The Clare People Archive

LOCAL Fianna Fail TD Timmy Dooley says he is encouraged by the response of Ennis Town Council to his request for urgent improvements to be carried out at the Tulla Road.

“The condition of Tulla Road is fast becoming a safety issue because of the amount of motorists using it on a regular basis, including local chil- dren going to school,” he said.

‘“T have been contacted by a number of people who live in the area and- who have expressed their frustration about the condition of the road and the delay in its upgrading.”

“*T have been in touch with the town engineer and I am encouraged by the level of progress being made.”

“Construction on a new roundabout and pedestrian crossing 1s expected to begin shortly at The Grove. The roundabout and pedestrian cross- ing are to be provided by a private developer in association with a new distributor road which the developer is providing and which goes North from the same junction along side The Grove development site.”

“Progress is also being made with regard to the widening and raising of

the bridge. The Town Engineer told me that the Council is now in a posi- tion to initiate planning procedures to raise the bridge deck and reduce the risk of large vehicles colliding with the bridge. It is also proposed to widen the bridge to facilitate pe- destrian and cycle facilities on the South side of the Tulla Road.

“It is hoped that the improvements will be carried out before the rail line becomes operational in 2009,” Deputy Dooley added.

“The Tulla Road between the en- trance to Gort na Blath and the by- pass itself 1s within the by-pass con- tractors site and so the entire area is to be restored in association with the by-pass over the next few months.”

“There are land acquisition issues with the proposed roundabout at Oakleigh Wood and a Compulsory Purchase Order is currently being processed.”

“IT understand the frustrations of residents living in the area and I re- layed their concerns to the Council. I am hopeful that the improvement works already underway and those due to commence shortly will relieve the inconvenience currently being imposed on them,” he concluded.

TWO Clare schools have received funding under the CLAR Primary School Enhancement Scheme which will enable them develop outdoor recreational facilities.

Connolly N.S. in the parish of Kilmaley and Drumdigus N.S. in Gr rtiva ae Elerme-lermrseohiee! €7,500, enabling a total value of works amounting to €20,000 to be carried out.

Meanwhile, Gaelscoil Na Bhfili in Gort has received funding of €5,031 allowing for works totalling €6,/07 to be carried out. This brings the to- tal funding approved nationally un- der the Scheme to over €5.4million with 808 schools being assisted since pavers

Commenting on the CLAR Scheme, Clare Junior Minister Kil- leen said that hundreds of primary school children in Clare were now benefiting from new equipment and improved facilities.

“We all know that good play fa- cilities in schools are absolutely necessary, so I am delighted that the schoolchildren of Connolly and Kil- murry McMahon are going to benefit from this scheme.”

The Junior Environment and En- ergy Minister explained that the scheme had already brought sig- nificant improvements to outdoor play facilities at schools in Ballyea, Cloonanaha, Clondegad, Knockerra, Doonbeg, Baltard and Dangan N.S.

“The type of projects being funded at rural primary schools in CLAR

areas include cover grassing/tarmac- adam of play areas, the supply of goal posts, nets and basketball hoops, as well as other recreational facilities for outdoor play areas,’ he said.

Under the Primary School Outdoor Play Facilities Enhancement Scheme, CLAR and the Department of Edu- cation and Science fund 75 per cent of the cost, supplemented by a 25 per cent contribution from local sources up to a maximum of €10,000.

Expenditure in excess of €10,000 must be funded entirely from lo- cal sources. Under the CLAR pro- gramme, a further €lmillion is be- ing provided for the scheme by the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, which match- es €lmillion from the Department of Education and Science.

reporter, Bernie English will be trav- elling with them to bring back first

hand reports of the sterling work be- ing done by Clare volunteers.

“We’re absolutely delighted. The building is fully plastered, the second coat of paint is going on inside and everyone is working flat out to have everything ready,” said Olive Halpin, one of the project organisers.

The 32 volunteers who are leaving from Cork on Thursday will be fol- lowed next week by Bishop of Killa- loe, Willie Walsh, who will perform the official opening.

On the ground, volunteers are con- tinuing to make heroic efforts, both as a group and as individuals, said Olive.

‘The bus picks the volunteers up at 6.30am and they hardly stop all day”, said Olive.

“They’re tired but we’re having great craic and what is being done

here is incredible. People have given rom releree lee

Some volunteers are even reluctant to go home once their time is done. Plumber, Gerry Leonard from Ruan has opted to stay another ten days to fit the bathrooms once the tilers have finished.

Meanwhile, the group preparing to leave on Friday will be leaving room in their suitcases – for toys for the children.

‘“We’ve been given a donation of toys to boring out because Sr Ethel starts now to prepare for Christmas with the children,’ said fellow organ- iser, Maureen McCarthy.

When the Lissycasey nun arrived in Missionvale more than twenty years ago, she had no buildings to work from and instead began reading to the children of the shanty towns un-

Clara ueee

Since then, the centre has grown and now feeds in excess of 2,000 people a day, provides schooling for the children of the township and brings what medical help is available to the many who have contracted the AIDS virus, which is pandemic in South Africa.

The new hospice will not only care for people in the terminal stages of the disease but will also be a health education centre, to help people man- age their health.

CONTENTIOUS plans by a Galway- based company to construct a four- storey apartment block overlooking the 13th century Franciscan abbey in Ennis have been turned down.

An Bord Pleanala has upheld an Ennis Town Council decision that the development would detract from the special character and setting of the monument due to its scale, height and proximity to the abbey.

Four years ago, in the face of local opposition, Dwellblin Construction Ltd secured planning permission for 46 residential units on the site.

Last year the company lodged plans to construct the four storey apart-

ment block in the open space of the original development, adding 13 two bedroom apartments and one three bedroom townhouse.

Clare GAA County Board emerged as the most outspoken opponent against the scheme, despite not op- posing two previous planning appli- cations adjacent to the Abbey site.

In its appeal to An Bord Pleanala, Dwellblin argued that the height of the new block was consistent with the height of permitted development else- where on the appeal site and would not result in the material alteration or demolition of structures forming part of the Abbey monument. The devel- opers also claimed that the proposal would not have adverse implications

for the archaeological heritage.

The appeals board inspector rec- ommended that planning permission be refused and the board subsequent- ly ruled that the development would seriously detract from Ennis Friary. The board found that the proposed development would be contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.

The board also refused planning permission having regard to the site configuration, its generally narrow width and location adjoining a pro- tected structure. It stated that the proposal would represent an over development by reasons of exces- sive density, poor aspect and limited functionality of public open space

and shortfall in car parking.

The board order read: “The pro- posed development would, therefore, provide a poor standard of amenity to future residents, seriously injure the amenities of property in the vi- cinity and be contrary to the proper planning and sustainable develop- ment of the area.”

The board also ruled that, having regard to the scale of the proposed development and the consequent de- mand for car parking provision, that the proposed development would give rise to on-street parking and tend to create serious traffic conges- tion which would endanger public safety by reason of obstruction of road users.

BRENDAN O’Regan’s first love in a working life that stretched over 70 years was the hotel business, his son Andrew told those attending his fa- ther’s funeral mass in the Pro-Cathe- dral Ennis on Monday afternoon.

Fitting then that after his burial in Drumcliffe Cemetery, family and friends of the Shannon pioneer re- treated to the Old Ground Hotel in Ennis in remembrance and celebra- tion of a remarkable life.

The Old Ground Hotel was once owned by the O’Regan family and it was from there that food was pre- pared for in-flight catering on the

transatlantic route when Shannon be- came the hub of the aviation world.

Tributes to O’Regan, who died on 3 February aged 90 years, were led by Canon Rueben Butler of Newmarket- on-Fergus in a funeral mass attended by over 300 people. Bishop Willie Walsh and Fr Harry Bohan also took part in the funeral service, while also present was Church of Ireland Bishop of Limerick and Killaloe, Dr Michael Mayes and a representative of President Mary McAleese.

“He had high standards for him- self and expected others to give of their best,’ said Canon Butler. “He achieved a lot because he recog- nised the strong points in others and

helped them fulfill their potential. Brendan’s leadership qualities made it possible for many in the mid west to move from unemployment to em- ployment,” he added.

Dr O’Regan’s son, Andrew, paid tribute to those who worked with his father across a host of ventures, ranging from business to local com- munity development and peace.

‘He was hugely conscious that he belonged to the first generation of free Irishmen. He saw that with this freedom came responsibility to en- Sure the success of Ireland,’ Andrew O’Regan said at the funeral mass.

“IT was in my 20s when I found out that Brendan’s initials, BOR had

been made into an acronym of Bash On Regardless. He had a great belief in his native place – of his beloved Clare in this instance and Ireland more widely.

“Brendan was possessed by pos- sibility. He would recognize that all those achievements of his were Shared achievements with all of those men and women who worked with him, who insisted on believing with him and dared to dream with him and did so when others felt it wouldn’t be done, shouldn’t be done and couldn’t be done. He understood the collective and communal creativ- ity that lay at the heart of his achieve- ments.”

Dr O’Regan’s son noted that in the days after his death, the family was required to fill a death certificate list- ing occupation at the time of death. “What to call him,’ said Andrew.

“Company director — that sounds a bit lame. Entrepreneur — a bit to flash for Brendan. What about hotelier — his first love. Or peace builder — his last love. Or visionary — a term often linked to him. How to capture him, how to label him, how to pigeon hole him. We in the family would like to think that his last permanent occupa- tion in life was being human as best jatempe cn teaa lms

All those in the Pro-Cathedral broke into spontaneous applause.

CLARE farmer and Beef and Cat- tle Chairman of the ICMSA, Martin McMahon, was last week appointed to the national beef forum by the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Mary Coughlan.

Silom Coyacecem sel mbeCe Lee CoM ncyeKen tole te tives of the IFA, ICMSA, ICSA, Macra, ICOS, ICBF, Teagasc, Bord Bia, Enterprise Ireland, Meat Indus- try Ireland as well as representatives of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and an independ- ent expert.

“The purpose of the forum is to point the way to the future develop-

ment of this very important sector. The beef industry is vital to Ireland in a number of respects not least its contribution to our trade balance and its significance for rural areas,” said Minister Coughlan.

‘The industry has proven itself re- silient in the past and I am confident that it will do so in the future. It will face many opportunities and chal- lenges as the pace of change in the marketplace continues to increase.

“The industry must gear itself to evolving consumer tastes and be responsive to them. The forum pro- vides those involved in the industry with the opportunity to track the best way forward.”

The forum, which will be chaired by Jim Beecher, Assistant Secretary General at the Department of Agri- culture, Fisheries and Food, will have its first meeting later this month.

Meanwhile, McMahon has _ also oF OTSTe MS Keyes Bue) Dele M KOM e-lKe slob OMmeliDE defences against Bluetongue.

“The severity of the disease in the second and subsequent year has sur- prised veterinary experts,” he said.

“We should now seriously con- sider preventative vaccination for bluetongue as soon as the vaccine becomes available. In particular, the potential losses in terms of perform- ance and fertility due to bluetongue disease pose a serious threat to the

livestock sector.

“We appreciate that the department are considering a number of options, but action should be taken at the first available opportunity. The commis- sion have decided to carry the cost in full of the vaccine and 50 per cent of the administration costs. We should avail of this funding. While preven- tive vaccination would — under the present EU rules — give rise to a pos- sible change in our status, that rule itself could be changed. Given the increasing severity of bluetongue it makes solid sense to adopt a pre- ventative stance rather than a control programme if — and when – the dis- ease comes to Ireland.”

MINISTER of State at the Depart- ment of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, with responsibility for Forest- ry, Mary Wallace last week officially launched the 2008 Irish Timber Growers Association (ITGA) For- estry and Timber Yearbook. Speaking at the launch, Wallace commented on the recent develop- ments in the forestry sector, including the new Afforestation Programme and Forest Management measure approved by the EU Commission in late 2007. She also referred to the non-economic benefits of forestry. “In any sector, effective commu- nication and the distribution of rel-

evant, up to date information 1s vital. The Forestry and Timber Yearbook is an important tool in this regard for everyone in the forestry sector,” she HOE

“It is an invaluable reference book and its continued success through the years is evidence of the high regard VSLASTDOM ZNO MLAB IMs

“The National Climate Change Strategy sets out a clear role for for- estry in mitigating climate change, not only in terms of carbon seques- tration, but also in the role that the forest estate will play in providing ereen renewable wood energy.

The Forestry and Timber Yearbook features articles and advice on sub- jects such as state support measures

for forestry, woodland taxation and various forestry issues. It also in- cludes a directory containing close to 200 organisations and companies in the forestry and tree growing in- dustry.

“With the approval of our forestry programme by the EU up to 2013, timber prices at high levels and with the many new opportunities arising, there has never been a better time to become involved in this industry,” continued the minister.

Meanwhile, a major national bioen- ergy conference will take place in Tullamore, today Tuesday, February 12. The one-day conference, jointly organised by the Irish Bioenergy As- sociation (IrBEA) and Teagasc, will

focus on the latest developments in this emerging industry.

The theme for the conference is ‘Bioenergy – Making it a Sustainable Reality’ and it will focus on how to make the bioenergy supply chain V0) ue

The panel of national and inter- national speakers, drawn from the different stages of the supply chain, will share their experiences on how they achieved success in the biomass energy sectors and in the less-known non-energy sectors of crop-derived construction materials, renewable polymers and lubricants.

The possibility of using crops for fuel is one of the most exciting de- velopments of recent years.

CLARE has come near the bottom of a survey showing the number of IDA jobs created in a county by county basis last year.

Enterprise, trade and employment minister Micheal Martin confirmed that Clare came nineteenth on the hha

The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment figures show that 22 jobs were created in IDA- backed companies last year.

The figures show that counties mainly located in the midlands trail Clare in the number of IDA jobs cre- ated. More IDA jobs were created in Clare than Carlow, Laois, Longford, Monaghan, Roscommon and north Tipperary.

Only nine IDA jobs were created in north Tippeary. However, Clare lags behind its two neighbours, Limerick and Galway.

The figures show that 264 IDA jobs were created in Limerick and 383 in Cr ELA

Last night, Fine Gael TD, Joe Carey said that the figures relating to Clare were matter for concern.

He said: “The IDA need to work to ensure Clare workers are not be- ing left behind in job creation terms. These figures, when examined, show cause for concern. For example,

counties with a similar sized popu- lation to ours are faring significantly better in terms of job creation.

“Waterford, Louth and Mayo, all have populations close in number to County Clare. Between them they created 674 jobs. In Clare, the IDA managed just 22. Cavan, which has half the population of County Clare, still managed to create three times more jobs.

He added: “Those statistics are not impressive, and as we move into a more uncertain economic climate, we need to focus our minds on ad- dressing the apparent job imbalance in the mid-west.”

The IDA has a strategy of regional development and 64 per cent of in- vestments in 2007 were located out- side of Dublin last year.

Also, the IDA played a strong role, in conjunction with Shannon Devel- opment, in securing 250 new jobs for the Shannon Free Zone with last week’s announcement that a medical services company, Zimmer, 1s to 1n- vest €50 million in Shannon.

However, the IDA has failed to date to secure an anchor tenant for the In- formation Age Park in Ennis.

The authority has the responsibility in securing foreign direct investment in Clare outside the Shannon Free Zone. But so far the park is home to indigenous start up companies.

RAIL services between Ennis and Limerick are not expected to resume for another “three to four days” be- cause of continued severe flooding of a section of the line near Newmarket on Fergus. ;

Last week, Iarnrod Eireann halted services between Ennis and Limer- ick “at least until Sunday” (February 10) due to flooding of the tracks at Ballycar. ;

A spokesperson for Iarnréd Eire- ann passenger services in Limerick said yesterday, “It will be at least another three to four days before the line can reopen as part of the track was still under 11 inches of water on Sunday.”

The company has said it is monitor- ing the situation daily.

An estimated 600 commuters from Ennis and Limerick use nine daily services on the line.

Residents in the Ballycar area are also suffering with the roadway out- side their homes submerged under more than a foot of water in at least three locations. The road remains impassable for cars with some locals now parking some distance from their homes and crossing neighbours’ properties to get to their own homes. Locals say flooding on this scale may not have occurred since 1955.

‘The water appears to be rising all the time. It is still coming off the land and crossing the road into the lake which I haven’t seen this high in many years. I can’t see the water dropping enough for trains to pass for a week or two yet,’ one local resi- dent said yesterday.

Local councillor Pat McMahon has accused Iarnro6d Eireann of short-sightedness in allowing past problems of flooding at Ballycar, of which they were aware, to affect services again.

“This area is prone to flooding at the best of times and I know larnrod Eireann has raised the line in this area in the past. I remember attend- ing meetings on this issue one of which was attended by the minister of the day but that was over 15 years ago,’ Councillor McMahon said.

“In a few years we will have an intercity connection between Lim- erick and Galway and we have to be sure that people won’t have to be ‘bussed’ from station to station be- cause of flooding on the rail lines.

“When Jarnrod Eireann upgraded the Ennis to Limerick line, they un- dertook to carry out a review of the flooding issues at Ballycar. As far as I know this has not happened and I would call on the company to do so as a matter of urgency,” Councillor McMahon said.

THE Minister for Transport, Noel Dempsey, has ruled out the privatisa- tion of Shannon Airport.

But Mr Dempsey revealed that re- cent sales of Dublin Airport Author- ity (DAA) assets has resulted in the authority enjoying a net cash position at the end of 2007. This represents a boost for Shannon Airport’s inde- pendence bid.

Mr Dempsey said he had no inten- tion of privatising either Shannon or

Cork airports, in a Dail response to Labour TD, Tommy Broughan.

The Department of Transport is still considering the Shannon Aiur- port Authority’s business plan, which was first lodged with the DAA.

“The actual timing of airport re- structuring will depend on the crea- tion of the appropriate conditions that will ensure the financial sustain- ability of each of the three State air- ports,’ said Minister Dempsey.

“The restructuring process will re- quire coordinated strategies for the

achievement of operational and fi- nancial readiness of each airport. In this regard, the Dublin Airport Au- thority (DAA) has a key role to play in finalising the financial framework and coordinating the individual busi- ness plans for the three airports that will enable airport separation to take place,” he added.

Minister Dempsey said that the DAA, which owns Shannon, Dublin and Cork airports, had overall bor- rowings of just under €500 million as at the end of 2007. Just over €200

million related to Cork Airport, al- most €/70 million to Shannon and the remainder to Dublin.

“Following recent disposals of Great Southern Hotels and DAA’s interests in Birmingham and Ham- burg Airports, DAA net debt levels have fallen sharply in the short term, resulting in a temporary net cash position at the end of 2007, before rising steadily again over the period referred to by the deputy,” said the minister.

“Precisely what DAA’s debt levels will be over this period will depend upon a number of factors. However, in the context of the DAA’s capi- tal investment programme over 10 years, DAA’s debt position will rise substantially, with net borrowings increasing to over €1 billion over the course of the next five years.

“The future level of debt at Shannon and Cork will depend on a number of factors including, most significantly, the business plans for these airports which are currently being assessed by my department.

“The State Airports Act 2004 pro- vides the framework for the estab- lishment of Shannon and Cork as independent airports. Under the Act, both the Minister for Finance and I will have to be satisfied as to the state of operational and financial readi- ness of the three airports before any vesting of assets can take place,” the minister said.