Animal Cruelty Cases Condemned By Minister Killeen

Junior Agriculture Minister and Clare T.D. Tony Killeen has condemned the increasing number of cases of cruelty and neglect of horses, both locally and nationally.

Minister of State Killeen said that the actions of a small minority of Irish horse owners were undermining the continuing high standards being maintained by others.

“Recent media coverage of animal cruelty cases throughout Ireland, including County Clare, has once again highlighted the regrettable and unacceptable fact that some horse owners have utter disregard for the welfare of their animals”, he added.

Minister of State Killeen continued: “Owners have the primary responsibility for the welfare of their animals and local authorities, to which the Department of Agriculture provides annual funding of 2 million euro, have extensive powers available to them under the Control of Horses Acts. It is important that all those involved with horses fully understood their responsibilities.”

Meanwhile, the North Clare Deputy has paid tribute to the work being carried out by voluntary organisations involved in the delivery of animal care and welfare throughout County Clare, often in quite difficult and distressing conditions.

“Last year, the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food contributed 1.185 million euro to animal welfare organisations across Ireland. The Department looks forward to the continuing co-operation of all groups involved in horse welfare. The Department also will continue to work closely with these groups to identify and intervene in potential welfare cases, particularly through the Farm Animal Welfare Advisory Group”, he concluded.

Preclearance For US Bound Private Aircraft At Shannon Airport

The opening up of Shannon Airport for preclearance for U.S.-bound private aircraft represents a new chapter in the development of transatlantic business at the County Clare facility, according to Minister of State Tony Killeen.

Minister of State Tony Killeen said that Shannon can now look forward to a notable increase in private aircraft utilising the US pre-clearance facilities as Shannon is the only airport in Europe to offer such a service.

The local T.D. added: “Similar to the interest shown by commercial aviation since preclearance for commercial flights to the U.S. from Shannon was introduced on 5 August 2009, Shannon can expect a significant increase in private aircraft routing through Shannon. I am aware that a number of private aircraft already use the airport for refuelling and I am confident that a much greater number of such aircraft will take advantage of the new preclearance facility”.

“I would like to pay tribute to the US Ambassador to Ireland Daniel M. Rooney; U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security, Ms Janet Napolitano; Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey and the Shannon Airport Authority for their efforts in ensuring that the preclearance facilities were made available to US-bound private aircraft. This development is key to the continued success of the facilities in question, which are the envy of other airports throughout Europe”, Minister of State Killeen stated.

Minister of State Killeen continued: “The US Customs and Border Protection Inspection post has had a positive impact on the development of transatlantic business at Shannon since it was established in August 2009. Evidence of this success is visible from Continental Airlines recent announcement that it is to add four flights a week to Newark Liberty International Airport. These new facilities clearly have the potential to replace business lost due to the global economic downturn and the advent of open skies with its implications for transatlantic business at Shannon Airport.”

Broadband Boost For Kildysart

Minister of State Tony Killeen T.D. has welcomed the announcement by Eircom that it has enabled the broadband exchange in Kildysart.

The local Fianna Fail Deputy says the development brings to 12 the number of exchanges enabled by Eircom since January 2009. The other areas include O’Briensbridge, Rockmount, Bridgetown, Cooraclare, Doonbeg, Whitegate, Kilfenora, Clarecastle, Ballyalla, Feakle and Bunratty.

According to Minister of State Killeen: “The enabling of the Kildysart Exchange forms as part of Eircom’s public commitment to broadband enable hundreds of exchanges across Ireland. The company is planning to bring DSL broadband services to Kilmihil, Kilkee, Tulla, Kilkishen, Quin and Kilmaley in the coming months.”

The Clare T.D. said the broadband penetration rate in County Clare greatly improved in 2009 as a result of the rollout of the National Broadband Scheme, which will bring broadband to those areas currently without such services. He continued: “There are many parts of Clare that are not served by a viable and cost effective broadband service. The entrance into the telecommunications market of new wireless broadband providers coupled with the continued rollout of mobile broadband and DSL services will help to increase the overall number of domestic and business subscribers. “

“With universal broadband in Ireland we will be able to concentrate on increasing speeds and reducing costs. This will help stimulate Clare communities currently not served by a broadband service”, concluded Minister of State Killeen.