The Clare People Archive

THE Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Mary Cough- lan, has urged all Clare farmers who want to join REPS for the first time in 2008 to have their plans properly prepared before the 2008 closing date for the Single Payment Scheme application.

This is because a change in EU rules means that, from next year, applications for agri-environment payments like REPS must be made before the Single Payment applica- tion deadline.

Farmers starting REPS 4 contracts

this year are not affected by the new requirement. “In practice, the new rules from 2008 mean that if you are a first-time REPS applicant, you must submit a REPS 4 plan before the Sin- gle Payment application deadline if you are to receive your REPS pay- ment in the calendar year,’ Minister Coughlan said.

“If your REPS 4 plan is received after the 2008 Single Payment ap- plication deadline, we can start your REPS contract the following month but we can’t pay you until you have made a payment application in the following year.

“It will only affect you in your first

year in REPS. The first payment will be backdated to the start of your contract and your other payments will go out linked to your REPS an- niversary as they have always done in the past.”

The minister stressed that the great majority of farmers who are already in REPS will be unaffected by the change. The old system can continue to operate for farmers who remain in REPS 3.

Farmers in REPS 3 who intend to switch over to REPS 4 will need to put in a payment application for REPS before the 2008 Single Pay- ment application deadline, but their

first REPS 4 payment will issue in the normal timeframe linked to the commencement date of their new oe) ele relolm

“My officials argued at length against the commission’s proposal to change the rules as they did not best suit Ireland’s all-year REPS ap- plication open period,’ added the PODUNUR Kom

“However, I am determined to Operate the new system in as sim- ple and straightforward a way as possible, and my officials will be meeting the farming organisations shortly to discuss the practicalities for 2008.”

CLARE farmer and chairperson of ICMSA’s Beef and Cattle Com- mittee Martin McMahon has called for streamlining of the Suckler Cow SYo tesa elon

Speaking following a meeting with senior officials of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries & Food on the new Suckler Cow Welfare Scheme, he said he welcomes the introduc- tion of the scheme but pointed out that a number of small amendments to the detailed rules would make the scheme more attractive to farmers.

“ICMSA believes that some of the recording deadlines set down by the department are excessive and unnec- essary and should be amended. For example, each calf born will neces- sitate a farmer having to notify the

department on five separate occa- sions regarding certain events based on strict deadlines. It is possible and sensible to greatly streamline that level of recording and still meet the department’s objectives,” he said.

‘For example, instead of writing to the department on the date the ani- mal was disbudded, that information should be included in the calf regis- tration form, thus eliminating at least one set of unnecessary paperwork. Excessive form-filling has become the bane of many a farmer’s exist- ence and we need a conscious effort to avoid pointless replication.”

In addition, the ICMSA is propos- ing that calves born after September 1, 2007 should be eligible for this scheme while the department has confirmed that the scheme is open to all farmers irrespective of whether

they were in suckler farming in the past or not.

“The scheme is a welcome develop- ment for the suckler herd but we will require more initiatives if we are to maintain a sustainable suckler cow herd in Ireland,” said McMahon.

Meanwhile, the ICMSA has also said compensation for animals killed by diseases is out of line with current market realities.

Given the recent rise in livestock value, the levels of compensation available under the Live Valuation Scheme and associated TB/Brucel- losis Schemes are now out of line with actual losses.

“As every farmer will know, the val- ue of dairy stock has increased con- siderably this year and ICMSA be- lieves that the guideline figures used by the Department of Agriculture,

Fisheries & Food for TB/Brucellosis valuations have not kept pace,” said Dominic Cronin, chairperson of [C- MSA’s Dairy Committee.

‘For example, the guideline figures for first and second lactation cows have not increased at all for certain categories since last April, while the most a category has increased is by €200.

“That does not at all reflect the re- ality on the ground, where the prices paid by farmers have increased by substantially more and ICMSA is now calling on the department to im- mediately revise their guideline pric- es upwards to reflect the true value of dairy stock at this time.”

THE absence of a garda on beat pa- trol in Crusheen is contributing to a rise in anti-social behaviour in the village, according to locals.

The local Garda station has been vacant for a number of years due to various issues concerning accessibil- ity to the building.

While most of the issues have been resolved, a problem regarding the site map is the latest reason for the building to be unoccupied.

The Garda responsible for Crush- een currently works out of Ennis

Garda station. Locals believe this is not good enough and say that, given the growth in population, a garda must be based in the village.

Local residents are concerned that levels of anti-social behaviour in the village have increased in recent weeks.

Groups of young men are congre- gating in new housing estates includ- ing Inchicronan and Brodagh View and are proving a nuisance for resi- Cla e

Several residents have complained to Ennis Garda Station. While gardai have called to the area, locals believe

that the lack of a garda stationed there is adding to their woes. One resident, who did not wish to be named, de- scribed recent behaviour:

“They knocked on doors, threw eggs at houses and hurled abuse and threats at residents, who live here with young families. This is most notable when there is activity at the local pub. It has been going on for a while. It is uncalled for. | am very concerned about it,’ said the resi- dent.

“It is frightening. Crusheen is lo- cated in a commuter area, accessible to Galway, Limerick and Gort and is

a nice residential area, with people getting on with their daily lives,’ she SrHKG

Clare Garda Representative Asso- ciation spokesman, Tom Keane, is concerned that the problem has per- sisted for so long.

“The station 1s furnished, but we can’t take possession of it until the problem of the site map is sorted. How do we expect to have policing when we don’t have a garda station?” he asked.

“You are bound to have anti-social behaviour if you don’t have a garda in situ,” said Garda Keane.

CLARE is on the brink of bread shortages this winter with skyrock- eting overheads threatening to put many bakeries out of business.

The price of wheat and flour in Ire- land increased by 70 per cent in the 12 months from September 2006 to September 2007, with a further 30 per cent increase reported over the last six weeks alone.

“We have already seen a number of bakeries close over the past few years because of cost pressures. Considering this recent spate of cost

increases, I would not be surprised to see more casualties, as businesses can’t continue to absorb these kinds of cost increases,’ said Paul Kelly, of the Irish Bread Bakers Association. “The bakery sector is of significant importance to the Irish economy, employing over 4,000 individuals throughout the country. The cost of doing business in today’s market is becoming increasingly difficult.” These unprecedented increases are as aresult of a combination of factors all connected with global warming. European grain crops were deci- mated this year as a result of drought

in the south and too much rain in the north. Fear of global warming has also cause hundreds of thousands of farmers worldwide to abandon tradi- tional crops in favour of bio-fuels.

“It’s cheaper to burn the grain as fuel than it is to change it into food. The Americans have set targets on bio-fuel and it is unlikely that they will back down on them,” said Sea- mus Murphy, head of the IFA in Ee

“If you look back a few years, we had grain mountain in Europe. The EU changed their policy and all of these stores disappeared and that is

what’s driving the cost increases.

‘The reaction from farmers will be to produce more grain, so hopefully over the next few years grain sup- plies will come back a bit.

“This is providing that there is no major incident in a grain producing ote as

“Whatever about the chance of a grain shortage, from a farming point of view the pig, chicken and beef farmers cannot take this rise in the cost of grain; especially the pig farm- ers, they have been loosing money on every pig they have sold after the last few months.”

KINCORA Macra, founded in No- vember 2003, is based in the Ballina/ Killaloe area and attracts members from surrounding areas including Bridgetown, Ogonnelloe, Scarriff, Feakle, Ballinahinch and Whitegate.

The club has a current membership of 35 and this year had the honour of been chosen as one of the final 12 clubs in the AIB Club of the Year Sroyeayereisisceyee

This competition is designed to award the most dynamic and active clubs in the country.

As a relatively new club, adjudica- tors were impressed with the level of involvement and commitment Kincora club members had shown to

competitions and festivals through- out the year. The Macra na Feirme Leadership Training Programme is hugely important to the organisation and has been acknowledged by many of today’s leaders as the foundation for future careers.

Kincora members have taken part in club, county and national training programmes and are proud to have members on both the county com- mittee and national executive.

Learning the skill of oratory is a key area in the club’s programme and members competed in the na- tional debating and impromptu speaking competitions. Links were made with the local Toastmasters Clubs and Janice Mooney, PRO of Kincora branch, would like to thank

Toastmasters for all the help and ad- vice members were given.

Farming members of Macra na Feirme were kept up to date through- out the year through discussion eroups, young farmer development groups, seminars and competitions. Key areas, which members compet- ed in were The Bord Bia Stock judg- ing Competition, The Alltech Silage Competition and FBD Farm skills Competition.

Every member has an opportunity to travel with Macra and take part in exchanges with other clubs. Recently Kincora members have travelled to Edinburgh, Brussels, Paris and they are discussing the 2008 programme.

Kincora members had a very suc- cessful year at various festivals, with

three ladies from Kincora chosen to represent Clare in the Blue Jeans Festival, The International Miuiss Macra Festival and ‘Queen of the Land Festival’.

Macra is a democratic organisa- tion and every member is entitled to his or her opinion at club meetings. The success of Kincora Club was in the collective responsibility of all the members in the running of it. It was not in the individual skill of one person but in the way members sup- ported and worked with each other.

CLARE suckler farmers are to re- ceive €80 per cow thanks to last week’s approval by the EU of the new fully Exchequer-funded suckler welfare scheme.

The suckler herd is the source of much of Ireland’s high-quality beef, which is so important to the rural economy and comprises 65,000 herds with over one million cows.

The minister for agriculture be- lieves that increased welfare stand- ards will add to the high quality rep- utation of Ireland’s beef sector. “This

is an important initiative aimed at improving welfare and quality in the national suckler herd.

‘Participation in the scheme is vol- untary and will be open to all suckler farmers, including those with mixed enterprise herds containing both suckler and dairy animals,” said Minister Mary Coughlan.

The delivery of the scheme was signalled as a key element of the Agri-Vision 2015 Action Plan which identified the beef sector as a vital area for development.

The new plan was welcomed by Clare TD Timmy Dooley. “Mainis-

ter Mary Coughlan has informed me that the EU has just approved a new fully Exchequer-funded suckler welfare scheme,” he said.

‘Participation in the scheme is vol- untary and will be open to all suckler farmers, including those with mixed enterprise herds containing both suckler and dairy animals.

“A payment of €80 per cow up to a limit of 100 cows will be available to suckler cow farmers who comply with six animal welfare measures in relation to calves born from January eles

The department will shortly write

to all potentially eligible farmers with details of the main aspects of the scheme. Application forms, help- sheets and the terms & conditions will be issued soon while farmers who apply under the scheme will be issued with the Animal Events Book, which will be used to notify the reg- istration of calves, as well as certain events relating to breeding.

The scheme will operate for five years, while the closing date for ap- plications is March 31, 2008. A Lo- call number has been created by the department at 1890 252707 and will operate from Tuesday, October 30.

VICTIMS of breast cancer will be the beneficiaries from an Ann Sum- mers party which will be hosted in Kilmurry next week.

A purpose-built room at the rear of the Pumphouse will house the Ann Summers lingerie party, on Friday week, November 9, at 9.30pm. Or- ganisers are hopeful that at least 100 women from the locality and around the mid-west will gather for

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The event is being called “Think Pink’ and people attending are being encouraged to wear pink clothing.

Ann Summers parties are more akin to peoples’ sitting rooms, but organiser Vicky Ward is hoping that the spacious venue in Kilmurry will encourage several dozen people to attend. Inspired by the pain and suffering endured by many victims of breast cancer in the locality, Ms Ward is optimistic that this event

will raise awareness of early detec- tion of breast cancer.

‘This month is breast cancer aware- ness month. The special thing about this event is that the 10 per cent com- mission which normally would go to the hostess, will go to the Irish Can- cer Society,” said Ms Ward.

“My grandmother had cancer and leukemia. It is believed that one in 11 women have breast cancer and it is important to raise the awareness of this and a night like this is something

women should support,” she added.

‘People can support the event by or- dering something through Ann Sum- mers. It is just in time for Christmas. Ann Summers has a new catalogue coming up for Christmas and what better time to get some treats for yourself,” she quipped.

“Tam hoping that at least 1OO wom- en will attend,” she said.

Anyone who wants further infor- mation on the event should phone Vicky on 083 3003941.

THERE was plenty of excitement in the air as St Caimin’s Community School in Shannon played host to the RTE symphony orchestra last week.

The school hosted two concerts performed by the orchestra, as part of a week-long residency in Clare.

The initiative was carried out in conjunction with Glor and the Clare County Arts Office and is focused on primary and secondary students in the county.

Students from eight schools in the

mid-west travelled to St Caimin’s for the visit by the orchestra. Those included St Patrick’s Comprehensive School, Shannon; Scariff Commu- nity College and Ardscoil Ris, Lim- erick.

Art teacher Anne Whitty, who or- ganised the visit, explained the back- ground to the idea.

“Tt all started with a phone call, months ago. We were asked if we were interested in hosting the event. Representatives from the orchestra came down and viewed the gym, where we chose to host it,” she said.

“This was an enormously signifi- cant event that provided a unique op- portunity to students to experience at first hand the musicianship and pro- fessionalism of a performing group with over 90 members. St Caimin’s school was honoured to be part of an exciting and enriching educational experience,’ said Ms Whitty.

“It is a coup to host this orchestra. It will be one of the highlights of our Arts calendar.

“We are trying to raise the arts pro- file in the school,’ she added.

The programme included extracts

from ‘Symphonie Fantastique’ from the Leaving Certificate curriculum. It also included Brittens’

THE dedication of Shannon chess club over the past decade will be rec- ognised by Shannon Town Council next month.

The local authority will present the club’s members with a Liosta na Lao- chra accolade, to honour its efforts in promoting chess among young peo- ple in Shannon.

The council will present a fine chess set to the club, at a function in the town.

The junior chess club in Shannon has become one of the most success- ful junior clubs in the country.

Shannon librarian Carmel Daly has instigated much of the events of the chess club.

“It all began about 10 years ago.

I was seeking a volunteer to coach children to play draughts or chess better. Both games were available for children to play in the library. It took a little while to find a coach, but then Stephen Danaher answered the call,” she said.

“The enthusiasm of children for learning has been fantastic. With confidence they progressed from learning draughts to playing chess competitively. Stephen got the club to compete in the Community Games chess competition every year. Win- ning out regularly in the Clare and Munster competitions, teams from the club have also won the coveted All-Ireland title in 2002 (gold, un- der-12), 2003 (gold, under-12), 2004 (silver, under-16), 2005 (gold, under- 16) and 2006 (gold, under-16),” she

Said. Members of the junior team, Shane O’Connor, Catherine Danaher,

Stephen Hanly and Liam Normoyle have also held individual Champion All-Ireland titles. Many members such as Eanna Ryan, Karl and Olivia Fitzmaurice, Shane O’Connor, Cath- erine Danaher, Stephen Hanly, Liam Normoyle have had the honour of representing their country in tourna- ments abroad even in the prestigious Junior World, and European Chess Tournaments.

“The centuries old game, once a pastime for aristocracy and royalty in courts, has changed to adapt to competitions and society. It provides an opportunity for regular meetings for fun and_ friendships, building concentration, confidence and ca-

maraderie, and their community,” enthused Ms Daly.

“Shannon Town Council has always demonstrated a positive attitude and support of the Shannon Junior Chess Club. In the past it has recognised the achievements of members,’ she said.

“This recognition is most valuable both as a moral support in produc- ing a greater sense of belonging, and acts asa motivator to potential mem- bers ensuring the club’s continuity. It builds on personal development, our community confidence, and leader- ship roles,’ added Ms Daly.

The Shannon Junior Chess Club meets in the Sean Lemass Public Library from November to March every Friday evening from 6.30pm to 7.30pm.

MANAGERS at all levels of experi- ence have been invited to hone their skills in Ballyvaughan next month by taking part in a leaders for busi- ness programme.

The programme, which has been developed by the Burren Leadership Forum, will take place in the Burren Coast Hotel in Ballyvaughan from November 25 to 28.

“We are bringing together a group of 15 managers from various dif- ferent levels to take part in the pro- eramme. The premise of the ap- proach is that, in order to be able to lead others, we have to be first able to lead ourselves,” said Barry Walsh,

leadership coach and organiser of the Leadership for Managers Pro- eramme.

“We will look at ourselves as indi- viduals and establish what kind of leaders we want to be. So each in- dividual will then develop a specific plan for becoming the leader that he or she wants to be.”

The organisers have developed a programme of modules over the last number of months which they believe is unique to the industry of developing managers.

“One good example of this is a module on leadership through crea- tive thinking, which we hope will be a great success. Another is ‘Leader- ship Through Finding Your Own

Voice’ where we will be working with a vocal coach and a psycho- therapist on body posture and find- ing your authentic voice. The core programme is to develop a strategic personal plan and finding one’s own leadership goal.”

The programme uses methods such as reflective enquiry, detached ob- server and Enneagram personality profiling, which organisers claim are unique to developing an authentic leadership style.

The programme is different from others as it helps participants to work from the inside out as opposed to tra- ditional approaches that encourage information download from the out- side in. This is very much the core

of the Burren Leadership Forum phi- losophy.

Those leading the modules include Barry Walsh, leadership coach, Mar- tin Hawkes, entrepreneur and per- sonal development specialist, Mary Hawkes Green, founder of the Bur- ren College of Art, Professor Timo- thy Emlyn Jones, artist and dean of the Burren College of Art, Mar- tin Myler, psychotherapist, Archie Simpson, vocal coach and Padraig Cleary, management consultant.