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THE Equality Tribunal has ordered a Traveller couple to pay €400 ex- penses, after they failed in an equal status claim against Clare County Council.

Last week, the Equality Tribunal dismissed five claims made against the council under Equal Status legis- lation, stating that the complainants had not established a prima facie case of discrimination.

The couple who were ordered to pay the €400 expenses claimed that

the council discriminated against them and that they were harassed, contrary to the Equal Status Act.

The Equality Tribunal also dis- missed claims brought by four other couples who are members of the Traveller community.

Summarising the case against the first couple, the inspector said that every opportunity had been afforded by the Tribunal to the complainants to have their case heard.

“IT am of the view that the com- plainants wilfully abused the oppor- tunities provided.

“T am concerned that the council turned up with their legal representa- tives on all occasions when the case was listed, thereby incurring legal costs and expenses.

“IT am also conscious that there is a cost to the public, in that the Tri- bunal’s time has been wasted on a number of occasions and unneces- sary costs have been incurred, all resulting from the complainants’ be- haviour and non-appearance,” stated the report. On the couple’s interac- tion with the tribunal, the inspec- tor accepted that their baby was in

hospital during one of the scheduled hearings on October 16, 2006 and that the mother could not attend.

“However, I have also noted that the baby was discharged from hospi- tal on October 18 and was collected by the parents on October 19.

The father did not attend the hear- ing as directed on October 20 when the baby was out of hospital.

“He left a hearing without a valid reason during the course of cross examination, resulting in the hear- ing being adjourned to the following morning, when he could only attend

for a short period and his wife did not attend. They were required by me to attend the Tribunal on September 22, 2006. The wife did not attend and the husband left after a short time, despite having walked out on the Tr1- bunal the previous day.

“Both complainants were notified to attend on January 15, 2007 and they failed to appear and again failed to turn up the following day when their case was scheduled for hearing. No valid explanation was provided for their non-attendance’’, added the report.

NO TOT too troublesome – that’s the attitude of a group of young east Clare people who are offering a ba- bysitting service to raise money for a CrT-NeLAVmOlUDUCNDOTomoeCe)um

The 25 members of The Fishbowl Youth Club in Scariff plan to travel to New Orleans under the auspices of the international Habitat agency, which organises building projects in the Third World and in places where natural disasters have left people homeless.

The group needs to raise more than €50,000 between them to take part in the trip and have already got a number of fund-raisers under their caps.

“What we are offering is a service where people can ring for a babysit- ter and we’ll organise one for them from a pool of volunteers.

“The money we’re paid will go into the kitty for the trip,” said Fia- cra Kenny, one of the fund-raising ea cele toy

The babysitters are from Mount- shannon, Scariff, Tulla and Bodyke

and will travel even further afield within reason, so long as they have the means to get there.

It’s just one of a number of novel fundraisers the youngsters have un- dertaken.

“In February, we made and sold St Brigid’s crosses and on St Patrick’s Day, we busked in Galway, playing music and face painting. It was pretty cold, but we made some money,” said jwrlone

The Fishbowl Club has more than 30 members and the group hoping to travel are aged between 16 and 20, as

well as adult club leaders.

It will take a lot of babysitting, bag- packing and painted faces to raise Salen eel OF

Fiacra and his fellow club members are hoping that individual donors or businesses will come on board to help them raise the cash before July.

Anyone who needs a break from the kids can hire the Fishbowl serv- ices by contacting Fiacra on 087 7486370.

Anyone who would like to help out with sponsorship can also contact Fiacra on that number.

TRANSITION year students in Clare will be taking a step back in time to learn a craft which was part of everyday life for our forebears – in the language which they would have spoken while working at it.

An Irish language course in stone- wall building for the students is just one of the events organised for biod1- versity week in May by the Irish Seed Savers Association (ISSA) based in Capparoe.

Biodiversity Week runs from May 20 to 27. The week celebrates the continual work of the ISSA and other

conservation organisations in Ireland preserving traditions that are part of our heritage.

As part of the week the ISSA will be running a course on rare potato varieties and traditional growing techniques will be held for primary schools.

Courses for the general public in- clude the native tree course on May 19 and 20, which will help partici- pants identify native trees and the many uses of timber.

The introduction to garden design course to be held on May 23, will help participants to plan an edible sus- tainable garden for a rural or urban

home, school or community garden. Enquires and booking of courses can be made by phone or email.

The big event of the week, Biodi- versity Day will be celebrated on Sunday, May 20, at ISSA centre.

The day will include local, fresh produce and stalls, workshops on native fruits, vegetable seed process- ing, rare Irish grains, planting an or- ganic garden, bee keeping, and rare poultry.

There will be plenty of fun for the younger visitors including nature walks, wildlife drawing, the Kerry bog pony and Kerry cattle.

Booking is essential for Biodiver-

sity Day.

The cost is €15 for adults and €30 for families (four people). This also includes a return shuttle transfer from Scariff town.

People needing special assistance or wheelchair users may park at the centre. Check out the Seedsavers website www.irishseedsavers.ie for more information.

TWO courses in acupuncture will be on offer at a college in Shannon, starting next month.

Representatives of the College of Medical Acupuncture and Tradition- al Chinese Medicine were in Shan- non over the weekend, to promote its part-time courses, which lead to a licentiate in acupuncture with full professional qualifications.

One of the courses is a one-year course, designed for medical doc- tors, physiotherapists and dentists. The other course runs over three years and is for non-medical, nurs- ing and complementary health prac- titioners.

The courses will start at the end of

April, at the college’s office at Bal- lycasey Park in Shannon.

The college runs courses all over the country, but its office in Shannon is the only centre it actually owns. It is located adjacent to Sang Man’s practice – he lectures on the courses – in Ballycasey. Mr Man is the presi- dent of the Chinese population in Ireland.

The other lecturers on the course are Bruce W Du Ve, John O’Bourke and Eilin Ni Riordain, who all have a huge amount of experience in this area, on an international level.

According Ms Ni Riordain, there has been a huge growth in interest in this particular area over the years.

“We started off in Barrington’s Hospital in 1994. Since then we have

set up a practice in Galway and Ath- lone and in Merrion Square, Dublin,” she said.

“Three years ago, we decided to buy a property and we bought a place in Shannon. The Chinese Ambassa- dor did the official opening for us at Wee ND OOeMMMEC)OLomy-BLOM

The building in Shannon has three classrooms and courses have been run there over the past three years.

“We try to keep class numbers to around 15 or 20. We have doctors, dentists and physiotherapists, tak- ing the one-year course. In the other course there are shopkeepers, thatch- ers, teachers and accountants. We have had a range of professions,” she said.

“This is growing at such a rate it 1s

incredible. The physiotherapists are using it in the hospitals. People are seeing amazing results from this,” she said.

As part of the course, students are invited to visit China, for periods ranging from between one and three months, to the Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, which is affiliated to the college here.

The courses cost €3,500 and fur- ther details, and a prospectus, are available by phoning 090 9678202.

BANK otf Ireland has revealed it does not intend to install a new 24-hour ATM in Newmarket-on-Fergus, to replace the one which closed earlier this year.

The closure of Halpin’s garage marked the end of the 24-hour ATM, which had been located there. While there are two ATMs in the village, both are located inside business premises and are not available after whe 00

Locals have expressed frustrations on the issue in recent weeks and a

letter from Bank of Ireland, to a staff officer with Clare County Council, has infuriated local councillors.

The letter from Relationship Man- ager Eileen Hannon, dated March 12, stated, “Presently Bank of Ireland are not planning on installing an ex- ternal ATM in Newmarket-on-Fer- ous. However, reviews are constantly taking place to consider urban devel- opment and population increases in specific areas.

“Should the position change dra- matically in Newmarket-on-Fergus, then Bank of Ireland will certainly reconsider the appropriateness of an

Cr qKo mtr mela Come

The letter stated that while the bank is committed to providing ap- propriate banking facilities, includ- ing AIM services to its customers, the manner in which that service 1s provided has changed, “with a great- er emphasis on installing in-store re- tailer ATMs, which are becoming the preferred choice of the general public as they appear to offer greater personal security to users.”

Local Councillor Pat McMahon (FF) said, “The letter states the pre- ferred option is internal machines. The two that exist at the moment are

running out of money early.

“What do you do over a long week- end, or any weekend? I refute totally the motion they are making about the preferred choice. I’m talking about 9pm, until those shops open in the morning,’ said Cllr McMahon.

“It 1s ironic, with the massive amount of growth in those two areas, here we are, one of the major banks are refusing to provide a service. Thanks be to God, we have com- petition,’ he said, adding that other banks are looking at the possibility of installing an external ATM in the village.

has learned that Shannon LNG 1s currently con- sulting with local householders in a bid to move along plans for a €400 million liquified natural gas receiv- ing terminal on the Shannon Estu- ary.

A planning application for the con- struction is expected to be lodged by the summer and there are no indica- tions at this stage that there will be any objections lodged to the applica- nl)

Speaking this week, Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Micheal Martin said subject to feasi-

bility studies, technical assessments, planning and other approvals, the Ballylongford/Tarbert site could be- come the location for a major import terminal.

He further revealed that an applica- tion for planning permission is likely to be made in the second quarter of 2007 to Kerry County Council.

This major project was announced in May last year and is to be under- taken by Shannon LNG. The site which has been designated for deep water projects is about 25 kilometers from the national gas pipeline grid and the terminal would have the po- tential to provide over 40 per cent of Ireland’s gas requirements.

The proposed terminal would com- prise a ship unloading jetty, two or more storage tanks and related build- ing facilities.

The operation is earmarked to be up and running by 2011, employing over 350 during construction and 50 full-time staff. Construction work is expected to begin next year employ- ing workers from Clare who will avail of the daily Killimer/Tarbert ferry service.

A Shannon Development spokes- person pointed out that additional jobs will also be created in ancillary, support and contracted services.

“We are fully committed to active communication and _ consultation

with the local community and all interested parties along the Shannon Estuary,” said Managing Director at Shannon LNG, Paddy Power.

‘“Treland needs secure, diverse, competitively priced and environ- mentally friendly supplies of energy. The terminal will provide this and it will give rise to increased competi- tion.”

Kevin Thompstone, Chief Execu- tive of Shannon Development said the company is excited about the project. “It has the potential to pro- vide over 40 per cent of Ireland’s gas requirements. We also believe that the project could bring long-term benefits to the Shannon region.”

RESIDENTS in some of Shannon’s housing estates have sought a meet- ing with council officials, in an ef- fort to compile a plan to tackle a lit- MOIST

Parts of the town have been plagued by litterbugs and residents say they are no longer willing to put up with this. Some elderly residents, who have lived in the town all their lives, say they are forced to go out and clean areas near their homes.

Chairman of the Finian Park Resi- dents Association, Wayne Cluitt said some areas in Aidan and Finian Parks are constantly targeted by peo- ple dumping litter.

“Tt is particularly bad at the bottom end of Aidan Park and the bottom end of Finian Park. When people buy fast food, they eat it along the street and throw their fast food cartons and bottles around. They also do it near the hall as well, where people drink and throw their bottles and cans around,” said Mr Cluitt.

“A number of people are trying to keep their own areas clean, but the rubbish blows around,” he said.

He said there are bins located near the shops in the area, but people do not use them. Council staff carried out a clean-up in recent weeks, but locals believe this should be an on- going project.

‘“T have requested from the council

that more litter bins be put around the estate, but people dump their black bags of rubbish in those litter bins,’ he said.

The residents association has or- ganised a major clean-up. This will take place at the beginning of April and they are encouraging everyone to get involved.

Shannon Councillor Tony Mulcahy (FG) said the town was left “severely under-resourced” after the council took over its running, three years ago.

OW elo) komme D ice u no t10 Nam) @mmee) ED eLenD | workers, working on the ground, compared to at least 14, which was available when Shannon Develop- ment managed the town, he said.

“The council was never given the Same resources. That is the prob- lem,” said Councillor Mulcahy.

He said that while work on the roads and footpaths has been carried out, the litter problem 1s still preva- one

‘The problem is we were left short- changed by the Department of the Environment. We need a huge up- gerade of infrastructure, water, etc. That funding has to be provided to the town. Shannon Town Council should have been given full Town Council status, like Ennis. We rely on the County Council for funding, even though, 67 or 68 per cent of the rates in the whole county come from Shannon,” he said.

THE IFA looks set to go to war with the Department of the Environment once more over the controversial ni- trate regulations.

Speaking in Cork late last week IFA President, Padraig Walshe, slammed the Department of the Environment for it’s “complete inaction” on the 1s- sue and for failing to introduce the necessary legislation and publish de- tails of the nitrates derogation, which are long overdue.

The IFA President has written to the Minster for the Environment, Dick Roche, calling on him to hon- our the commitment given to farmers in the Sustaining Progress Partner- ship Agreement and to immediately

transpose the nitrates derogation into Irish Law.

“The nitrates regulations limit stocking levels to 0.8 livestock units per acre while the introduction of the derogation would increase this stocking rate to 1.2 livestock units per acre,” he said.

“It is completely unacceptable that the derogation, which was approved at a meeting of the EU Nitrates Com- mittee in Brussels almost five months ago, has still not being signed into Irish legislation today.

“More than over 16,000 farmers are affected by the Government’s indecision on this serious issue and these farmers are now extremely concerned about the cross-compli- ance implications which may face

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Walshe contrasted the energy and resources committed by the Gov- ernment to Farm Inspections last November and December with the indifference and inaction now being shown on this important issue for Dunno ace

“Commercial farmers find them- selves in a limbo, not knowing the stocking levels they can carry for 2007, even though it is now March and farmers are making herd man- agement and breeding decisions for this coming year.

“Minister Roche must sign the ni- trates derogation into law immedi- ately.”

The IFA leader is due to meet with the Minister for the Environment,

Dick Roche, on this issue early this week.

The issue of nitrates first erupted last year with the farming organi- sation finding themselves at logger- heads with the Department of the Environment over the instigation of strict EU limits on the amount of nitrates and phosphates that farmers elt eter

This resulted in major divisions in the farming community with the IFA and Macra na Feirme withdrawing support for Teagasc over their role in the controversy.

The nitrate scandal also saw the IFA withdraw from the social part- nerships negations before Christmas before eventually returning when a number of concessions were made

IRISH horse breeders are this week breathing a collective sign of relief as the last traces of last year’s deadly outbreak of Equine Infectious Anae- mia (EIA) or swamp fever appear to have dissipated.

Minister Mary Coughlan, con- firmed last Thursday that the last premises restrictions imposed as a result of the outbreak have been lift- ed following a lapse of more than 90 days since the last of 28 cases was confirmed on 10 December 2006.

Coughlan confirmed that the final blood samples had been taken from those horses which remained under movement restriction and all test re- sults had been negative for EIA.

“Since the first cases had been confirmed on the 15 of June last almost 57,000 blood samples had been analysed for EIA with 28 eight cases having been confirmed,” she said while describing the last nine months as “a very difficult period for the Irish bloodstock industry.”

The Minister met with industry rep- resentative in Dublin last week and

commended the Irish Equine Centre, all sections of the industry and her Department’s Central Veterinary Research Laboratory for their work in controlling the outbreak.

“The efficient way in which this outbreak had been managed and eradicated reflected very well on all those involved and demonstrated the absolute necessity of Govern- ment and industry working closely together in one another’s mutual in- terest. The threat of EIA required a robust and professional response and despite the obvious inconvenience

experienced by some horse owners and trainers and stud managers, the industry appreciated the necessity of the Department’s actions which were central to the effective manner in which this outbreak was contained and eradicated,’ she said.

“Despite the obvious sense of relief being felt in the wake of the final re- strictions being lifted, the events of last year demonstrated the continu- ing need for her Department, the in- dustry and the veterinary profession to maintain a high level of vigilance in relation to EIA.”

can reveal that interpreters were required for 120 cases in the District Court in Clare last year, which compares with 30, in 2003.

A firm of interpreters has now been appointed to deal with the additional business both in Clare and around the country.

Previously, cases in Clare involving foreign nationals who required inter-

preters were dealt with by Con|[text], a Galway-based international trans- lation company, if certified by the presiding judge.

Now, for the first time, a contract has been signed with Dublin-based company Lionbridge.

The revelation comes in the wake of an Ennis solicitor raising an objec- tion to one particular interpreter be- ing involved in a case, at a sitting of Ennis District Court last week.

Solicitor Tara Godfrey said she had an objection to a particular translator, who was working with Con|[text].

She said her objection – in the case of a female foreign national, who is

accused of shoplifting – was not per- sonal, but that she couldn’t under- stand the translator.

“It is nothing personal. I cannot un- derstand her.

“IT am open to correction, but it is up to the court office to obtain an interpreter,’ she told Judge Joseph Mangan on Friday morning.

She said the charge would be con- tested, adding, “I do not want her in court for the contest. It is unfortunate and regrettable.”

Judge Joseph Mangan said he was noting the solicitor’s objection and told her she should liaise with the court office. He adjourned the case

for six weeks. A spokesperson for the courts serv- ice told