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The queen and the president


EDITORIAL

IRELAND is getting set to roll out the red carpet on the double in May. Queen Elizabeth will become the first reigning British monarch to visit the Republic of Ireland and will have barely set foot back in London when the world’s most influential political figure, United States President Barack Obama will touch down on Air Force One.
Queen Elizabeth’s state visit will be very much symbolic, as it will cement the improved relationship that has evolved between Ireland and Britain in recent years. It’s a sign of our maturity as a nation that even many of those who oppose the visit have stated they respect the views of those who will welcome her and Prince Philip. Their visit is expected to be a relatively low-key affair with no major public event. For the first time in our history, dating back hundreds of years, Ireland will open its arms to the head of the British Royal family without feeling threatened in any way.
President Obama’s visit will certainly have a much greater impact. He and First Lady Michelle Obama will be greeted with incredible fanfare no matter where they go. In the time honoured tradition of Irish-American presidents visiting their ancestral homes, Mr Obama will travel to Moneygall in County Offaly for the soft focus photo-op and soundbites but this will be balanced with serious political engagements over the three days.
The Obamas’ visit will be anything but low-key. The US president and his wife are among the new iconic figures of the 21st century. In much the same way as John F and Jacqueline Kennedy swept away the greyness from US politics in the late 1950s and early’60s, the Obamas have also brought a new dimension to the US presidency. Politics, style and fashion blend seamlessly and this is what gives them star quality on the international stage.
The presence in Ireland of two VIP couples within days of each other is a huge PR opportunity to be fully exploited to the benefit of our beleaguered little country.
With no itinerary finalised for either visit, opportunity still exists to bring County Clare into the frame as regards places to visit. 
Overtures have been made to the US Ambassador to Ireland, Dan Rooney, to include Clare in his schedule.  Landmark natural beauty spots such as the Burren or Cliffs of Moher have been mentioned along with the possibility of golf in Doonbeg, which has substantial US investors.
Various local representatives have also made a pitch to lure President Obama to the Banner County.
Using Shannon Airport as a departure gate would evoke memories of JFK’s July 1963 farewell address when he quoted from a poem Sinéad Bean de Valera had recited and stated he would return to see “old Shannon’s face again”. It would underline the importance of Shannon as a transatlantic gateway for passengers and cargo traffic, as well as being critical to major American companies’ decisions to set up in the Mid-West.
The president might have to do a little bit of diplomatic side-stepping if Shannon’s use by the US military is raised.
Halfway into his four-year term as president, Barack Obama is already in re-election mode and will be hoping to press all the right buttons while here in order to consolidate support among Irish-Americans. In recognition of the long-standing special relationship that exists between Shannon and the US, the president might be persuaded about the merits of having the airport on his list of  “things to do” in Ireland.

 

Councillors’ conference call

THERE are several variations on the old gag about “how many men does it take to change a light bulb?” Well there’s a new one in County Clare. 
How many councillors does it take to attend a conference? Twenty, it would appear, is the correct answer if you are a member of Clare County Council.
If you’re perplexed, you’re not alone. The Local Government Auditor has called into question expenditure of over €48,000 by Clare councillors attending three separate local authority conferences in 2009. Auditor Thomas O’Callaghan has called on the council to review the overall costs incurred by members attending these conferences to ascertain whether value for money was obtained.
Clare County Council was represented by no fewer than 20 of the 32-member authority at two of the conferences referred to. Twenty councillors claimed €15,415 for attending the Association of Municipal Authorities of Ireland Spring Seminar in Donegal town while the same number collected almost €16,000 for attending a tourism conference in Antrim. 
Under standing orders, nine members are needed to constitute a quorum for council meetings so there was double that number and two to spare in Donegal and Antrim should there have been need to meet in emergency session.
What justification can there be for so many councillors going to the same event, whether as contributors, delegates or observers? None. It was a scandalous waste of money.  
Under existing regulations, however, there’s nothing to stop the entire council membership from heading to the same conference. Expenditure incurred by councillors for conferences is paid in accordance with agreed departmental rates, as approved by the minister. The annual limit per member for attendance at conferences has been reduced from €8,500 to €4,700 since February 2010. This means that each member can sign up for any conference of his or her fancy until the cap is reached.
Mayor of Clare, Christy Curtin, has said it is up to individual councillors to decide what conferences they want to attend to keep abreast of changes in legislation and local government.
While there’s an onus on members to provide an individual report on the main points of the conference, they’re not obliged to provide an overall comprehensive assessment for the corporate body.
Councillor Martin Conway, who admitted he couldn’t defend the attendance of 20 councillors at a conference, has called for the introduction of a flat salary covering the cost of conferences and other expenses.
Clare county councillors want a serious reality check on this issue. A small delegation should be more than adequate to represent the council’s interest at any conference and prepare a report on their return.

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