a “long road” to travel before the area could see any real benefit.

He explained, “We’ve got a group of farmers together and we’re trying to put up a wind farm but it’s at the very early stages. It would be a clean supply of energy but there is a long road to go yet, before you even get planning permission. And even if you got that, the biggest problems can be getting on the grid. You have to wait and wait.”

THE number of weekly Aer Lingus regional departures from Shannon is set to jump by 36 per cent this year, the national carrier has revealed after unveiling details of the latest new direct route from the airport under the terms of its franchise agreement with Aer Arann.

From Sunday, March 27 Aer Lingus Regional, operated by Aer Arann, will provide flights to Shannon from Edinburgh in addition to the current Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol and Glasgow services. Flights to Edinburgh will operate five days per week with fares starting at € 29.99 one way including taxes.

Shannon’s Aer Lingus Regional Summer 2011 schedule, also beginning on March 27, will include additional flights to Manchester on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings. The Birmingham service will oper- ate daily on a business-friendly slot, while the Shannon to Glasgow route will operate three times per week.

“Combined with the recently launched Glasgow route, the addition of our new Shannon-Edinburgh service demonstrates the continued success of our franchise agreement with Aer Lingus,” said Aer Arann chief executive Paul Schütz said

“This is the fifth Aer Lingus Regional route launched from Shannon since our partnership with Aer Arann began in April of last year. We look forward to welcoming customers onboard the Edinburgh service in March,” said Aer Lingus director of communications Declan Kearney.

THERE are four members of Dáil Éireann charged with representing the interests of County Clare. Unlike other countries, Irish parliamentarians are all well known to us. They live in our localities, attend our funerals and are available, quite literally on a 24/7 basis for constituents. Their offices and clinics are visible to us and come election time we will meet them all at least once.

But what is it they actually do? How do they spend their time? How are they helping the county of Clare? How are they working for us? How are they delivering for you?

We decided to ask them.

From this week on The Clare People will host the four TDs in four separate weekly columns side by side. The parameters are simple enough. We asked each TD to describe their working week for the people of Clare. Where were they? How will this benefit Clare? What did they get done? They have four hundred odd words to fill – how they do that is their own affair. We will not be editing their copy, but we will be rating them on their contributions. We invite you to do the same.

There are a couple of things to keep in mind. Firstly and most importantly,

AT 3pm on Sunday, the news bulletin said an Taoiseach Brian Cowen would announce a decision about his future at 5pm.

It had been another tough week for the leader of Fianna Fáil and his party. Many had spoken in defeatist tones on the national airwaves; others, even within the party, had said Fianna Fáil would not survive.

In the West County Hotel, Ennis, at the same time, almost 500 delegates gathered to nominate their candidates for the next General Election, and the atmosphere was much further from the feelings in Dublin than the 150 miles.

Although everyone knew there would not be a contest, they still came in their droves in cars and mini buses from all over the county.

As former politicians such as Brendan Daly were welcomed back, the new politician on the block was being keenly welcomed among the people who had supported his father decades before.

Dr John Hillery was the great hope of the Fianna Fáil party in Clare. It was now possible to fill Killeen’s seat they believed and the fight was on.

While some, who had already been to the doors and knew the tough reception that was waiting behind most, they believed that all was not lost. The soldiers of destiny had risen and no one had known from where.

It did not reflect the polls and defied all predictions. The question now remained – would the party faithful come out and vote on election day.

If the words of the speakers were heeded, even the dog would be brought to the ballot box.

Standing ovations praised outgoing Minister Tony Killeen.

The delegates took on the media, the opposition and the critics.

And while some left at five – yes they spoke for that long – to hear the Taoiseach’s long awaited statement, the majority remained committed to the cause.

At 5.10pm Minister Killeen, who was making his final convention speech, was handed a document by PRO Michael McTigue.

“The note says, Tony will you tell them the Taoiseach is staying,” he read.

With that the crowd were on their feet, leaving them in no doubt as to where their loyalties lied.

After listening to Minister Eamon Ó Cuiv rallying the troops the delegates prepared to leave.

More than three hours after the 3pm bulletin and Fianna Fáil had begun fighting.

They left the convention with the final words of chairman of the Comhairle Dáil Cheantair Patrick Moloney ringing in their ears.

“We can win this election. We can win these two seats. We can hold these two seats.”

FIANNA Fáil selected two candidates to contest the General Election in Clare on Sunday last.

Just ten days after the party was thrown into turmoil with the shock announcement that Minister for Defence and Fianna Fáil TD for Clare for 19 years Tony Killeen was to retire, the party had regrouped and appointed two candidates unopposed.

Joining sitting TD Timmy Dooley on the ticket is Dr John Hillery, son of the late Clare Fianna Fáil TD, Minister and President of Ireland Paddy Hillery.

While some delegates quietly grumbled that the Dublin-based and Spanish Point-born doctor had been parachuted in at the last minute, for more the reality that there was no other strong candidate willing to put their name on the ticket hit home.

For the majority Dr Hillery is the great Fianna Fáil hope – he is eager to serve, comes from a strong political pedigree and is geographically well placed between north and west Clare.

Following a week that had seen the party panic that a candidate to fill Minister Killeen’s shoes could not be found, it had hit the jackpot.

At the opening of the convention the chairman of the Comhairle Dáil Cheantair said “the cream rises to the top and that is what we have here today”, as the two men were nomi- nated unopposed.

The nominees to the convention were originally made up of Minister Killeen, Deputy Dooley, Cllr Bill Chambers, Marian Coughlan Flynn and Marina Keane. All but Deputy Dooley withdrew their nomination before the convention began. As the candidates had pulled out before the convention, the name of Dr Hillery could then be added and he with the sitting TD was selected unopposed.

Supporting the nomination of Dr Hillery, delegate John O’Rourke said, “he has an outstanding ability that will deliver stability for our party in Clare. He is a candidate with new ideas.”

Outgoing TD and Minister for Defence Tony Killeen told the delegates he was confident that the two candidates would secure two seats in the four seater constituency and said his decision “or the decision made for me” to step down would be vindicated if this were to happen.

IT HAS happened in the past and will probably happen again, that when Clare Fianna Fáil backs are to the wall, the soldiers of destiny come out fighting.

Sunday’s convention was no exception with Fianna Fáil man John O’Rourke leading the charge.

Many arrived at the West County expecting a despondent and defeated party but finding a new candidate with a strong Clare political pedigree seemed to have recharged the batteries.

Firing up the delegates Mr O’Rourke called for unity of cause and the facing down of the party’s many critics.

With the son of former President and Minister – the late Paddy Hillery – taking his seat at the candidates’ podium, the Kilmaley man even referred to the famous and impassioned speech of Dr Hillery at the 1971 Ard Fheis.

It was during the fallout from the arms trail, which was tearing Fianna Fáil apart, but Dr Hillery rose to the defence of Taoiseach Jack Lynch as forces tried to undermine the leadership.

Facing down the would-be rebels he famously said, “Ye can have Boland, but ye can’t have Fianna Fáil.”

Mr O’Rourke was just as passionate as he introduced Dr John Hillery.

“We have gathered here today probably under a cloud but we apologise to no one. We are Fianna Fáil, one of the biggest national parties founded by our forefathers in 1926.

“And over that length of time up until today we have gone through several fights and we have come out the other end. Let the media nor nobody else, all our critics or the opposition doubt the strength of Fianna Fáil,” he told delegates.

“We will come out of this and we will come out a better party. We had the arms crisis and they said we would never survive it. We had a man from Clare here who said ye can have anything but you won’t have Fianna Fáil.”

These words were welcomed with a resounding round of applause from a fired up crowd.

“So let us go out every man woman and child from Loop Head to Killaloe, from Caherdaven to Bellharbour and fight this election like it was never fought before and elect those two candidates,” said Mr O’Rourke.

Later when Minister Tony Killeen (FF) was asked to announce that Taoiseach Brian Cowan was to stay on and fight for the leadership of the party, the news was greeted by a standing ovation from the growing defiant crowd.

Chairman of the convention Minister Eamonn Ó Cuiv (FF) was also in fighting spirit as he told the party faithful, “I love being written off because it makes me go, and I am sure it makes you go too.”

Only time will tell if the party is capable of keeping this fighting spirit going as they approach many hostile doorsteps during the weeks of the campaign.

A WEEK is a long time in politics and in that very long week for Fianna Fáil in Clare it has turned its fortunes around from a party that was grappling to find a candidate to one that is now confident it can retain its two seats in Clare.

Nationally the party faces political meltdown when it goes to the people in the coming months, but in Clare the soldiers of destiny have begun fighting back with a new private of strong political pedigree.

Dr John Hillery, the 53-year-old son of the late President Paddy Hillery, will join sitting TD Timmy Dooley on the ticket, just ten days after the shock announcement that Minister Tony Killeen is to retire.

In Fine Gael uncertainty still surrounds the number of candidates that will remain on the ticket, with pressure coming on one of its former TDs to run as an Independent candidate in west Clare.

Speculation is mounting that Cllr Joe Cooney, a poll topper in the 2009 local elections will be added to the Fine Gael ticket, while The Clare People can reveal that former Fine Gael TD Madeleine Taylor-Quinn has been approached by a group of people from west Clare who believe the way is open for a west Clare TD. The Moyasta woman refuses to say if she is even considering such a proposition as potential candidates still meet with Fine Gael management.

Meanwhile, Labour is beginning to up the pressure in the constituency with the arrival of party leader Eamon Gilmore on Thursday next to support the party’s hopeful in Clare – Michael McNamara.