Month: April 2007

FINE GAEL TD Pat Breen and In- dependent ITD James Breen have joined forces this week to highlight what they describe as a “major crisis that will hit the capital town of Ennis in relation to water and waste water esata oh iee

The two TDs plan to raise Ennis’ water problems at an adjournment debate in the Dail today. They are calling on the Government to sub-

sidise bottled water for children and people with weakened immune sys- caehe

Cllr Madeleine Taylor Quinn (FG) said that she was “very pleased” that the two deputies “have responded to the water campaign which I launched over the weekend”.

She distributed thousands of free bottles of water to people affected by the Ennis water system. Her high- profile move included a “contract” providing that if she was elected and

Fine Gael were in Government, the town’s new permanent water scheme would be delivered immediately.

She described it as an “unusual co- incidence” that the two TDs should bring the matter up at Dail level now. She added that she “would hope that Ennis will reap the benefits and I am calling now on Minister Tony Kil- leen and Minister de Valera to join with the deputies and raise the matter in the Dail with the Minister”’.

The two deputies say they were told

at a briefing of Ennis Town Council that the preliminary report on the main drainage scheme lodged with the Department of the Environment in 2002 was out of date. Consultants were needed to prepare revised fig- ures.

Deputy Pat Breen said that this would further delay the process and the “present water crisis will not have a permanent solution until at least the end of 2008.

“The new scheme will cost €1 mil- lion a year to run and will only cater for the existing population of Ennis of approximately 20,000 people, de- spite the fact that figures show that the population of Ennis could double by 2020 as Ennis is the fastest grow- ing town in the country,” he said.

“If there isn’t a quick response by the Department of the Environment, then further planning and develop- ment in Ennis could be sterilised,’ he said.

Deputy James Breen said that the last report cost €1 million in taxpay- ers money to complete.

‘Now we have to have another one because the minister has done noth- ing about it – what is that going to cost the taxpayer? The initial cost of a solution to the problem in 2002 was €50 million and what is that go- ing to cost now? It will at least have doubled.”

IN THE face of increasing pressure from hunting groups the government has backed down on the proposed li- cence fee increase for hunters.

The National Association of Re- gional Game Councils (NARGC) this week welcomed the Govern- ment’s decision to postpone the pro- posed licence fee increases which was announced in early April.

These increases were described as ‘exorbitant?’ by NARGC Director, Des Crofton, and following a heated public debate, and subsequent con- sultation with the Department of Jus-

tice, it has been agreed to postpone WeLomB NL@)Rereksone

“In addition to the postponement, and even more important, the Gov- ernment has commitment to con- sult with NARGC over the next 12 months, when the matter will be discussed in detail and prior to any new fee structures being finalised,” said Mr Croften. “As matters stand, licence fees will be renewed at the current levels and in the normal Fh

NARGC stressed that this political back down should be viewed as posi- tive and a reflection of the Govern- ment’s on-going commitment to the

Irish shooting community and ac- knowledgment of the important role it plays in Irish rural life.

Instrumental in the governments decision was an announcement by the Federation of Irish Salmon and Sea Trout Anglers (FISSTA) last week, pledging the support of its members to NARGC.

The Finance Bill 2007 reveals plans to increase licence fees by an average of 56 per cent without consultation with the representative bodies for shooting. “Shooting people all over the country are unbelievably angry with widespread threats to use their votes to punish the government,”

said a statement from FISSTA.

“The annual shotgun licence, which currently is €25, will rise to €115 for three years and the current annual rifle licence of €38 will rise to €170 for three years. Worse still, a new training licence for young peo- ple who wish to take up the sport, but which will not allow them to own or possess a gun, has been rendered un- workable because of the cost.

“For a young person to undergo proper training in the safe use and handling of a shotgun and rifle, the licence fee will be €285. Yet a fire- arms dealer’s licence will be only €340.”

THE battle to ensure that farmers get proper notice before on-farm in- spections ignited this week as Mary Coughlan, the Minister for Agricul- ture and Food, called for 14-days of notice to be given before inspections.

Speaking at the Council of Agri- culture Ministers in Luxembourg last Wednesday, Coughlan said that she is very much opposed to the re- tention of unannounced inspections in the areas of animal identification and welfare and feed controls as pro- posed by the commission.

“I believe that this approach is ex- cessive and unnecessary. I favour a 14-day notice in the case of all in-

spections,” she said.

“T fully accept that it is a critical element of any control system that the inspection visit is implemented in such a way that its purpose is not jeopardised. In my view, however, systematic unannounced inspections are not necessary to achieve this ob- jective but add significantly to cost and inefficiencies at a time when simplification is the aspiration.

“They are also totally impractical in the case of farmers who increas- ingly are part-time and are engaged in off-farm activities.

Minister Coughlan said that while she fully supported the concept of cross-compliance in the context of the Single Payment Scheme and its

extension to the CAP Rural Devel- opment measures this year, it is clear that the system was far too compli- cated and placed an intolerable bur- den on farmers and administrators.

“I believe the approach to cross compliance needs to be dealt with in a “joined up” way at Commission level and therefore the full engage- ment of Commissioners Fisher Boel and Kypriano will be needed to re- Solve these issues,” said the minis- ae

Coughlan said she welcomed the commission’s proposals on toleranc- es for minor infringements, the “de minimis” proposal and the use of the results of existing controls – the so- called “bottlenecks” proposal.

The minister went on to say that, while she noted the proposal for har- monisation of the control rate at one per cent, she is not convinced that this particular proposal is of any benefit in practice, given that the results of checks under the sectoral legislation have to be taken into account and should be further investigated.

“I accept that there should always be a possibility of carrying out some unannounced controls and _ histori- cally Ireland has always adopted this approach where it was deemed nec- ISTE D AA

“IT would therefore ask the com- mission to re-consider its proposals for systematic unannounced inspec- tions,’ she continued.

THE — globetrotting Lismorahaun singers return to their home patch this week for a special concert in Lisdoonvarna.

Having just returned from a highly successful outing to Italy, the 100- strong choir will offer a wide variety of choral music – ranging from the old classics to the contemporary, and even a little Polish.

In an effort to entertain the area’s erowing Polish community, the sing- ers will be performing a number of pieces by Polish composer Joreck1, including “The Broad Water’.

The programme will also include songs from Mozart and Vivaldi, as

well as a number of traditional airs and a few surprises.

All proceeds from the performance will go towards helping to fund the Access All programme at St Enda’s Primary School in Lisdoonvarna, Where the Lismorahaun now prac- tice.

“There are a lot of Polish people living in the area and we would love for them to come along,” said John Hehir, St Enda’s principal and mem- ber of the Lismorahaun.

“The music is very lively, it’s al- most like a Clare set except it is sung. There are a lot of Polish people living and working in Lisdoonvarna and in the surrounding area.”

The Access All programme is an

initiative set up to help the school become 100 per cent user-friendly to students by providing things like ramps for people in wheelchairs and disabled toilets.

The Lismorahaun are just back from a hugely successful journey to the Italian town of Pozzeleone. Locals from the north Italian town, which is twinned with Ennistymon, were So impressed with the perform- ance that they will be making the journey to Lisdoonvarna for this Fri- day’s concert.

“It was a fantastic journey over there, we were given a really great reception,’ continued John.

“Archie Simpson has really done something wonderful with the Lis-

morahaun. There was latent talent in this area that he tapped into. We have people who come from south Galway and up from Ennis and Bodyke.”

The concert will take place this Friday, April 27, at 8pm in the Lis- doonvarna Church. Tickets, at a cost of €10, are available on the door or from St Enda’s at 7074231.

THE blazing sunshine may have departed but a wave of good cheer ereeted the hundreds of walkers who took to the roads of Liscannor for the annual Burren Chernobyl Walk which took place on Sunday.

This year’s walk, which is the main fundraiser for the Ennistymon based Burren Chernobyl! Projects, attracted a large and enthusiastic crowd to walk and help support the people suffering as a result of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster 21 years ago.

“We had a really great turnout and everything went so so well,” said Carmel Mescal of the Burren Cher-

nobyl Project.

“We would really like to thank all of those who turned up for the walk, the people who sponsored them and all of those who contributed badly needed funds for the ongoing work in Belarus.

“The work is ongoing over there. There is a group going out from Lis- cannor later this Summer. The will be mostly doing construction work in Tarasiki, some general structural repair as-well-as the upgrading of a few facilities like showers.

“There is a group from Ennis over there at the moment. There are al- ways new groups of volunteers going over and offering their skills.”

The annual walk is the Burren Chernobyl Projects main fundraiser for the project each year. At present the charity organisation helps to sup- port children at Gorodishche and Chevron as well as adults in Cylb, Tarasiki, Cosovo and Yazouk1.

Besides providing basic care and assistance for the people living in the orphanages, the project is also set to begin a day care programme which will allow children to return to their family during the evenings and spend their days in the institutions.

The walk takes place this Sunday, April 22, leaving from the Liscan- nor Hotel. Registration takes place between 12 noon and Ipm and all are

welcome to come take part.

Meanwhile, counting is well under way following the Annual Dunleavy Walk which took place in Doolin earlier in the month. Gerry and Toni Dunleavey led more than 200 people in the walk which was one of the best supported in recent years.

“It was very successful, the sun shone and there was great fun and commitment from everyone who came out on the day,” said organiser Mary O’Connor.

“The local people were brilliant. We raised a lot of money and there is as much to come in. The Michael Dunleavy Foundation are so grateful to everyone for all the help.”

AN exhibition featuring some of the finest art to grace the walls of the newly reopened Courthouse Gallery in Ennistymon was launched last Fri- day by Gerry Kennedy, Department of Social and Family Affairs.

The FETAC exhibition is the cul- mination of more than two years of work and creativity by a group of lo- or NM eynetsee

The women, all of whom were new to art, worked in a number of medi- ums including oil paintings, stone art and recycled art mosaics.

The were all taking part in the Clare VEC’s Back to Education initiative and have now earned certificates in a number of FETAC courses.

“I had finished education after pri-

mary school and these courses were brilliant for me. The social side was great and it gave me a real independ- ence,’ said Margaret Donovan, who will be exhibiting a number of paint- ings and mosaics and 1s now working in childcare.

“It has been great for my daughters as well. I can now help them with their homework. There was so much support all the way through. There was never a dull moment.”

The programme is supported by the Department of Family and So- cial Affairs, the Ennistymon Fam- ily Resource Centre, Josephine Dav- enport of the Clare Adult Learning Guidance Service, Mike Ryan of the Back to Education Initiative and was tutored by Mary Fitzgerald of the se uDe

In the last two years, the women taking part on the programme have completed eight courses, including communications, computer studies, personal effectiveness, maths and tan

‘They have been so involved in this over the last two years, it’s the cul- mination of so much work for them,” said Katie Lewis of the Adult and Community Education Service of Clare VEC.

“They are proud of what they have achieved but a little bit shy as well. They are all mothers, and they re- quested an Irish course be put in place to help them feel more able to Ted OM M eters me OUOCOOnoIIMM, Aine UENO (ooDmmOCe)oNtor 08S

“There was a great social aspect to the programme as well. They

enjoyed meeting up with the other people. The environment in the En- nistymon VEC was very welcoming, some of the girls might have been a bit nervous at first but they made us feel right at home.

‘Now that they have their FETAC, they are in a good position to con- tinue with their education or to enter into the workforce.”

This exhibition will be open to the public from April 23 to 28 during daytime hours.

A QUARTER of a century is a long time to spend in any job but, for Some, it can be more of a vocation than an occupation.

The service of north Clare bus driver PJ Vaughan was celebrated in the Pery Hotel in Limerick last week as he was presented with a special award to mark his dedication over the last 25 years at the Clare, Tipper- ary and Limerick Part-Time School Bus Drivers Awards.

PJ was presented with a watch for his long-time service award by Des

Tallon, manager of human resources at Broadstone, along with Miriam Flynn, regional manager and Rory Moylan, chief clerk of the School Transport Office in Limerick.

A special award in recognition of his service was given to PJ, who had completed 25 years’ service as a Clea oe

PJ was first appointed as school bus driver in 1981.

He began by covering the Lisdoon- varna Post Primary Centre until, in 2001, the Ballyvaughan National school was also included on his route.

Nearly 50 students travel with PJ each day, 28 post-primary pupils on the secondary route and 14 pupils on the primary route.

Meanwhile, a number of school bus drivers from Clare were also award- ed safety certificates for their driving records at the ceremony.

In total, 16 of the 23 part-time

school bus drivers in Clare qualified with an excellent safety record. The main objective of the Bus Fireann Safe Driving Awards 1s to highlight and recognise Bus Eireann drivers who have achieved an excel- lent safety record.

Safety and reliability are key issues in delivering a good public transport service and Bus Eireann invests sig- nificantly in the area of driver train- ing, both for regular drivers and school bus drivers.

Safe Driving Awards are presented on an annual basis to drivers who have been accident-free for that par- ticular year.

Each successful driver receives a certificate and an award of €100, in recognition of their safety record.

In addition, drivers who achieve a five-year accident-free record also receive a special badge of honour.

THE West Clare Kidney Support Group is hoping to improve on the €33,000 it raised last year with its eighth annual fundraising walk in Kilrush on May 6.

All of this year’s proceeds will go to the Dialysis Unit in the Mid West- ern Regional Hospital.

Committee member and transplant patient, Fran Carmody, said that his own experiences and the death of his

brother in law from renal failure in- spired the fundraiser.

“Myself, Tom Prendeville and my niece, Michelle Gallery, had the idea and it was only going to be a one off at first. We have since done the walk every year for the Irish Kidney As- sociation and this time we decided to donate the money to the regional hospital. They are working really hard. Four out of seven days a week, the unit is running 24 hours a day. This is our way of giving something

back.”

Mr Carmody said that he has “nev- er looked back” since his kidney transplant in 1998 but that dialysis was still a daily struggle for many people.

He added that local support has been excellent.

“Local people help out with water stations on the day and we always get a great turnout. Everyone seems to know someone affected by it and people are always willing to help.”

The walk, which attracted 500 walkers last year, has gone from strength to strength since its first out- ing raised £3,500 (punts).

This year’s walk will start at 3pm from the square in Kilrush and will go as far as Cooraclare where there will be music and refreshments.

For sponsorship cards you can con- tact Michelle on 085 1617617 or Fran on 086 8638847 but anyone can turn up on the day to walk and make a donation.

A GROUP of 16 Australian high school students will say “G’Day”’ to Spanish Point today (Tuesday) at the end of their visit to St Joseph’s Sec- ondary School to celebrate 21 years of the county’s twinning with Clare Valley down under.

School Principal, Mary Crawford said that the 11 day visit was a mas- sive success after seven years of let- ters and emails with Clare Valley High School.

‘The sixteen students and five staff got on wonderfully on their stay in Ireland. The weather was so good and they had a fabulous time meet- ing everyone and travelling around.”

The students stayed with local host families and attended some classes at the school as well as visiting re- gional attractions.

“They did a lot of activities. We ran some classes on Irish history and culture. They did t-shirt print- ing and celtic design with our own art students. We held a set dancing

workshop too. Clare County Coun- cil organised a banquet in Bunratty Folk Park and the Ennis Lions’ Club gave them a tour of Ennis. Minister Tony Killeen welcomed them offi- cially. Everyone was very involved,” said Ms Crawford.

St Joseph’s also helped some of the Australian students to trace their Irish roots and one student found Clare relatives back to the early nineteenth century.

The group, which included five high school staff, travelled to Gal-

way, Connemara National Park, Kylemore Abbey, the Burren, Ailwee Caves and the Cliffs of Moher.

Most of the students were aged from 14 to 16 years old and Ms Crawford said that some of St Joseph’s second and third year students hope to visit Clare Valley in the next two years.

“They think it’s great. We hope to send some of our students in the fu- ture if they want to go.

‘The Australians are already plan- ning to come back in two years time,” she added.

THE first series of afternoon tea dances in west Clare has been a huge success so far with a fourth dance planned for the month of May.

The dances, organised by the Kil- rush Family Resource Centre and funded by the HSE, give people an opportunity to travel to other parish- es for fun and entertainment.

Viv Rooney, community worker with the resource centre, said that all ages are welcome at the events.

“We have had up to 50 people at- tending the dances and they are open to everyone. Anybody who wants

to dance a set or enjoys a waltz can come along. We hold them on the third Sunday of the month and they move from parish to parish so we can get around to every community, ” she said.

She added that the idea to stage the dances came from a conference cel- ebrating active senior citizenship in mauers

“A lot of people said what they would enjoy doing at weekends. Sunday can be a long and lonely day and one of the things suggested was a dance in the afternoon. We applied to the HSE for funding and that will cover six dances. We are hoping that

it will eventually sustain itself,”

Ms Rooney said that the dances are more than a single event because they promote community activity and involvement.

“People at a loose end are getting out and meeting each other. Mostly women attend and you’ll hear them asking now ‘Are you going? Can I give you a lift?’ They can meet old friends and neighbours or people they went to school with.”

Dances have already been held in Kilrush, Moyasta and Kilkee and the next event will be on May 20 in Downes’ Pub, Bealaha. There will be a bus provided for the first time

on that day.

“We are hoping for good weather. There is a small cover charge and we provide tea and scones. Anyone who comes along really enjoys it. It 1s im- portant to keep this facility running and supported,’ she said.

The tea dances are part of just one local service provided by the Kilrush Family Resource Centre. There are various projects, classes and group meetings on in the centre every week.

For more information on the sun- day afternoon tea dances you can contact the centre on 065 9052173 or email to vivrooney @kilrushfrc.ie.