END OF AN ERA

The cloud of smoke and steam that used to waft from the chimney of the seaweed factory in Cill Chiaráin will be seen no more. New machinery is being fitted into the Arramara factory and this will mean that there will be very little emisions of steam from the seaweed plant. There is no processing of seaweed in Cill Chiaráin at the moment as the renovation work continues.

The cloud of steam and smoke arose when seaweed was being dried and processed in Arramara the bigger the cloud, the more activity there was in the factory. But while this meant work and earnings, it is understood that there have been complaints from environmentalists about the emissions over the years.

The Arramara industry has been in operation since 1947.

Meanwhile, Councillor Seosamh Ó Cuaig has confirmed that Údarás na Gaeltachta has now gained total control of the Arramara seaweed industry. The State owned the majority of the shares but a deal had to be struck with Scottish company, I.S.P. which had a minority shareholding in Arramara.

Údarás na Gaeltachta will totally own and manage Arramara leo. from now on. Councillon Ó Cuaig said that this gave an opportunity to try new strategies and find new markets in order to strengthen the seaweed industry in the future.

An Curadh Chonnachtach 11-3-2005

Major Údarás issue is new road!

AS almost 20 candidates go on the roads seeking support in the Údarás na Gaeltachta election campaign, the issue of a major new road from west Connemara to Galway city became the hottest topic around this week.

The matter has also embroiled a senior Galway County Council Engineer in controversy as a result of a letter he sent to Dáil Deputy Pádraig McCormack (Fine GaeI). his letter to Deputy Pádraig Mc Cormack, Senior Engineer, Martin Lavelle said that the proposed new road from the Screebe/Maam Cross area "would traverse the Conamara Special Area of Conservation (SAC) as identified in the Habitats Directive".

Mr Lavelle also stated that "the level of objection from conservation groups will be such that the road (into west Connemara) will not be permitted".

However, Councillor Seosamh Ó Cuaig, a member of the present Údarás Board said that this letter from Mr Lavelle did not represent Gaiway County Council policy on the matter. Councillor Ó Cuaig, who is the Chairman of the County Council's Roads Committee, said that the Roads committee, or Connemara County Councillors, had not settled or agreed on any particular matter regarding the proposed new road.

Councillor Ó Cuaig who declared his candidacy for the April 2nd election this week said that the road could be routed in such a way as to provide the best benefits throughout Connemara. "It can link into Rosaveai and, at the same time, go all the way into west Connemara which is a CLAR area badly in need of good infrastructure", be said.

In further comments, Mr Lavelle said that the options would be to "run a road from Bearna to Rosaveal just south of the Connemara Area of Conservation and north of the present R 366." He stated that another option would be to go south of the present south Connemara road and run along very close to the sea. If one of these two "corridoors" is selected, it will mean an end to planning permission in that area, Mr Lavelle said.

Martin Lavelle said that this roadway would be needed to replace the present south Connemara road because it has to many "junctions and access points"

However, in surprising comments, Minister of State, Frank Fahey said that to Connemara. He said the present south Connemara road could be upgraded to a National Secondary route, despite the number of access points and the number of houses close to the road.

Minister Fahey said it was not even worth bothering with a feasibility study about the new road to Connemara. Minister Fahey's comments in the middle of this election campaign do not tally with that of his party colleagues on this issue - including MEP, Seán Ó Neachtain who has proposed a direct link to west Connemara

Meanwhile, Seán Ó Neachtain - still an Údarás member - announced that first class broadband would be available in a number of Connemara areas soon.

Sean Ó Coisdealbha from Spiddal, who came into the race this week said that Údarás na Gaeltachta would need substantial planning powers rather than a consultative planning role. Mr Ó Coisdealbha ran for Sinn Fein in the 2002 general election and polled 1200 votes in Galway West. However, he stated in June 2003 that he was resigning from Sinn Fain - but the party stated that Sinn F6in had decided to expel Mr 0 Coisdealbha. He has maintained an active public profile and will be a force in the campaign.

In Letterinullen, Fine Gael MEP Jim Higgins was urging the party to go for two seats when launching Seosamh Ó Laoi's campaign. Ó Laoi talked about the need to provide jobs in all communities - that is the bedrock on which parishes and areas are sustained, he said

Community candidate, Trevor Ó Clochartaigh, who ran for Labour in 2004, has been talking about work opportunities that are "language friendly." However, Údarás na Gaeltacht have been saying they cannot get a cent of outside investment friendly or unfriendly - into west Connemara over the past seven or eight years.

Seosamh Ó Cuaig (Independent) challenged Minister Éamon Ó Cuív at the final meeting of the present Údarás Board about cutbacks in funds.

It is claimed that funds are down by this year compared to 3 years ago. The Minister said that the money lost to the Údarás was well utilised in other areas.

Independent John Bhaba Jeaic Ó Conghaile is staying close to the shoreline and reportedly making good contacts with fishermen ã one of his main platforms.

Mossie Joyce from the Aran Islands is buoyed-up following his poll topping performance in the community election in Inis M6r and hopes to do well.

Fianna Fáil candidates ã Pádraig Ó Biadha, Connie Ní Fhátharta, Séamus Walsh, Val Hanley, Sinéad Ní Neachtain and Sean Ó Tuairisg - have a dream of 5 seats and are hoping for 4 but it's a long road in Connemara!

In Fine Gael, Aine Ni Chiarágáin (sic) Ni Chonamha and Éamon Moylotte have heard

Jim Higgins call for actinon in Lettermullen.

Jimmy Larkin of the Progressinve Democrats is on the roads and so is Seán Creaven, who will hope to mop up around Menlo and beyond

Shay Mac Sitiradáinn says is strongly objectinng to having to have 15 people with

Independents when they declare their candidacy in Galway.

Colm Ó Ceannabháinn from Sinn Féin in trying to woo a younger vote while it is also expected that Diarmuid Ó Maolchatha, who lives inn Moycullen, will be a contender for the Greens - who are backing wind farming - when nominations close

By Mairtín Ó Cathain, Curadh Chonnachtach 11-3-2005

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