CAHIR NOTES CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL FUN What a week! the Cheltenham Races had everyone sitting on the edge of their seats and the Cheltenham Festival Fundraiser was no different.  Well done to everyone who participated and who made it fun for us “ in the office,” who did our best to keep up with proceedings  Thank you to Joe Walsh for use of “the office”. Thank you to all the Party Candidates who stopped by to visit and to participate.  Thank you to Karen and all the girls in the “Lazy Bean” for putting up with our constant demands for coffee and of course, thank you for your patience, in waiting for us to sort out the points after every race. The deserving Winners sharing the 1ST prize of €1000 were: Patrick Donovan and Peter Stephenson 2nd Prize: Carmel Dolan winning €300. Sharing 3rd  Prize of €200 were :Dan Costigan, Darren Ward Jewellers and Kath Moloney. The presentations for the prizes take place in Duneske Leisure Centre on Wednesday 18th March at 8pm. Congratulations to all the winners. This Fundraiser would not have happened if it were not for the help of several people, Olivia, Helen, Maureen, Tim, Jennifer, Teri, the girls in the Business and Training Centre and my granddaughter Shannon Thank you. Cahir Active Retirement Association Our keep fit course continues at Duneske Leisure Centre Cahir each Thursday @ 11 pm As much as I love the seasons - it's the change between them that really thrills. Standing in the garden it's as if everything is washed with a new light. Tip for gardeners, tidy up any remaining leaves and general garden rubbish. It's home to slugs, snails, vine weevil and woodlice and can introduce disease and infection into your garden. Results of 25 Card Game held at the McAuley  Room on Friday 13th March. 1st with 12 Games Peg Reidy & Agnes Hyland. 2nd with 9 Games Rupert  Guirey  & Teddy  Dillon.Rena O'Connor & Breda Ryan. Lucky Table  Bridget Fanning & Mary E. Fitzgerald Kathleen Hallinan & Nora Lee. Raffle Maurice Condon & Sadie Caplice. Thank you to Ted Clarke for these notes. Cllr. Seanie Lonergan and Labour Party Candidate Alan Kelly calling to visit the Cheltenham Festival fundraiser in Cahir Cahir welcomes Dr. Kieran Hickey, of Dept. of Geography N.U.I., Galway. Kieran is a local Cahir man and you are invited to the launch of his new book 'FIVE MINUTES TO MIDNIGHT? IRELAND AND CLIMATE CHANGE' on Tuesday, March 24th in the Conference Room of the Mercy Convent, Cahir at 8pm.  Entrance is free.  There will be a cheese and Wine Reception. Kieran’s book will be for sale on the night Major Elderly Housing Project Kick-Started in Ballymacarbry – McGrath South Tipperary/West Waterford Fianna Fail TD, Mattie McGrath is today, Saturday 14th March, 2009 welcoming the sod-turning on a major elderly housing project in Ballymacarbry, Clonmel, Co Waterford. Deputy McGrath who is a Board Member of the Irish Council for Social Housing and who was representing the Board, was also representing Mr Michael Finneran TD, Minister of State for Housing who, unfortunately, was unable to attend said, “Today is a major milestone on the provision of housing for the elderly in the local and indeed the greater area of Ballymacarbry. Back in April 2008 the then Minister for Housing Mr Batt O’Keeffe TD approved over €2.5 million for this ambitious project.” The project will consist of 15 units of housing and was funded under the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Governments Capital Assistance Scheme for Voluntary Housing Projects. Thornsett Group who won the tender for the turnkey project, have appointed Newcastle Construction, Newcastle to be the main contractor for the building of these houses. Deputy McGrath concluded by saying, “I have been working with the Committee both locally and nationally on this issue for over four years. I would like to commend the Ballymacarbry Elders Housing Association Committee, its hardworking Chairman Michael Joe Ryan, hardworking and dedicated committee members, Waterford County Council, the Department of the Environment and indeed the people of the locality who have progressed this project to where it is today. I would like to wish the committee, developers and anyone involved every success as the development progresses into the future”.. Fine Gael Ard Fheis 2009 The Fine Gael 2009 Ard Fheis will take place in Citywest Hotel, Co. Dublin on Friday 3rd and Saturday 4th April 2009. Should you require accommodation at Citywest Hotel, please call (01) 401> 0500. There is a special rate of €100 per room per night, bed & breakfast, if you mention Fine Gael. It is advisable to book early to secure your > reservation. A full programme for the conference will be made available closer to the  date. Cahir Fair Trade Many thanks to all those who attended our Fair Trade Public meeting last Monday, March 9th. We enjoyed a lovely evening at Cahir House where Eoghan Quinlan and three other Transition Year students spoke to us about the benefits of Fair Trade for the producer and consumer. Catherine Corcoran from the Rural Development Dept. of Tipperary Institute was most encouraging in the commitment of the Cahir Fair Trade committee as they work to make Cahir into a Fair Trade town.  Thanks to David for his generosity in making the lovely venue at Cahir House Hotel available to us.  Our committee meetings continue the second Monday of every month at 8pm in the Conference Room of the Mercy Convent. New members are most welcome. REALITY HAS FINALLY DAWNED AT RTÉ – MCGRATH. The news that Gerry Ryan has finally joined the rest of the top earners in RTÉ in taking a pay cut has been welcomed by Mattie McGrath TD, who says reality has dawned at last in RTÉ.  The Tipperary South TD had been the leading campaigner in favour of wage cuts for RTÉ’s top earners and had highlighted the fact that close to six thousand licence fees were required every year to pay Pat Kenny’s salary. “I’m delighted to see that Gerry Ryan has seen sense and has agreed to a pay cut,” said Deputy McGrath.  “Reality has dawned throughout RTÉ at long last.  It was scandalous the type of wages some of their top earners were getting, particularly in light of the current economic climate.” “When you hear RTÉ needs to make €40 - €50 million in savings and is still paying obscene amounts of money to these people it makes you wonder how else the station is wasting money.  Personally I’d like to see a lot more accountability in RTÉ.  After all anybody that receives a substantial amount of its funding from the public, like they do in the form of the licence fee, should be open and transparent in their dealings.” “We have no real clarity from RTÉ on the wages they pay out every year.  We only get told about the wages offered to their top 10 earners and that information is only released two years after the fact.  That’s not right and I’m going to continue to push the Minister for Communications to introduce new legislation that makes this information available to the public.  Perhaps if there is greater accountability then RTÉ might be a bit more careful with the wages it provides to these so called stars in the first place,” Deputy McGrath concluded. BINGO Bingo resumes next Tuesday in the community hall at 8.30. The lucky number is worth €430 plus €70 for a full house. The Easter raffles and sit besides will be starting soon too. Lots of good reasons to come and play bingo and of course plenty chances to win money every Tuesday. Doors open about 8.10.pm.  CAHIR LADIES SOCCER   Cahir Ladies Soccer is up and running again for the new season , which is starting shortly. Training is on Friday night at 6.30pm at Cahir Park. Anyone with an interest in playing should come down, as new players are always welcome.   SCARBOROUGH   Anybody for Scarborough??   Anyone interested in travelling to Scarborough at the end of April or in May can contact Dave on 086 2229550 or Mary on 086 6683816. FAI SUMMER SOCCER SCHOOLS   The FAI Summer Soccer Schools is back in action for 2009. From  The website is now live for bookings. Visit www.fai.ie or www.summersoccerschools.ie to book online or call 1890 653 653 to book over the phone. This year the camp is taking place in August, on Monday 24th to Friday 28th. Early booking will be essential this year as last year the camp filled very quickly. Last year we had 17 girls attend the camp and this year we hope to improve upon this number. Although Cahir  Park  AFC are kindly providing the venue, the camp is open to all children between 7 - 15 who wish to attend. Last year we even had guests from the Carribean.! This is a fun week of soccer with coaches that are both qualified and Garda vetted and takes place between 10.30am and 3.00pm each day. The kit is fantastic again this year and once again manufactured by UMBRO. A reminder once again that places are limited so if you are genuinely interested, do book early to avoid disappointment. If you have any queries, I can be contacted on 085 7033509.  Thank you to Chris Richards for this report..   CAHIR YOUTH CLUB Cahir Youth Club would like to thank Siobhan, Maurice and Jason who took part in a Youth Leadership Course in Clonmel recently. They also spent a weekend in Woodstown  ,as part of the course. They had a great time and we hope that maybe other Leaders will go the next time this course comes up. We would also like to thank Trevor Pyke , who provided us with some great music, a few weeks ago. He had a great reaction from the club members and we hope to do it again. 4 Leaders have just completed a Child Protection Course in Clonmel. Also some of our adult leaders are presently attending a six week Youth Leadership Training Programme which will expand the experience of the leaders in the Club. Work continues on the building behind the old VEC school.  It will be great when this is finally completed, as then the Club can expand and offer more facilities and services for the young people of the town, which is so badly needed at this time. The amount of time it will take to open ,of course, depends on the volunteers available. Please feel free to call in on any Club night on Wednesdays 8.30pm -10pm. in the Community Hall for further enquiries. For your information an attendance record is taken each week. Each member signs in and out again at 10pm. This record can be inspected for attendance details at any time. If a member needs to go home early, the parent/guardian will be notified. As always, we thank you for your continued support. CAHIR FLOWER & GARDEN CLUB The Club's monthly meeting will be held in Cahir House Hotel onWednesday 25th March at 8pm. A lecture will be given by Kevin Callins of Bird Watch Ireland. All are welcome. "MAUREEN'S MODELS" Maureen Calvert tells me that it is with regret that she has to announce the cessation, for personal reasons, of Model Training. It has been a pleasure to work with the lovely girls and women who attended, and she will miss you all. Of course, she will also be unable to help out with Charity Shows but is happy to pass on the names of those she has trained to community groups who are organising fundraisers. INTERIOR CONCEPTS Karen Murphy tells me she is having a half price sale, so it’s definitely worth a visit. BIRTHDAY Happy 40th Birthday to Ann Sweeney on Friday 20th March with love from all your family and friends. MOBILE BEAUTY There is a newly started  mobile beauty service now available in Cahir , specialising in Deluxe Manicures /Pedicures with gel, French& Natural Tips finished with fab Art Work, Also revitalising Facials. Call 052 45420 for enquiries. What a great idea. BOOK CLUB The next meeting of Cahir Book Club is on Wednesday 25th March at 8pm. Venue: The Snug in Cahir House Hotel .All are welcome. SYMPATHIES Sincerest Sympathies to the Revd. Arthur Carter on the death of his sister Margaret who passed away on 1st March, 2009, aged 84 years. Revd Carter travelled with his wife Hilary to St. Pauls Church in Langlebury, Herts to attend the Service of Dedication and Celebration for the life of Margaret Johnson –nee Carter. The Vicar, Revd Ysmena Pentelow led the service and Revd Arthur took the prayers. Margaret’s brother Tom was present and her sister Rebecca was in their thoughts as she was unable to travel. Margaret is survived by her husband Dick, son Peter, daughter Susan and their families including children and grandchildren May She rest in peace. McGrath urges parents/groups to make submissions on the Value for Money Review of the School Transport Scheme including catchment boundaries South Tipperary Fianna Fáil TD, Mattie McGrath has today called on members of the public, parents and relevant interested groups to make submissions on the Value for Money Review of the School Transport Scheme including catchment boundaries. In line with the commitment in the Programme for Government to review the School Transport Scheme, including catchment boundaries, the Department of Education and Science has established a Steering Committee to oversee this review. The review will be carried out as part of the 2009-2011 round of Value for Money Reviews approved by Government and, when completed, will be published and submitted to the Oireachtas Select Committee on Education and Science.   The review will look at the original objectives of the scheme, whether these objectives remain valid today, the extent to which the objectives are being achieved, and whether there are possibilities for economies or efficiencies that would improve the value for money of the scheme. “In this context the review will also look at fundamental issues such as eligibility criteria and catchment boundaries,” said Deputy McGrath. “In light of the above, I would urge parents, interested parties and indeed members of the public to submit their views on school transport provision,” continued Deputy McGrath. Responses to be received no later than Friday 27th March 2009, can be returned by e-mail to STVFM@education.ie or Ms. Niamh McElduff Secretary to the Value for Money Steering Committee School Transport Section Castle Buildings Tara Street Tullamore Co. Offaly Information can also be obtained on the Department of Education and Science website. “Catchment boundaries and the eligibility criteria for same has been a major issue for parents and pupils in South Tipperary/West Waterford for sometime. The views of all those individuals and groups which made submissions previously to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Science in relation to catchment boundaries will also be taken into account as part of the review,” concluded Deputy McGrath.   McGrath gets confirmation that efforts are on-going to appoint a permanent GP to Fourmilewater Health Centre Efforts are on-going to appoint a permanent General Practitioner for Fourmilewater Health Centre according to South Tipperary/West Waterford TD, Mattie McGrath. The Local Health Manager, Health Service Executive South, Mr Seamus Moore has confirmed to Deputy McGrath that he has been in contact with the Primary Care Unit, HSE who have assured him that they fully intend to recruit a permanent GP to Ballymacarbry and are confident that they will find a suitable G.P. to replace Dr. O'Donovan.  They also confirmed that the post will be re- advertised shortly and expressions of interest have already been received from a number of candidates. In the meantime cover for the panel is continuing to be provided by Dr. Sid Mann. Deputy McGrath concluded by saying, “This is indeed very welcome news for the people of Ballymacarbry/Fourmilewater/Newcastle and surrounding areas. I have asked that the process is completed as soon as possible. Fourmilewater Health Centre is vital for this rural area and provides people both young and old a valuable service and a wide range of primary care and community services.” DISBAND ARTS, SPORTS AND TOURISM DEPARTMENT, MCGRATH PROPOSES IN PLAN TO MINISTER FOR FINANCE Tipperary South TD Mattie McGrath has proposed wide ranging changes to the operation of Government and the Oireachtas which he believes will save the Exchequer millions of euro on an annual basis.  Among the changes proposed by Deputy McGrath include cutting payments to Vice Chair and Convenors of Oireachtas Committees, removing at least 7/8 Minister for State positions, the disbandment of the Department of Arts, Sports and Tourism and the streamlining of certain other Government Departments. Deputy McGrath has forwarded these proposals to the Minister for Finance, Brian Lenihan and has  an examination of any foreign travel costs and banning Ministers from travelling by helicopter except in the case of the Taoiseach, Tanaiste and Minister for Finance. Speaking about his proposals, Deputy McGrath said, “I think as a country we need to be making a lot of savings still and that will be seen in the upcoming supplementary Budget.  However I also believe that as a national parliament we need to begin by making savings on our own doorstep and there are areas where substantial savings could be made in the operation of Government and the Oireachtas.”  That is why I have put forward several proposals to the Minister for Finance Brian Lenihan TD.  These include removal of at least seven or eight junior ministries and the scrapping of payments to the vice chair and convenor positions on Oireachtas Committees.  I also think that now that the Sports Capital Grants Scheme has finished I think that the Department of Arts, Sports and Tourism should be disbanded and its functions transferred to other Departments.  I recognise the importance of sports in Irish society but I see no reason why this function could not be included in the work of another Department.” Similarly there is certainly scope for streamlining and amalgamating certain Government Departments to make them more relevant to the needs of current times.  The costs of the Commission of the Houses of the Oireachtas should also be seriously looked at.  I’m sure it would be possible to make substantial savings to the Oireachtas budget.” “I’d also like to see more savings made in the travel budgets of Government Ministers.  I see no need for Ministers aside from the Taoiseach, Tanaiste and Minister for Finance, to travel by helicopter for instance.  In fact I’d like to see a serious re-examination of the need for all foreign travel.” “Overall I think if the Minister were to implement these changes it would result in substantial savings for the Exchequer and would ensure that the public will see we are very serious about making as many savings as possible,” Deputy McGrath concluded. NEWS AND VIEWS Thank you to everyone who called, texted or emailed me with best wishes during the last week, I am truly humbled. I already made several mistakes last week, oops, sorry, hopefully I won’t make too many mistakes in future. Call me on 086 1022014 or email me on caplicetaylor@hotmail.com, by Sunday as that’s when I do the notes. Thank you.