Month: April 2008

, the Department of Transport confirmed that lengthy correspond- ence exists but has refused to release almost all of it on the basis that it is commercially sensitive, legally priv- ileged and part of the deliberative Reet

The schedule of records shows a total of 40 items of correspondence

between Ryanair, the SAA, the De- partment of Transport and the EU Commission from October 14, 2005 to March 7, 2006.

The department has also refused to release correspondence from the air- port authority and Ryanair refused to release information as it was given to the department “on the understand- ing that it would be treated in con- fidence, and contained commercially sensitive information”.

The correspondence also shows that the Attorney General’s Office and the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism also got involved.

The Ryanair deal with Shannon was struck in 2005 and the low-fares airline commenced flights from the

airport in May of that year.

Ryanair has clashed with the EU Commission on a number of occa- sions and it is understood that the Shannon investigation may be part of a wider probe into the airline’s dealings with airports throughout the EU.

The deal Ryanair negotiated at Shannon was available to any other airline that would use the airport as a base for its aircraft.

The Department of Transport was unable to comment on the investiga- tion last night and said that it would release a statement on the matter later this week. Ryanair now accounts for two-thirds of Shannon passengers and serves over 30 destinations from the

airport. The company now has a bill- board that reads “Welcome to Ryanair Country’ at the airport entrance.

Asked last year if Shannon was be- coming too reliant on Ryanair, SAA chairman, Pat Shanahan said,‘‘I don’t think so. For our short-haul business, Ryanair has been hugely successful. They have delivered on all the com- mitments they’ve made to us. The relationship has gone well, but they are not the only game in town and we haven’t given up on Aer Lingus basing an aircraft in Shannon for Eu- ropean routes.

“Ryanair is a significant player and the airline is committed to Shannon and to growing its traffic to two mil- lion,’ Mr Shanahan said.

SIPTU members in Aer Lingus have rejected the company’s cost cutting proposals in a secret ballot which concluded yesterday.

A spokesman for the union said it was “clear that intensive local dis- cussions did not reach an acceptable conclusion in all areas of the opera- alo) ae

1,800 SIPTU members involved in check-in, loading and catering op- erations, had a second vote on the company’s proposals in relation to a saving of €10 million in their section

of operations.

The new measures would involve changes to rostering arrangements, including 4am starts, 12 hour shifts and split shifts.

Management set a deadline two weeks ago for the staff to operate the new proceedures or face outsourc- ing or closure of their area of opera- tions.

“While SIPTU regrets the rejection of these proposals, which were rec- ommended for acceptance by shop Stewards, itis clear that our members view them as a step too far, given the changes sought by the company

and profits announced in excess of €80m”, SIPTU National Industrial Secretary Gerry McCormack said.

Meanwhile trade unions represent- ing all the staff at Dublin, Shannon and Cork Airports have condemned proposals to saddle Cork Airport with €113 million of debt.

The DAA/Aer Rianta Group of Unions, which is backed by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, is calling on Transport Minister Noel Dempsey to honour guarantees given to work- ers four years ago when the State Airports Act 2004 was enacted.

These included protecting the com-

mercial viability of all three air- eae

Workers, who had opposed the break up of Aer Rianta and warned that it could make some of the air- ports unviable, are opposed to any measures which leave Shannon and Cork airports unable to call on re- sources generated by the current DAA/Aer Rianta Group.

The Chairman of the Group, Tom- my Guilfoyle, said after a heated meeting in Cork that the consensus was that “the people of Cork and the Midwest Region are being sold short by this misguided policy”’.

THE DEPARTMENT of the En- vironment has told Clare County Council that over 60 homes will have to be excluded from the €200 mil- lion plan to create a new suburb on the outskirts of Ennis.

Last month, Ennis developers, Crystal Partners lodged plans for 471 residential units in the first phase of a masterplan that will ultimately de- liver 700 new homes in the Gaurus area on the eastern outskirts of En- nis. When fully occupied, the first phase of the housing development will almost double the current popu- lation of the Doora parish of around

Pelee

The plan is facing opposition from locals and now the Department of the Environment has recommended that the plan be scaled back by 63 homes.

In a submission to the council, the department expressed serious con- cerns about the loss of wetland habi- tat that will be infilled and lost as a result of the proposed development ‘This is a Serious concern in relation to cumulative loss of wetlands and flood storage to the south and east of Ennis. Apart from a small area that will be retained, the ecological and hydrological assessments of the site have not informed the layout and de- sign of the proposed development to

any significant extent

To reduce loss and fragmentation of wetland habitats, the department rec- ommended that at a minimum, the 63 houses be relocated or excluded from the overall development.

The department also raised con- cerns on the impact the development could have on the EU Protected Lesser Horseshoe bat.

According to the department, the site 1s important for bats in general and supports a bat roost, described as a minor night roost, which would be demolished as part of the devel- opment. The roost is used by the Lesser Horseshoe bat and by Brown Longeared Bats.

The department is also concerned about increased disturbance and negative effects on the new bat house at Knockaskibole, which was built as part of the Ennis bypass project.

In a separate submission, An Taisce

expresses concern over the fact that so many large housing estates are being built with or without services are being developed in the Ennis and Environs area ‘According to the latest census, 16- 21 per cent of dwellings within the area are still vacant and less than 40 per cent of the inhabitants who live in Ennis work in Ennis

A decision is due on this applica- tion next month.

THE first year boys at Kilrush Com- munity School have plenty to cel- ebrate, having won a bronze medal at the All-Ireland Basketball Finals in Tipperary last week.

As a result of beating teams from Clare, Limerick and Kerry, Kilrush went to the finals representing the south west region.

In their pool they found themselves up against De La Salle, Wicklow and Magherfelt, winners of the south east

and north regions respectively.

A superb team performance saw Kilrush defeat De La Salle on a scoreline 39-16.

Magherfelt proved to be a tougher opposition but some outstanding rebounding by Ben Nolan and ex- ceptional performances from Kevin Looney and Cian Murray saw Kil- rush defeat the Northern boys on a scoreline of 31-24.

As winners of their pool, Kilrush went through to the All-Ireland semi-final where they took on the

team from Cnoc Mhuire, Granard, winners of the midlands region.

In what was a very tight game, Kil- rush held the lead for the first three quarters of the game, only to be pipped in the final quarter.

According to coach, Suzanne Whe- lan the Kilrush lads “played some terrific basketball in this game, with every member of the team playing his part with great heart and deter- mination”.

She added that they “have been a ereat group of youngsters to work

with and they should be very proud of their All-Ireland bronze medal in their first year”.

The team members were presented with their medals by martin Hehir of Basketball Ireland, who remarked how great it was to see Kilrush Com- munity School back in the All-Ire- land Finals again.

A GROUP of 20 young Clare people will travel to Sydney in July to cel- ebrate World Youth Day with Pope Benedict XVI.

The annual event, which takes place in a different location each year, gives young people from all over the world a chance to celebrate and speak about their faith with each Oo) i aterm

“World Youth Day is a gathering of people from all over the world. It has taken place all over the world. The Limerick and the Killaloe dio- cese have travelled together for the

last couple of year,’ said Deirdre Convey, local organiser and Deputy Principal of St Don Bosco’s School in Kildysart.

“The highlight of the week would be on the Saturday night when the Pope attends for a vigil and then on Sunday morning when he says Mass. There is a designated park area and the young people all camp there in their sleeping bags.

“There could be as many as a mil- lion young people at that event. At the moment we have 20 signed up and ready to go from Killaloe and 25 from Limerick. We have our quota of people but if there are people still in-

terested we could squeeze one or two more people in if they really want to attend.”

Because of the location of this year’s World Youth Day, cost has be- come a real factor for the people who wish to attend.

“It is going to be expensive all right. At the moment we are look- ing at €2,500 for flight and accom- modation. But some people are go- ing to stay on afterwards and make a holiday out of it as well,’ continued Deirdre.

“We are hoping that parishes will Support the people who are go- ing from their own locality. The

age group is from 18 to 35, and the younger ones would not have that kind of money to put to something like this but they may do a bit of fun- draising themselves.

“When people come back there is a real change in them. The trip gives them a positive way of expressing their faith and when they return it is something that they can share with the whole community.

“So it is a really positive experience for all concerned.”

To find out more about World Youth Day or to enquire about booking one of those last few spots to Sydney con- tact Deirdre on 065 6834461.

was launched in Kildysart at the weekend.

This is Bernie’s first recording and she is donating all receipts to the lo- cal branch of the Cystic Fibrosis As- sociation of Ireland.

The 16 songs on the album were

inspired by Paradise, a beautiful old estate, west of Ballynacally.

Bernie has a wide range of singing experiences and achievements hav- ing appeared as a guest singer at the Fleadh Nua Singers Club 2007 and at the Ennis Singers Club in 2005. She was the winner of the 2004 AIB You’re a Star competition and is a former member of the Cicilian Music Society, Limerick and of the Ennis Musical Society.

Bernie is the winner of two All-Ire- land Slogadh Sean Nos Competitions under the guidance of tutor, Johnny

McCarthy, NT (Ret) Ballynacally. She was also a winner of under age and senior singing titles at Clare Fleadh Cheoil.

The album was produced and re- corded by Michael O’Brien of the Ennis Singers Club and mastered by Frank Whelan of Comhaltas, Ceolte- oiri, Eireann.

Design was courtesy of Peadar McNamara from the Ennis Singers Club with graphics courtesy of Séan Downes, Congress Information and Opportunity Centre, Ennis.

Album photography was taken by

Mike McMahon, Ballynacally.

Cystic Fibrosis Association of Ire- land is a volunteering charitable or- ganisation, set up in 1963, to increase knowledge and awareness of CF and to give advice and support to people with CF and their families.

Cystic Fibrosis is Ireland’s most common life threatening genetically inherited disease. Approximately 1 in 20 people are carriers of the CF gene, and where two carriers parent a child together, there is a one in four chance of the baby being born with ‘oe

THE daughter of a prominent west Clare politician is set to become a familiar face among legal circles in ETc

27-year-old Marina Keane is be- coming a regular fixture in district court sittings across the county, hav- ing qualified as a solicitor at Black- hall Place last year.

The Kilkee woman is the daughter of Fianna Fail county councillor and former county mayor Patrick Keane.

While she is currently making a name for herself in legal circles, she has long been well-known in Kilkee, through her involvement in several projects.

Among those is her involvement in the Kilkee Housing Association and Friends of Regina House.

Although her work with Michael Houlihan Solicitors in Ennis is keep- ing her very busy, she still finds time to dedicate to those community groups.

Referring to her work with the Housing Association over the past seven years, which is overseeing 29 units of accommodation and a daycare centre on Circular Road in Kilkee, she said, “This will provide housing for the elderly and the disa- bled. There is very much a need for this at the moment.”

Marina, who recently got engaged to her childhood sweetheart Micheal Keane, grew up in a very busy house- hold where she and her brother D1- armuid (20) were encouraged to get involved in community initiatives.

Her mother Margaret is the local postmistress, while her father has

a deep involvement with the local GAA club, along with his endless work in political life.

“My father has always encouraged us to get involved in the community. My mum is centrally involved in the community and dad has been a county councillor since 1991. There is always something going on in our house. From Yam to 5.30pm it is the post office and in the evenings and weekends, dad deals with queries,’ she said.

And while her work life is based in Ennis, her heart will also be in her native Kilkee.

“I love Kilkee. That is where my heart is. I love going home to Kil- kee,’ she enthused.

Marina’s name was mooted as a possible candidate in last year’s gen- eral election, but it did not material-

ise. Although she has been a member of Ogra Fianna Fail in Clare since she was 19, she doesn’t have any im- mediate plans to enter politics.

“At the time, people were looking for a young professional female. It didn’t suit me at the time. I was stud- ying for exams. I am still very much focused on my career. I was never se- riously considering putting my name forward. I will certainly be backing up my father as much as I can,” she rene

For the moment, Marina has plenty on her hands with her legal work . . . along with fixing a date for her wed- ding day.

THE students of Gort Community College last week did 30,000 good deeds for the people of Africa. Last Friday, the school presented Bothar with a cheque for €1,500 – raised through the collection of more than 30,000 copper coins.

The collection was undertaken 24 student from second year who have raised enough money to send two cows to needy families in Africa.

“They started a copper collection there before Christmas. It was going well and then Bothar, as it happens, started their own copper collection

not that long afterwards. They start- ed off my collecting up any loose copper from their houses and their cars and they they started asking everyone else to do the same,” said teacher Virginia Keane.

“At this point they have four huge buckets filled with coppers. But as they were collecting people started to give them other money – they started to get fivers and teners off of people without even asking and the whole thing just grew from there. but is mainly coppers.

“They really didn’t want to be ask- ing people for large amounts fo mon- ey because there are an awful lot of

charities out there now. They didn’t walk to be doing walks or selling lines either – they wanted to do some- thing different, so they just hit upon the idea of the copper collection.”

Bothar officials visited the school on Friday and gave the children a presentation detailing exactly where the money raised will go.

“The class voted for who they wanted to give the money to. One of the main reasons that they went for Bothar was because they help people in a good few different places around the world. They wanted to help peo- ple in different countries and now they have enough to send two cows

to two different families in Africa,” continued Virginia.

“A lot of the children come from farming backgrounds and the idea of sending cattle or animals appealed to them more than money.

“They children get a to learn a lot through projects like this. Bothar came in on Friday and gave them a proper talk – it’s great for them to see where the money that they have raised is going to instead of just read- ing about it.

“There is a good bit of fundraising going on it the school. It is a part of the philosophy around here and the children really do seem to enjoy it.”

GIRLS from Scoil Mhuire in En- nistymon have taken their first steps into the exciting world of the music industry by setting up music promo- tion company Bannerbeats, and win- ning their way through to the nation- al finals of the Coca Cola Blastbeat competition.

The competition, which is aimed at Transition Year students, encourages young people to set up a multi-media music management company. Each company then picks a local band to promote, with the group being pitted against each other in a battle of the bands style contest.

The girls in Bannerbeats organised a local battle of the band competition

last December, with Ennis band Mar- blechips beating off stiff competition from the likes of Robot Pirates, A Star Called Henry, Septica and Chav to become the chosen group.

Last week Marblechips won the right to represent Bannerbeats at the National Final of the Blastbeat com- petition which takes place in Dub- lin’s Tripod on May 17.

Marblechips consist of five 1’7-year- olds; David O’Sullivan on drums, Eoghan McMahen on guitar, Tim Bergain on bass, singer Mathew Ca- sey and Ivan Welaratne on guitar and synthesizer.

In order to promote the band, the transition year students first sold pro- motional CD’s to raise share capital and hosted the successful battle of

the bands in Ennistymon’s Teach Ceoil in December.

The company drew on their col- lective business social networking, teamwork, conflict management, sales and marketing skills to make the project a success.

They successfully completed tasks such as submitting a business plan and learned the ropes of event man- agement through hiring a venue, bouncers, organising sound and light equipment and selecting judges for HN eae

If successful, the band could will win a record deal plus a chance to represent Ireland at the World Wide Finals later this year. The winning promotional company will also re- ceive a cash prize worth €5,000.

Marblechips came second in the regional finals in Galway on Satur- day April 12. The national finals take place in Dublin’s Tripod on May 17.

LOCAL legend, Tom McNamara, was the focus of the last Cuirt sa Cis- tin series of talks which took place in Crusheen last week. The talks, which are organised by the Heritage Inchi- cronan, invite interesting local peo- ple to come and tell their story in a relaxed and informal atmosphere. “Tom talked about the GAA and about the people who have come to the parish over the year like Father Minogue and Father Donoghue and people like that. They had a great interest in the GAA and helped it a lot,’ said Anne O’Doherty of Herit-

age Inchicronan

“He has his own inimitable way of telling a story and has a lovely turn of phrase. He told us about the early years and how things weren’t going so well at that time. About how peo- ple used to cycle to the matches, play the game and then cycle home again MAKIN EAU ROIS

“The also talked about his mother and the stories of the IRB. About helping different people on the run and escape routes and safe houses. There was a lot of spies in the area at that time to the locals had to work out some really good codes to get people into safe houses without be-

ing found.”

The Cuirt sa Cistin series has been ongoing since the Autumn of last year and in that time have welcomed a number of interesting local people for a cuirt into the Crusheen Com- munity Hall.

‘The whole point of the series was to get local people in who would give us their version of history. The ver- sion is not always the same as the official version but, of course, that is a Subjective version too,” contin- ued Anne. “In every parish their is a wealth of people who have different talents and knowledge. The point of this series is to get those people into

the kitchen, have a cup of tea, and get them say their piece about their own area of interest. The series was never meant to be academic, it was always a more personal look at history.

“We have recorded each of the evening on video we are not really sure what we will do with that. It would make a nice DVD for some- one. We will certainly run another Series in the Autumn, but wither it will be more in the Cuirt sa Cistin series or something else I’m not sure yet.”

For more information on the series check out www.aughty.org or e-mail heritageinchicronan@ gmail.com.