HERDING with a modern twist is being applied in North Clare, with a farmer able to check his herd from anywhere in the world.
Read More »Ennis development decision appealed
THE developers behind controversial proposals to construct a €34 million retail development on the outskirts of Ennis have appealed the town council’s decision to refuse the development planning permission. Michael Lynch Limited has requested that An Bord Pleanála hold an oral hearing to decide the fate of the project.In January, Ennis Town Council refused planning permission for the development on a site at the Limerick Road/Tobarteascain Road, considering the proposal to be “premature” pending the upgrade of the wastewater treatment plant at Clareabbey and the implementation of the Ennis South Flood Relief Scheme.The proposed development was opposed by a number of groups including Ennis Chamber, businesses and traders associations and residents, with fears that it could lead to a ‘doughnut effect’. According to an appeal lodged by Tony Bamford Planning on behalf of Michael Lynch Ltd, “The application was refused for two technical reasons and both can be readily overcome through a series of appropriate and effective engineering solutions.” …
Read More »€1million boost for Burren farming
NEARLY €1 million will begin issuing to North Clare farmers this Friday as part of the second year of payments under the Burren Farming for Conservation Programme (BFCP).One-hundred-and-forty-three farmers are to benefit from an average of €6,800 under the scheme which the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney said “has already generated significant environmental benefits”.“I am delighted to confirm the issuing of payments averaging €6,800 to 143 farmers under the BFCP to support high environmental value farming in the Burren, which is one of Ireland’s outstanding landscapes and is known worldwide,” he said. Minister Coveney emphasized, “In the particularly tough financial climate, it is essential that funding is focused on programmes delivering, identifiable and verifiable agri-environmental measures. Without doubt the BFCP guarantees excellent value for money – farmers are paid on the basis of work done and outputs generated and all works are co-financed by the farmer and are improving the biodiversity, water quality, cultural and landscape …
Read More »From the Great Wall to the Cliffs of Moher
ONE of the world’s most significant political figures, Chinese Vice-President Xi Jinping, will spend much of this weekend in Clare.Mr Xi is expected to take over as president next year and he will arrive at Shannon Airport at 4.30pm on Saturday afternoon, where he will be met by Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore. He will then go to Shannon Development’s headquarters, where he will be greeted by CEO Dr Vincent Cunnane. That evening, he will attend a banquet at Bunratty and spend the night at Dromoland.On Sunday morning, he will visit a farm at Sixmilebridge and go to the Cliffs of Moher before flying to Dublin. There, he will meet with both the Taoiseach and President Michael D Higgins, visit Croke Park and see a performance of Riverdance at Belvedere College before flying out on Monday afternoon. Mr Xi will be visiting Ireland on the back of a trip to the US during which he met with President Obama this week.In America, …
Read More »Limerick deputies lock horns over top-up ministerial payment
HOUSING Minister Deputy Jan O’Sullivan has clashed with former Defence Minister Willie O’Dea over the Government’s decision to pay her €17,205 to sit at the Cabinet table.Limerick East Deputy Willie O’Dea said Taoiseach Enda Kenny could have opted not to make this payment to a so-called Super Junior Minister during a time of austerity or Deputy O’Sullivan could have agreed to waive it.However, the Clonlara-born deputy hit back stating she couldn’t believe the “hypocrisy” of Deputy O’Dea offering advice on whether she should take the salary that goes with her job in Cabinet. “He knows well that this is not a rise but the rate previously paid and taxed for the job and that all ministers, senior and junior are paid at a considerably lower rate than when he and his colleagues were in office and presided over the collapse of the economy and didn’t reduce their pay. “Not only that but Willie O’Dea, on ceasing to be a minister, …
Read More »CPO fears turn pensioner into ‘nervous wreck’
A disabled pensioner said he has turned into a “nervous wreck” amid fears his house will be renderd unhabitable by the proposed €12 million Shannon Bridge Crossing linking Ballina and Killaloe.John Young, who lives at the junction of the Ballina to Birdhill and Nenagh road has expressed fears he will be forced to leave his house if local authorities proceed to compulsorily purchase large portions of his front and back gardens to facilitate the new Killaloe Bridge and upgrading of associated regional roads.The 74-year-old, whose mobility is severely restricted following a recent operation, requires a walker or wheelchair to move around his bungalow, which he acquired about 18 years ago.Mr Young is extremely concerned he will not be able to access his own house if all the land, which is subject to a CPO, is taken for the new road network.He has asked Clare County Council for precise drawings outlining the exact amount of land that will be taken from …
Read More »The sweet sound of unleashing a child’s potential
A week ago Amy*, like thousands of other teenagers around the country, sat her mock exams ahead of her Junior Cert in June. Twelve years ago, it was a feat her mother never thought she would achieve because, unlike her peers, experts believed the North Clare teenager was not suitable for mainstream education. “My daughter is now 16 and doing her Junior Cert. She has just done her mocks. She has gone to mainstream school right the way along but when she was four, the opinion was she would never go to mainstream education. Amy had difficulties with her language, motor, sensory and social skills and it was a difficult decision for us to send her to mainstream education,” Margaret* recalls.The turning point, according to Margaret, is easy to identify. “It was pure luck. There was speech therapy available in Clare but it ceased because they did not have enough speech therapists. I was being offered no speech therapy for …
Read More »Chilly reception for winter bin-emptying
ALTHOUGH a six-figure sum was generated by Lahinch car park last year, emptying the bins there during the winter is a non-runner, Clare County Councillors were told this week.Councillor Tony Mulqueen and Joe Arkins submitted a motion asking the county council to maintain litter management services at beaches and resorts during the winter, particularly when parking charges are collected.In a written reply, director of services Nora Kaye gave an outline of the Lahinch situation. “Litter bins are provided at Lahinch generally from Easter (weather dependent) to October. These bins are serviced by the Ennistymon area staff. Presently, one employee is assigned to servicing these bins in addition to other duties in the area. If a litter bin service was provided during the winter months it would incur additional expenditure on a seven-day-a-week basis.“Litter bins are not provided during the winter season as the number of visitors to Lahinch beach is considerably reduced during this time. The funding for the provision …
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