Month: February 2008

BRENDAN O’Regan’s first love in a working life that stretched over 70 years was the hotel business, his son Andrew told those attending his fa- ther’s funeral mass in the Pro-Cathe- dral Ennis on Monday afternoon.

Fitting then that after his burial in Drumcliffe Cemetery, family and friends of the Shannon pioneer re- treated to the Old Ground Hotel in Ennis in remembrance and celebra- tion of a remarkable life.

The Old Ground Hotel was once owned by the O’Regan family and it was from there that food was pre- pared for in-flight catering on the

transatlantic route when Shannon be- came the hub of the aviation world.

Tributes to O’Regan, who died on 3 February aged 90 years, were led by Canon Rueben Butler of Newmarket- on-Fergus in a funeral mass attended by over 300 people. Bishop Willie Walsh and Fr Harry Bohan also took part in the funeral service, while also present was Church of Ireland Bishop of Limerick and Killaloe, Dr Michael Mayes and a representative of President Mary McAleese.

“He had high standards for him- self and expected others to give of their best,’ said Canon Butler. “He achieved a lot because he recog- nised the strong points in others and

helped them fulfill their potential. Brendan’s leadership qualities made it possible for many in the mid west to move from unemployment to em- ployment,” he added.

Dr O’Regan’s son, Andrew, paid tribute to those who worked with his father across a host of ventures, ranging from business to local com- munity development and peace.

‘He was hugely conscious that he belonged to the first generation of free Irishmen. He saw that with this freedom came responsibility to en- Sure the success of Ireland,’ Andrew O’Regan said at the funeral mass.

“IT was in my 20s when I found out that Brendan’s initials, BOR had

been made into an acronym of Bash On Regardless. He had a great belief in his native place – of his beloved Clare in this instance and Ireland more widely.

“Brendan was possessed by pos- sibility. He would recognize that all those achievements of his were Shared achievements with all of those men and women who worked with him, who insisted on believing with him and dared to dream with him and did so when others felt it wouldn’t be done, shouldn’t be done and couldn’t be done. He understood the collective and communal creativ- ity that lay at the heart of his achieve- ments.”

Dr O’Regan’s son noted that in the days after his death, the family was required to fill a death certificate list- ing occupation at the time of death. “What to call him,’ said Andrew.

“Company director — that sounds a bit lame. Entrepreneur — a bit to flash for Brendan. What about hotelier — his first love. Or peace builder — his last love. Or visionary — a term often linked to him. How to capture him, how to label him, how to pigeon hole him. We in the family would like to think that his last permanent occupa- tion in life was being human as best jatempe cn teaa lms

All those in the Pro-Cathedral broke into spontaneous applause.

CLARE farmer and Beef and Cat- tle Chairman of the ICMSA, Martin McMahon, was last week appointed to the national beef forum by the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Mary Coughlan.

Silom Coyacecem sel mbeCe Lee CoM ncyeKen tole te tives of the IFA, ICMSA, ICSA, Macra, ICOS, ICBF, Teagasc, Bord Bia, Enterprise Ireland, Meat Indus- try Ireland as well as representatives of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and an independ- ent expert.

“The purpose of the forum is to point the way to the future develop-

ment of this very important sector. The beef industry is vital to Ireland in a number of respects not least its contribution to our trade balance and its significance for rural areas,” said Minister Coughlan.

‘The industry has proven itself re- silient in the past and I am confident that it will do so in the future. It will face many opportunities and chal- lenges as the pace of change in the marketplace continues to increase.

“The industry must gear itself to evolving consumer tastes and be responsive to them. The forum pro- vides those involved in the industry with the opportunity to track the best way forward.”

The forum, which will be chaired by Jim Beecher, Assistant Secretary General at the Department of Agri- culture, Fisheries and Food, will have its first meeting later this month.

Meanwhile, McMahon has _ also oF OTSTe MS Keyes Bue) Dele M KOM e-lKe slob OMmeliDE defences against Bluetongue.

“The severity of the disease in the second and subsequent year has sur- prised veterinary experts,” he said.

“We should now seriously con- sider preventative vaccination for bluetongue as soon as the vaccine becomes available. In particular, the potential losses in terms of perform- ance and fertility due to bluetongue disease pose a serious threat to the

livestock sector.

“We appreciate that the department are considering a number of options, but action should be taken at the first available opportunity. The commis- sion have decided to carry the cost in full of the vaccine and 50 per cent of the administration costs. We should avail of this funding. While preven- tive vaccination would — under the present EU rules — give rise to a pos- sible change in our status, that rule itself could be changed. Given the increasing severity of bluetongue it makes solid sense to adopt a pre- ventative stance rather than a control programme if — and when – the dis- ease comes to Ireland.”

MINISTER of State at the Depart- ment of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, with responsibility for Forest- ry, Mary Wallace last week officially launched the 2008 Irish Timber Growers Association (ITGA) For- estry and Timber Yearbook. Speaking at the launch, Wallace commented on the recent develop- ments in the forestry sector, including the new Afforestation Programme and Forest Management measure approved by the EU Commission in late 2007. She also referred to the non-economic benefits of forestry. “In any sector, effective commu- nication and the distribution of rel-

evant, up to date information 1s vital. The Forestry and Timber Yearbook is an important tool in this regard for everyone in the forestry sector,” she HOE

“It is an invaluable reference book and its continued success through the years is evidence of the high regard VSLASTDOM ZNO MLAB IMs

“The National Climate Change Strategy sets out a clear role for for- estry in mitigating climate change, not only in terms of carbon seques- tration, but also in the role that the forest estate will play in providing ereen renewable wood energy.

The Forestry and Timber Yearbook features articles and advice on sub- jects such as state support measures

for forestry, woodland taxation and various forestry issues. It also in- cludes a directory containing close to 200 organisations and companies in the forestry and tree growing in- dustry.

“With the approval of our forestry programme by the EU up to 2013, timber prices at high levels and with the many new opportunities arising, there has never been a better time to become involved in this industry,” continued the minister.

Meanwhile, a major national bioen- ergy conference will take place in Tullamore, today Tuesday, February 12. The one-day conference, jointly organised by the Irish Bioenergy As- sociation (IrBEA) and Teagasc, will

focus on the latest developments in this emerging industry.

The theme for the conference is ‘Bioenergy – Making it a Sustainable Reality’ and it will focus on how to make the bioenergy supply chain V0) ue

The panel of national and inter- national speakers, drawn from the different stages of the supply chain, will share their experiences on how they achieved success in the biomass energy sectors and in the less-known non-energy sectors of crop-derived construction materials, renewable polymers and lubricants.

The possibility of using crops for fuel is one of the most exciting de- velopments of recent years.

CLARE has come near the bottom of a survey showing the number of IDA jobs created in a county by county basis last year.

Enterprise, trade and employment minister Micheal Martin confirmed that Clare came nineteenth on the hha

The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment figures show that 22 jobs were created in IDA- backed companies last year.

The figures show that counties mainly located in the midlands trail Clare in the number of IDA jobs cre- ated. More IDA jobs were created in Clare than Carlow, Laois, Longford, Monaghan, Roscommon and north Tipperary.

Only nine IDA jobs were created in north Tippeary. However, Clare lags behind its two neighbours, Limerick and Galway.

The figures show that 264 IDA jobs were created in Limerick and 383 in Cr ELA

Last night, Fine Gael TD, Joe Carey said that the figures relating to Clare were matter for concern.

He said: “The IDA need to work to ensure Clare workers are not be- ing left behind in job creation terms. These figures, when examined, show cause for concern. For example,

counties with a similar sized popu- lation to ours are faring significantly better in terms of job creation.

“Waterford, Louth and Mayo, all have populations close in number to County Clare. Between them they created 674 jobs. In Clare, the IDA managed just 22. Cavan, which has half the population of County Clare, still managed to create three times more jobs.

He added: “Those statistics are not impressive, and as we move into a more uncertain economic climate, we need to focus our minds on ad- dressing the apparent job imbalance in the mid-west.”

The IDA has a strategy of regional development and 64 per cent of in- vestments in 2007 were located out- side of Dublin last year.

Also, the IDA played a strong role, in conjunction with Shannon Devel- opment, in securing 250 new jobs for the Shannon Free Zone with last week’s announcement that a medical services company, Zimmer, 1s to 1n- vest €50 million in Shannon.

However, the IDA has failed to date to secure an anchor tenant for the In- formation Age Park in Ennis.

The authority has the responsibility in securing foreign direct investment in Clare outside the Shannon Free Zone. But so far the park is home to indigenous start up companies.

RAIL services between Ennis and Limerick are not expected to resume for another “three to four days” be- cause of continued severe flooding of a section of the line near Newmarket on Fergus. ;

Last week, Iarnrod Eireann halted services between Ennis and Limer- ick “at least until Sunday” (February 10) due to flooding of the tracks at Ballycar. ;

A spokesperson for Iarnréd Eire- ann passenger services in Limerick said yesterday, “It will be at least another three to four days before the line can reopen as part of the track was still under 11 inches of water on Sunday.”

The company has said it is monitor- ing the situation daily.

An estimated 600 commuters from Ennis and Limerick use nine daily services on the line.

Residents in the Ballycar area are also suffering with the roadway out- side their homes submerged under more than a foot of water in at least three locations. The road remains impassable for cars with some locals now parking some distance from their homes and crossing neighbours’ properties to get to their own homes. Locals say flooding on this scale may not have occurred since 1955.

‘The water appears to be rising all the time. It is still coming off the land and crossing the road into the lake which I haven’t seen this high in many years. I can’t see the water dropping enough for trains to pass for a week or two yet,’ one local resi- dent said yesterday.

Local councillor Pat McMahon has accused Iarnro6d Eireann of short-sightedness in allowing past problems of flooding at Ballycar, of which they were aware, to affect services again.

“This area is prone to flooding at the best of times and I know larnrod Eireann has raised the line in this area in the past. I remember attend- ing meetings on this issue one of which was attended by the minister of the day but that was over 15 years ago,’ Councillor McMahon said.

“In a few years we will have an intercity connection between Lim- erick and Galway and we have to be sure that people won’t have to be ‘bussed’ from station to station be- cause of flooding on the rail lines.

“When Jarnrod Eireann upgraded the Ennis to Limerick line, they un- dertook to carry out a review of the flooding issues at Ballycar. As far as I know this has not happened and I would call on the company to do so as a matter of urgency,” Councillor McMahon said.

THE Minister for Transport, Noel Dempsey, has ruled out the privatisa- tion of Shannon Airport.

But Mr Dempsey revealed that re- cent sales of Dublin Airport Author- ity (DAA) assets has resulted in the authority enjoying a net cash position at the end of 2007. This represents a boost for Shannon Airport’s inde- pendence bid.

Mr Dempsey said he had no inten- tion of privatising either Shannon or

Cork airports, in a Dail response to Labour TD, Tommy Broughan.

The Department of Transport is still considering the Shannon Aiur- port Authority’s business plan, which was first lodged with the DAA.

“The actual timing of airport re- structuring will depend on the crea- tion of the appropriate conditions that will ensure the financial sustain- ability of each of the three State air- ports,’ said Minister Dempsey.

“The restructuring process will re- quire coordinated strategies for the

achievement of operational and fi- nancial readiness of each airport. In this regard, the Dublin Airport Au- thority (DAA) has a key role to play in finalising the financial framework and coordinating the individual busi- ness plans for the three airports that will enable airport separation to take place,” he added.

Minister Dempsey said that the DAA, which owns Shannon, Dublin and Cork airports, had overall bor- rowings of just under €500 million as at the end of 2007. Just over €200

million related to Cork Airport, al- most €/70 million to Shannon and the remainder to Dublin.

“Following recent disposals of Great Southern Hotels and DAA’s interests in Birmingham and Ham- burg Airports, DAA net debt levels have fallen sharply in the short term, resulting in a temporary net cash position at the end of 2007, before rising steadily again over the period referred to by the deputy,” said the minister.

“Precisely what DAA’s debt levels will be over this period will depend upon a number of factors. However, in the context of the DAA’s capi- tal investment programme over 10 years, DAA’s debt position will rise substantially, with net borrowings increasing to over €1 billion over the course of the next five years.

“The future level of debt at Shannon and Cork will depend on a number of factors including, most significantly, the business plans for these airports which are currently being assessed by my department.

“The State Airports Act 2004 pro- vides the framework for the estab- lishment of Shannon and Cork as independent airports. Under the Act, both the Minister for Finance and I will have to be satisfied as to the state of operational and financial readi- ness of the three airports before any vesting of assets can take place,” the minister said.

THE LATEST bid to reconnect Shannon’s air link to Heathrow has suffered a setback with news that Minister Noel Dempsey has not in- cluded the service on a list of appli- cants for EU Public Service Obliga- tion (PSO) funds.

But the Mayor of Clare, Councillor Patricia McCarthy (Ind), who heads

the Atlantic Connectivity Alliance, said that while the minister’s deci- sion was “disappointing, the route is a profitable one and I am confident that a carrier will be found and we will continue to work to achieve ere

It had been hoped that EU funds would be available to an airline will- ing to operate the Heathrow route out of Shannon under the PSO system.

Under EU legislation, governments can impose a PSO on a route if it is considered vital for the economic life of a particular region. PSOs are in place on routes between Dublin and Sligo, Donegal, Derry, Knock, Gal- way and Kerry.

But it emerged this week that the minister had not included the Heath- row slot in his application for a re- newal of a PSO on these routes for a

three-year period from July 2008.

Minister Dempsey said that offi- cials from the Department of Trans- port had discussed the possibility of having a PSO on the Shannon- Heathrow route with the European Commission. The minister said that the EU officials had pointed out that there were already regular services between Shannon and other airports in London.

AER LINGUS flights could be erounded if union members go ahead with threats of industrial action at the end of the month.

The largest union at the airline, SIPTU, has said it will not rule out a fresh ballot for industrial action if management forces through cost cut- ting measures on February 24.

The craft group of unions at Aer Lingus announced it was withdraw- ing from what it described as the “charade” of talks with management, before SIPTU made its warning.

In early January, the airline and

SIPTU had reached agreement in principal on how savings of €10 mil- lion could be achieved. The airline says the cuts are vital to its future. But no progress has been made since WeoOe

At the weekend the airline’s deputy chief executive, Niall Walsh, wrote to the union to tell them that cost cuts must be implemented by February 24 at the latest, with all negotiations concluded by February 22.

He said that the “urgency to agree, implement and realise the savings is more and more pressing” amid “weakening economic conditions and continued high fuel costs”.

A SIPTU spokeswoman, Teresa Hancock, said that her union wants the airline to adopt alternatives to reducing take-home pay and annual Eee sl ala espa orn nce

“SIPTU will not accept the com- pany unilaterally implementing any change to current terms and condi- tions. Should this occur, it will be viewed as a provocative act.”

Meanwhile, the craft group of un- ions has withdrawn from talks with management, claiming that Aer Lin- gus has withheld a pay settlement which was agreed as part of the na- tional wage agreement since Octo- ber.

“This whole episode of talks has been a charade” said Brian Gormley of the Unite trade union and chair- man of the craft workers’ group.

A spokesman for the company de- nied that any action by the 180 craft workers would result in grounding of NbKele NA

But while such action would cause some disruption, the bigger threat would be from the 1,800 members of SIPTU who could bring flights to a halt if they downed tools.

Aer Lingus has told the craft unions eroup that it will implement cost sav- ing initiatives in their areas from February 25 unless talks resume.

DARK clouds are once again begin- ning to gather over farming in Ire- land the spectre of the World Trade Organisation looming large on the KeyuyZevne

Speaking last week, the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Mary Coughlan asked that particular attention be focussed on recent WTO developments which she described as being “of great concern’ to her.

Her fears were echoed by ICSA president Malcolm Thompson who said he had “grave concern” over the WTO.

“WTO negotiators seem hell bent on getting a deal and are quite pre-

pared to throw EU agriculture to the wolves,” he said. There will be considerable difficulty 1n convinc- ing farmers that the EU is acting in farmers’ best interests, especially if Commissioner Mandelson delivers a deal which goes beyond his negotiat- ing mandate. Of even greater concern is the fact that Ireland seems to have little or no control over the negoti- ating process. Farmers are increas- ingly concerned that too much of our autonomy has been lost to European bureaucrats, and will need strong re- assurances before accepting the Ref- erendum on the Reform Treaty.

“It will not be easy to persuade farmers of the merits of greater in- stitutional efficiency in the EU deci-

sion making process if the EU insti- tutions sell out agriculture at WTO,” he warned.

Meanwhile, the ICMSA have warned of an “agriculture catastro- phe” if WTO proposals are agreed.

‘“There’s no point any more in adopting a ‘“wait-and-see’ attitude on the subject of WTO,” said ICMSA President Jackie Cahill.

“Every time the process stops or breaks-down, it simply resumes again at a starting point that is even more disadvantageous than the orig- inal point of difference. Vital Irish economic interests are in imminent danger of being sacrificed.

“Despite repeated efforts by the Irish Government – and here, we

must acknowledge the personal ef- forts of Minister Coughlan and her team – unelected EU bureaucrats are about to broker what amounts to a catastrophic sell-out at WTO.

“The time has now come for the Taoiseach to point out to the Presi- dent of the European Commission – in the strongest terms possible – that EU Commissioner Mandelson does not have a mandate for the offers he is apparently now making on behalf of the EU.”

Gr NIURSTCCM der lMersmBEseoIlMCEh Amilo push for a deal has been noticeably increased and that Commissioner Mandelson continues to offer con- cession after concession on the agri- cultural front.

CLARE Fianna Fail TD and Vice Chairman of the Oireachtas Com- mittee on European Affairs member- ship, Timmy Dooley, has welcomed the news that the IFA have called for a Yes vote for the EU Reform Treaty.

“Europe has been good for Irish farmers and it is vital that we contin- ue to have a strong voice at the heart of Europe,’ he said.

“Showing our support for the EU Reform Treaty is a vital display of our support.

“The Common Agriculture Policy

of the EU has played a vital role in the development of the Irish farming and food industry. Farmers in Clare continue to be influenced by the EU and the IFA is right to recognise this and call on farmers to continue to play a central role in the EU.

“This Government is committed to backing farmers and the rural econo- my and our relationship with the EU is intrinsic to this.

“Issues such as the upcoming CAP Health Check negotiations and World Trade Talks will be dealt with by our Minister for Agriculture and her officials. It can only strengthen their position if they are quite rightly

recognised as active and respected members of the European Union. This is how we can deliver the best results for Irish farmers into the fu- neko

“IT am urging all Clare farmers to heed the call of the IFA. A Yes vote for the Reform Treaty will show that Irish farmers are determined to re- main at the heart of European deci- sion making.”

Meanwhile, Fine Gael’s Deputy Spokesperson on Foreign Affairs and Clare TD, Pat Breen, has welcomed the complete ban on the importa- tion of Brazilian beef saying it was good news for consumers and for the

farmers of County Clare.

“IT welcome news of the Brazilian beef ban and it is high time consid- ering the evidence of low production standards and risky practices which have been exposed in Brazil,” he said.

“Consumers have a right to know that the beef they are buying is pro- duced to the highest standards. I hope that this ban will result in a re- balancing of the situation where one set of rigorous standards is applied to Irish farmers who are forced to compete with Brazilian beef produc- ers who do not comply with the same rules.”