The Clare People Archive

THE Clare Citizens information Centres are advising local shoppers that their consumer rights don’t go away if they are tempted by bargains in the New Year sales.

With the New Year sales taking erip of the county, the network of advice centres receive a lot of que- ries from shoppers in relation to their consumer rights at this time of year. Their basic message 1s that if a sales item turns out to be faulty, the shop must offer a refund, repair or replacement. According to Informa- tion Service manager, Paul Woulfe, some shops put up signs during their sales along the lines of ‘No money refunded’, “No refunds during sales’, ‘No exchange’ or ‘No liability ac- cepted for faulty goods’.

‘These signs can give the impres- sion that you don’t have certain consumer rights. So the shop may be committing an offence in using them, and could face prosecution.

“If goods turn out to be faulty, consumers are entitled to ask for a refund, replacement or repair. If the shop still refuses to give you one of these three options, report it to the Director of Consumer Affairs. You are not entitled to an exchange (or

a refund or a credit note) simply be- cause you change your mind about something you’ve bought. So double- check the shop’s refund policy before buying anything in the sales’, added Paul Woulfle

‘Some shops do allow you to ex- change goods that you’ve had second thoughts about, but remember that it is at their discretion and they do this as a goodwill gesture. If the product is faulty, you are entitled to a replace- ment, a repair or a full refund. You don’t have to take a credit note, even if the shop assistant insists, “this is our policy’.

“Stock with a reduced price in the winter sales must have been on offer for the advertised original price for at least a month before the price was KeLeLU(eolem

‘For example, shops are not al- lowed to have a label or sign on a product saying ‘reduced by 30 per cent’ if this 1s the first time that they are Selling this particular product. If you lose your receipt, your rights still apply. The shop is entitled to see proof of purchase, but this can be a credit card bill or a bank statement,” Mr Woulfe explained.

AGAINST the background of the school water charges row, Clare Fine Gael TD Joe Carey has highlighted the growing crisis of consultant fees for Summer work schemes which are owed by many schools throughout the country.

According to the Clarecastle dep- uty, who is Fine Gael Spokesperson on Juvenile Justice, the latest crisis arose when the Department of Edu-

cation decided to discontinue the summer school works scheme with- out consulting the schools.

The scheme allowed schools to carry out essential works during the summer holidays. In order for schools to apply for the scheme, it was necessary to hire a consultant engineer to prepare submissions. If the application was successful, the consultant’s fees were reimbursed through the scheme.

The situation many schools find

themselves in is that having hired consultants and paid out significant fees, the scheme has been cancelled and the fees remain outstanding. Deputy Carey said it was another example of the Government taking decisions with little regard for the implications of these decisions on the day-to-day running of schools. ‘“T have contacted several schools, who find themselves owing hundreds of euro in consultant fees, with no obvious means to pay for those fees.

One Clare school I spoke to owes over €650, while another owes in the region of €800. Coming at the same time as schools face outrageous wa- ter charges, this is unacceptable. ‘The department set out stringent guidelines for the summer work schemes which required schools to engage consulting engineers in order to be considered under the scheme. They have now cancelled the scheme, but schools abiding by the department’s own rules are out

of pocket significantly.”

Are our schools to foot the bill for the downturn in the economy’?

“IT understand the INTO are pres- ently surveying all schools in the country to find out how many schools have already paid out for consultant fees for projects. I expect them to find that the country’s schools are carrying a huge burden of debt for essential works that may not now even be carried out because of this crazy decision,” he declared.

THE University of Limerick is seek- ing to have the imposition of over €300,000 in levies waived on its new Irish World Academy of Music and Dance.

Last month, Clare County Council gave the university the go-ahead for the centre at Garraun, Clonlara, but imposed a charge of €304,000 in levies towards the provision of pub- lic infrastructure.

However, the university has now appealed the imposition of the con- ditions to An Bord Pleanala.

UL claim that “the development is located on the Clare Campus of the university and deliberately so to celebrate the rich tradition of Clare music and dance through learning, accreditation and research”’.

The university state that it 1s cur- rently seeking to raise over €6mil- lion and the UL foundation is plan- ning to raise this amount in Clare.

Donors have expressed interest in funding the project for its “connec- tion with the deepest roots of Clare culture and for the longevity which universities bring to great tradi- WON ae

The appeal states that the imposi-

tion of development contributions would impede the viability of the project and contradict the spirit and letter of the scheme by applying commercial levies to non-commer- cial voluntary work. The develop- ment 1s not intended for profit or gain, but would be a major contribu- tor to the social and educational life of the campus and the area.

“The project is dependent on volun- tary donations to go ahead. Donors both in the US and at home normally attach a condition to the making of donations that the State should at least match the amount of the private donation.Donors have been persuad- ed to make an exception in this case but the imposition of statutory lev- ies or contributions would dent their gsoodwill.

The building will house the univer- sity’s Irish World Music Academy under Michael O’Suilleabhain and be solely dedicated to education.

The university maintains that it should be exempt from this charge as they are a voluntary organisation and the development is to be used for social, recreational and education purposes and not for profit or gain

A decision is due on the appeal in the new year.

ONE of Clare’s most senior local politicians has just been awarded a new honour.

Long-serving county council- lor Flan Garvey was unanimously elected chairman of the Institutes of Technology in Ireland by the cathao- irligh of the 13 Institutes of Technol- ogy at their recent annual general meeting.

Speaking after his election, Cllr Garvey said he regarded it “as a great honour for myself and my family and for the Clare Vocational Education Committee.”

He is a former chairman of Clare VEC and served as Mayor of Clare for a term. He was vice-president for two years of the Irish Vocational Ed-

ucation Association, the national ad- ministrative body of city and county vocational education committees. He is also chairman of Tralee Insti- tute of Technology where is also a student, studying for an MA degree.

A native of Ballyea, Inagh, he was educated at Gorbofearna National School, Inagh; St Flannan’s College, Ennis; St Patrick’s Training College, Drumcondra; UCD and UCG where he obtained a BA and D Dip in 1972- 23

He taught in Mary Queen of An- gels, Ballyfermot, Dublin, from 1963 to 1965, Gortbofearna National School from 1965 to 1973 and Inagh National School from 1973 to 2000, being principal of both schools.

THE welcome mat is being dusted down and celebrations planned for the army of Clare volunteers bound for South Africa to build a hospice.

On board are 180 of the 200 vol- unteers needed for the Building of Hope project for Lissycasey nun, Sr Ethel Normoyle.

Thousands of South Africa’s poor- est people live in the Port Elizabeth township mostly in huts and shacks made from waste corrugated and tin sheeting.

Unemployment runs at more than 70 per cent while seven in ten people are infected with the AIDS virus.

The hospice will give township residents a place to end their days in dignity as well as providing a centre where people can learn positive ways of caring for their own health.

Builders, plasterers, carpenters, electricians, and general helpers will be working flat out for ten-day stints at a time to get the project sorted in 40 days.

People have been hard at work fund raising the €3,000 per head neces- sary for the trip and in Purcell’s Bar, in Ruan on January 6 there will be a special night of trad and the auction of a valuable painting.

The ever popular Sharon Shannon will be joined by the famous Begley

family from west Kerry, including Brendan, Cormac, Niall and Owen. A fantastic night of traditional music is guaranteed.

Hot food will be served on the night and a painting by local Artist Peter Daffy of Corofin will be raffled dur- ing the night along with many more fabulous prizes.

Tickets costs €15 and are available from Purcell’s Bar or by calling An- nette at 086 3294982 or Mary at 086 3332780.

There are still places available on the trip for people willing to travel between February 14 and 25 and de- tails of accommodation, flights and transfers have now been finalised, said Olive Halpin, one of the Clare organisers of the trip.

“We would appeal now to anyone who has money outstanding to get it to us immediately,’ added Ms Halpin.

“The people of Missionvale are so excited about us coming to give them some help,” said Maureen McCarthy, another of the Clare organisers of the vale

Bishop Willie Walsh and Ennis priest Fr Tom Hogan will be along to lend support to the crews.

Anyone who would like to fund raise or even come along on the trip should call Olive on 087 6994599 or Maureen on 087 7803808.

have predicted.

Recent developments in Limer- ick city will present an even greater challenge to Clare, with the green light being given to the €250 mil- lion Opera Centre shopping complex as well as the opening of Tesco at the massive Coonagh Cross facility, which will open fully in April.

Marks and Spencer have announced they will come to the Crescent while a €150 million Parkway Valley retail development is planned on the Dub- lin road, along with major refurbish- ments of the Parkway and Arthur’s Quay shopping centres.

Clare businessman Tom O’Callaghan, who has extensive business interests on William Street, Limerick and who 1s now involved in the building of a new shopping centre for that area, believes the improve- ments are good for both counties.

“My thinking is that anywhere there is progression, that’s a step forward,” said the Kildysart businessman.

“If we have strong developments in both Ennis and Limerick then every- one benefits.

“The important point is that Lim- erick City Council is now working positively with the traders to rejuve- nate the heart of the city.

People still want to go into town to do their shopping and that’s true eve- rywhere,” he said.

Meanwhile, East Clare Fianna Fail councillor Cathal Crowe has asked county manager Alex Fleming to consider a park and ride facility which would reduce traffic and allow people on that side of Clare easier ac- cess to Limerick.

The Diocese of Killaloe was in the black at the end of last year showing a healthy profit margin of €105,160.

Publishing the 2006 diocesan ac- counts this week the Bishop of Kil- laloe, Dr Willie Walsh, thanked the people for their generosity.

The largest income for the diocese – more than half – came from parish- ioners through parish contribution.

The €459,968 gathered in this way was approximately 12.5 per cent of the parishes’ yearly income.

Investments totalled €290,324 in 2006, up more than €130,000 on the previous year.

Bequests and donations were down on 2005 with the diocese recording €41,400 in donations in 2006.

A diocesan payment totalling €191,400 to victims of abuse was made in 2006, with €23,218 going towards the child protection scheme.

“The ongoing fallout from the tragedy of sexual abuse by a small number of clergy in the distant past

continues to demand time and re- sources for healing and reconcili- ation. €191,401 have been paid in 2006 for this purpose,” said Bishop Walsh.

“This payment was funded princi- pally from part of the proceeds raised by sale of land at Bishop’s House in 2001 and the Stewardship Trust set up by the Irish Episcopal Confer- ence,’ Bishop Walsh added.

“In relation to child protection the figure of €23,218 reflects the com- mitment of the diocese to ensure best practice by all people in our parish communities who work with chil- dren and young people.

“Our specially trained child pro- tection workers visit every parish to assist with the continued implemen- tation of our child protection guide- lines “Keeping Children Safe” pub- lished in 2004,” he said.

Salaries and state insurance was the largest expense to the local diocese, costing €141,793.

Charitable contributions made up €105,450 of the expenditure.

CLARE GAA’s campaign to entice more people to take up refereeing is being lost, Saturday’s annual con- vention heard in a report delivered by Clare Referees Administration Com- mittee chairman, Kevin Walsh.

“We are on the verge of a crisis in relation to refereeing numbers in Clare,’ said Walsh. Since the incep- tion of the national recruitment drive in 1999 we are gradually losing the battle of recruiting referees. There are a number of reasons for this, but the main reason continues to be a complete lack of interest shown by some clubs in the county and they are the same year on year.

“Again this year we still have 21 clubs in the county who do not have a referee and have shown little inter- est in addressing this situation. De- spite the efforts of the county chair- man, we still did not get a positive response from any of these clubs.

“When it comes to moaning and suggesting what should be done with refereeing in Clare in order to 1m- prove it, the clubs with no referees make the most noise and always ex- pect to have a referee for the games in which they play, but are doing lit- tle to help the cause of refereeing.

“It is very easy to talk about and suggest what should be done. I be- lieve actions speak louder than words and if club are serious about doing something positive in this important area of our games, then the time is now,’ added Walsh in his hard-hit- ting report.

And, he didn’t leave it there. In revealing that there are only 48 ref- erees active in the county, Walsh said that numbers could dwindle further because the abuse some referees are subjected to.

“The real sad area and the one which I am most concerned over is the referees lost because of abuse. Everyone wants a referee for their

game but no one gives the beginner a chance to develop.

“This abuse factor has an even deeper knock on effect because as referees administrator for the county and charged with responsibility for recruitment of foundation referees, it has become increasingly difficult to convince someone to become a knight of the whistle.

‘The amount of abuse being direct- ed at new referees in these games 1s seriously damaging our effectiveness in recruiting referees and is turning them away from refereeing. This is a sad state of affairs.

‘The abuse of referees has to be severely dealt with each and every time and all our referees have to be protected and get the support they Caer

CALLS for the abolition of the In- terprovincial Championships in hurling and football are never to far away, but another Clare loyalist has emerged in the shape of Pat Fitzger- ald. The new full-time secretary, Pat Fitzgerald, added his voice to those supporting the competition that dates from 1927.

At this Saturday’s convention, Fit- zgerald, lauded the efforts of Coora- clare man Martin Donnelly at reviv-

ing interest in a competition in recent years through sponsorship to the tune of €500,000.

“The enduring appeal of the Rail- way Cup, or the Martin Donnelly sponsored inter-provincial champion- ships as it’s now known, was placed very much in the spotlight this year with the decision of the GAA hierar- chy to stage the finals under lights at Croke Park,’ Fitzgerald told the an- nual convention.

“The finals were back in a changed environment of GAA headquarters

for the first time

since 1995 and as one who has been particularly sceptical of the Associa- tion’s direction in trying to revive interest in the competition, I have to admit that this year they almost got Lime reanle

“Almost, I say, because with a more orchestrated and better market- ing campaign, the attendance could have been appreciably more that the 10,000 spectators who went through the turnstiles. At that, it was signifi- cant in that it represented the larg-

est attendance at the finals in some thirty years.

That was the encouraging aspect, a heartening indication of a potential resurgence in interest 1n a competi- tion which provides us with a rich sporting legacy. Gone was the public apathy. Had the GAA more time than a mere five days to engage in a sus- tained public relations exercise, the attendance could have been swelled ehKerorm ene) AYA

“Sponsor Martin Donnelly, who has bank rolled the competition for the

past five years, deserves that at least. He said that this year was a missed Opportunity in that he had planned on marketing the event through Cu- mann na mBunscoil, filling the sta- dium with enthusiastic children and donating the proceeds to charity,” added Fitzgerald.

CLARE ladies football celebrates 25 years in existence in 2008 and with new Chairman of the Clare ladies football county board, Johnny Hayes at the helm, the board hopes to pro- pel the sport forward significantly in the coming year. Hayes, who took temporary charge of the board after the resignation of James Lafferty in October, was ratified to the chair af- ter The Banner’s Paul McKenna and Fergus Rovers’ Mary Keane with- drew their nominations leaving the position open for the Fergus Rovers’ delegate Hayes.

In his speech following the ap- pointment, Hayes placed the provi- sion of a county field for Clare ladies

football as top of his priority list for the coming year. The new chairman also spoke out against the increas- ing threat of drink and drugs in Irish society and felt that everyone must work to eliminate that ‘evil threat’ before it causes serious long term problems for the clubs and games as a whole, stressing the need to support the headquarters promoted drug and alcohol prevention programme.

Mr Hayes also paid tribute to his predecessor James Lafferty who held the position for two years until his resignation in October.

Outgoing county secretary, Michael Fitzpatrick in his report to the delegates outlined the past year’s achievements in Clare ladies football. He praised the Clare U16

team on winning the All-Ireland B championship as well as the West Clare Gaels on their impressive and historic run to the All-Ireland Junior championship final, only losing out to Foxrock/Cabinteely a few weeks ago. He dwelt on the heartache suf- fered by the Clare Intermediate team in their second successive one point defeat in the All-Ireland semi-final and wished them better luck for the year ahead. Finally, he saved spe- cial praise for the work of everyone involved in the sport in Clare from team management, players, match officials, organisers, county board officers from all codes, sponsors and anyone who assisted and promoted the game in the past year.

The finances for 2007 were dealt

with by outgoing treasurer Christy O’Connor who gave a detailed report and of all the board’s funds during the year. At the beginning of the year, the board had an opening balance of €12,169.50. The income for 2007 was €98,626.68 while the overall ex- penditure came to €82,523.55, leav- ing a surplus including the opening balance of €28,272.63.

The income was broken down fur- ther by O’Connor who revealed the main source of revenue was from church gate collections (€9,193.78), race night (€14,088), Flag day (€2,360) and a bucket collection (€2,480) while the main expenses were the central council registration costs (€31,278), Clare Intermediate team (€18,273.55) and the Under 16

B team (€6,898,55).