Month: May 2007

IT’S cup final time in Clare with the County Grounds playing host to five deciders next weekend.

On Saturday the under 15 and un- der 13 finals take centre stage. Sun- day sees the under 12 final down for decision along with the under 14 and under 16 finals.

The under 11 cup final will take place on Thursday May 17. In the under 15 decider, Lifford take on Av- enue in a repeat of the league play- off final.

Avenue won that game 3-0 but the league was subsequently awarded to

Lifford when it emerged that Avenue fielded a suspended player, David Smith in a previous fixture. Avenue appealed the decision to the School- boys Football Association of Ireland (SFAI) who upheld the Clare league’s decision.

Avenue will be out to ensure their season doesn’t end pointless while Lifford will have double dreams on their mind.

Next up at 2pm on Saturday is the meeting of Newmarket Celtic and Avenue United in the under 13 final.

Newmarket edged out Fern Celtic in the semi final and a cup final success would be the perfect end to a season

that saw the club re-open their spir- itual home at McDonagh Park.

However they face an uphill task against the recently crowned league champions Avenue who will start as favourites.

The under 12 decider on Sunday is an all Ennis affair between Ennis town and Avenue United. Avenue pipped Ennis to the league title but Town will hope to summon the spirit that saw them overturn a 2-0 deficit against Moneypoint in a thrilling quarterfinal.

Then under 14 final looks an in- triguing prospect with division two champions Fern Celtic looking to

complete the double when they take on Avenue United.

By the time Moher take to the field for the under 16 final decider against Newtown, the pair will know if they are to meet in a league play off de- cider. Moher require victory against Avenue this week in order to force a play-off. Newtown will be out to erase memories of a 4-0 hammering dished out by Moher over the week- aXe

Lifford A and Avenue United A will contest the Under 11 final. Av- enue have already won the division one title but Lifford will present for- midable opposition.

MINISTER of State at the Depart- ment of Enterprise, Trade and Em- ployment Tony Killeen has published a second progress report on National Workplace Strategy. According to the minister, “The report highlights significant new initiatives to support workplace change and innovation in the public and private sectors.”

The report outlines key develop- ments in implementing the Strategy’s recommendations since the group last reported. The High Level Group, which is chaired by Minister Killeen, involves key Government depart- ments and agencies working together with the social partners to support workplace change and innovation in

the public and private sectors.

“IT am happy to be able to report that, building on the endorsement of the work of the group in the Frame- work Social Partnership Agreement Towards 2016, we have seen sig- nificant progress and the launch of important new initiatives across the five strategic priority areas of the Na- tional Workplace Strategy,’ Minister GTN ore yaork

The minister welcomed the fact that the National Workplace Strategy has reached an important juncture, Where the messages and objectives agreed and adopted at a national level by Government and the Social Partners are now to be targeted at workplace level to employees, trade unions and managers across the pub-

lic and private sectors.

“The new Workplace Innovation Fund will play an important role in supporting this process,’ the Minis- MEST BLOE

“The real success of the National Workplace Strategy will be meas- ured in terms of how it succeeds in influencing meaningful change at the level of the workplace.

‘“W hile this is no easy task, we have every reason to be optimistic. We know from our long experience with social partnership that our capacity to solve problems is best served by working together. The strategy gives us a unique opportunity to turn our creative problem-solving instincts into a source of sustained competi- tive advantage.”

AHEAD of the Clare Community Forum information night at the Tem- ple Gate Hotel on this Tuesday night, Fine Gael election candidate Cllr Joe Carey (FG) has called for strategic and comprehensive community sup- ports to bolster a vision of a stronger mid-west region.

Without strong and vibrant commu- nity infrastructure, the region will be ill-equipped to meet the challenges ahead, Cllr Carey said.

The construction of the Ennis by- pass and the resurgence of adjacent communities, such as _ Crusheen, Clarecastle, _Newmarket-on-Fergus

and Barefield means that proper facilities need to be put in place in these areas as a matter of urgency.

‘There are many areas where we need to be doing more in terms of playground facilities, activities for teenagers, recreational facilities, and generally implementing a vision for post by-pass Ennis. Currently this is not being done in any coherent or constructive manner’, said Cllr Carey.

The lack of adequate playground facilities continues to be a major is- sue for many communities, he said.

“I know for instance that residents in Quin are having to take on the 1s- sue themselves to try and get play-

ground facilities built in their vil- lage. And they are not the only ones. When funding has been earmarked for these initiatives, it 1s inconceiva- ble to think that people have to lobby to get basic facilities for their local area. It’s just not on”.

“IT am proposing that Fine Gael in government will appoint a Cabinet Minister for regional planning and development with sole responsibility for delivering a policy based on the principles of proper planned regional development”, he concluded.

A WOMAN has won her battle to transform a 19th-century school building into a holiday home.

The former primary school is lo- cated at Ballyfaudeen, Liscannor, in a remote, sparsely populated rural area. Nora French lodged plans to convert it last year.

The school dates from 1882 and has not operated for around 10 years.

However, Clare County Council turned down the proposal over site

drainage issues. Ms French appealed the decision to An Bord Pleanala.

The board inspector who investi- gated the case agreed with the coun- cil, stating that the proposal would be prejudicial to public health. The inspector was not satisfied that the site could be drained satisfactorily by means of a new Envirocare unit with peat-based system and outfall to an existing trickling filter on site.

However, the board over-ruled its own inspector to give Ms French the go-ahead.

It stated that having regard to the long established use of the existing building on the site as a school, the proposed development would not be prejudicial to public health and would be in accordance with the proper planning and sustainable de- velopment of the area.

The appeal lodged on Ms French’s behalf stated that the building had become derelict since its abandon- ment.

“Taking account of the prominent location of the building, and its his-

tory, it is appropriate to preserve and protect the local community spirit as many of the school attendees con- tinue to live in the area.

“Appropriate and imaginative re-use will provide for the general enhancement of the area. The ‘do- nothing’ scenario for a building in this location does nothing more than present a ‘no-confidence’ vote in the multiplicity of projects, which are undertaken countrywide to provide remediation for sites with similar drainage issues.

“On a broader note, the develop- ment is located in an area in which the houses to serve the increasing tourist market are not being permit- ted, and are only infrequently com- ing available on the local market.

“At the outset, it 1s important to make the distinction between a pro- posal for development on a green- field site and a proposal for rede- velopment of a building, which is constructed, has been used and is part and parcel of the local commu- ia Ae

FOLLOWING the Taoiseach’s visit to Ennis on Saturday, a notice seek- ing planning permission for the de- velopment of Ennis Hospital will appear in the press at the weekend, according to Fianna Fail election candidate Senator Brendan Daly.

“The move is a clear signal of our intent to get work started on the En- nis Hospital development as quickly as possible” he declared.

“On his visit to Ennis, the Taoi- seach reaffirmed his commitment to the development which has the Government’s full financial backing and political support. It’s now time to progress the project.

“Vd urge the HSE to get on with

securing plannng permission so that the people of Clare can finally get the medical services they deserve. The Taoiseach’s ongoing support for Ennis Hospital should allay any local fears, largely stoked by cynical Op- position politiking, that the future of Ennis Hospital was in doubt.

‘When the project is complete, the people of Clare will have a new day ward, upgraded radiology, A&E and pathology departments.The wards in the hospital will also be refurbished.

‘“We’ve made real progress on 1m- proving our health services in Clare. We’ll continue to drive that progress with the full support of the Govern- ment and the explict commitment of the Taoiseach,” Senator Daly con- cluded.

THE Equality Tribunal has dis- missed a further 16 cases brought by Travellers under the Equal Status Act against Clare County Council.

The cases were dismissed after the Travellers failed to turn up at the hearing.

A previous ruling to dismiss four cases by Travellers has been ap- pealed to the Circuit Court and these have yet to be heard. The latest deci- sions are also likely to be appealed.

The dispute concerns claims by the

Travellers that they were discrimi- nated against by named officials of Clare County Council and the coun- cil itself on the Traveller Community eround. They also allege that they were harassed contrary to section 1] of the Equal Status Act.

A council spokesman said, “These cases involve a huge amount of ad- ministrative work which could be better used in a number of ways.

The council would still incur legal costs in spite of the Travellers failing to turn up.

He pointed out that each equality

tribunal sittings demand the attend- ance of several council officials.

In a sample decision, the Equality Tribunal officer stated, “The com- plainants’ representative was noti- fied orally by me on October 20, 2006 that I was arranging a callover on December 4, 2006 of all the cases referred against the respondents, in- cluding the cases of the complainants oaKeabee

‘The representative applied for an adjournment of the matters on the grounds that she was out of the coun- try on holidays and would be unable

to notify the complainants of the callover.

“The adjournment was granted and the parties were notified that the callover would take place on January 15, 2007.

“Tt should be noted that during the course of other hearings of cases against Clare County Council listed for the week of 16 to 20 October 2006, the complainants’ representa- tive submitted a letter on behalf of all of the complainant family groups, including the complainants in this case, requesting that I withdraw from

hearing the cases.

““T informed her that I would not be acceding to the request. At the com- mencement of the callover on January 15, 2007, the complainants’ represent- ative made a further application for an adjournment and also stated that she wished to judicially review my deci- sions 1N previous cases.

“On the basis of the foregoing, I find that the complainants have not established a prima facie case of dis- crimination and accordingly their cases cannot succeed,’ the decision concluded.

A CONTENTIOUS planning deci- sion described as “unbelievable” by a senior member of Clare County Council has been appealed to An Bord Pleanala.

Last month, the council’s decision to refuse planning permission for a €40 million housing development in Kilkee prompted Cllr PJ Kelly (FF) to claim that if the local authority was a company, it would be wound up by now.

Cllr Kelly, who is a long-time critic of the planning process in Clare, said, “As a result of this unbelievable deci- sion, the council has forfeited around €4 million, including €2.5 million towards the provision of a new relief road for Kilkee.”

The council turned down a plan- ning application for 196 homes on zoned land at Kilkee Upper by Colm Kennedy, Noel Gallivan and James Rael after strong opposition against the proposal.

The three developers were seeking

full planning permission on the 25- acre site for 116 homes and outline planning permission for a further 80 elt one

The plan also included the con- struction of a childcare facility and nursing home.

However, it attracted 24 separate objections and was subsequently re- jected by the council planning de- partment.

In the appeal lodged with An Bord Pleanala by Byrne O’Donnell Scully architects, the developers state that

they are prepared to provide a relief road joining Dunlickey Road to the Carrigaholt Road.

‘The council themselves were very keen to have the entire relief road, as described on Kilkee maps as far back as 1972, constructed to allevi- ate traffic congestion within the town of Kilkee especially during the sum- mer period.

The developers also asked the council to consider the possibility of a ‘split decision’, to grant permission for houses numbered one to 46 which

are accessed and separated from that part of the proposed development di- rectly affected by the construction of the proposed relief road.

They are also seeking permission “for the remainder of the develop- ment subject to the satisfactory out- come of the now stalled negotiations with adjoining landowners and the satisfactory completion of the relief road joining Dunlickey Road to the Carrigaholt Road”.

A decision is due on the appeal later this year.

BEEF factories are coming under increasing pressure to increase the price being offered to farmers with a farmers’ ‘hold back’ now a serious possibility.

The IFA National Livestock Com- mittee Chairman, John Bryan, com- mented last week that in over two years he had not witnessed as much anger against the meat factories in the severe way they had blackguard- ed winter finishers this spring.

“The factories’ latest moves this week to cut prices was a real kick in the teeth to winter finishers who have

endured losses of in excess of €100 per head this winter,” he said.

‘At a time when prices were rising in our main market in the UK, it was a scandal that Irish factories were at- tempting to cut prices. It is an even bigger scandal that some factories are importing cattle and telling their farmer clients that they must cut the eon

The UK market is returning the equivalent of €3.24/kg (116p/Ib) or 95 per head more than Irish prices. The IFA livestock leader commented that winter finishers had provided an all-year-round beef supply at very high costs to enable factories to serv-

ice high-priced consumer markets. The response from the factories now is to take advantage of the situation for their own gain.

Meanwhile, the ICSA beef chair- man Robin Smith has warned that midlands farmers may be tempted to hold back their cattle until prices steady a bit. “Prices in the mid- lands are back a penny this week, to €2.80/kg for Os and €2.94/kg for Rs. Yet when you look towards Donegal, better prices are available. These signs of hope from Donegal may very well encourage other farm- ers to hang on a bit longer.”

The ICSA has also laid the blame

for the low prices square at the feet of the EU.

“The low prices being quoted to Irish farmers over recent months is a direct result of EU negligence,” says ICSA President Malcolm Thompson. “Over 270,000 tonnes of Brazilian beef were imported into the EU last year, and this sub-standard product is having a huge effect on Irish beef prices. However, this figure is likely to be up substantially in 2007. In March, for example, Brazilian beef exports globally were up 33 per cent year-on-year. The USDA has also forecast a significant increase in Bra- Zilian beef exports.”

THE future of the Irish sheep indus- try hangs in the balance this week as continued low prices offered by factories 1s on the verge of causing a mass exodus from the sector. The IFA has called on factories to up the price offered per lamb by as much €10 per lamb as a matter of urgency. Speaking following a _ meeting with the lamb factories in Dublin on Thursday, IFA National Sheep Committee Chairman, Henry Burns, said on sheep farmers need a price increase of €8 to €10 per lamb from the meat factories over 2006 price

levels just to stay in business.

‘Unless the factories are capable of returning a viable price to farmers for lamb, above the costs of produc- tion, the sector will continue to de- cline. Farmers are not going to sub- sidize lamb production by eroding their single farm payment,” he said.

‘Factories and agents talking down prices and trying to buy lamb cheap- er are acting highly irresponsibly and inflicting further damage on an already difficult situation.”

An IFA National Sheep Committee delegation led by Henry Burns met with representatives of Meat Indus- try Ireland including Kepak, Irish

Country Meats and Dawn Meats on the excessive cuts in lamb prices last week.

With production costs for spring lamb running at €90 to €100 per head, Burns commented that the meat factories know and accept that farmers cannot produce lambs at un- viable prices below the costs of pro- duction.

He continued that the IFA put the economic facts very strongly and clearly to the meat factories. “The meat plants accept that lamb prices must rise in order to restore viability at farm level,’ he continued. “The factories indicated they expect pric-

es to stabilise for the month of May. Last year lamb prices were in the or- der of €4.50/kg for most of May.

‘The factories said all of the main retailers will complete the changeo- ver to spring lamb this week and this should drive consumption and boost demand.”

He continued to say that Bord Bia have brought forward to this week a nationwide radio advertising cam- paign on Radio | and 16 local sta- tions, which should also increase domestic demand and that there was a major level of responsibility on the factories to stabilise the market and ee (one

CLARE senator and general elec- tion candidate, Timmy Dooley (FF), yesterday criticised his party leader, Bertie Ahern, over the decision to hold the general election on a Thurs- day.

Senator Dooley, who alongside Tony Mulcahy (FG) and James Breen (Ind) was given a five star rating by the National Youth Council of Ire- land, said he would like to have seen the election take place closer to the weekend to accommodate students

living away at third level institu- tions.

“Personally I am _ disappointed. I haven’t made a big issue out of it but personally I would have liked to have seen the election take place on a Friday or even on a Saturday,’ said Senator Dooley.

“It is a situation creating a balance between the students who want to vote and the people in the cities who would be going down the country for the weekend.”

Dooley was one of only five Clare general election candidates to re-

spond to a survey on young people’s issues conducted by the National Youth Council of Ireland. Each can- didate was rated according to their answers to a series of youth related question and given a Star rating.

Senator Dooley received a maxi- mum five star rating along with Tony Mulcahy and James Breen, while Madeleine Taylor-Quinn (FG) and Brian Meaney (Green) received four Star ratings.

Each of the respondents, except for Madeleine Taylor-Quinn, responded ‘yes’ when asked should the vote be

given to 16 and 17 year olds.

‘“T have had the view for a long time that children are more educated now than they were 20 or 30 years ago. With the improvements in technol- ogy and communications they know more about voting and politics than ever before,’ said Dooley.

“I would argue that giving them the vote at an early age would get them more involved and make them more interested in politics. If people were allowed to vote from 16 it would goa long way to tackling the problem of apathy in a lot of voters.”