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CLARE land and property owners who may be subject to a new tax on undeveloped sites have until January 2023 to make a submission to the local authority. The Residential Zoned Land Tax (RZLT) is a new tax aimed at increasing housing supply by activating zoned, serviced residential development lands (including mixed-use lands) for housing. This can include greenfield and brownfield land which will be subject to tax from 2024. Landowners can check if their property is liable by consulting the draft map for County Clare which is now available for the public to view via this link. They will have until January 1 2023 to then make a submission on the draft map. According to a Council spokesperson the introduction of the tax is a commitment under Housing for All – A New Housing Plan for Ireland, the Government’s housing plan to 2030. The RZLT Draft Map is now available to view on the Clare County Council website and …

DEVELOPERS proposing to build 41 new homes in Quin have given their backing to plans for a 30 metre telecoms tower, currently being considered by Clare County Council.  In September, Vantage Towers lodged a second set of plans for the structure, after failing to secure permission for a mast on another site in the village. Reaction to plans for the current site at Quingardens is mixed, judging by submissions made during the public consultation phase.  A submission from Datcha Construction, who are awaiting a decision next month on their plans for a new estate at Quingardens, is among seven that support the mast. Two objections were received, one from Quin Tidy Towns and another from Quin Heritage Group. The owner of the land also made a submission, confirming his consent to the project.  Datcha Construction have backed the mast plan, saying it will make their proposed homes more attractive. “We would welcome this infrastructure development as it will further enhance …

A NEW book on Éamon de Valera’s personal secretary provides a fascinating insight into the life of Kathleen O’Connell and her support for the Fianna Fáil founder’s political career.  The Life and Times of Kathleen O’Connell by Patrick and Paul Murray also sheds light on de Valera himself, through painstakingly compiled details of their communications. Described as “Éamon de Valera’s Indispensable Secretary,” Kathleen, a native of Caherdaniel, County Kerry, is described as someone with an unwavering attachment to the causes she believed in.  Published by De Búrca Books, this is the first biography dealing with the life and times of Kathleen O’Connell. When her name is mentioned, it is almost invariably in association with that of Eamon de Valera. This is because her life derived its deepest significance from her unwavering attachment to whatever cause he espoused. For this reason, any record of her life is bound to throw incidental insights of varying quality on several aspects of de Valera’s career and …

AN EAST Clare company has received a major national award for its dedication to sustainability and waste reduction.  Palm Free (Zero Waste) Irish Soaps Ltd, which was founded in Killaloe and now operates from a facility in Tuamgraney, scooped the Waste Prevention Award in the prestigious Pakman Awards, supported by Repak.  The company produces a range of soaps, shampoo, shaving, laundry and deodorant bars and was honoured at the national awards ceremony for its efforts in helping to prevent surplus waste through innovative means, and for increasing awareness of the importance of recycling amongst its local community Palm Free (Zero Waste) is a family-run business, established in the mid-1990s by Kathy and Tony Hoynes, that has a strong commitment to sustainability. The businesses’ purpose is to make a difference by meeting the demand for zero waste and plastic-free alternatives to everyday hygiene products. All of its products are made of completely natural and vegan ingredients, blended with 100% pure essential oils and natural plant-based colourings. Palm Free Irish Soaps has paved the way …

A KILKEE man has been named Clare Business Person for 2022 by the All-Ireland Business Foundation (AIBF). Diarmuid Keane is the founder of Diarmuid Keane and Associates, a highly-skilled architecture and design firm. The practice offers a wide range of services including architectural design of new builds and extensions, preparation of planning applications, supervision of construction projects, project management. Diarmuid has been recognised with Business All-Star Accreditation for his outstanding contribution to standards in the construction sector. The prestigious accreditation is an independently-verified standard mark for indigenous businesses, based on rigorous selection criteria. The accreditation is overseen by the AIBF, whose adjudication panel is chaired by Dr Briga Hynes of the University of Limerick (UL) and Kieran Ring, CEO of the Global Institute of Logistics. Reacting to the announcement, Diarmuid said: “I am honoured and privileged to have been awarded the Clare Business Person of the Year 2022 by the prestigious All Ireland Business Foundation. On a personal level I am delighted …

PLANS for an extension to an Ennis primary school, to include the first Early Intervention Unit at a mainstream primary school in the town, have been put on hold as an appeal has been lodged with An Bord Pleanala. The appeal to the two-storey extension of Gaelscoil Mhíchíl Cíosóg has been submitted by a Glenina resident who had previously lodged an objection to the plans with Clare County Council on behalf of a number of residents living in the Gort Road estate. The An Bord Pleanala appeal argues “traffic problems and anti-social behaviour are problems that already exist” in the area and the proposed development will add to this. “Trucks and diggers and building traffic will be in and out of the estate for a period of 18 months. This is a residential area were people work from home and work shift work and are entitled to live in a peaceful atmosphere,” the appeal states. The original objection documentation to …

A SINN Fein senator has said he believes the party will be able to stop the transit of American troops through Shannon if it does take power. At last week’s Sinn Féin Ard Fheis amotion was passed recognising “those protesting the use of Shannon airport by the US military, in highlighting attempts to erode our neutrality”. While there have been protests against the US use of the airport for many years, the fact the Sinn Féin endorses them is potentially significant, with the party topping opinion polls consistently. Speaking to the Clare Champion this week Limerick-based Senator Gavan said, “I want to see a thriving commercial airport at Shannon and I’ve been on record, along with others in Sinn Féin, for a number of years, in putting forward positive proposals in giving Shannon a far better, brighter future. We’re very focused on that. “We’re equally clear that the US military shouldn’t be using Shannon Airport. We’re a neutral country and …

TAOISEACH Micheál Martin has intervened in the controversy over the ending of a farming scheme designed to protect the world-famous ecosystem of the Burren. The matter was raised with by Deputy Michael McNamara who told him that farmers participating in the Burren Programme and on the Slieve Aughtys would lose out in the new ACRES scheme. In the Dáil, the Independent TD called on the Taoiseach to review plans to subsume the programme into ACRES Burren Aran.  “The new ACRES scheme will disadvantage the farmers in that [Burren] scheme as it were the farmers on the Slieve Aughtys who are in the Hen Harrier area. The standard they will have to reach is lower, but they’ll get less money.” Responding, the Taoiseach said farmers should not suffer a loss of income due to the new ACRES scheme. “I will take that up with the Minister of Agriculture, because we want more and more people engaged in environmental friendly farming. I …