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BUYING local produce is a great way of cutting emissions, supporting local producers and growing the rural economy, according to a North Clare climate change activist. In an interview with The Clare Champion before she attends a global environment conference in Glasgow this Thursday, Theresa O’Donohue stressed community action is the best approach in the transition away from fossil fuels. However, the Lisdoonvarna environmental campaigner said people also need to become politicised and challenge the system to demand the change that is necessary, as collaboration and participatory democracy are essential tools in the transition process. She cites the example of Moy community farm in North Clare, which cuts down on food miles, provides livelihoods and keeps money in the local area. Market towns and villages, supplied locally, would contribute to a thriving county while cutting emissions. She believes people should set up a Sustainable Energy Community with an SEAI mentor who will help create an energy master plan for your …

PRESSURE is growing on Transport Minister Eamon Ryan to conduct an independent investigation into the reasons that resulted in the suspension of Doolin Coast Guard amid claims of “severe bullying and harassment” in the service, writes Dan Danaher. Doolin Coast Guard can no longer provide marine cover and medical assistance to casualties that get into difficulty in inaccessible locations from South Galway to Doonbeg after it was controversially stood down. Minister Ryan has been warned by Senator Martin Conway that “lives are being put at risk” over the “unacceptable decision” to stand down the unit, despite the expertise and experience of 12 remaining members. There has already been an emergency callout in the area, on Wednesday night, when the rescue helicopter 115 was tasked to a search in the north Clare area. That search resumed Thursday with the Kilkee unit tasked to assist. https://twitter.com/markcarney123/status/1456048709742080004?s=20 It emerged this week that six volunteers at Doolin have resigned including the unit’s Officer in …

SAINT FACHTNA’S holy well in Kilfenora is at the centre of a new biodiversity trail created to promote and showcase the area’s rich natural heritage. The trail, which was officially launched last week, has become a busy focal point for young and old, and is credited with bringing local people together to celebrate their history and heritage. Thanks to a successful funding application on the part of the Development Group, the Tidy Towns committee has been able to lead on the creation of the trail. “Kilfenora Tidy Towns group is very much a team effort and everyone contributes,” explained Donegal native Dena McGrath, who has made the North Clare village her home over the last two years. “The main umbrella group who has allowed us to access the funding is the Kilfenora Development Group, who themselves are newly established. “Niamh Wiley our North Clare Rural Development Officer has been a huge support to us in accessing funding and submitting our …

THE Ennis-based President of the Irish Road Haulage Association (IRHA) has said protests by his members cannot be ruled out, in the coming weeks, over proposed cuts to the emissions of the transport sector. Eugene Drennan said that while the haulage industry accepted the need for change, members are now “at breaking point”. Mr Drennan’s association expressed alarm at some of the proposals recently agreed by The Climate Change Advisory Council. Under the ‘climate budget’ agreed on Bank Holiday Monday, emissions must drop by 95 million tonnes between 2021 and 2030. The blueprint outlines steps to meet the government’s target of cutting emissions in more than half by 2030 and net-zero emissions by 2050. “We have already contributed €73 million in Carbon Tax last year,” Mr Drennan said. “We’ll contribute over a €100 million next year. We’ve been paying carbon taxes now for about five years and fuel is already taxed to the hilt here.” He added that IRHA members …

Rural road has to be upgraded privately before planning permission can be considered TWO East Clare one-off housing applicants have been advised they must unite and pay €10,000 in total for the upgrading of a rural road. In a letter to a planner, senior executive engineer, Niamh Madden stated the road needs to be upgraded from the last existing house to the entrances of the two sites for Anthony Guilfoyle and Patrick Treacy’s planning applications. Ms Madden estimated it will cost each applicant €5,000 apiece to get this road reconstructed privately. She stated they must get agreement via a road opening licence before they commence any works on the public road. While they are entitled to apply for a Community Involvement Scheme, there is a four-year backlog currently. However, planning permission granted to Anthony and Rachael Guilfoyle, Tuamgraney, for the construction of a dwelling house, domestic garage, new wastewater treatment system and associated site works at Lecarrow Lower, Feakle, is …

THE pandemic had a major impact on Element Six’s finances last year, according to newly filed accounts, writes Owen Ryan. After-tax profits at the industrial diamond company fell from $19.8m in 2019 to $4.8m in 2020. The Director’s Report accompanying the accounts references uncertainties in the market caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. Revenue fell by 28% year on year, primarily driven by reduced demand as a result of Covid-19, while it also had to settle a patent infringement case. Summing up the financial performance the document stated, “The profit on ordinary activities before taxation amounted to $5,224,000 (2019: $21,535,000). A profit after tax of $4,806,000 (2019: $19,805,000) was taken to reserves. There were no dividends paid or received in the financial year.” It said that production had been able to continue throughout the pandemic. “Covid-19 still presents uncertainties to future forecasts and budgets which may impact the company’s ability to continue as a going concern. “However, throughout 2020 and into …

BUS Éireann has ruled out providing an additional morning and evening transport service for pupils attending Parteen National School from the Westbury housing estate. Speaking in the Dáil, Deputy Cathal Crowe recalled when he was teaching in Parteen National School there was a small road, which had very little traffic during the day, but would have 300 cars travelling on it at 8.50am. During a debate on transport issues, Deputy Crowe pointed out people can nip from one side of a town or city in Ireland very quickly during July and August when the schools are closed. “That tells us that most of the traffic congestion every day, more than 50%, is down to school runs. That is at peak times. I was a school teacher for 16 years. There was a small road in Parteen that would have no cars on it all day but at 8.50 a.m. we would have 300 cars going up it. That is crazy. …

CLARE Immigrant Support Centre is urging those who are undocumented to avail of a new scheme which could provide them with a path to Irish citizenship. The Regularisation Scheme for undocumented migrants was announced by Justice Minister Helen McEntee. It followed representations and submissions by organisations, including Clare Immigrant Support Centre. The initiative means that people who have not had legal status for at least four years – or three years if they have children here – will be eligible to apply. While there are calls for the scope of the scheme to be widened, Clare Immigrant Support Centre believes it has benefits for many. According to the centre, there are many different reasons a person becomes undocumented in Ireland. Some arrive on tourist visas and overstay to work, others may come as students or on temporary work permits and illegally remain in the country after their permission has lapsed, others could be victims of human trafficking. Due to the …