The Clare People Archive

“Irrespective of the influx of the Muslim immigrants over the years, these people still want to hold onto the power. They have the financial backing, they have Government backing and they have the backing of the National Consultative Commit- tee and groups like that.

‘These groups are funded by tax- payers’ money and they have chosen to keep this exclusive group of Arab Muslims in power in Ireland. They represent a very extreme form of Is- lam and that needs to be challenged. I challenge it as a Muslim. But what made my challenge look stupid, so much so that they started to de- monise me, is that those who do not know anything about the dynamics of Islam jumped in – the Government jumped in.

“In other words, the Irish are quick to criticise themselves but they are too quick also to turn a blind eye to others. I don’t think that it is the correct way to go, because you are turning a blind eye at the cost of the citizens.

“In the media, Islam is portrayed as areligion of violence, but Islam is not a religion of violence. However,

there are small extremists within the fold of Islam – like bin Laden, like al-Qaeda and Hamas – that come out of the Muslin Brotherhood.

“T don’t know if people realise it but the spiritual leader of the Muslim Brotherhood has his headquarters in Ireland. Yusuf al-Qaradawi has his headquarters in Dublin at the Clon- skeagh Mosque.

‘He promotes suicide bombing and Oppression of women, slapping of women, female genital mutilation – nonsense like that all comes out of the same womb in Dublin.

“T challenge the extremists, but I am demonised for it. That is a prob- lem, if you don’t know anything about the dynamics of Islam and you jump in because those extremist are the friends of the powers that be and

they give great banquets and great gifts. That’s nonsense. You have to face this problem head on, take the bull by the horns, before it gets too late.

“In Ireland, the extremist groups are not small – they are in power within the Muslin community here. The moderates are a mute majority. Established Islam in Ireland, the face of Islam in Ireland is the Clonskeagh Mosque in Dublin. They are taken as the true face of Islam in Ireland which is just not true. Arabs con- stitute less than 14 per cent of the Muslim population of the world – yet these extreme Arab Muslims are the face of all Muslims in Ireland.

Dr Satardien, who is a South Af- rican Muslim, believes that honest and open dialogue is the only way

forward.

“T think that conferences like this one in Ballyvaughan are long over- due and very important. We need to be frank and open about the problem and not treat it like an elephant in the room”.

“Everybody wants to make the problem invisible, to whisper the problem. And that does not make the problem go away. Especially in Ire- land, we are very politically correct here – we don’t want to be called na- tionalist, we really don’t know what we want to be called at the end of the day. We are not taking a stand and that stand has to be taken at some time. This is a great opportunity.

‘The people in the street are gen- erally ignorant about Islam and what Islam is about. The perception of

Islam has been gathered from the media and from programming from American films. But the Muslim community here in Ireland haven’t reached out – they haven’t come out to the Irish people and told them what they are about. Dialogue is long overdue. Frank, honest discussions is the only way forward.”

AN TAISCE has claimed that the planned €10 million explosives fac- tory at Cahercon would constitute an inappropriate extension of the in- dustrial development of the Shannon estuary.

Appealing Clare County Coun- cil approval for the development of an explosives plant on the northern shore of the estuary, An Taisce point out that there 1s already extensive in-

dustrial development on the southern shore at Foynes Port and Auginish Alumina.

An Taisce Heritage Officer, Ian Lumley has cautioned against the cumulative effect on the proposal in relation to shipping movements on the estuary and night-time lighting impact.

“The application site at Cahercon Pier would result in the development of a Seveso facility which would re- quire high security measures and a

cordon sanitaire.

“The proposal would therefore be prejudicial to the development of sustainable uses of the area.”

Mr Lumley said that Shannon Ex- plosives failed to resolve the reason for refusal by An Bord Pleanala to the previous plan in 2003.

“This decision was made on erounds of the extent of filling on the site; the likely significant effect of the works on local and adjacent houses; and that a significant element of the

proposal was not subject to Environ- mental Impact Assessment.”

‘The applicant has not resolved the primary grounds of planning refusal of the previous application, namely the extent of fill material required on this sensitive estuary site in order to accommodate the proposed develop- ment.

Mr Lumley said the applicants had not provided the required Foreshore License or legal entitlement to carry out the proposed development.

“The applicants have not demon- strated the required legal title to accommodate the proposed marine access at Cahercon Pier and resolved or addressed issues which relate to establishing public rights of way, in- cluding public rights of way to fore- shore and marine access.

“Since An Bord Pleanala has no retrospective power to validate and invalid application, this application should be dismissed,’ Mr Lumley concluded.

A NEW handbook encourages fami- lies to continue their involvement with children in care.

The Family Advocacy services in Limerick, Clare and North Tipperary have developed a handbook for fam1- lies who have children in the care of

the Health Services Executive (HSE). The book was launched in Limerick in April, by Kevin O’Farrell, child- care manager with the HSE.

The purpose of the advocacy serv- ice 1s to Support families to continue their involvement with their children in care. The service is volountary and confidential to any family member who wishes to avail of it.

The advocacy workers offer fami- lies help and a listening ear on a one to one basis or in a group Setting.

A spokesperson for the service said there are numerous reason why chil- dren go into care.

“It is important to acknowledge that

children go into care for many differ- ent reasons for example, sickness in the home, bereavement or finding life’s circumstances difficult to cope with,” she said.

The spokesperson added that the process can be difficult for all parties involved: “When a child goes into the care of the HSE it is a difficult time for both parents and children. Parents may feel isolated, confused, alone or angry because others don’t under- stand what they are going through.

“The reason this book was devel- oped was to respond to the huge need for support, information and advice for parents whose children go into

care. The involvement, the input and the interest of many of the parents in developing this book has been vital.”

Many of the parents who use the ad- vocacy services attended the launch of the book and shared some person- al feelings on what this service meant Komdsloene

The booklet gives clear information to families who have children in the care of the HSE. It explains parent’s rights, what parents can do in relation to their child in care and what kind of help is available. The advocacy serv- ices can be contacted at Clare Ad- vocacy Service, Clarecare Harmony Row, Ennis.

A FORMER Clare TD and MRSA sufferer has criticised the HSE for its extravagant use of expensive lime- stone cladding on a “glorified shed” at Ennis General Hospital.

Hospital campaigner James Breen said that with underfunding and over- crowding being blamed for the recent C- diff outbreak at the hospital, he received a number of phone calls in

recent weeks from hospital staff and the general public in relation to a building currently being constructed on the grounds of the hospital.

“This building is being faced with limestone, which seems to be ex- travagant in what I am led to believe is a glorified shed to house electrical equipment for the hospital, while staff and patients have to use pre-fabricated facilities for their needs,” he said.

The HSE has defended the con-

struction of the power sub-station on the basis that it is part of the site master plan and will integrate with it when completed.

“The first floor of the hospital re- development is to be stone-clad and the substation will match it as part of an overall scheme which has passed through the appropriate process of public review,” the HSE has said.

However, the proposed €39 million redevelopment will not commence

this year as funds were diverted to another project in Dublin. It is also unlikely that the project will get un- derway next year unless additional funding can be made available. James Breen says the new construc- tion is totally at odds with the exist- ing hospital building and pre-fabri- cated structures already on site. “This building is completely out of character with the others on the com- plex but more importantly is whether

this €1 million expenditure is justi- fied,” he said.

But the HSE claims that “given the prominent location of the Energy Centre on the site, the overall mas- ter plan and the protected structure status of the hospital, the additional cost involved in achieving the level of finish is not deemed excessive.

In December 2005, the emergency generator at Ennis General failed during a power failure forcing the

RYANAIR yesterday warned that its multi-million euro deal with the Shannon Airport Authority (SAA) may not be renewed if the airport does not further reduce its cost base.

The threat was issued by the low- cost airline as it confirmed that while passengers and routes are ahead of forecast at Shannon, they are based upon at much lower yields. Yields are the profits airlines make per passen- ger and the spokesman said that the lower yields are not a trend at Rya- nair’s other UK and European bases.

The maintenance of the five-year

deal — worth €300 million to the west of Ireland according to the Shannon Airport Authority (SAA) — is key to the airport’s survival and is up for re- newal in two years’ time.

The threat also comes as the airport authority negotiates its independence from the Dublin Airport Authority with the Department of Transport.

Asked if the low yields should be a cause of concern for interests in the west of Ireland anxious that Ryanair renew its deal with the SAA, the spokesman said, “No, but if the cost base at Shannon does not reduce fur- ther to reflect these lower yields, then the deal may not be renewed.”

Shannon Airport has become in- creasingly reliant on Ryanair since it established its base at Shannon in 2005, with the airline now flying to 32 destinations and accounting for over two million or two-thirds of passengers at Shannon.

Underlining Ryanair’s dominance at Shannon, the company has recent- ly erected a “Welcome to Ryanair Country’ billboard at the entrance to the airport.

SAA board member Tadgh Kear- ney said he would “caution against any scaremongering over a problem that hasn’t arisen yet.”

‘The facts are that we are halfway

through a five-year deal and in Year 3, we are going are to pass the targets for Year 5.”

Mr Kearney said that lower yields have arisen due to the global econ- omy being on the early stages of a downturn.

A spokesman for the SAA said, “Shannon Airport has enjoyed a very successful relationship with Ryanar, so much so that the targets for year 5S will be reached this year with two million passengers on Ryanair routes.

“We look forward to growing this business and to continue this rela- tionship when the current deal con- cludes in 2010.”

THE loss of the Shannon-Heathrow service has contributed to Shannon Airport suffering a six per cent drop in passenger traffic for the first quar- ter this year, new figures reveal.

Aer Lingus ended its Shannon- Heathrow service in January, with the consequent estimated loss of 331,000 passengers this year.

Low-cost airline Ryanair has in- creased its frequency and routes to London airports. However, Airport Director, Martin Moroney said that short-haul traffic numbers had suf- fered, due to the loss of the Heathrow

Tos ais eon

In the figures released, the Shannon Airport Authority (SAA) confirmed that, from January to March, term1- nal traffic was at 569,000.

This is a six per cent reduction on the previous year. Transit totals for the same period were down by five per cent to 91,500.

In a statement, the SAA blamed the “single digit percentage drop in the first quarter due to recent airline route decisions,’ while it expressed confidence for the remainder of 2008 season, due to indications of increased traffic growth.

The SAA confirmed that terminal

traffic for the month of March de- creased by two per cent compared to the 2007 figure, with over 226,000 passengers using the airport, along with 28,400 transit passengers.

The authority also stated that tran- sit figures were reduced by 8,000 largely due to the decline in pas- senger numbers on combined Shan- non/Dublin transatlantic services as a result of “open skies’.

Mr Moroney said that a downturn in traffic had been expected due to a number of factors.

In relation to short haul, Mr Mo- roney said that the new Air France service is performing well with high

load factors, albeit with less capac- ity and frequency than the Heathrow service had offered.

‘A downturn in transatlantic traffic had been expected this year due to the effects of “Open Skies’ which are in fact in place since the beginning of the Winter 2007/8 schedule,’ said Mr Moroney.

“The recent confirmation by Aer Lingus of year-round commitment to their Shannon transatlantic routes was a welcome development, as was the announcement of additional pro- motional funding aimed at support- ing traffic development on all trans- atlantic routes to Shannon.”

EMPLOYERS lobby group IBEC, has welcomed the statement from the independent Referendum Commis- sion that there are no changes in the Lisbon Treaty with regard to tax. IBEC Regional Director Chris O’Donovan said the Treaty clarifies the position on tax, and confirms that every country in the EU has a veto over decisions in this area. Speaking at the launch of the Ref- erendum Commission’s information campaign, Chairman Mr Justice Jarfhlaith O’Neill said it was their view that the present veto on taxation will continue.

“One of the main reasons IBEC is calling for a yes vote, is that Ireland’s veto on tax issues is secure. This was a significant achievement for Irish negotiators, who protected national interests in the years of debate that led to the Lisbon Reform Treaty,” continued Mr O’Donovan.

‘The Treaty will create a more ef- fective, democratic and transparent EU, that works harder, smarter and performs better’, he said.

IBEC also welcomed the launch of the Referendum Commission’s infor- mation campaign, which will include the distribution of two million cop- ies of a guide to the treaty to every home in the country.

PSYCHIATRIC services in Clare are coming under pressure as a com- bination of staff shortages and indus- trial action by psychiatric nurses has left many of the county’s psychiatric facilities “unsafe”’.

SIPTU National Nursing Official, Louise O’Reilly says her union and the Psychiatric Nurses Association are likely to escalate their dispute when the joint strike meets later today.

The dispute 1s over a compensation scheme for members injured as the result of assaults at work.

The work to rule action already un- dertaken by the nurses has impacted on Clare, a county with a psychiatric nursing shortfall of between 16 to 20 LOD RNTorSe

The nursing shortage in the county has been attributed to a difficulty in recruitment. This problem had been solved with overtime in the past and the good will of the staff.

An average of six to seven psychi- atric nurses work overtime in Clare everyday. This number reached an

all-time high of 17 on one occasion.

Work to rule means that staff are now being redirected from the com- munity services to cover in patient services in the county as the posi- tions affected by the nurse shortages and sick leave go unfilled.

A source close to the service said the staff welfare and patient safety couldn’t be guaranteed.

“The vulnerable groups who rely OMAN oMON EDEN DIMM Ms onnOlNomYo better than this – nurses likewise want jobs, not overtime. Under- staffing also jeopardises safety for patients and staff alike. That is why SIPTU members rejected the ‘gener- ous’ HSE compensation scheme for injuries suffered as the result of as- sault at work by 91 per cent,” said Ms O’Reilly.

“It was a very clear message to the HSE but it still does not seem to have registered with them. Our members have given us a very clear mandate and we remain strong and deter- mined to secure a decent scheme which does not treat nurses as sec- ond-class citizens.”

BATS and badgers are to benefit from a local building boom.

The creatures are to get their own means of safe passage around the proposed new Shannon Tunnel.

The €600 million project will take 40,000 vehicles off the streets of Limerick city, but it will be built right in the path of a number of crea- tures who need protection.

Kevin Cleary of White Young Green Consultants said that four badger sets have been identified within the construction site span-

ning the river between Coonagh and Bunlicky and a the same number of protected species of bats have been found along the construction site.

To prevent the badgers from meet- ing a terrible fate if they wander on to the tunnel road, the construction will include badger fencing, which is sunk into the ground to prevent them burrowing and specially constructed underpasses the help them cross the road.

The mature tress which are home to the bats will now only be felled at certain times of the year to allow the bats time to breed and rear young and

once they are cut down , they will be left without further disturbance for 24 hours to allow their winged in- habitants to move home.

The biggest engineering project in the midwest region, the fourth river crossing’s new planned route in- cludes 11 bridges and each will be complete with two bat boxes and a bat fly-over.

“This means keeping the vegeta- tion raised to a certain height to al- low bats, which rely on sonar, to stay clear of traffic and other dangerous obstacles’, said Mr Cleary..

And birds and other wildlife are to

get a newly constructed wetland and dry reserve to compensate for the loss of 15 per cent of habitats in the area.

Rare plant species, meanwhile, will be experimentally transplanted to the Trinity Botanic Gardens.

The tunnel scheme is hailed as the answer to congestion on the roads into Limerick

It will also act as a method of short- ening journeys and cutting costs for commercial transport.

The construction was approved by An Bord Pleanala in 2004 after a five year period of consultation.

ENNIS is to get a new bridge across the River Fergus as part of a major development by a Galway company which has just got the go-ahead from Ennis Town Council.

Briarlane Development secured planning permission for a major ex- tension to the Abbey Hostel near the existing Club Bridge. The company iS proposing the construction of a

footbridge across the River Fergus to link the development to the Abbey Street car-park.

As part of a four-floor structure, the developers plan a 120-bunk bed extension to the existing hostel building. The development is to also include a restaurant, an internet café and a wine bar with all ancillary oats one

The extended hostel is expected to fill a gap in the local tourist market

where, currently, there are no hostel spaces for independent tourists.

The Briarlane project faced no local opposition and the company was able to satisfy concerns that the Depart- ment of the Environment expressed over otters in the River Fergus.

The granting of planning permis- sion five years after the company first sought to develop the strategic site adjacent to the River Fergus follows a decision by An Bord Pleanala last

year to refuse planning for a project that promised to transform the Ennis skyline as part of a €25 million riv- erside development.

Early last year, Ennis Town Council gave the go-ahead for the ambitious project in spite of warnings from Clare’s Conservation Officer that the plan had the potential to do “ir- reparable damage to a very attractive and uniquely ancient county town”.

The council chose to ignore Con- servation Officer Risteard UaCron- in’s warning that “the design of the proposed development 1s neither con- temporary nor innovative and reflects large city suburban developments of the 1970s and 1980s, many of which are presently being demolished”.

But his stance was endorsed last September by the appeals board which ruled that the proposal would seriously injure the visual amenities of the area and the character of the architectural heritage area.

The development involved a six- storey building opposite the Abbey Street car-park arranged around a central podium and included a plan to develop a 30-bedroom hotel, 58 apartments and a pedestrian bridge across the River Fergus.

The board also ruled that one of the apartment blocks would provide poor quality accommodation and serious- ly injure the residential amenities of future occupants and of property in the vicinity.