Month: April 2007

FARMERS are being urged to look to the sea to insure their future pros- perity as a special conference hosted by the IFA last week pointed to the possibilities rewards to be gained through fish farming.

The conference, which took place in Enfield on Wednesday, also heard calls for the Government to take steps to maximise the farmed sea- food market.

IFA President Padraig Walshe, opening the conference, pointed out that recent developments had opened many opportunities for the industry.

“The Seafood Strategy report, pro- duced by Dr Noel Cawley, was the

result of a comprehensive process of dialogue and interaction with in- dustry, which a united body like IFA was able to engage in fully,” he said.

“I am pleased to see that there are 39 key IFA proposals in the final document, which is proof of the hard work put in by the respective salmon, freshwater and shellfish committees within the organisation.

“The fact that our campaign has led to a direct increase in public invest- ment supports to the sector from just over €30 million in the last NDP to over €100 million in the next one, 1s a key victory.

“Specific items proposed by IFA have been included, such as a dis- aster contingency fund, seed capital

arrangements for new businesses, a review of the licensing system and provisions for collective actions.” With only one in three fish on Irish plates coming from farmed stock, the IFA is calling on the Government to give priority to planning, invest- ment and marketing to those wishing to enter the fish farming sector. “The next crucial step is translating those proposals into action. IFA will play its full part in the implementa- tion of the strategy,’ he continued. “We see the strategy comprising four key action areas for the aqua- culture sector; the NDP investment and aid provisions, which IFA will work on with BIM and Udaras na Gaeltachta to translate into an Op-

erational Programme; the R and D priorities for issues such as biotox- ins and new species which IFA will work on with the Marine Institute under their “Sea Change” strategy; the licensing review, which IFA will work on with the Department to complete in 2007 through the Min- ister’s Aquaculture Forum and the Communications Programme, which IFA will draw up with BIM and im- plement as soon as possible.”

Others to speak at the conference included Donal Maguire of BIM, IFA Aquaculture Executive Secre- tary Richie Flynn, Marine Institute CEO Dr Peter Heffernan and RTE’s Marine Correspondent, Tom Mc- Sweeney.

ENNIS Chamber of Commerce has urged the Government to make em- ployment legislation more _ under- standable and accessible to small businesses.

The call came as Minister for La- bour Affairs Tony Killeen launched the Code of Practice for Employer and Employees on the Prevention and Resolution of Bullying at Work.

The code is an update of the Health And Safety Authority’s existing code of practice, bringing it in line with

the 2005 Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act.

The Act requires employers to manage work activities in such a way so as to prevent, as far as reasonably possible, improper conduct or be- haviour at work.

The code will come into practice on May 1. Launching it during the week, the minister said the code, “emphasises that the best place to deal with a complaint of bullying is at the level of the company work- place. A significant element of the code places an emphasis on the reso-

lution of incidents of bullying using an informal process and professional mediation services.”

The code explains what bullying means and deals with the responsi- bilities of employers and employees to prevent or resolve it. It also reflects the legal requirement that employ- ers carry out a risk assessment and where bullying is identified as a haz- ard, they ensure that it is included in the safety statement.

Welcoming the publication of the code, Ennis chamber chief execu- tive, Rita McInerney, said that it was

essential that workplace bullying be tackled.

But she added that it was to be hoped that the code was presented in a way which could be understood and incorporated into businesses jo e-le18 (een

“There is such a a high amount of new legislation coming out and it needs to be communicated and de- livered in a consumable fashion,’ she said.

Such is the confusion among busi- ness people about interpreting leg- islation which they are obliged to

implement that the chamber has run courses for its members on under- standing employment legislation.

The code also provides guidance on identifying bullying and gives advice on how to prepare an anti-bullying policy for the workplace.

The code requires all employees and employers to be vigilant of their own behaviours. promotes a “sys- temic and robust method for dealing with cases of bullying as the best way to prevent the behaviour being re- peated and reduce the health effects for those who have been bullied”.

THE most important thing about gardening is to begin.

Once you start to dig the soil, sow a seed, plant a plant or tend to nature in any way you are embarking ona journey that can lead to unexpected places. In many ways it is a journey within. When you are pottering in the garden, tidying and tending, embarking on a project or harvest- ing the fruits of your labour, you can feel at one with yourself and the universe. When you dig the soil you ANucm DOMOUD Kee meOynle-lMmy alee ser-lMmyyen(ee| nurtures and sustains us. There is no better way to get connected to the goodness and the bounty of the earth that I know of. And the results can be spectacular. Not just in the sense of peace and calm satisfaction that pervades the body and mind but in the abundant generosity of nature in her gifts of colour, form and taste.

So, how to begin? The first thing to say is that it’s easy; seeds and plants want to grow; all they need is a chance. So don’t be afraid, give it a go and see the results. There is something amazing about sowing a seed and witnessing its first green shoot piercing the soil and emerging into the light. Truly it is a miracle, and it happens all the time – even without our help.

Start small. A garden should be a pleasure not a burden. You can al-

ways expand. Pick a few seed pack- ets that you fancy. I would always encourage everyone to grow a few flowers. They are so easy and give us such joy. To begin with, annuals (ie they flower and go to seed in one year) are a good choice; Calendula (Marigold), with its beautiful bright orange and yellow heads, would cheer anybody up.

Nasturtiums are also good value, sprawling and crawling with their beautiful edible leaves and flow- ers to fill any vacant space. There is Cosmos to tower over them all summer long in their willowy grace and, of course, Sweet Pea to climb up a fence or a pole and provide a gorgeous aroma. To finish it off, if you have the space, poppies are easy to grow and self-seed abundantly, and sun-flowers (while needing a lit- tle more care) will reward you with a stunning display. They also attract beneficial insects to help keep your garden pest and disease free.

Apart from their beauty, all these flowers are easy to grow. You can start them in a tray or a pot of compost in early spring, say April or May, on a bright window sill inside, and plant them out once the danger of a hard frost 1s past. Or, even easier, once the soil has warmed up outside, say May or June, sow them directly in rows in a garden bed and transplant them to their final position once they have germinated

and are established. Be sure to water them well before you lift them care- fully with a fork, and water them into their new positions.

So there you have a beautiful flower garden which will flower throughout the summer and into the autumn, especially if you pick the flowers regularly. As a bonus it is easy to save the seed from these flowers for planting in subsequent years. You only have to buy the seed once and then you have them for Nate

Now for food plants. Again, start small. Even a window-box and a few pots can provide an abundance of leafy greens and herbs to enliven and season your meals. Once you begin to eat them from your own garden there is no turning back.

There is nothing like fresh, vi- brant, tasty, succulent and flavour- some vegetables harvested from your own garden. That is just the taste, let alone the wonderful feeling of pride and achievement you get from growing some of your own food and being, in some small way, self-reliant. Then there’s the treats for the belly.

Your body knows what’s good for it and once it gets sufficient expo- sure to real food; food that is grown in a live organic soil, food that is full of health and vigour and life- giving forces, there is no going back to the dead stuff; food that has been

poisoned, pumped up, irradiated and bred for a long shelf-life.

So be warned, you are embark- ing on an anarchic journey when you plant a seed. Salad greens are a good place to start. They are easy, quick, look beautiful and taste delicious. Because we eat them raw they are a particularly important and nutritious food.

There is no harm in having some ordinary lettuce such as a Cos-type, loose-leaf or Iceberg mixed in as well. A few Nasturtium flowers thrown in adds colour and the leaves add a peppery taste. Other easy-to- erow vegetables for beginner gar- deners include peas, beans, potatoes, cabbages, kale, beetroot, parsnip, swede, turnip, onions, radish and carrots.

Most of these can be sown thinly, in the positions where you want them to grow, once the soil has warmed up and been cleared of weeds. Then you can thin them, to the spacing they require, when they get big enough to handle. Thinnings of young plants often make lovely snacks early on in the year, they are extra-sweet and succulent.

Another way is to begin some seeds inside in trays or pots of soil or compost on a bright window sill. | QT om daTereemeslOmMm ns sloe MU sloAa IE hVc reached a good size and the danger of frosts is past, transplant them out- side in their growing position. Water

them in well.

Frost-sensitive plants, such as tomatoes, peppers, aubergines, pumpkins and courgettes respond well to this treatment and then you don’t always need a greenhouse or polytunnel to grow them on. Some of the varieties we grow at Seed Savers have been selected for their ability to ripen outside in an aver- age Irish summer, such as Stupice, Marcel and Aurora tomatoes, the Ebisu pumpkin (the creamiest one I’ve ever had the good fortune to eat), and the Healthy Pepper (better in the warmer south of the country).

SO go on, get a window-box or cultivate a piece of ground. Begin with a few seeds. Look after them and they will return your care many times over. When you pick those flowers or harvest your own vegeta- bles you will get a warm, satisfying (even Self righteous) feeling inside. When you cook the food and share it with friends you will be glad.

ENNISMAN Noel Moloney, a re- gional manager with Trocaire in Af- rica, has thanked the people of his hometown for their continued sup- port of Trdcaire’s Lenten campaign.

This year’s campaign highlights the agency’s work supporting equal rights for women and men in the de-

veloping world.

“Statistics show that 70 per cent of those living in poverty worldwide are women,’ said Noel, “while in Africa women produce 80 per cent of the food from agriculture but earn only ten per cent of the income. If we don’t support equal rights for women and men in the developing world, we have no chance of eradicating pov-

erty. Trocaire’s work helps women to have a voice, to earn an income and to become more independent.’ ‘“Trocaire has received fantastic feedback from people in Clare again this year,’ continued Noel. “The amount of work that goes on behind the scenes by clergy, parish workers and teachers is phenomenal and can never be underestimated. Their com-

mitment to Trocaire’s Lenten cam- paign every year is crucial”.

Trocaire boxes can be returned to any Catholic church around the country. Donors returning their con- tributions by post are asked to send cheques or money orders to Trocaire, Maynooth, County Kildare.

Call 1850 408 408 or log on to www.lent.ie for further information.

A FISH which is threatened with extinction, could be saved by a new plan to increase its numbers in Lough DOyse

The humble Pollan could repay the favour by breeding in large enough numbers to make the lake more at- tractive to anglers.

The scientific co-ordinator of the study, Dr Fran Igoe, a marine bi- Ologist with the Shannon Regional

Fisheries board says a new scheme will try to solve why stocks of once plentiful Pollan in Lough Derg have declined.

If the Tipperary Leader Group car- rying out the research are successful, “it will hopefully restore the once ac- tive Pollan commercial fishery in the lough”, Dr Igoe said.

The fish species is found only in Ire- land’s five large lakes, and stocks in Lough Derg, Lough Ree and Lough Erne have seriously declined.

The situation has become so bad that a Local Area Species Action Plan has been drawn up by the Clare Biodiversity Forum.

Dr Igoe explained that the neces- sary steps include investigations into the possible impact of hydro-power, pollution and non-native organisms on fish numbers.

Eleven angling clubs which use the lakes and the Lough Derg Sub-Aqua club will be supporting the research.

“This is very significant as there is

no other animal except perhaps the Irish hare, that comes close to this kind of uniqueness when it comes to our wildlife heritage in Ireland’, said Dr Igoe.

Competition for food, the impact of water quality and a study to see where the fish spawn will all be part of the investigation.

Universities in Ireland and Canada as well as experts with the Irish Char Conservation group will be working with personnel involved in the study.

THE CHERRYTREE’S Chef de Cuisine, Mark Anderson, was one of a chosen few to take part in a top cookery competition last week.

The chef who has been delighting diners on the shores of Lough Derg in Killaloe/Ballina, was short-list- ed in the hugely popular Féile Bia Chef’s Competition 2007.

Mark was chosen from the 40 en- tries that were received. The aim of the competition is to encourage chefs to support artisan producers by sourcing the maximum of authentic and freshly available produce and highlighting this on the menus.

As part of the competition, profes- sional chefs were asked to submit a copy of their restaurant menu.

The six shortlisted chefs from all over Ireland took part in a cook-off in Athlone, Co. Westmeath.

Mark’s dish of choice for the com- petition was noisette and chop of spring lamb, wild mushroom boudin, Shallot ‘tarte tartin’, slow roasted garlic puree pomme fondant with tarragon infused jus.

The dishes were reviewed by the judging panel which consisted of food writers Marilyn Bright and Georgina Campbell, Lorcan Cribbin, Commissioner General, Eurotoques Ireland and Maire Dufficy, Bord Bia Food Advisor.

Mark Donohue, the head chef in The Oak Room Restaurant, Adare Manor was the winner on the night but the Cherrytree chef said it was a “very enjoyable experience” to have

been shortlisted to take part. This was not the first time that Mark was shortlisted. “It’s always good to see what other people are doing in their restaurants,’ he said.

As a member of the Bord Bia group of restaurants, The Cherrytree is committed to using the best of lo- cally produced produce wherever possible.

“We’re committed to using quality Irish products. That was our inten- tion from the start. We source local products as much as possible and all our meat is traceable. If you order lamb, I can tell you what field it was grazing in,’ said Mark.

And, he added, the restaurant 1s fortunate to be based in east Clare, where there are increasing numbers of producers growing and farming

organically and selling their produce on.

The Cherry Tree Restaurant was opened by proprietor Harry MckK- eogh in February 2000 and Mark has been with the establishment since its opening.

He won the ‘Georgina Campbell Chef of the Year’ Award in 2006 and together with his team in the kitchen, Mark changes his menus monthly to use the best of local ingredients, many of them organic.

Mark, 33, is originally from Clon- mel, County Tipperary.

TWO east Clare organisations have been awarded cash from the De- partment of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs under the Pro- gramme of Grants for Locally Based Community and Voluntary Organi- sations 2006.

The grants of €5,100 for the Scar- iff-based Alpha Project and €1,812 for the East Clare Community Co-op were announced by Minister Tony Kileen, who said that “it 1s impor-

tant that the voluntary effort of lo- cal community groups throughout County Clare is recognised.”

The Alpha Project aims to provide education for adolescents whose needs are not best met by the conven- tional exam-based system.

The 15 participants in the pro- gramme take part in hands-on learn- ing with projects such as building a Yurt – a traditional hut-style shelter – for use as a chemistry lab as there wasn’t room in the project’s accom- modation to practice chemistry.

By doing so, they not only got to study chemistry but learned the nec- essary physics to construct the dwell- ing properly.

A spokeswoman for the project said they are “delighted to get the grant. We don’t as yet get funding from the department so this will be important for buying equipment and training.”

On the list of things likely to be bought with the grant money are sewing machines, and equipment for physics and chemistry.

The project has 15 students and

next year, it’s hoped that 15 younger adolescents will come on board.

Of the first intake of students to eraduate from the alternative learn- ing system, all have gone on to some further form of education or training, including Leaving Cert studies and FETAC courses.

The other east Clare grant went to the East Clare Community Co-op, an umbrella organisation for communi- ty groups based in Scariff. The co-op could not be contacted for comment PLO OUI B DO Blom

A KILLALOE-BASED – architect looks set to join the general election race in Clare to highlight shortcom- ings in the planning system.

Garry Miley said yesterday: “The time has come I believe, to make a stand. The planning system at the moment is not democratic.”

Some of the faults that Mr Miley pointed out were long delays, inaccu- rate recording of issues discussed at pre-planning consultations, planning applications being invalidated for trivial reasons and inconsistencies in eleLortSloyem eared enerce

In his online blog, Mr Miley said that he was approached by a Dublin based group, including an independ- ent councillor and some of his col-

leagues, that wondered “if I might be interested in running for Dail Eire- ann on a ‘planning’ ticket in the up- coming election”.

Mr Miley said that Clare was an obvious place to run because it was a “four seat constituency with no star performers”.

“It’s my experience that the average people of Clare are more motivated by planning matters than anywhere else in the country, which means there’s a ready-made market for the message,” he said.

He added that it was “doable” to gain a Clare seat because Fine Gael had gained a seat in the last election with just 4,500 first preference votes and some transfers.

“The quota in Clare is, I think, around ten thousand but Fine Gael

managed to pick up their single seat in the last election with only 4,500 first preference votes and a bunch of transfers.

“Now, I can think of at least 4,500 people living in County Clare with a grievance about the planning system. Some decent transfers is all 1t would take.

“Manageable, I think, if you con- sider all the architects, engineers, planners (in private practice) build- ers, homeowners and developers across the county who’d easily pro- vide a match for the big party organi- See B (OD eon

Mr Miley said that he hoped some- one would run on the planning issue.

“If push does come to shove and no one else comes forward I will stand.”

ENNISTYMON will play host to a very special musical event next week as America’s foremost high school orchestra pay an historic visit to north Clare to perform a one-off concert.

Muinnesota’s Moorhead High School will offer young and old the unique chance to experience the very best of classical and contemporary music when it’s 50 piece wind ensemble takes to the stage at the Falls Hotel next Monday, April 16.

This is one of only two Irish con- certs for the touring orchestra,

with all proceeds going to Ennisty- mon’s Mol an Oige Steiner Primary School.

“A few months ago I was contacted by a person from Hibernia Ireland organisation who had heard about the school and wanted to help. She mentioned that the ensemble were coming and offered them to play in Ennistymon free of charge,” said Roisin Garvey of Mol an Oige.

“Tt will be really great for young people to be able to come along and experience this concert. Adults get to go and see concerts all the time and this is organised to take place at seven to allow young people to come

along.

“We have contacted all the national schools in the area and hopefully as lot of children will come along. It would be a real thrill for them to see this live music, especially when it is being played by other young people. It is a real coup to get them here, be- sides Ennistymon they are only play- ing in Dublin.

“Fundraising is so important for the future of the school. At the moment it is paying three full time teachers without any support for the Depart- ment of Education. We began last year with 11 students and now it is up to 41. The school caters for everyone,

we have children in every class and are fully compliant with the new pri- mary school curriculum. The wind ensemble has toured and competed in music festivals all over the United States, Canada and attended music schools throughout Austria and Ger- many. The ensemble will perform under the direction of Douglas C Engstrom who has been Musical Di- rected at Moorhead since 1976.

Tickets, at a cost of €12 are avail- able from The Falls Hotel, Unglerts Bakery, Sergeant Pepper’s Sandwich Bar and Custy’s Music Shop in Ennis or call 086 1043528 for more infor- mation.

HIKING boots are being dusted off all over the county in preparation for two highest profile walking events of the place in north Clare over the Lovee nesta eE hace

First up is the fifth Annual Dun- leavy Walk which takes place in Doolin on Sunday April 15, while just seven days later walkers from the Burren Chernobyl Project have their fundraiser in Liscannor.

Work is ongoing in six Ukrainian hospitals where children and adults effected by the Chernobyl nuclear disaster receive life changing help from the Ennistymon based project.

New initiatives this year include a

programme allowing effected chil- dren to leave the orphanages and re- turn home while another sees groups of trained physiotherapists travel to help the children regain some physi- cal mobility.

“At the moment we have 300 chil- dren in Gorodishche and we are feeding them with yoghurt and fruits. They never get out so it is important for them to get the vitamins,’ said Carmel Mescall of the Burren Cher- nobyl] Project.

“It cost €1,000 to buy nappies for the children each month. The money raised helps to organise volunteers to travel from Ireland and help. There is also the Special Olympics Summer Camp who are a group of physios

trained at the time of the Special Ol- ympics in Ireland.

“They go over and work with the children and help them with their mobility. It’s really great that some- thing good like the Special Olympics can go on producing another good thing like this.”

Besides the work at Gorodishche, the Burren Chernobyl Project also helps 200 children at Cherven, 500 adults at Cylb, 300 adults at Tarasik1, 300 adults at Cosovo and 400 adults at Yazouk1.

“In the future we are looking at running workshops for special needs children and their families,’ contin- ued Carmel. “We feel the way for- ward is to get the children back into

their own homes and give them day care support.

‘They can get the support and en- couragement of their families while the parents can still work during the CP haat

For more information on sponsor- ship cards contact 7071130.

Meanwhile, The Dunleavy Spon- sored walk will take to the road this weekend in Doolin. The walk will begin at lpm this Sunday, April 15, at the Russell Community Centre in Doolin.

Walkers can choose from walks of three or five miles and refreshment and entertainment will be available for all participants at the centre after Woe