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A Fine Gael T.D has described a situation where chartered aircraft cannot use Shannon Airport’s US Pre-Clearance facilities as a ‘debacle’.

Fine Gael’s Deputy Spokesperson on Foreign Affairs Pat Breen claims that more than 70% of European corporate aircraft cannot use the new US Pre-Clearance facility because it currently excludes chartered aircraft.

The facility, which was announced in January, is designed so that all US bound private aircraft passengers clear US entry controls before boarding the aircraft at Shannon and upon arrival in the US, passengers are treated as if they had arrived from a US domestic airport.

Pre-Clearance for commercial flights to the US from Shannon had already been introduced on the 5th of August 2009.

Speaking Wednesday, Mr. Breen said the airport is losing much needed business because of the anomaly in which the Pre-Clearance facility is only available to owner-operated business jets.

“The service is only available to owner-operated aircraft but excludes chartered aircraft. This restriction also means jets are restricted in the number of US airports which they can fly into. This anomaly must be resolved as soon as possible.”

He says he hopes U.S and Irish officials can swiftly resolve the matter in upcoming meetings. “Taoiseach Brian Cowen and Foreign Affairs Minister Micheal Martin must raise this matter directly with President Barrack Obama on St Patrick’s Day in Washington”, he added.

As public sector unrest grows, Limerick City Council announced Thursday that due to industrial action, telephones will not be answered at their offices for the entire morning.

“The City Council regrets to advise that due to Industrial Action normal telephone service will not be available from 9am until 1pm on Thursday the 11th of March”, the council said in a public notice.

Council officials say in cases of emergency only, members of the public are advised to phone 417833, with normal service set to resume from 1pm.

Earlier this week public sector unions led by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions announced their decision to escalate public service industrial action by withdrawing labour.

A number of Limerick bus routes are to be affected following a bout of cost cutting by Bus Eireann.

The “cost recovery plan” affects a number of routes around the country and is designed to protect “as many services and jobs” as possible.

“Unfortunately, there are a small number of services throughout the country that have very low customer support and given the current economic environment and the limit to the operational funds available to the company these services are no longer sustainable,” Bus Eireann said Wednesday.

Below are the routes affected in Limerick.

::Route 343 Limerick-Shannon
Service operates 26 departures per day (Monday to Saturday) in each direction. Change will see 24 departures in each direction per day. This route is also served by the Galway – Shannon – Limerick express service.

::Route 308 Caherdavin-University of Limerick.
Operates every 15 minutes to City. The 16.10 service from UL to Caherdavin during college terms will be withdrawn. Alternative services available on 308 and on 302 service from City Centre to Caherdavin.

::The 06.55 Patrickswell to Shannon service will also be withdrawn.

The semi-state body says the changes due to come into force on March 28th.

Award winning musician Bob Dylan has been announced to play Limerick this summer.

The 68 year old American singer-songwriter and musician will play Thomond Park Stadium on the 4th of July, Aiken Promotions announced Wednesday.

Elton John and Rod Stewart have already performed at the famous Limerick rugby ground with Grammy award winning artist Pink set to play there this June.

Tickets are €81.25, €70.70 & €60.00 Euro Seated & €65.70 and go on sale this Monday March 15th at 9am.

NEW DETAILS
David Gray and Seasick Steve have been added to the lineup.

IndieLimerick Blog has more on Dylan’s previous Irish gigs.

Taxi drivers in Limerick are set to stage an all day protest Wednesday in solidarity with two men, including a Limerick taxi driver, who had been taking part in the sit-in protest at the office of the Taxi Regulator in Dublin sine Monday.

A large amount of Taxi’s assembled a Pery Square Tuesday for an impromptu meeting where it was decided they will stage a work stoppage from 9am Wednesday morning. They intend to block city Taxi ranks from being used by part time drivers.

“The protest will end when the 2 ITC members who are peacefully protesting at the regulators office in Dublin are allowed to use a toilet, get some food and come off a forced hunger strike,” The Irish Taxi Council said in a statement. It was reported late Tuesday that the sit-in had ended.

The Council are seeking a meeting with Transport Minister Noel Dempsey.

A spokesperson had said the drivers taking part in the sit-in had not eaten or taken fluids or been allowed to use the bathroom for a considerable number of  hours. A High Court injunction was granted ordering the protestors to stop occupying the regulator’s offices however both men still refused to leave.

Drivers have been claiming for years regulations are crippling their industry.

Gardai are investigating an incident in which a taxi driver was forced to drive at knifepoint from Leitrim to Limerick late Sunday night.

It’s understood a man got into a taxi in Carrick on Shannon, Co Leitrim around midnight Sunday, produced a knife and then reportedly demanded that the terrified driver take him to O’Malley Park in Limerick.

Upon arriving in Limerick, following the near four hour journey, the taxi driver was then robbed of his money near Mount Saint Lawrence Cemetery.

Investigators say the suspect, who then fled on foot, is described as being in his 40’s, around six feet tall with dark hair and wearing glasses.

Gardai at Roxboro are appealing for information.

The Lieutenant Governor of the U.S state of Massachusetts will be the guest speaker at the 2010 Limerick Mayor’s Ball, it was revealed Friday.

City Hall confirmed that Mr. Tim Murray will attend the event, traditionally a highlight of the Limerick social calendar, on the weekend of the May Bank holiday, Friday April 30th.

It was also announced that Mayor Kevin Kiely has nominated two local charities, Limerick Youth Service and Milford Care Centre to benefit from the Ball.

“As Mayor of Limerick, I’m delighted to be able to give a boost to two very worthwhile local charities who now, more than ever, need our support. Both Milford Care Centre and Limerick Youth Service do tremendous work within our community and I am appealing to people to support this year’s Ball which also promises to be a very entertaining night. I’m particularly pleased that Senator Tim Murray will be making a special trip to Limerick to be our guest speaker,” Mayor Kiely said Friday.

Pat Quinlan, Milford Care Centre Chief Executive said they were delighted that Milford had been nominated by the Mayor as one of the chosen charities to benefit from the event. “Milford Care Centre is very appreciative of the support given from the Community and we are delighted that Milford has been nominated,” Mr. Quinlan said.

Director of the Limerick Youth Service Catherine Kelly was equally grateful at hearing the news of their nomination.

“The aim of our Service is to advocate on behalf of all young people in Limerick, regardless of background, ethnicity, economic status or locality, whilst empowering and encouraging them to take a leading role in shaping their own futures and that of their communities. The fundraising through the Mayor’s Ball will enable us to continue to work with over 3000 young people throughout Limerick,” she said.

The City and County’s action plan for supporting the integration of Limerick’s estimated 16,000 migrants into society was launched at the Hunt Muesem Friday.

The Minister for Integration, John Curran officially launched the “Limerick City and County Integration Plan 2010-12” in which he said immigration has brought a new
dimension to the character of Limerick.

Mr. Curran called upon local level bodies to play an important role in terms of showing leadership in building linkages with local migrant and ethnic groups.

“This should be seen as an opportunity to add to the skills base and the culture of the area. Migrants have made an important and consistent contribution to this country’s economic, social and cultural life particularly in the field of medicine,” the Minister told the gathering at the Hunt Muesem Friday morning.

The plan aims to promote a “vibrant, inclusive and dynamic society in Limerick in which all residents are valued, regardless of their nationality, religion or ethnic
background”.

The plan can be viewed Here on the Limerick County Development Website. (PDF)

Eugene Quinn, Joint Chair of the Limerick Integration Working Group said Integration is a very important issue for the Mid West region.

“In the three-year period from 2010 to 2012, we hope the actions contained in the Plan will enhance the lives of all who live and work in Limerick, will challenge discrimination where it occurs and will ultimately celebrate the diversity that is now part of everyday life in the City and County.”

Limerick Mayor Kevin Kiely said it is essential that all Limerick citizens play “an active part in this country’s recovery, as outlined in the themes covered under this plan.”

“I am very impressed that this plan has identified specific actions for delivery over the lifetime of the plan and has identified the agencies responsible for the delivery of these actions. This should ensure that the plan is effective in impacting positively on the lives of migrants in the City and County, and is in line with the City Council’s own core value of Equality and Social Inclusion,” Kiely said.

The launch also featured a panel debate entitled “Integration and the Recession” which was chaired by RTE’s Cathy Halloran. Panel speakers included Justyna Cwojdzinski of the JC English Language Institute, Limerick Businessman Pat O’Sullivan, Hilario Bagalasca of the Filipino Association and Director of HSI Limerick Michael MacNamara.