Month: June 2012

THE new five-man Shannon Airport steering committee appointed by Ministers Leo Varadker and Richard Bruton has been challenged by the Government “to bring forward specific proposals for the separation of Shannon Airport from the Dublin Airport Authority”.

The committee to be chaired by the departmental mental secretaries of the Minister Varadkar and Minister Bruton’s government departments has been charged with responsibility for five specific areas.

1. To review and assess the DAA plan, when submitted, for the operational and financial readiness of the DAA Group in a post-separation scenario;

2. To bring forward proposals for the transfer of Shannon Development’s functions in relation to indigenous enterprises and foreign direct investment to Enterprise Ireland (EI) and the IDA respectively and to ensure that a plan for the delivery of those functions in the region is developed by each agency.

3. To bring forward proposals for the transfer of Shannon Development’s tourism functions, including the Regional Tourism Offices, but excluding Shannon Heritage, to Fáilte Ireland.

4. To explore options and prepare proposals for the formation of the new entity of Shannon Airport and Shannon Development.

5. To assess the feasibility of creating an international aviation centre of excellence centred on Shannon Airport.

A joint-statement issued by Minis- ters Varadkar and Bruton said that structures have to be put in place new Shannon “to collaborate with IDA and Enterprise Ireland, using its property portfolio in conjunction with the airport business as a catalyst for the development of strategic sectoral opportunities for the region”.

The Steering Group will oversee the work of two Task Forces: an Aviation Business Development Task Force and a Change Management Task Force, both of which will report to the Steering Group.

The Aviation Business Development Task Force will be chaired by Rose Hynes who is a former member of the senior management team of Guinness Peat Aviation (GPA) and the boards of Aer Lingus Teo and Shannon Airport Authority, and who is the current chair of Bord Gáis Éireann.

This Task Force will seek out and evaluate aviation-linked business opportunities that could be associated with the new entity and bring forward proposals addressing all relevant issues in this regard.

The Change Management Task Force will be chaired by John Fitzgerald, former Dublin City Manager and current chair of the National Transport Authority, An Post and the Limerick Regeneration Project.

This Task Force will develop proposals for transitional arrangements and for the appropriate corporate, managerial and operational structures of the new entity, including matters related to IT, HR, Finance and property.

In addition, it will draw up proposals for the transfer of Shannon Development functions to the IDA, Enterprise Ireland and Failte Ireland.

THREE different groups made up of 28 people have been charged with responsibility for coming up with a new blueprint for an independent Shannon Airport.

The final make-up of the Shannon Airport Steering Committee and two task forces was revealed on Thursday last in a joint statement issued by Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport Leo Varadkar and Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation Richard Bruton.

Together will overseeing the separation of Shannon from the Dublin Airport Authority, the three groups will also have responsibility for the re-alignment of tourism and enterprise support functions in the region.

The Steering Group is jointly chaired by Tom O’Mahony, Secretary General at the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport and John Murphy, Secretary General at the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation and will include senior officials from those Departments as well as the Departments of Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Environment, Community and Local Government.

The group has held its first meeting and is currently planning its work programme for the period ahead.

“The Government recently decided in principle to separate Shannon Airport from the Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) and bring it together with Shannon Development to form a new entity with a commercial mandate in public ownership,” said Minister Varadkar.

“The Steering Group is charged with bringing forward proposals for the implementation of that decision, including the optimisation of the en- terprise development arrangements in the region, before the end of the year,” he added.

“We are delighted that so many high calibre people, experts in many different fields, are prepared to serve on the Steering Group and the two Task Forces along with the agencies,” said Minister Bruton. “We are grateful to them for giving of their time and effort to bring forward proposals for the implementation of the Government decision in relation to Shannon,” he added.

A 42-YEAR-OLD woman has appeared in court charged with assault causing harm to another woman near Ennis earlier this year.

Rose Joyce, with an address at 55 Abbeyville, Limerick Road, Ennis, is charged in relation to an incident at St Anthony’s Grove, Kildysart Road on April 6 (2012). Inspector Tom Kennedy told Ennis District Court on Wednesday that the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had directed summary disposal of the matter.

He said it would be alleged that Ms Joyce went to St Anthony’s Grove to meet another woman. He said this woman was later found bleeding heavily from the head after an alleged assault.

Judge Patrick Durcan said he “reluctantly” accepted jurisdiction of the case. Ms Joyce was granted bail subject to a number of conditions. She was ordered to have no contact with the alleged injured party and to stay away from a certain named location. Another person, Brian Joyce (18), with an address at 55 Abbeyville, Limerick Road, Ennis, is charged with assault arising out of the same incident. He was granted bail subject to the same conditions.

Both accused were remanded on continuing bail until July 4.

A MAN has appeared in court charged with an offence under the child trafficking and pornography act.

The man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared at Ennis District Court on Wednesday.

It is alleged that the man, a Pakistani national, did travel with the intention of meeting up with a child, having met up with and communicated with that child on two or more previous occasions with the intent of doing an act that would constitute sexual exploitation of that child, contrary to the Child Trafficking and Pornography Act.

The offence is alleged to have occurred in an area of Clare last July.

Detective Sergeant Kevin O’Hagan gave evidence of arrest, charge and caution. The court heard that the 30year-old man replied “no” to charge after caution. Judge Patrick Durcan refused an application for bail.

He imposed reporting restrictions. Judge Durcan ordered the neither the names of the child or the accused be published.

He also ordered that the location of the alleged offence not be disclosed.

The man was remanded in custody to appear again at Ennis District Court on June 13.

A GROUP of councillors in Ennis are expected to recommend to unions that all teachers receive suicide awareness training. It comes after the Mayor of Ennis said plans to roll out the SAFETALK programme had received the backing of the Minister for Education, Ruairi Quinn. Cllr Michael Guilfoyle (Ind) said Mr Quinn had told councillors to present their proposal to teachers’ unions during his visit to Ennis on Friday. “We would like to get support for it. The minister seemed to think it was a good idea,” added Cllr Guilfoyle. The issue of suicide awareness was raised at the June meeting of Ennis Town Council. Cllr Paul O’Shea (Lab) called on the council to request that the minister provide the SAFETALK programme to all teachers and school personnel in primary and secondary schools in Clare and throughout the State. Cllr O’Shea told the meeting that there is solid evidence that indicates that there is a higher risk of suicide during times of economic hardship. He said it would take 12 days to deliver training to teachers in all 135 primary and secondary schools in Clare. Cllr Johnny Flynn (FG) said that anyone going through a period of suicidal thoughts does so for 72 hours. He explained that a support group was available at Ennis General Hospital for people experiencing suicidal thoughts. Cllr Mary Howard (FG) told the meeting that she believed that anyone dealing with the public should take suicide awareness training. She told the meeting that she supported greater rollout of the SAFETALK programme. She added, “As a community, we can deal with it if step up to the plate.” Cllr Guilfoyle said the high incidence of suicide in Ireland is frightening. Tue12June12

A MAN who a Judge said operated a drugs “mini-market” from his former home has been warned not to come to garda attention.

Judge Patrick Durcan was speaking as he adjourned sentencing on John Gaffney (23) at Ennis District Court on Wednesday.

Mr Gaffney, with an address at 4 Sandfield Mews, pleaded guilty to having diazepam for sale or supply at 4 Sandfield Mews on September 23 (2011)

Inspector Tom Kennedy told the court that gardaí found 40 small bags of diazepam during a search of the property.

He said Mr Gaffney admitted to selling the drugs to pay off a drug debt.

Solicitor Thomas Kiely told the court that his client had become highly dependent on drugs at the age of 17.

He said Mr Gaffney had completed a residential treatment programme and after care course at Bushypark.

Mr Kiely said his client intended to become a fitness coach and had obtained a qualification as a nutritionist.

He said Mr Gaffney is a keen athlete who has joined a cycling club.

He said the fact that Mr Gaffney had been placed in custody for a brief period while he waited to have his case heard, had served as a “rude awakening”.

Judge Patrick Durcan said he had to balance the accused’s guilty plea and positive written testimonials handed in on his behalf against his previous record, which includes a conviction for sale or supply of drugs.

Judge Durcan said he had seriously considered imposing a custodial sentence.

He said Mr Gaffney had engaged in “appalling” activity.

He added, “This was 40 small bags, a real little mini-market.”

He remanded Mr Gaffney on continuing bail until November 14. Judge Durcan granted liberty to the State to re-enter the matter at 24 hours notice.

He told the accused not to come to Garda attention.

CHILDREN from Clare with diabetes are putting up with “dire” conditions as they try to manage their condition.

One of the leading experts in type one diabetes in the country, Dr Anna Clarke is now appealing to parents from the county and across the midwest to begin a letter campaign calling on the CEO of the Mid Western Hospital Group, Ann Doherty, to implement some promised measures that would alleviate the situation.

Parents of the estimated 3, 500 children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes, including an estimated 250 from Clare, lobbied politicians last year, calling for diabetes services to be restructured on a virtually cost-neutral basis.

In response, the HSE made commitments to address the inequity, inconsistency and general difficulty in accessing advanced therapies like insulin pumps outside of Dublin.

“The HSE promised to address this imbalance and build capacity for insulin pump therapy in Cork, Limerick and Galway. I am very concerned at the slow progress being made five months after the announcement,” added Professor Hilary Hoey, Chair of Diabetes Ireland.

“The situation in the Paediatric Diabetes clinic in Limerick is pretty dire,” according to Gráinne Flynn, Secretary of the Clare branch of Diabetes Ireland.

“Every child should have immediate access to a diabetes nurse specialist and a dietician on diagnosis but, in some cases, the waiting list for a child with type one diabetes to see a dietician can be up to one year,” she said.

“Another example of the lack of resources in Limerick would be if a parent telephones the clinic looking for some guidance on how to manage diabetes with a sick child, the parent is forwarded to an answering machine which may not be checked until late afternoon. By this time, the family could be highly distressed. On the other hand, if this child is an outpatient of a Dublin hospital, the parent would be put through to a live person.”

Diabetes Ireland is calling on the HSE to put in place promised nursing and dietician support to make the treatment available to children and adolescents with diabetes at Cork University Hospital, the MidWest Hospital Limerick and Galway University Hospital.

CLARE’S most westerly village was celebrating on Friday with the announcement that their long awaited playground has got the green light from Clare Country Council.

The local authority granted permission for the nautical themed state of the art playground with eight car paring spaces including one disability car space.

The new playground will be situated between Keating’s and the Lighthouse Inn in the village.

Kilballyowen Development Ltd and the Playground Special Interest group are continuing to fundraise for the project and hope to be granted Leader funding in the coming weeks.

Ailish Connolly spokesperson for the playground group said everyone was delighted with the news.

“We were donated the site for this purpose back in March 2011 and its been a long road to get to this point,” she said.

The playground is likely to attract a lot of local and visiting children.

“Loop Head Lighthouse hope to attract more than 17,000 visitors this summer and this facility they hope will encourage families to stay longer in the area. Kilbaha, Cross and Carraigaholt have a good population of young children with the schools and playschools totalling 121 students this year.

“We have been so lucky with the huge support we have had from the parish of Kilballyowen. We had such huge support from our local councillors Patrick Keane, Gabriel Keating, and Oliver Garry, TD Pat Breen and Clare County Council,” she said.

“The playground is now subject to Leader funding but all going to plan the playground, we hope, will be opened late August this year,” added Ms Connolly.

To date the hard working fundraisers have raised € 20,525 and are hoping to raise the remaining € 10,975 during the next few weeks.

GAA clubs and inter-county hurlers and footballers along the western seaboard from Clare as far as Sligo and then across to Tyrone are set to embrace a ultra-marathon walking challenge that will start from Ennis and take place over four days in early August.

Ennis-based Tyroneman Barry Donnelly is the brainchild behind a 180-mile trek to Tyrone that has a target of raising € 10,000 for famine relief in Africa that will be administered by the Oxfam charity.

Details of what has been called ‘GAA Walk for Africa’ were announced this week by Mr Donnelly, who previously worked as a volunteer in Africa with the Tyrone-based Paul McGirr Foundation.

“It’s a big challenge, but it’s something I am determined to do,” said Donnelly, “because I believe there’s great scope for GAA people to get involved in a fundraising project like this.

“The idea would be that GAA clubs along the route from my adopted town of Ennis to my home place of Dromore in Tyrone would come out and show support – by walking a few miles, by helping with the fundraising.

“Physically it will be tough, because I aim to do the 400 miles in four days, which would mean walking 45 miles a day from a Thursday to Monday – that would be about four miles and hour for 12 hours a day,” adds Donnelly, who has been based in Ennis since 1999.

Oxfam have giving their backing for the project which, subject to Garda approval, will start from Ennis on the Thursday before the August bank holiday weekend and continue until the bank holiday Monday.

“It’s now about drumming up support for the idea,” says Donnelly. “This will be done through GAA clubs, the local media, social media, while I’m also trying to get the Ray Darcy Show on Today FM on board,” he adds.

Details of the ‘GAA Walk for Africa’ can be got from bdonnellyinsu lation@gmail.com or 087 2582516, while the Oxfam fundraising drive has already started with the opening of an AIB account, 93-51-58 06499047.

A NEW house began construction in Clare every four days during the first three months of the year, which means ground was broken on just 22 houses between January and the end of March.

This is a significant drop on the same period last year, when 36 houses were built – a drop of 39 per cent.

The figure becomes even starker when the figures for a full year are compared.

From April 2011 to March 2012, a total of 201 commenced constructions in Clare, compared to 387 during the 12 months previous.

This is a drop of 87 per cent according to the latest house building sta- tistics released by the Construction Industry Federation (CIF).

It is unlikely that the drop in construction is likely to improve any time soon in the Banner County as planning applications to Clare County Council have also decreased significantly.

The National Housing Construction Index indicates that planning application figures in Ireland from January to April 2012 were down 20 per cent. However, Clare recorded the third highest drop nationally at 35 per cent, just behind Kerry and Kildare, both with a 39 per cent decrease in applications.

Senator Tony Mulcahy (FG) said the figures represented evidence of the ongoing challenges facing the local construction trade and the dif- ficulty being experienced by people in securing mortgages.

“A total of 115 planning applications were lodged to the planning authority between January and April, compared to 176 during the same period in 2011. This represents a 35 per cent drop, which will be of great concern to those working in the building trade in County Clare.

“The figures suggest that many people are having difficulty securing mortgages to finance the construction of new homes. This is typified by the fact that there has been a large increase in the number of home builders or developers looking for an extension to the planning application as the original application was about to expire after five years,” he said.

“The figures also show that increas- ing numbers of people are opting to rent properties rather than build their own home. Both situations have a negative impact on the construction sector and rural communities throughout the county where new housing starts are important for rural regeneration and the creation of jobs.”

There were 71 units completed in Clare in the first quarter of this year, however, compared to 74 during the same period in 2011. This resulted in a drop of only four per cent in the year-on-year comparison.

CIF Director Hubert Fitzpatrick said, “The latest statistics reveal that the level of new house building activity remains severely depressed, which points to a further sharp decline in output for 2012 in Clare.” It w ill b e a d u ll we e k, Frid a y a n d Sa t u rd a y t h e we t t e st , m ild b u t n o t wa rm . Lo n g – ra n g e fo re c a st su g g e st s n e xt we e k w ill b e sim ila r.