Category: News

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.

ENNIS Town Council has given the green light to a € 76,000 upgrade of coach parking facilities in the town centre.

The plan, which aims to boost the amount of bus tours stopping in Ennis, was adopted last week at the council’s June meeting.

According to a report from Town Manager Gerard Dollard, the scheme would involve the conversion of the lower part of Friar’s Walk car park to a coach park with coaches dropping off and picking up passengers adjacent to the County Museum.

A bus shelter is to be provided while a tap facility will be available to which coach operators could con nect a hose for coach washing purposes. A wastewater disposal facility would also be provided to enable operators to empty waste disposal units from the coach.

Mr Dollard explained, “The overall park would be monitored by CCTV that would be linked to the Glór centre where drivers would be able to remain for the duration of the passenger’s visit to the town. They would also be available to observe their coach on the CCTV monitors in Glór.”

Mr Dollard said further talks would now take place with coach operators and the business community “to ensure maximum benefit is derived from the scheme”.

The report states that Friar’s Walk has been vacant since the change from long stay parking to short stay parking was introduced in 2011. Mr Dollard said that the revenue loss to the council from the changes would be “minimal”.

The council’s traffic section estimates the average monthly loss in parking income would be € 484.80.

It will cost the council € 76,612 to carry out the upgrade with CCTV in- stallation (€ 32,000) accounting for most of the cost.

Mr Dollard said, “It is appreciated that progression of this project would represent a significant investment by Ennis Town Council. However this is a strategic initiative by the council to attract coach business to the town and must be seen in the wider context of economic benefit to the town area.” Members welcomed the scheme with Cllr Johnny Flynn (FG) describing it as a “great initiative”.

Cllr Frankie Neylon (Ind) told the meeting that he believed the plan would bring more business to Ennis. Cllr Brian Meaney (GP) urged the council to consider an advanced booking system to facilitate use of the facility by camper vans.

He also proposed that car parks at Ennis Town Council and Clare County Council be opened for fans going to matches in Cusack Park.

“It could be a very effective use of a public space,” he said.

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.

PLANS have been put forward to create an annual ‘Democracy Day’ that would celebrate landmark political moments in Ennis that helped shape the development of modern Ireland.

Ennis Town Council has said it would welcome the input of local historical societies into the proposal that would be centered on the election of Daniel O’Connell in Clare in 1828.

The proposal was raised at last week’s council meeting as members debated a motion put forward by Cllr Johnny Flynn (FG).

He proposed that the council put in place an event or commemoration on July 5 each year to mark the significant role played Ennis has played in the development of modern Ireland.

He stated, “On that date in 1828 the world’s first democratic, peaceful revolution resulted in the Liberator, Daniel O’Connell being proclaimed elected as a Catholic to represent Clare in the British Parliament. Voters, who as tenants in defiance of their landlord’s wishes, marched from all over the county to Ennis to cast their vote to challenge the rule by which Catholics were not allowed to hold a seat in Parliament.”

Cllr Flynn told the meeting that July 5 should be declared ‘Democracy Day’ in Ennis. He said the event could be a big success. He said he had been approached by local historians about the proposal.

Town manager Gerard Dollard said that while the idea is a positive one, the council did not currently have the funding or resources to do it justice.

Cllr Peter Considine (FF) also welcomed the proposal and suggested that a decision be deferred until the council’s budget estimates meeting later in the year.

Town clerk Leonard Cleary said any commemoration would depend heavily on the involvement of local historical groups.

THE Government decision to snub demands at Clare County Council level for the local authority to be given representation on the any of the three committees charted with shaping Shannon Airport’s future has been branded as “a disgrace”.

At the June monthly meeting of the county council, Mayor of Clare, Pat Hayes (FF) led the charge against transport minister, Leo Varadkar, amid growing calls for a representative from the local authority to be brought onto one of the committees.

“It a disgrace that there is no local authority representation,” said north Clare electoral area representative, Cllr Pat Hayes (FF), while Mayor Hayes said “it was hugely disappointing that there is no one from the council on the steering committee”.

Council criticism came despite the revelation that Minister Varadkar is seeking to meet with Clare County Council chiefs on Shannon Airport, with councillors vowing to crank up the pressure in demanding that the local authority be given a role in Shannon’s future. Meanwhile, both Shannon Development and the Shannon Airport Authority have welcomed the announcement of the task forces and steering committees charged with mapping a new direction for Shannon Airport and the wider Shannon region.

“We are pleased to be part of both Task Force teams,” said Shannon Development chief executive, Dr Vincent Cunnane. “Shannon Airport and the Shannon Complex (which includes the Shannon Free Zone) are major economic drivers for the Shannon region and the wider western region, and Shannon Development is fully committed to engaging with the various groups to chart the future direction that will secure the viability and sustainability of the airport in the years ahead.

“We are particularly pleased that a guiding principal for the overall approach of the Steering Group enshrines the future development of the wider Shannon region,” Dr Cunnane added.

“The announcement of the makeup of the Steering Group and Task Forces is an important step in the Government’s process to create a new ownership structure for Shannon Airport,” said Shannon Airport director, Mary Considine. “We look forward to working with the Steering Group and Task Forces that have been announced today to help shape a new future for the airport and the region in line with Government policy,” she added.

A FORMER Mayor of Clare has hit out at the re-allocation of services from Ennis Town Council to Clare County Council saying the local authority faces being “wiped out” if nothing is done.

Independent councillor Tommy Brennan said last week that Ennis Town Council should not make its annual payment of the county demand to Clare County Council.

He claimed Clare County Council had crippled Ennis Town Council by taking over some of its functions over recent years.

He said plans are no longer just made for Ennis but rather for Ennis and its environs while the role of town engineer has been changed to area engineer.

He added, “If we don’t do something we are going to be wiped out.” Cllr Brennan was speaking last Tuesday at a special meeting called to debate the future of town councils.

He claimed local authorities were being sacrificed because the Government “can’t get rid of the Seanad”.

Cllr Frankie Neylon (Ind) said the Government had already succeeded in reducing the roles of town councils by taking away refuse collection and water services.

He told the meeting that local councillors “are the most important people in politics because they are in touch with the people who put them in their jobs”.

Cllr Paul O’Shea (Lab) said councillors often work 12 hour-days on behalf of their constituents. He described plans to reduce the number of local authorities as criminal.

Cllr Johnny Flynn (FG) said fewer town councils would result in less representation for people in urban areas.

He said the push towards more regional authorities was comparable to the “spin doctoring” that took place when health boards were abolished to make way for the Health Services Executive (HSE).

Cllr Brian Meaney (GP) said the plans to cull local authorities are part of the programme for government agreed between Fine Gael and Labour. He said it appeared that the Minister for the Environment, Phil Hogan, was not keeping his Fine Gael and Labour colleagues abreast of developments, a situation he described as “shocking”.

After Cllr Flynn criticised what he said was the influence of the civil service on government policy, Cllr Meaney said his comments were a “slur” on town council officials.

He said, “My experience of the local government officials and civil service is that they are totally independent and outside of the political system.”

Cllr Flynn said his comments were directed at Dublin based civil servants and not local officials.

Mayor of Ennis, Cllr Michael Guilfoyle (Ind), hit out at TDs, Senators and MEPs whom he said were trying to do the work of councillors. The former Fianna Fáil councillor also urged any of his colleagues who are disillusioned with party politics to leave their respective political parties.

Cllr Mary Coote Ryan (FG) said it would “shocking” if the council was abolished.

The meeting at Waterpark House was also attended by the President of the Association of Municipal Authorities Ireland (AMAI) Ted Howlin and AMAI secretary Tomas Ryan.

DECIDING to go to hospital, even when they are very ill, is a daunting undertaking for Katie and Jordan Drennan.

The brother and sister from the Lahinch Road in Ennis both live with Cystic Fibrosis, and as there is no CF clinic or unit for people over 16 years of age in the mid-west area, the risk of infection and even more ill health is heightened by any trip to the area’s hospitals and clinics.

“You are thrown in with other clinics and there is a high risk of crossinfection there,” said Jordan (20).

Katie (21) believes going to hospital is a risk that has to be carefully weighed up.

“Now you try to avoid going to hospital as much as possible for as long as possible because, for me especially, when you get sick you have to try to nip it in the bud, because I would have been on a lot of antibiotics over the years and not everything works.”

Even when she travels to St Vincent’s Hospital in Dublin for specialised treatment, the risk of cross-infection is even greater as she waits on trolleys for addition.

However, by early 2014, the duo hopes that the new unit will be opened in Limerick, thanks mainly to the hard and unrelentless work of the local group TLC4CF.

Five of the nine beds will be opened to start with, which will provide clean and specialised facilities especially for patients with the condition.

In the meantime, Katie and Jordan are busy with their studies and maintaining their condition as best they can. Every morning of every day of every week, Katie starts by using her nebuliser. She then gets something to eat and returns to physio. This takes at least two hours “on a good healthy day”. Repeat it all again every evening. During the college year at University of Limerick, this means an early start for the bubbly blonde, who is studying business.

Jordan has taken a break from studying Computer Games Development in Carlow IT, but intends to return when his lung function has improved. In order to achieve this goal, he works every day in the gym to increase his lung capacity, while using oxygen. He uses oxygen again at night as he sleeps, and has physio and his “nebs” every day also.

“This is like my full-time job,” he laughs.

With this sense of humour, Jordan and Katie have both signed up to be one of the first to be spraytanned as part of the fundraising tanathon in aid of TLC4CF this week.

MEMBERS of Clare County Council have backed a proposal to have Shannon designated as the official airport for next year’s Gathering tourism initiative.

Announced earlier this year by the Government, the Gathering aims to bring around 400,000 visitors to Ireland in 2013 by promoting the country to the Irish Diaspora.

There were calls yesterday to make sure Clare is prepared to take advantage of any spike in tourist numbers.

At the June meeting of Clare Coun- ty Council, Cllr Johnny Flynn (FG) tabled a motion stating “that Clare County Council establish a Clare Gathering 2012 co-ordination group to market Clare and its Festivals and Events (F&E) for 2012”.

He continued, “Such group also to urgently design, plan and co-ordinate the Gathering Year 2013 for Clare county to ensure that County Clare maximises the opportunities presented in the international, national and regional marketing and funding of Clare’s 2013 festivals and events (noting short deadlines with regard to Fáilte Ireland funding for 2013 F&Es of early this June 2012).”

Cllr Flynn told the meeting that many of the people that left Ireland in the forties and fifties did so from Shannon Airport. He called for the council to ensure that Shannon is promoted as the official airport of the Gathering. He said plans were already in Knock Airport to rival the Shannon bid.

In his response, the Director of Services, Gerard Dollard, stated, “The council has already initiated a process to establish an overall county group representative of various groups and organisations that have the capacity to initiate events and festivals as part of the Gathering.”

He continued, “The first meeting of the group is scheduled for June 19 (2012). At that meeting the terms of reference of the group will be discussed together with any suggestions for expanding membership of the group.”

Mr Dollard said the council is also in discussions with Fáilte Ireland and that all arrangements are being progressed with the full support of Shannon Airport.

Asked to comment on the role of Shannon Development, Mr Dollard said it was “business as usual” as far as Clare County Council concerned.

Councillors also backed plans to promote the Gathering through the various electoral areas of the coun- ty.

The Mayor of Clare, Cllr Pat Hayes (FF), said it is important Clare takes advantage of tourism opportunities created in 2013.

Cllr Christy Curtin (Ind) said the event is a great opportunity to “mobilize communities to welcome the Diaspora”.

Cllr James Breen (Ind) called on the council to explore re-opening the West Clare Railway for tourists. He said a delegation from the council should visit a similar project in Mayo.

Mr Dollard said the council has started preliminary work on opening the route of the West Clare Railway.

A DECISION on a proposed € 34 million retail park on the outskirts of Ennis is not expected to made for a number of weeks.

An Bord Pleanála were due to make a decision yesterday on the proposed retail development at the Clare Road / Tobertascáin. However it emerged on Monday evening that the decision will not be ready for a number of weeks.

Michael Lynch Ltd had sought permission for the (1) Demolition of all structures on site including 5 residential units, office block and all ancillary buildings; (2) Provision of a public plaza fronting on to the Limerick Road including both soft and hard landscaping; (3) A retail development including a food store incorporating customer restaurant and cafe, off licence sales area, dot com area and storage service area. (4) Separate ancillary two-storey retail and office block, a standalone two-storey office block, 610 parking spaces, provision for cycle parking, trolley bays and vehicular access to and from the Tobarteascain Road.

The developers had said the project would create 300 jobs in construction and between 180 and 200 permanent jobs. However objectors, including town centre businesses, argued that the development would have a “significantly detrimental effect on town centre retail” and lead to a “decreased viability of the town centre”.

In their submissions both Ennis Chamber and Ennis Development Forum, along with other street associations in the town, outlined their concerns for the proposed development. Among the concerns was the statistical data on which the application is based, justifying the need for significant additional retail space, is out of date given the changing eco- nomic circumstances and that the cnsus of population for Clare which shows a very significant slowdown in the level of population growth.

CEO of Ennis Chamber, Rita Mc Inerney said, “We are very concerned that this proposal is located on a flood plain area designated as a flood risk A, the most at-risk category. Given the very serious history of flooding in Ennis, we cannot accept the suggestion that the development could proceed until the detailed flood studies recommended by the OPW have been carried out indicating that flood risk can be overcome and these studies have not been carried out to date.”

A spokesperson for the Ennis Development Forum added: “All of the evidence indicates a 25 per cent drop at least in retail expenditure since 2008. Therefore we feel that granting permission for the proposal will put an end to Ennis town centre as a viable retail area.”

THE Clare County Manager is expected to seek further legal advice after a majority of councillors voted in favour of a controversial re-zoning of land in Quin.

An amendment to the South Clare Area Local Plan (2012-2018) that calls for a four-acre site near Malachy’s Pub in Quin to be zoned residential was yesterday adopted at a meeting of Clare County Council.

26 members voted in favour of the re-zoning, two councillors, PJ Kelly (FF) and Bill Chambers (FF), abstained while one councillor, Patricia McCarthy, voted to leave the site as is, as recommended in the Manager’s Report.

County Manager Tom Coughlan had earlier told councillors that he had received “clear and categorical” legal advice from the council’s solicitor, the Department of the Environment and the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) that any re-zoning would contravene an environmental habitats directive concerning the presence of the lesser horseshoe bat. He said, “The legal advice is that this decision should not be implemented.”

Director of Service Gerard Dollard said, “The legal advice is clear cut and black and white and is supported by a High Court case.”

Mr Dollard told the meeting that if the amendment passed, the Council Executive reserved the right to review the decision.

Supporters of the amendment had cited a report prepared by bat expert Conor Kelleher of Aardwolf Wildlife Surveys, that claimed the cave and bat roost at the Pollnagordan Cave Special Area of Conservation (SAC) could be protected by appropriate mitigation measures and assessment.

Quin councillor Sonny Scanlan (FG) said it was unfair that with the “stroke of a pen the council can come along and wipe this thing of the map”.

Cllr Pat Daly (FF) said there were “high stakes” for the landowners involved. He cited the example of a bat house built near Ballykilty Manor that had not attracted any bats.

Cllr Tony Mulqueen (FG) said, “At this stage we seem to have more rights given to bats than to people.”

Cllr Patricia McCarthy (Ind) said she did not support the amendment due to the nature of the legal advice.