Month: May 2007

THE NEW Government policy of going for construction contracts that heap all risk of price over-runs onto the contracting company is going to elbow out medium and small build- ing firms and cost the taxpayer more in the long run, it has been claimed.

President of the Construction In- dustry Federation (CIF), Hank Foga- rty stated that the new public sector construction contracts would push up the price of building public infra- structure in Clare and damage small and medium contracting companies throughout the county.

The CIF president further criticised Government for ignoring the indus- try view on the changes and for aban- doning the principle of partnership that was the hallmark of successful construction contracts throughout the rest of the world.

Fogarty was speaking at a CIF In- ternational Conference titled “New Directions in Construction Procure- ment: International Best Practice’, held in the Davenport Hotel last week.

“In Ireland, a country in a unique period of infrastructure catch-up and one whose long-term sustainable

economic development depends on ST e-Ne BLOr-LBUNTSM sD. GR IBUNTSA-H OCG Moy pas) Uca DAMN ITE frastructure bottlenecks, it is critical that we get the contracting relation- ship right. This is particularly so as we embark on a new and ambitious National Development Plan that will run to 2013. However, any independ- ent examination of the new contracts will show that Government has got it wrong,’ he said.

The CIF president said that the principles of risk recognition, risk sharing and risk management and, more importantly, the principle of partnership had been abandoned by Government in favour of the princi- ple of risk transfer at any cost.

The experience elsewhere is that this type of contract simply leads to confrontation and conflict. He added that the adoption of such a model meant that smaller and medium com- panies, of which there are many in Clare, couldn’t compete for Govern- ment contracts.

‘The industry has asked Govern- ment on a number of occasions to look at the alternatives.

“Unfortunately, this had not been done and the negative consequences will become apparent over the com- ing years,” Mr Fogarty said.

KILRUSH estates are to get new stone-carved placename plaques where there are developments with- out name plaques.

The news was delivered to a meet- ing of Kilrush Town Council last week by marketing and development officer, Siobhan Garvey as part of her report on activities to improve the en- virons of the town. The stones would compliment the many activities and hard work being undertaken by the Tidy Towns supporters, she said.

Among the steps which the town council would be taking to support the Tidy Towns efforts this year was continued support of the town clean- up, which takes place this year on May 26, from 10am to noon. The town council will provide gloves, bags and skips for the effort.

“This year, we’re going for gold in the tidy towns,” said Ms Garvey.

The town council, in co-operation with the Tidy Towns committee and the chamber of commerce, 1s also producing a 10-step guide to con- serving this summer.

CLARE farmers have nothing to fear from the Green Party in Gov- ernment. This was the message from Green Party leader, Trevor Sargent, who was in Clare on Thursday meet- ing Clare farming leaders.

Speaking in Ennis, Deputy Sar- gent said that Greens in Government would be good for farming and rural communities with CAP and GATT reforms creating a real danger of massive job losses in the future.

‘This happened under the watch of those parties that demonise Green Party policy clearly without actually reading it,’ said Cllr Brian Meaney,

the Green Party General Election candidate in Clare.

“Finding a convenient scapegoat for the present and previous govern- ment parties’ failures detracts atten- tion from their own failings.”

The Greens have placed emphasis on the importance of enhancing the flexibility and diversity of agricul- ture and sustaining the family farm and the importance of safeguard- ing the land for future generations and encouraging young people into evweeperee

SU tom Orcctorme- toilet Meese MO KealeNe ise farming by creating opportunities for fuel crops, green waste manage- ment and a new local focus on food

supply.

The Green Party claim that they will lobby for changes in the World Trade Organisation to protect do- mestic agriculture from being under- cut by imports that are not subject to the same quality, health and envi- ronmental standards and streamline the payment of money under grant schemes so that farmers do not have to pay all the costs up front before being refunded 40 per cent by the Department of Agriculture at a later stage, which often necessitates ex- pensive bridging loans.

They have also listed creating re- search strategies to maximise the economic value of agricultural pro-

duce through value-added food prod- ucts as well as the promotion of a clean green image of Ireland abroad, creating a ‘green Ireland’ brand for food products.

They have also given a commit- ment to fund the Irish Seed Savers Association in Scariff, ensure Ire- land becomes a GM-free zone and ban farming of cloned animals, pro- vide more direct sale from farmer to consumer through farmers’ mar- kets, require planning authorities to designate “market spaces’ within all towns, reduce the dependence on chemical inputs by the majority of farmers and support sustainable farming by favouring small farms.

A REPORT published last week has highlighted the importance of local community action in responding to the challenges of social exclusion in today’s fast-changing rural Ireland.

The report, entitled “Making a Dif- ference: Social Inclusion in a Chang- ing Rural Ireland’, was published by Pobal and suggests that success- fully promoting social inclusion in rural Ireland will require engaging in joined-up thinking, in policy and planning as well as in implementa- tion.

As part of the National Develop- ment Plan, Pobal manages a number

of Government programmes that Support communities and commu- nity initiatives across Ireland.

“While rural areas have shared in the boom, they continue to experi- ence many deficits in economic and social infrastructure,” said ‘Tony Crooks, CEO of Pobal. “They are also facing new challenges, with the continuing decline in agriculture, new forms of social exclusion and a more diverse society,” he continued. “Community-based initiatives play an essential role in the promotion of social inclusion, complementing the work of statutory agencies.”

These community-based pro- grammes include the Rural Transport

Programme, the Rural Social Scheme, the National Childcare Investment Programme 2006-2010, the Peace and Interreg programmes in the border counties, the Dormant Accounts Fund and the Local Development Social In- clusion Programme, which funds the local partnership companies.

“Many forms of social exclusion are complex and hard to address. Bottom-up approaches that are driv- en by community organisations allow the involvement of disadvantaged groups in the design and delivery of initiatives, and enable initiatives to reach the most socially excluded individuals and the most remote ar- eas, he continued.

The report states that more joined- up thinking is needed, at both national and local levels, if we are to address social exclusion in rural Ireland to- day, “Greater coordination between service providers, whether statutory, community-based or both, is needed in both planning and implementa- tion”, and says that coordination can help ensure that a full range of sup- ports is available to individuals and groups in need of assistance.

The report presents the key mes- sages from a conference, organised by Pobal, which brought together 220 participants, including policy makers as well as beneficiaries of the Pobal managed programmes.

AN ENNIS man taking a High Court case against Clare County Council over a contentious planning decision has secured planning permission for a €7.5 million housing development near Inagh.

Last year, Bernard Madigan in- stituted High Court judicial review proceedings against the council af- ter it refused planning permission to Mr Madigan and Mary Keane for 31 homes outside Inagh in April.

The case has been adjourned a number of times and 1s due back be- fore the High Court next week. The estimated cost to the council of the proceedings is €30,000.

Last April, the council refused the planning application on three erounds: that the proposed develop- ment would be premature due to the existing deficiency in the provision of sewage facilities; that the location of the site on the edge of Inagh failed to integrate and respect the existing character of the surrounding area and the proposal would endanger public safety by reason of traffic hazard.

The pair re-lodged plans for 31 homes on the same site after institut- ing the legal proceedings.

A letter lodged by consultants for

the two, states that the revised ap- plication was submitted following a pre-planning meeting with the coun- cil on July 27, 2006.

The consultants stated: “The scheme has been modified to take into account the council’s recom- mendations.

“This application is being made on consideration of the recent an- nouncement by the Department of the Environment approving the Serv- iced Land Initiative (SLI) for the ex- pansion of the Inagh Main Sewerage Scheme.

“My clients are showing good faith to the area by developing a site with consequential benefit to the townland of Ballyduffbeg where the council operates its central waste facility.”

The lands are zoned for housing and the couple has secured plan- ning permission for eight detached homes, 14 semi-detached homes and nine terraced homes.

The council has granted for the plan having regard to the zoning of the land, the intended use of the pro- posed land, the pattern of develop- ment in the area, concluding that it would not seriously injure the ameni- ties of the area and be in accordance with the proper planning and devel- opment of the area.

THE Rape Crisis Centre in the mid- west has said it is only fair that con- victed rapist Adam Keane will serve time in jail. Its co-ordinator, Miriam Duffy, asked, however, what role the media played in the judge’s decision to lift the suspension of his three- year sentence.

“We are delighted that the judge imposed a sentence. The question 1s, would he have done that without all the furore in the press?” she asked.

“We are delighted for Mary and her family. The fact that she had the cour- age to go public with it has helped

all the rape crisis centres. There is a need for consistency in sentencing,’ added Ms Duffy.

“She has so widely publicised the inconsistencies in the sentencing by going public. She has done an amount for the rape and sexual abuse agendas in Ireland,” she said.

She said the Rape Crisis Network would continue to fight for sentenc- ing guidelines in rape and sexual of- fence cases.

“Without a doubt, the fact that she has had the courage to stand up and highlight it will hopefully lead to more work being done on this. It will hopefully have moved it up the

Justice department’s agenda. We ap- plaud her courage,” she said.

She pointed out that Keane had not gone to jail for raping the victim, but for “contempt of court.”

Earlier this month, the Rape Crisis Centre warned that this particular case may lead to a reduction in the number of rape victims coming for- ward. Figures published by the CSO showed that the number of reported sexual offences dropped by 44.5 per cent during the first quarter, when compared with the same three-month period last year.

Ms Duffy said that last Friday’s court ruling might encourage vic-

tims to come forward.

“IT would hope it would encourage people to report more. The March sentence (suspended) would have had a hugely negative impact. Now that the people see it changed, they may have more hope,” she said.

Meanwhile, Fine Gael Council- lor and general election candidate Madeleine Taylor-Quinn (FG) has welcomed last Friday’s decision.

“Some attempt was made for justice to be seen to be done,” she said.

She said that the victim had gone through a huge amount of suffering, pain and trauma throughout her or- Ol F

MARY Shannon was delighted that her attacker was ordered to serve his three-year jail term last week. She believes she did the right thing by going public last March.

The 33-year-old was in the Central Criminal Court to hear Mr Justice Paul Carney activate the suspended sentence, on Friday afternoon.

“When I went public, I really did

not know I was doing the right thing. But if I did not do it, nobody would have known and I would have been another rape statistic,” said the moth- er-of-three.

She believes that Adam Keane would be still free, if she had not gone public and she now hopes her ordeal will help change the way rape cases are handled.

“I hope the new government com- ing in will start to deal with the issue

properly and put in place clear guide- lines for judges,” she said.

“I do think when I went public I took control again. Him going to jail was not even as important as me do- ing that,” said Ms Shannon.

The court hearing was the latest step in a high-profiled saga involving Ms Shannon.

She waived her right to anonymity in the wake of Adam Keane being handed a three-year suspended term,

in March.

She spoke out publicly and her family, relatives and friends rallied around her, offering support. She be- lieves that speaking out has helped to put the rape behind her.

She was pleased that the DPP de- cided to appeal the leniency of the sentence.

The DPP’s appeal is due to be men- tioned at the Court of Criminal Ap- peal next week.

BROWNIES from Kilmurry Ibrick- ane parish joined in the effort to keep Clare tidy recently when they picked up litter all over the town of Mullagh.

The group of 22 girls and four par- ents from the local group got the idea from ongoing clean-up efforts by An Taisce and the Green Flag initiative at local schools.

Group Leader Margaret Cunning- ham said that the Brownies hope to

continue their anti-litter efforts on an ongoing basis.

“The kids get a badge for environ- mental awareness and that covers composting and recycling too so we decided to have a rubbish clean-up in the local community. The kids loved it. They have fantastic enthu- siasm and I think that they definitely have more respect themselves after- wards.’

She added that the sight of children aged from six to eleven cleaning up should also encourage the county

council and Fas to keep streets and green areas in good condition.

Learning about the environment is just one of the activities undertaken by the Brownies when they meet eve- ry Monday evening in Mullagh Hall from September to May.

“We cover First Aid, sowing flow- ers and seeds and other general top- ics. We also raised €480 for the National Children’s Hospital with a pancake night recently. We have lots of fun and games.”

The Mullagh branch is enjoying a

revival after a big fall off in attend- ance nearly spelled the end of the Brownies.

“We have 26 girls at the moment so the Brownies has never been this big. It really helps that the kids from dif- ferent schools and areas get to know each other before they go to second- ary school. It would be brilliant if there was a local branch of the Girl Guides so that they could continue on up to 16. They’d love that,” said Ms Cunningham.

KILRUSH Farmers’ Market is hoping to prove that the egg came before the chicken in attracting local producers and customers to the weekly collec- tion of stalls every Thursday to 2pm.

Fresh eggs (organic of course) are just one of the products available at the market along with seasonal veg- etables, flowers, plants, seedlings, jams, dairy products, baked goods and local crafts.

Michael Gleeson, market organiser and rural development officer with community initiative EIRI Corca Baiscinn, said that “without a market

and a demand” farmers are less likely to produce goods for sale.

“We just decided that we could cre- ate a new outlet for farm produce and started making enquiries. Location 1s a key thing and we are blessed to have the market square in Kilrush. It gives farmers somewhere to sell and the cost to them is low. It started with six stalls and last summer we had more than 15 stalls at peak times. For the most part, people tend to be sold out at the end of a day which is quite good.”

He added that by reducing the scale and cutting out the middle man, farm- ers can really benefit from the mar- oe

“The main thing is that they’re sell- ing direct so the producer gets 100 per cent of the retail value. Most people who sold to restaurants or suppliers before still do that but now they can use the market to get good prices and profits on a local level.”

Mr Gleeson does not think that the arrival of large supermarkets in west Clare has affected local schemes like the farmers’ market.

“It doesn’t apply too much because the market supplies different prod- ucts. The goods here are about quality rather than quantity. There are super- markets, like Supervalu in Clonakilty in Cork, that network with local pro-

ducers to get something different but no-one is unduly worried because it’s a separate market.”

The market is no spring chicken- it has been running from April to De- cember every year since 2003.

An annual membership costs €20 and €8 is paid for a stall every week. The costs are deliberately low to en- courage new producers and stalls.

Mr Gleeson said that everyone in- volved is pleased with the success of the project.

“It has grown gradually. The prod- ucts are good value and quality and the people care about what they’re do- rhea

LITTLE feet in Miltown Malbay will take on a big charity feat on May 22 when kids from Forever Friends Pre-school do a sponsored toddle in aid of Barnardos.

The Danone Big Toddle for Bar- nardos will kick off at 9.30am when the 18 three- and four-year-old par- ticipants will take off on their half mile journey from St Joseph’s Na- tional School.

This is the fourth year that the pre-

school has taken on the Olympian task but according to owner, Kate Looney, if they decide not to run be- fore they can walk the mini-athletes can take to their buggies.

“All the kids have great fun and it is areally exciting event for them be- cause it breaks from the normal rou- tine. We invite the parents to come along and they can bring extra kids if they like. As far as I know we are the only place locally taking part.”

Proving that charity can begin at a young age, Kate said that sponsor-

ship cards were filling up fast.

“We sent a little one home this week with a sponsorship card and it came back full the next day. That’s €135 straight away. We normally raise around €/00-<€800. We try to aim for the previous year plus a little extra,” she added. ‘We do the shoe box appeal as well at Christmas. The children can do something for other children and that makes the cause real for them.” Forever Friends, open for four years at St Joseph’s, will hold its first sum- mer camp for three to six year olds for a week this July. If any créche, playgroup, montessori or family wants to take the baton from Forever Friends, information on the Big Tod- dle is available on www.barnardos.ie or O1 7080442.