Month: September 2005

RETIRED employees of Aer Rianta and Aer Lin- gus in Shannon plan to continue to fight for im- proved pensions, following their meeting with the joint Oireachtas committee on Transport in Dub- lin last week. The group plans to protest on Dail Eireann tomorrow (Wednesday), to voice their on- going concerns on the issue.

Jim O’Sullivan, a former employee at Shannon, joined with his colleagues from Dublin and Cork, who made a presentation to the committee on the issue last week.

They are incensed over their pension rates — they claim the average pension at the end of March 2005 was just €14,000, which represents just 39 per cent of their average salary. They argue that despite discretionary increases in the scheme,

since 1990, pensions have fallen behind by 50 per cent, when compared with public service pen- SIONS.

They are particularly concerned that there are no provisions for increases in their pensions, and say that to meet their claims, the scheme needs additional funding.

“We are looking to be given the same rights as civil servants. We are going to keep going. This has to be brought to a conclusion and we have to make sure we are not going around like paupers. We want annual increases in the pension and it 1s time that this is brought to some sort of finality,” said Mr O’Sullivan.

Retired member of staff at Shannon airport, Bri- an Cronin told The Clare People there are hopes to arrange a meeting with Transport Minister Martin Cullen, to discuss the issue.

‘We have to keep pressing right up to the next general election. We are being kicked from gov- ernment to Aer Lingus and Aer Rianta and from Aer Lingus and Aer Rianta back to the govern- ment,’ said Mr Cronin.

Clare-based Senator Timmy Dooley, who is a member of the Oireachtas committee on Trans- port, says the meeting was fruitful.

‘There was a uniformity of understanding across all political parties and there was a recognition that something needs to be done. The committee is now going to get a pensions expert, to review the actuarial evaluation of the scheme.

‘There is a serious issue here and there are con- sequences not just for retired staff but also for people working in the companies at the moment. Their future pensions are likely to face difficul- ties, going into the future,” said Senator Dooley.

THE possibility of Shannon library being developed as a theatre and arts centre — at a cost of up to €5 million — has again been raised and hopes are high that the project will get the go-ahead within the next few years.

Town officials and elected rep- resentatives will, over the com- ing months, view a new facility in Selva lcm senCemm im seceUlt-D am KOM ser-l motte visaged for Shannon.

Fine Gael Cllr Tony Mulcahy says there is a strong belief that Shannon needs a facility like this.

“The possibility of a theatre being developed as part of the town cen- tre was proposed a few years ago but this fell by the wayside. There is a belief that the library could be developed into a 250-seater theatre,

while retaining the library at the same time,’ said Cllr Mulcahy.

“T believe it will happen but it will be long-term and we need to put down the parameters now, regard- ing how we can move forward on this,’ he added.

He says groups including the mu- sical society and drama group could avail of the theatre, while various meetings could take place there, along with bingo, dancing and various other events. Some funding would be provided by the Depart- ment of Arts, Clare County Council and local community groups.

Chairman of the Shannon Musical Society, Derek Barrett believes the idea to visit the facility in Thurles is a positive development.

“We are delighted this is back in the public domain again and it is

one thing that would bring the town together. Various groups, societies and community groups would ben- efit from this. It wouldn’t be just a theatre, but it would be a multi-use venue,” said Mr Barrett.

He said a theatre as 1s proposed is a place where children would aspire to perform in, while various music and comedy events could also be staged, spanning a 52-week pro- eramme every year.

“This could be a cinema, theatre and cultural centre. None of these would survive individually, rather they would, together, be a multi- purpose unit. None would be viable on their own,” he said.

He added that Shannon Musical Society will celebrate its 30th anni- versary in February 2008 and “we would hope to be in the theatre by

eto

Shannon Chamber of Commerce is welcoming any development on the creation of a theatre in the town.

“While we are very conscious of both the initial costs and ongoing expenses of running such a facility, I believe the current developers in the town should contribute funding towards such a venture. They have gained considerable tax incentives and savings to-date,” said Chamber CEO Triona McInerney.

“In recent times, there has been an explosion of commercial and residential developments. It is cru- cial that social and cultural outlets are components of this growth, to ensure that a balanced approach to community development is achieved,” added Ms McInerney.

Thousands of Clare farmers and ploughing enthusiasts are on their way to Mogeely in County Cork today (Tuesday) for the opening of the National Ploughing Cham- pionships. The championships, which will be officially opened by President Mary McAleese, will see some 300 ploughmen and plough- women take part over the three days of competition.

Interestingly, Tuamgraney aid worker Fiona McLysaght will be at the championships helping to promote the work of Concern in Africa. An African village will be recreated at the Cork venue with each of its four huts showcasing an aspect of the work done by the charity agency.

“Over the years, the people of rural Ireland have shown excep- tional generosity to our organisa- tion, with the IFA for example, giving €100,000 to Concern and other agencies after the Tsunami,” said Ms McLysaght who was most recently stationed in Liberia. In all there will be 700 stands at the championships. These stands will represent every aspect of farming life from the serious work of the farming organisations like the IFA and Teagasc to more unusual ven- eb Keny

No less than 14 stands will be occupied by third level institutions showing how the role of education is becoming more important in the

modern farming world. Six stands will deal with health issues includ- ing the Pfizer stand which will of- fer free cholesterol, blood pressure and blood glucose checks.

For the motor enthusiast the will

be 13 stands, each containing dif- ferent ranges of tractor models on show. And for those farmers keen on capitalising on the natural beau- ty of the of the Irish countryside, there we be 17 stands occupied by representatives of the tourist

industry. Of course it wont be all seriousness at the championships and Ireland most famous gaelgoir, Hector O’hEochagain will be at the ‘Go Racing’ marquee looming to raise a smile.

The high quality of childcare services in Clare laid the foundation for a new approach on the issue in the Mid-West, a confer- ence was told yesterday.

The National Care Plan- ning Project Conference (NCCP), hosted by the HSC was held in Limer-

ick yesterday to analyse the research undertaken by the NCCP. Following a pilot survey of Children in care in the Clare area the National Care Planning Project (NCCP) was estab- lished.

In 1999 the Mid-West- ern Health Board com- missioned the Children’s Research Centre in Trin-

ity College to under take a comprehensive review of the quality and range of services available to chil- dren care and their fami- Wy

Agnes Feely, who carried out the research praised the dedicated, innovative and committed work with chil- dren in Clare. Since then the good work carried out

in Clare has been extended to the entire Mid Western region as a pilot project which was supported by the Department of Health. The project highlighted the importance of evidence based decision making and ongoing evaluation in en- suring the delivery of child care services. It also developed assess-

ment and planning tools for social workers to en- sure that children’s needs are identified at an earlier stage.

Key note speakers at the event were Professor Robby Gilligan from Trin- ity College Dublin, Dr Tim Riley, CEO of two primary Care Trusts in the UK and Dr Valerie O’Brien, UCD.

HUNDREDS of inoculation doses that can prevent bacterial meningi- tis are to be sent out to Clare doc- tors next month, following the trag- ic death of a County Louth toddler.

After media reports on the death of the two-year-old, anxious par- ents began turning up in droves at GPs’ surgeries only to find the doctors did not have supplies of the booster vaccine.

The little boy died while on holi- day abroad, several days after hav- ing been seen at Our Lady Of Lour-

des hospital in Drogheda.

He developed bacterial meningi- tis, despite having been vaccinated against it as an infant.

The child had been thought to have recovered from Haemophilis influenza group B (HiB) but de- veloped meningitis. Children are vaccinated against the potentially deadly disease as babies and given booster vaccinations later on.

The Department of Health has confirmed that supplies of a boost- er vaccine will be made available to Clare GPs over the coming month.

GPs usually have a limited supply of the vaccine, but not enough to cope on an on-going basis with the OCSTeee Neem e-UI orem ON AUST E-Te-VOIA YA

But the Department came in for serious criticism after it emerged that it threw responsibility for the €10 million funding needed for a vaccination campaign back to the Health Services Executive respon- sible for the Louth area.

Dr Niall O’Cleirigh, spokesman for the Irish College of General Practitioners, said that a November date for the roll-out of the booster

vaccine is not soon enough.

“In the light of a child having died, it is not quick enough. Moves should have been made over the summer to have this programme in place,” he said.

A vaccine against the life-threat- ening strain of meningitis 1s includ- ed in the five-in-one immunisation given to all children.

But two months ago, the National Immunisation Advisory Commit- tee urgently recommended that all children under the age of four should be given a booster vaccine.

Of 50,000 children vaccinated since 1996, 38 have developed the disease, despite being vaccinated.

It is believed that there are 200,000 children in need of the booster shots nation-wide.

The Department of Health con- firmed that booster vaccines will be distributed next month and that further supplies will be available in Deore

The shot will be made available free at GPs surgeries and any par- ent who has concerns is urged to contact their family doctor imme- diately.

A WOMAN has claimed that she was only summonsed to court to face charges, after she made a complaint against a garda on a separate matter.

Mother-of-one Karen Hyland (35), of Dromard, Lahinch Road, Ennis, was before Ennis District Court, ac- cused of obstructing a garda, while she was out for her work Christmas party, at the Queen’s Hotel on December 19 Ee

Garda Denis Lavan told the court that Garda Cathal O’Sullivan arrested a woman shortly before 2am. The ac- cused, Karen Hyland, was attempting to pull the arrested woman – who was her friend – away from the garda and was trying to come between them.

“She said we weren’t taking her friend. They were her words…She was very wound up and aggressive towards Gda O’Sullivan and I. She refused to calm down,” said Gda Lavan.

Defending solicitor Stephen Nicho- las said the woman being arrested was very upset over a personal matter and his client was trying to help the situa- tion. He said she was a ‘calming influ- ence.’

Mr Nicholas said his client did not receive a summons until the follow- ing March, after she made a complaint about Gda Lavan at Ennis Garda Sta- tion, in relation to another matter.

The solicitor said to Gda Lavan, ‘The reason you are bringing this case is you are angry and annoyed. You bear something of a grudge against this defendant.” Gda Lavan denied this, saying he had six months to serve a Summons on an accused.

Karen Hyland told the court she drank a number of glasses of Guinness in a pub in town, before going to the Queen’s, where she drank a bottle of Bulmer’s. She said her friend was ‘very down in the dumps’ and was crying. She went out to comfort her. “I tried to explain to the guard that she was very upset, to leave her alone. I said I was bringing her home,” she said.

She denied pulling at one garda and denied shouting at another garda.

She said she was involved in a road traffic matter the following March, during which she met Gda Lavan. She told the court on that occasion, Gda Lavan said to her, “You assaulted a garda one night.” She said she replied, “T didn’t.” She then complained about Gda Lavan at Ennis Garda Station and after that she received a summons re- lating to the incident at the Queen’s.

A security employee at the Queen’s, Frank Rocke said Ms Hyland wasn’t highly excited or aggressive and wasn’t abusive to the gardai on the night in question.

Judge Joseph Mangan dismissed the Oe Neo

IN A WEEK when Ireland celebrated IRA decommissioning, the people of East Clare made it clear to the Minis- ter for the Environment, Dick Roche, that they would not be giving an inch when it came to their boundary row with Limerick.

The minister said he would consider Limerick City Council’s proposal to extend into Clare and Clare County Council’s opposition, and make a de- cision as soon as possible.

The people of East Clare are ada- mant that will not change their iden- tity overnight, however.

“If Limerick city wants to expand, let them take some of County Limer- ick,” said Parteen councillor Pascal Fitzgerald.

The councillor believes that the people of Parteen, Meelick, Westbury and Shannon Banks are being used as pawns by Limerick City Council.

““T believe the main objective of Lim- erick City Corporation is to move out the boundary to take in the university and the industrial estate in Raheen.”

He said the rates from these areas were very attractive and that Parteen and surrounding areas was merely making up numbers for the Limerick authority.

He said a lot of work had been put

into the area and the proposed bound- ary would split communities and

GAA clubs. Earlier this week, people from East

Clare raised their disapproval on a lo- cal radio programme where Minister

Roche was a guest.

One woman from Cratloe suggested that the change to a Limerick address would result in increased insurance costs, while another man suggested that the extension of the boundary would continue until Shannon Air- port would become part of the Treaty City.

Meanwhile, Limerick Labour Dep- uty Jan O’Sullivan, a native of Clon- lara, said she supports the boundary extension, but believes there should be no incursion into Clare “without ask- ing the people of Clare first.”

Limerick city mayor Diarmuid Cre avaareyle!

THE COST of the Cliffs of Moher visitor cen- tre has now climbed to more than eight times the original estimate and Clare County Coun- cil faces an estimated €4 million shortfall in funding for the scheme.

Work commenced on the project last April. Project Leader Ger Dollard has confirmed that the revised estimate for the cost of the scheme is now €31.45 million.

Already, the Council has secured €10 million in grant aid from Failte Ireland for the scheme, while it has approval from Government to se- cure a loan of €15 million.

The overall figure includes an historic invest-

ment of €2 million by the Council in the 15- year-old project in land acquisition and project development, including payments to consult- ants.

The grant aid, loan approval and historic in- vestment add to €27 million, leaving a short- fall of €4.45 million.

However, the Council will be able to recover monies from Shannon Development spent on fit-out costs and the cost of providing tempo- rary facilities.

The two-storey centre is to be built into the hillside by Cork firm, Rohcon, behind the ex- isting centre.

Mr Dollard said that in an effort to bridge the funding gap, “we are putting in place a separate

company structure to manage the commercial aspects of the operation and allow VAT re- EN bes mae

He said, “We also have an application for additional grant aid with Failte Ireland, based on the actual tender received as opposed to the estimates originally submitted. And we are de- veloping a strong pitch for a corporate spon- sor.”

With the closing off of the lower part of the viewing area at the Cliffs as a result of the con- struction work, a growing number of tourists are going over the wall barrier near O’Brien’s tower to sit on the cliff edge.

Mr Dollard said, “I think the situation will be very much improved when the new experi-

ence is put in place. The location of the path- ways further back from the edge, the creation of raised platforms as viewing areas and the putting in place of extensive discreet signage will all help to encourage visitors to remain on the official pathways.

Wardens will also assist 1n advising visitors not to go to the cliff edge.”

As part of the project, the Council is to also seek World Heritage Site designation for the Oa

The Council’s business plan anticipates a 21 per cent increase in visitor numbers to 790,000 in the first five years of operation of the visi- tor centre, which will allow the Council secure over €4 million in entrance fees.

THE NUMBERS working at the Cliffs of Moher are set to double when the new €31 million visitor centre opens in 2007.

The newly appointed manager of the visitor centre, Katherine Webster said this week that 87 will be em- ployed there, made up of 39 permanent and 45 sea- sonal staff. Currently, 40 people work at the Cliffs.

“It is very important that the Cliffs are at the centre of the visitor experience. They are what people are coming to see and the facilities will be there to com- pliment that. There is an incredible, splendid vista at the cliffs and we need facilities that live up to that.”

Last year, the Cliffs attracted 780,000 visitors, making it one of the most popular visitor attractions NOMA eeMerOlUNNIB AE

Ms Webster said that this year the numbers would be closer to 700,000, due in part to a drop in the number of US visitors in Clare last Summer.

But, in the visitor centre’s first full year of opera- tion, the numbers would break the 800,000 mark, she Sr nLee

It is expected that 40 per cent of these will come during the months of July and August.

“We will try to build off-peak business and, on the busy days, we will try to distribute flow of visitors as evenly as possible.”

The new visitor centre — complete with interpreta- tive facilities, including a hi-tech audio-visual display — will lengthen the visitor stay at the cliffs.

Currently, the average stay at the Cliffs is one hour and 20 minutes, but people may soon be spending over two hours in the interpretation area alone.

‘The audio-visual room 1s very impressive and very interesting and will be focusing a lot on the wildlife that people don’t get to see too much to see on the cliff edge,” she said.

Ms Webster said the visitor centre will provide an all-weather experience, when outside visibility is poor.

She said that work on the centre was ahead of schedule. It includes installing viewing platforms and extending the path to Hags Head at the end of Cliffs.

Ms Webster said that the introduction of a Park ‘n’ Ride scheme for the Cliffs centre would take place in Phase Two of the development.

She said, “The tourism spend has been going down in Clare … so we want the tourism community in Clare to capitalise on the Cliffs centre.”

MILTOWN MALBAY received a massive boost this week after Clare County Coun- cil granted planning permission for a €4 million eTown project in the village. The Shannon Development project involves the development of 12 residential and six com- mercial business units.

‘“Miltown Malbay needs this. It’s a tre- mendous boost for the area,” Cllr Christy Curtin (Ind) said yesterday.

The elown project is part of a new con- cept for developing rural towns in the Shan- non region.

Speaking at the launch of the project, Shannon Development’s Chief Executive, Kevin Thompstone, said that all the ele- ments were now in place.

“The town plan, incorporating the 2.2- acre elown site, has been completed, broadband access has been studied and a solution identified, 12 members of the com- munity have completed training and the ‘Courtyard’ — an integrated complex of workspace and residential accommodation — has been designed,” he said.

The ‘Courtyard’ will accommodate 12 houses, incorporating ‘wired for broad- band’ office space. House sizes will aver- age 2,000 sq. ft., with business units rang- ing from 750 sq. ft. to 1,000 sq. ft.

The work-life accommodation will be available for sale and will be targeted at es- tablished businesses in the traded services sectors. DTZ Sherry Fitzgerald will act as ‘selling agents’ for all sites.