Month: September 2007

LIVING life to the full is the under- lying ethos of the soon to be formed focal point for older people in west OE

Members of the Kilrush Family Resource Centre (FRC) in conjunc- tion with retired people in the area have being working on a proposal for a number of activities to take place on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fri- days. Viv Rooney from the Kilrush FRC is keen to remind those availing of the programme that “nothing is written in stone and they don’t have to do anything they don’t want to.”

People are free to come along and take part in some of the morning ac-

tivities, or evening activities, or drop in for a chat or a game of cards.

It is not necessary to avail of the lunch although one will be provided.

The new activity programme fund- ed under the Dormant Accounts will Support and encourage older people in the community to interact with each other and to participate in ac- tivities that will be of benefit to them not only physically but also mentally. “The Kilrush Family Resource Cen- tre wish to provide a focal point for older people of both sexes who are retired and in the 55 plus age group, to meet and engage in education, cul- tural and sporting activities, to pro- mote the spirit of self-help and inde- pendence and to encourage members

to use their energy, skills, knowledge and experience to benefit each other and the community, to encourage a positive attitude to ageing and retire- ment,’ said Ms Rooney.

‘We know that older people are in- terested in participating in activities and that they are very interested in all aspects of community life and na- tional decisions that affect them. We will offer facilitators and equipment to enable them to broaden their in- terests and connect with their neigh- bours.”

‘As the population of older people is growing we believe it is important to offer them the opportunities to stay involved in community life, keep fit and healthy through developing new

relationships and thus preventing ru- ral isolation,’ she said.

Part of the daily activity will be taught by a Go for Life facilitator this will help to improve the overall well being and physical fitness of the seniors.

The Kilrush FRC are encouraging people to come to the open morn- ing on Wednesday September 12 at 10.30am to discuss the activities they would like to participate in.

Meanwhile the Tea Dances are continuing for the winter the next one is on September 23 in Knock- erra Hall at 3pm. Transport or any other information about any of these programmes are available from Viv Rooney on 065-9052173.

RYANAIR confirmed last night that it has submitted its appeal to the Eu- ropean Court of First Instance (CFI) in Luxembourg against what the air- line describes as “the EU Commis- sion’s unlawful and politically moti- vated decision to prohibit its merger with Aer Lingus.”

The low-fares airline had made an offer of €2.80 per share to acquire Aer Lingus following the former national airline’s floatation last Oc- tober.

Ryanair was required to seek ap- proval for clearance of the deal from the European Commission. The Commission blocked the merger.

“As a result, Aer Lingus sharehold- ers have suffered a 58 per cent col- lapse in their interim profits and a

share price fall to €2.50”, a Ryanair statement issued last night said.

Speaking last night, Ryanair’s Head of Regulatory Affairs, Jim Callaghan, said: “We have filed our appeal with the CFI today asking them to overturn the Commission’s unlawful and politically motivated decision to block Ryanair’s merger with Aer Lingus.

“This merger, which accounts for less than 5 per cent of the EU air transport market was clearly pro- competition and would have been the first merger in history to guarantee fare reductions, which would have saved European consumers more than €100m per annum. The Com- mission made several manifest errors in its assessment of the merger and ignored evidence from Ryanair dem- onstrating the numerous benefits that

the merger would bring to consum- ers and increased competition with the high fares Mega Carriers. At the same time, the Commission ac- cepted, without question, misleading and factually inaccurate submissions from the Irish Government and Aer Lingus, both of whom were clearly trying to block the merger.”

He said that the airline “also of- fered unprecedented commitments to the Commission to address any possible competition concerns, in- cluding giving up more than half of Aer Lingus’ Dublin-Heathrow Slots, as well as over 1,700 additional weekly slots — several times what has been offered in any previous airline merger.”

THE online petition to retain Aer Lingus’s Shannon-Heathrow slots now has more than 13,760 signa- UN KeNe

The petition which features on the Shannon Action Group website calls on the board of Aer Lingus to reverse

its decision to cancel all four daily flights to Heathrow from Shannon as of next January in the interests of the region.

Meanwhile, Comhar Sustainable Development Council has said that the cost of greenhouse gas emissions and access to airports will influence the future sustainability of the air

travel industry.

In a commentary just published the council chairman, Professor Frank Convery, said that the recent focus on Heathrow landing slots and the Aer Lingus move to Belfast brought into sharp focus the link between airport success and access to a trav- elling population.

ese

terday that he would find it very diffi-

cult to stay in business if the Shannon- Heathrow route was not restored.

Michael Vaughan, who is also the

Clare representative for the Irish Ho-

tels Federation, says he stands to lose

some €150,000 in annual turnover.

Vaughan Lodge will also be the location for a top level meeting of regional tourism leaders today (Tues- day), with a major announcement ex- pected to be made later today.

“With my own business, I estimate that I will be down about 15 per cent of my turnover if the Heathrow route goes. If 15 per cent of my business was no longer viable, I can tell you that my whole property would no longer be viable. It’s a very marginal business at the best of time,” he said.

“We are finding it much more dif- ficult to attract golfing groups from

the west of Heathrow. A number of groups who usually come in that way have been telling us that they will no longer be in a position to come into the country.

“I have a fear for the smaller busi- nesses, not so much the bigger busi- nesses, but the bed and breakfasts, guest-houses and smaller hotels along the coast. Fifteen per cent of all American traffic comes into Clare through Heathrow, that is a fair whack of people.

“I know of one high-end property in the region that has €500,000 of busi- ness tourism groups from Canada

which is in the balance until the Hea- throw question is sorted. It is happen- ing all over.

“We don’t have the ability at the moment to market to international markets from the region.”

Attending today’s meeting along- side Mr Vaughan will be solicitor Michael Houlihan, Cllr John Crowe (FG), Mark Fitzgerald of Woodlands Hotel in Adare, Robert Byrne of Lim- erick Vintners Association, Cllr Peter Considine (FF), Alex Fleming of Clare County Council, John King of Shannon Development, Paul O’’ Toole the head of Failte Ireland and his col-

league John Concannon.

The group will be briefed by a number of headline tourist industry representatives in Clare, including representatives of Doonbeg Golf Course and Dromoland Castle.

“We are going to get a first-hand report from these people on how the axing of the Heathrow route will ef- fect their businesses and we will be coming out with a recommenda- tion regarding that,” continued Mr Vaughan.

“In this case we will be making a statement in what we feel the Gov- ernment will do on the issue.”

THE Department of the Environment has claimed that awarding planning permission for a €50 million retail park on the outskirts of Ennis would be contrary to the aims of the EU Habitats Directive.

In its strongest statement yet against the plan by Stephen Harris to construct the retail park, the de- partment stated that if the plan was to receive the green light, “it would result in significant adverse impacts on habitats and species of ecological importance at a regional to national level”.

Clare County Council is to decide on the application later this month. However, 1n its latest submission the National Parks and Wildlife Section (NPWS) of the department raises fresh concerns over the fate of the Marsh Fritillary butterfly at the site.

The butterfly is the only butterfly that is afforded protection under the EU Habitats Directive.

The department state, “Permitting the development in its current form would be contrary to the aims of the Habitats Directive in relation to maintaining the range and distribu- tion of species listed on Annex II and protecting sites or stepping stones of importance for biodiversity.

The department also claim that “the proposed development will re- sult in significant biodiversity losses in terms of wetland habitats of eco- logical value and the loss of a sig- nificant proportion of the remaining Marsh Fritillary population in the Skehanagh/Bunnow area’.

The department also point out that the information submitted by the ap- plicants “is deficient in respect of in- formation on the presence of Marsh Fritillary in the application area and the assessment of the likely signifi- cant impacts of the development on this species and the habitat.

“In line with the precautionary principle, the development should not be permitted in the absence of the necessary information and flood risk assessment. This major defi- ciency cannot be dealt with by way of planning conditions.”

The late intervention by the depart- ment represents a blow to the pros- pects of Mr Harris securing planning permission for the ambitious propos- al. It also signals the intention of the department to appeal any decision to grant to An Bord Pleanala.

The council has already carried out a report on the viability of retail parks around the Ennis area and has designated the Harris proposal as the best suited for development.

THE scramble to build business parks around Ennis continues with new plans for a €10 million park near the 12th century Clareabbey.

Plans have been lodged by David Costelloe to develop 74 light indus- trial units.

The proposed development has a total floor area of 25,876 sq metres and is located in the townland of Clonroadmore.

An application by Michael Lynch Ltd for a new road to open up the lands in the area is currently before Ennis Town Council and has encoun- tered local opposition.

The planner’s report lodged with the Clareabbey Business Park states that the proposed development will

be in excess of 103 metres from the Clareabbey structure and that “the buffer will afford adequate protec- tion to the abbey and protect its his- torical setting”’.

The report states that “the proposed development effectively seeks to pro- vide an extension to the Clonroad- more industrial estate”.

The report states, “The proposed development has been carefully de- signed from the project concept tak- ing account of all relevant factors including market demand, planning policy and site constraints and op- portunities.

“It 1s considered that the proposed development will make a positive contribution to the community of Ennis, providing for much needed employment and industry, in ac-

cordance with the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.”

It continues, ““The exact intended users of the units have not been yet decided. However, it is anticipated that such units would attract users such as carpenters, electricians, till- ers, building contractors or car re- OND ESe

“Traditionally, these users would have operated in uncontrolled en- vironments to the rear of houses in the countryside or in converted ga- rages/sheds as there were no suitable or appropriate alternatives available. The proposed development seeks to address this deficiency and provide for small light industrial units in a planned and controlled environ- ment.”

The site is zoned “other settlement land’. The planner’s report states that “the proposed development of light industrial use at this location will provide additional employment for this rapidly growing and expanding residential area and will also directly compliment the existing Clonroad- more industrial estate which is now fully occupied”.

In relation to the archaeological impact of the development, the de- veloper’s consultants state that the proposed site “has very little or no direct archaeological consequence and taking into account the com- bined results of various research and tests, no further archaeological work is required at this location”’.

A decision is due on the application later this year.

JUST 60 people have applied to fill the 292 posts which have to be filled if Enterprise Ireland is to decentral- ise to Shannon.

The shockingly low figures were revealed as SIPTU called on the Government to abandon plans to de- centralise semi-state bodies.

SIPTU delegates representing al- most 1,600 members in 16 semi-state organisations have called for an end to the Government’s plans to decen- tralise them.

Delegates met in Liberty Hall to hear a report of the Labour Court on a dispute over voluntary decentrali-

sation being linked with promotion. The court had ruled that any reloca- tion must be voluntary. Representa- tives attended from bodies including Enterprise Ireland, Failte Ireland, the National Standards Authority Ireland, the National Roads Author- ity, Bus Eireann, Bord Bia, BIM, the Combat Poverty Agency, the Arts Council and FAS to discuss the rec- ommendation.

Afterwards, SIPTU Regional Sec- retary, Patricia King said the union representatives had “welcomed the acceptance by FAS management and the Minister for Finance, Brian Cowen, of the Labour Court recom- mendation. The delegates reaffirmed

that their campaign would continue to remove all state agencies from the decentralisation programme.

“We believe that the Labour Court recommendation has highlighted the legitimate concerns of staff and has spelt out very clearly that voluntary means voluntary.

“The court accepted people had legitimate expectations and propri- etorial rights based on their careers with these agencies and cannot be compelled to relocate.”

So far the applications for reloca- tion with Enterprise Ireland have fallen far short of the expectations or the minimum number necessary to make the move.

A spokesman for the Department of Finance, which is handling the whole decentralisation project, said that many of the semi-state bodies had “issues” to be ironed out before the move could take place.

These were generally HR issues of the kind demonstrated in the FAS dispute, he said.

Plan to decentralise the Revenue Commissioners to Kilrush have met with much more success, however. Of a required 50 posts there were 86 applicants and 55 people have now been assigned to the town.

The excess number is explained by the fact that a job-share option was taken up by a number of applicants.

A DAY of colour and culture was held for new Clare and Limerick people in Limerick at the weekend with dance, music and art delighting all who visited it.

The New Young Festival featured African dance, music, art and much more in a day which celebrated the

differences and similarities between African people and their new Irish neighbours. The event was organ- ised by the Igbo Union, Ireland and was One of a number of activities de- signed to promote understanding and co-operation.

Attending the event were the may- ors of Ennis and Limerick, council- lors and TDs and the Nigerian Am-

bassador to Ireland.

The event featured works of art, dancing, song, traditions and culture of the many African nations repre- sented in Ireland.

A spokesman said that the day showcased offerings from Africa people who have settled in Ireland to work or study as well as those seek- ing asylum or refugee status.

ENNIS Town Council has rejected plans by a housing association to se- cure planning permission for a five storey apartment block adjacent to Ennis Tennis and Badmintion Club.

Earlier this year, Cluid Housing As- sociation lodged plans to construct 21 one bedroom apartments and six two bedroom apartments.

However, the proposal prompted stiff opposition from the Ennis Ten- nis and Badminton Club and local

residents with the tennis club raising child protection concerns.

In its objection, the Ennis Tennis and Badminton Club states: “With a large junior membership, the club has rigorous child protection schemes. Consequently, units with views over- looking children at play is of serious concern to all members.”

In a comprehensive refusal, the council has stated that the scale, massing, height and excessive site coverage would result in over-devel- opment of the restricted site.

The council also concluded that the proposal would compete visu- ally with the Cornmarket building and Waterville House, would detract from the character for the setting of Waterville House

Officials also ruled that it failed to respect its context and contravene the Ennis and Environs Development Plan.

“The proposed development would adversely affect the setting of the protected structure and would be contrary to the proper planning

and sustainable development of the area.”

The council also refused planning permission after ruling that the site coverage, scale, massing, height and proximity would constitute over development, would result in over- looking and over-shadowing of adja- cent residential buildings and would seriously injure the amenities of property in the vicinity.

“The proposed development there- fore would materially contravene a policy of the Ennis and Environs

Development Plan 2003 and the zon- ing objective for the area which 1s to protect residential amenity.”

The council also refused planning due to the proposal’s “layout and den- sity and consequent lack of private Open space to serve the residential units would result in a sub-standard form of development which would seriously injure the amenity of future occupants”.

It is now open to Cluid Housing Association to appeal the decision to An Bord Pleanala.

AN EAST Clare man has won his planning battle to secure planning permission for a home for the carer of his 16-year daughter who has cer- ebral palsy.

Mike Keegan from Caher in east Clare has secured planning retention for the home despite Clare County Council refusing permission and an An Bord Pleanala inspector recom- mending refusal.

According to the appeal lodged by

Mr Keegan, he is the single parent of the girl who is also a wheelchair isto

The inspector’s report states that Mr Keegan obtained planning per- mission for the main house and then built a small annexe with a view for retention as a carer’s annexe.

The report states: “In terms of be- ing injurious to the amenities of oth- er residential property in the vicinity, the nearest neighbour is 90m away and cannot see anything of the an- nex. The annexe and the main house

are both owned by Mr Keegan and will always be both functionally and physically linked together.”

Mr Keegan lodged letters of support from a senior clinical psychologist at the Health Service Executive West, a senior occupational therapist at Clare Children’s Services, a coordinator of East Clare Community Support Ltd, a coordinator of the Disabled People of Clare and a network support of- ficer with Clare Network of People with Disabilities in Ireland.

The council refused permission last

March to the development stating that the proposed development would be viewed as an independent dwell- ing house which would seriously in- jure the amenities of other residential properties in the vicinity.

The inspector recommended that the proposed development would be viewed as an independent dwell- ing house which would create an undesirable density of development, presenting an overcrowded and dis- orderly appearance thereby seriously injuring the amenities of other resi-

dential properties in the vicinity.

However, the board disregarded the inspector’s recommendation stating that the carer’s annexe proposed for retention was generally compatible with the policies in the development plan and would not seriously injure the amenities of the area.

As aresult, the appeals board ruled that having regard to the nature of the building, it 1s considered that the proposal would not seriously injure the amenities of the area or of prop- erty in the vicinity.