Family Carers asked to put their life story on the line

Family Carers throughout Ireland are being invited to put pen to paper and compose a poem as part of Caring for Carers Ireland’s annual nationwide poetry competition.

Passing out parade for 15 new Firefighters

15 newly commissioned Firefighters were recognised at a passing out parade attended by public representatives, local authority officials and members of the fire-fighters’ families in Foynes, County Limerick this afternoon.

Irish Water regional office to be located in Limerick

The announcement today by the Department of Environment, Community & Local Government of its decision to locate one of its eight regional Irish Water offices in Limerick has been welcomed by the Mayor and Cathaoirleach of Limerick.

‘All-Ireland Music Competition’ Final Acts Announced

16 acts from all over Ireland will participate in the final stages of the All-Ireland Music Competition on January 4-5th next, organisers of the inaugural contest announced today.

Carers Welcome Publication Of Strategy

Caring for Carers Ireland’s, which represents 109 carers groups across Ireland, has welcomed the publication today (Thursday, 19 July 2012) of the country’s first National Carers Strategy by Minister For Disability, Equality, Mental Health and Older People, Kathleen Lynch, T.D.

US Green Card Application Period Ends November 3

Minister for Defence and Clare T.D., Mr. Tony Killeen has reminded prospective Irish emigrants that the period for US Green Card application period ends on Wednesday 3 November at 5pm.

The diversity visa lottery program gives winning entrants an opportunity to apply for a permanent visa to live and work in the US. The program makes 50,000 visas available annually to applicants who meet eligibility requirements. In the 2008 and 2009 there were 167 and 201 successful Irish applications respectively.

Minister Killeen said he supported the advice issued by immigrant support groups in the United States for anyone thinking of coming to the US to avail of legal avenues that will allow them to live and work legally there.

He continued: “As my colleague Minister for Foreign Affairs Michael Martin said on his recent visit to the USA, prospective Irish emigrants should not come to America without their papers in order. We must at all costs avoid a new generation of illegals in the United States.”

Meanwhile, Minister Killeen urged people to be extra vigilant about companies and websites that charge a fee for processing the application and especially those that guarantee results.

He added: “Not only are immigrants unnecessarily giving their money and their personal information to private companies, but often no application is actually filed for them and they loose their opportunity to submit an entry”.

“All applications go through the one official route which is a US Department of State website at www.dvlottery.state.gov . Applications can only be made online via this site and there is no charge to submit an application”, explained the Minister.

For more visit www.dvlottery.state.gov.

Irish Homeowners Could Save Thousands Of Euro With Passive Housing

People planning to build a new home could save themselves thousands of euro each year by developing a passive house.

That is according to the Passive House Association of Ireland (PHAI), a low energy design initiative comprising passive house designers and contractors. The Association, which was officially launched in Dublin this week, will operate in tandem with the ‘International Passive House Association’.

Passive house is the term used for a house which has no heating system installed, but whose occupants, rely on maximum heat gains from sunlight, high insulation and draught-proofing levels, for a comfortable and healthy lifestyle.

“Passive houses are leading the way toward a carbon-neutral future by producing more energy than they use and radically reducing fuel bills and C02 emissions”, explained PHAI Chairman Martin Murray.

He continued: “The Government's Building Regulations have lead to some improvements in energy efficiency in Ireland, but remain a minimum guide. Those in the construction industry and prospective homeowners, however, need to take the lead and invest in proper design. By doing so their homes will be energy efficient, therefore, helping to reduce their energy bills along with reducing overall CO2 emissions. The infrastructure required to implement such designs is available and affordable in Ireland, despite claims to the contrary from elements within the Irish Construction Industry.”

Mr. Murray added: “The idea of passive house construction is not new, as there are now over 30,000 examples built world-wide. These include many other types of building besides houses, such as, office-blocks, apartment-blocks, schools, and just recently a Tesco supermarket in Tramore, County Waterford. In each case, the building occupant has made considerable savings by not having to invest heavily in heating oil, gas or other fuel.”

He continued: “Extensive monitoring of these buildings is on-going and the results show that not only are the occupants saving money, but are, in general, hugely satisfied with the product which they have invested in.”

“The role of the association will be to develop the Passive House concept of construction within Ireland and attune it to the technologies and market practices prevalent within the country. The experience in other countries is that, such low energy initiatives only flourish, where National Associations take on a leadership role of research, promotion and education”, he concluded.

Individual and Corporate Membership of the Association is available and it is hoped that the Association will be of benefit to the construction industry as a whole.

The PHAI was launched during the annual SEAI/RIAI sponsored 'See the Light Conference' in Croke Park yesterday, 9th September 2010.

Whispurr introduces Macro-messaging

Whispurr is Ireland's new social networking website.

Launched Friday 12th March at 2.30pm in the Exchequer bar in Dublin. Whispurr (currently over 1,400 users) aims to connect the online world with the world offline via macro-messaging. Macro-messaging is a 300 character message which can be sent online by a real time 'whisp' or via Whispurr's free SMS message service to a mobile phone.

Whispurr premièred it's viral video campaign for the first time at their launch. These videos were created with Jumper Productions and star Sophie Merry, youtube's 'Groovy Dancing Girl', which has received over 7 million views. Videos can be viewed at www.youtube.com/Whispurr2010

Whispurr is hosted on Google's App Engine and the developers work around the clock to churn out new time saving measures to make communication as easy as possible. As a Whispurr member, it is possible not only to send an SMS text message from Whispurr.com for free to a mobile phone but also from your registered email address- this means you do not have to log in to Whispurr.com to enjoy the fruits of its creative team.

When questioned over the rival medium of micro-messaging, Director at Whispurr, Conor Devine professed that with 300 characters you can add more value to your message because you have more words and this in turn can add value to communication as words do not need to be abbreviated to fit in a message.

Devine also said that Privacy is paramount to Whispurr and this will be seen in the up-coming 'networks' feature, which will enhance the security of shared information. The networks feature will encourage users to create different networks for the networks they interact with in the real world and as such each network can be private or public which will protect both content and privacy of members.

As different networks are targeted and correspond with offline networks, the content will be more valuable to members.

Killeen Highlights Risk Of Forest Fires

Tony Killeen TD, Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food with responsibility for Forestry, today warned forest owners about the risk of forest fires.

Advising that the highest risk period occurs between February and June, when ground vegetation is dead and dry following winter, Minister of State Killeen added: “I would like to remind landowners of the greater danger of fire this year due to vegetation conditions following the hard winter. For this reason, landowners need to be particularly vigilant.”

The areas at highest risk from wildfire tend to be located adjacent to or within moorland areas. Dry periods and seasonal high winds in spring help create ideal conditions for wildfire to spread quickly through highly flammable moorland vegetation. Woodland located in the path of such fires can very easily be destroyed and young forest crops are particularly at risk of fire, given the small size of trees and their proximity to flammable ground vegetation.

In general, woodland located within improved pasture and grassland is at very low risk of fire occurrence, due to the type of vegetation involved, but for other types of land there are some simple, cost effective steps that forest owners can take to reduce the risk of fire damage to plantations. These steps include:

1) DO NOT LIGHT FIRES IN OR NEAR WOODLAND. Take care with other potential sources of ignition.

2) CHECK FIRE BREAKS. Inspect Fire Breaks surrounding plantations prior to the fire season and maintain them in an effective, vegetation free condition. Ideally Fire Breaks should be at least 6 metres wide.

3) INSURE YOUR CROP. All forest crops should be insured against losses by fire, which is one of the risks for which cover is available commercially. Forest owners are reminded that, with effect from 1st June 2009, the Reconstitution Scheme, administered by the Department, does not cover any fire or wind damage occurring after that date.

4) PLAN AHEAD. Fire Plans should be developed for all plantations, including a map showing access and assembly points for fire fighting personnel and equipment and potential sources of water. The plan should also include contact details for the emergency services, relevant forest management organisations, neighbouring landowners and forest owners in order to summon help should the need arise. Have fire-fighting tools such as beaters and knapsack sprayers to hand and ready to use.

5) DISCUSS WITH NEIGHBOURS. Cooperation between neighbouring landowners is vital to successful fire prevention. Explain your concerns regarding fire risk to neighbouring landowners. Owners of adjoining and neighbouring plantations should develop joint fire plans and share responsibility for guarding against fire.

6) BE VIGILANT. Forest Owners should be particularly vigilant following prolonged dry spells. A period of 24 hours is sufficient to dry out dead moorland vegetation following rain, where windy conditions exist. Where dry conditions persist, experience suggests that forest owners should be particularly vigilant at weekends, and at evening times, when land burning is most likely to take place. If fire is detected, do not delay, summon help immediately and activate fire plan. Do not rely on others to call the Fire Service, and remember that a rapid response by the emergency services is essential if damage to property is to be minimised.

7) REPORT LOSSES. If a plantation is destroyed or damaged by fire, the incident should be reported to the nearest Garda Station and to the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. Your local forestry inspector, forest manager, consultant or Teagasc advisor can advise on reinstatement measures.

Minister of State Killeen also reminded all landowners that it is an offence under the Wildlife Act to burn growing vegetation between 1 March and 31 August in any year, on any land not then cultivated, and said that if this simple rule was adhered to many costly and dangerous forest-fires would be avoided. He underlined that, in addition, Single Payment Scheme applicants who burn vegetation within this period could have their payments reduced.

Killeen Launches Forestry Review Process

Mr. Tony Killeen TD, Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food with responsibility for forestry, today launched the Forestry Review process.

Referring to the commitment in the renewed Programme for Government to review state forestry policy, including the role of Coillte and its functions and operations, and the effectiveness of current forestry grant schemes Minister of State Killeen said: “I am pleased to invite submissions for this wide ranging review and I encourage people to avail of this opportunity. It is particularly appropriate that the consultation phase commences during National Tree Week.”

The theme of this year’s National Tree Week, which takes place from 7th to 13th March 2010, is ‘Twenty Ten – Plant Again’ to encourage people to make a renewed effort to go out and plant more trees during the week. This year, 15,000 trees sponsored by Coillte, will be distributed to community groups by local authorities all over the country. Events planned to mark National Tree Week include forest walks, tree planting ceremonies, workshops, talks and competitions.

Commenting on the theme of this year’s National Tree Week, Minister of State Killeen stated: “A lot of people now recognise and appreciate the many non-timber benefits of forests but it is also important to acknowledge that the forestry sector, encompassing growing, harvesting and processing of forest products, employs significant numbers, especially in rural Ireland. Afforestation - the planting of new forests - is required for the continuity of this sector and the many other benefits derived from forests so I would also encourage people to make a renewed effort to plant forests.”

In relation to the Forestry Policy review, three groups have been formed to look at specific aspects contained in the commitment in the renewed Programme for Government. The terms of reference of the three groups, background papers on Irish Forestry and on Coillte are available on the Department’s website at www.agriculture.gov.ie/forestservice/forestryreview.

Submissions may be sent by email to forestryreview@agriculture.gov.ie or by post, marked Submission on Forestry Review, to Forest Service, Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Food, Johnstown Castle Estate, Wexford. It should be noted that submissions received will be made publicly available on this website.

Additional Support For New Entrants To Dairying

Junior Agriculture Minister and Clare T.D., Tony Killeen has confirmed plans by the Department of Agriculture to allocate the second of five annual increases of one per cent in milk quotas agreed under the so-called "health check" of the CAP reform.

One quarter of the increase or approximately 14 million litres will again be set aside to support new entrants to milk production. The balance will be allocated as a 0.75 per cent increase in quota on a permanent, saleable basis for every producer active on 1 April 2010.

According to Minister of State Killeen: “The Department’s consideration of how best to allocate this year's quota increase has been informed by a careful assessment of the impact of last year's allocation. The Department is keen to enhance the position of all milk producers, but has also paid close attention to the views of the farming organisations and ICOS on the implementation of last year's New Entrants Scheme. I am delighted to note that the Scheme has been received very positively, and that there is a desire to build on that success with a repeat of the process.”.

He continued: “The one issue that did emerge was the need to make provision for those who bought quota as new entrants in recent Trading Schemes. The Department has therefore decided to again use one quarter of the increase to support new entrants, and to earmark some of this amount for special allocations to suitably qualified Trading Scheme applicants".

The details of the scheme will be finalised and published shortly, but Minister of State Killeen indicated that he envisages similar arrangements to last year.

Potential new entrants will apply to the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to participate in the scheme, and will be joined by those who purchased quota through the Milk Quota Trading Scheme as new entrants in respect of any of the last four milk quota years, including 2010/2011. On this occasion a maximum of 50 successful 'brand new' entrants will each receive allocations of 200,000 litres of quota. The balance of approximately 4 million litres will be divided equally between suitably qualified Trading Scheme applicants.

All applicants will be carefully chosen based on their own circumstances and their potential viability as dairy farmers. A comprehensive business plan will have to be submitted, and all applications will be subjected to a rigorous assessment by the same independent assessment group that adjudicated on last year's New Entrants Scheme.

Single Payment Scheme Online Application Facility Opens For Business

The Department of Agriculture’s online application facility for the 2010 Single Payment Scheme – SPS iNet – was opened for business this week, which is six weeks earlier than the opening date under the 2009 Scheme.

Junior Agriculture Minister and Clare T.D., Tony Killeen said the facility provides for applications to be lodged by individual farmers or their nominated approved Agents.

He continued: “I am pleased to see that the momentum is being maintained as regards iNET, particularly given the attractiveness of the system to Single Payment applicants. In the course of only three years, the level of on-line applications has risen dramatically, from 7,500 in 2007 to 35,000 in 2009. This is further clear evidence of the ongoing very strong commitment of the Department to maximising new technology, to the clear benefit of farmers”..

Minister of State Killeen noted that those who submit their applications on-line are much more likely to have their applications cleared for payment more quickly, because of this aspect of the on-line system.

“Analysis of the issues which delay processing of applications shows that a very high percentage are delayed because of basic errors or omissions on the part of the applicant. However, it has been possible to construct the on-line facility with a series of compulsory fields and built-in validations, which dramatically reduces the level of these types of error, simply by refusing to allow the applicant to make the error in the first instance. Unfortunately, such an option is not available with the traditional paper application”, he added.

Minister of State Killeen confirmed that in addition to the almost 25,000 farmers who are registered with the Department to use the on-line facility, a similar number have also availed of the option to have an approved designated Agent lodge their application via the on-line system on their behalf.

The closing date for receipt of applications under the 2010 Schemes is 17 May 2010, regardless of whether applications are submitted on-line or the traditional paper application. New entrants are advised to contact any of the Department’s Offices, or to consult the Department’s website.

Meanwhile, Minister of State Killeen has welecomed the granting of on-line access to Nitrogen and Phosphorus statements for approved designated Agents. He explained: “Farmers need to be aware of their requirements under the Nitrates Regulations and this additional facility is a convenient way for approved agents to check the individual output of their clients and advise, if necessary, on any appropriate action. The Department has already sent out N&P statements to farmers farming at or above 150 kg of nitrogen per hectare per year. This information will assist farmers in their decision regarding whether they need a derogation in 2010. It is important that farmers make this decision as soon as possible as the closing date for receipt of derogation applications is Wednesday, 31st March 2010. No applications for derogations will be accepted after this date.”

The Minister of State also referred to a number of new Schemes which are being introduced in 2010 and in respect of which further announcements would be made in due course, namely:
• The Grassland Sheep Scheme;
• The Dairy Efficiency Scheme;
• The Burren Life (Farming for Conservation in the Burren) Scheme

Anyone considering availing of the on-line facility are urged to make enquiries via the website, www.agfood.ie or, alternatively, the dedicated Helpdesk at Lo-call 1890 252 118.

Minister O’Keeffe to allow schools to reopen tomorrow

Arising from an update on the weather, the Minister for Education and Science, Batt O’Keeffe TD, has decided that the normal arrangements whereby schools decide to open or close based on local circumstances should be re-instated.

This means that schools in a position to open tomorrow [Tuesday] should do so. Minister O’Keeffe took his decision based on weather advice given to this morning’s meeting of the Government’s emergency planning group and the unexpected rise in temperatures that has occurred in parts of the country.

Budget 2010 Policy Seeks To Energy Upgrade Every Irish Building

The inclusion in the Irish Government’s Budget for 2010 of the ‘Save as You Pay’ green financing model has been hailed as a visionary decision by the campaigner who introduced the idea.

“Save as You Pay (SAYP) could enable us to energy upgrade virtually every building in Ireland over the next decade, so it is exactly the sort of policy that could help lift us out of recession,” said Jeff Colley, Editor of green building magazine Construct Ireland.

SAYP will enable cash-strapped homeowners and businesses to pay for energy saving measures through fixed repayments on their energy bills over several years.

According to Mr. Colley: “We introduced the idea of paying for energy upgrade work through utility bills over the summer because many people do not have access to savings or credit to get the work done. It was a question of right policy, right place, right time.”

Colley’s campaigning efforts resulted in SAYP being included in the renewed Programme for Government and the Institute of European Affairs Greenprint for a National Energy Efficiency Retrofit Programme. He noted: “We have been blown away by the level of public demand for this approach”.

80 per cent of Irish homeowners responding to a Construct Ireland/Amárach Research survey in August said they would be interested in paying for energy upgrade work through their utility bills. 58 per cent of homeowners said they did not have enough money saved to upgrade their home.

“If the majority of Irish homeowners can’t access the money to pay for energy upgrade work, a grant alone will be of limited use,” Colley said. “Even with a grant covering 30 per cent of the cost of a typical upgrade, we have to help people to find the remainder, be it through payments on their energy bills or by adding it to their mortgage”, stated Mr. Colley.

The response from utilities has already been encouraging, with Bord Gáis announcing plans in October to introduce a major energy efficiency home services initiative in 2010, which will offer homeowners a full-scale energy efficiency service with a range of separate products and services through an on-bill finance.

“Save as You Pay can become a major driver in Ireland’s economic recovery,” said Colley. “It will create jobs, reduce our 6bn euro energy import bill, dramatically cut our carbon emissions, and enable all Irish people to have comfortable, healthy homes”, concluded Mr. Colley.

IMAGE: Jeff Colley, Editor, Construct Ireland. Pic by David Ruffles

Killeen Says Budget 2010 Protects Farmers And Irish Agri-Food Sector

The Government’s Budget for 2010 has provided clear assurances that farmers’ livelihoods and the agri-food sector will be protected, according to Clare Junior Agriculture Minister Tony Killeen, T.D.

Reacting to Wednesday’s Budget, Minister of State Killeen noted that it protected the vital agricultural schemes and that a new agri-environment scheme would be launched next year.

He said: “The Government recognises the fact that the agriculture sector has experienced a particularly difficult year, with low commodity prices and poor weather impacting adversely on farmers' incomes. As a result it has decided to maintain spending on the Disadvantaged Area Scheme at the 2009 level of EUR220 million, continue the Suckler Cow Welfare Scheme payments in 2010 at the 2009 rate of EUR40 per animal, and continue payments to existing REPS' participants and to launch a new agri-environmental scheme in 2010. Approximately EUR330 million will be spent on agri-environment schemes in 2010”.

Meanwhile, Minister of State Killeen said he was delighted that the Organic Farming Scheme, which has been temporarily suspended, will re-open on 1 January 2010. In addition, the provision for horticulture is being maintained at 2009 levels of EUR4 million, which will facilitate a call for new horticulture investment projects in 2010.

The Clare T.D. also confirmed that overall expenditure on forestry and bioenergy would increase in 2010 to more than EUR121 million. “This increase includes a capital provision of EUR116 million with an increased provision of almost EUR105 million for forestry planting and premia, demonstrating the Government's continued commitment to this vital sector, as set out in the recently revised Programme for Government”, stated Minister of State Killeen.

The estimate does not include EU funding of EUR1.34 billion, which will bring total expenditure by the Department in 2010 to over EUR3 billion. The Department has paid approximately EUR1.24 billion in the 2009 Single Payment Scheme (SPS) or 99 per cent of the total SPS budget.

Minister of State Killeen confirmed that significant funding will continue to be provided for the food industry in 2010 in the form of marketing and processing grant aid to meet commitments under the Beef and Dairy Investment Schemes, as well as through funding for investment in Research and Development. The Minister also warmly welcomed the decision of the Government to approve a EUR100 million fund to improve the food industry's competitiveness over the next four years.

The Minister confirmed that a number of new schemes under the revised Rural Development Programme (RDP), which are in negotiation with the European Commission, will be launched next year and, although significant expenditure is unlikely to take place until 2011,

The Supplementary Estimate, approved by the Dáil on Tuesday night, provided for an additional EUR15 million for the Farm Improvement Scheme in 2009, bringing to EUR30 million the total expenditure on the Scheme this year. The 2010 Estimate allocates a further EUR19 million to the scheme, an increase of EUR4 million (27 per cent) on the original 2009 allocation.

Fodder Aid Scheme For Flood Hit Farmers Is Announced

Tony Killeen T.D., Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, has confirmed that 2 million euro is being allocated for a targeted fodder aid scheme.

The announcement is in addition to a wider humanitarian aid scheme, to which the Government has allocated 10 million euro.

Welcoming the announcement, Minister of State Killeen said: “The fodder scheme reflects an assessment undertaken by the Department’s Inspectorate, which indicates substantial flooding of farmland in the West, Midlands and South West. One of the problems likely to arise in this context would be a fodder shortage. While it is difficult, at this stage, to quantify those losses, it is clear the damaged fodder may cause a feed shortage problem on some livestock farms which, in turn, could give rise to financial hardship and potential animal welfare issues on these farms.”

The Clare T.D. added: “As a matter of urgency, Department officials are now preparing the outlines of a targeted fodder aid scheme to provide some financial support towards the purchase of alternative feed material to replace flood-damaged fodder. The scheme will require farmers to demonstrate that the fodder was damaged and the extent of that damage and that it is necessary to purchase feed supplies to prevent animal welfare problems.”

Munster To Team Up With Connaught For Aviva Stadium Opening

The first game to mark the opening of the redeveloped Lansdowne Road will be held on August 7 next and will see a composite Leinster/Ulster team face a Munster/Connacht selection, the IRFU announced today.

"To mark the opening of the Aviva Stadium, the Irish Rugby Football Union today confirmed that the first game to be played in 2010 will be an historic rugby match between two composite provincial teams," reports breakingnews.ie. Leinster and Ulster were the first representative teams to play in the old Lansdowne Road nearly 133 years ago on December 16, 1876. Both provinces were also on hand to play the final game in the stadium on New Year's Eve 2006, when Leinster beat Ulster 20-12 in the Magners League.

The game will form part of the provincial preseason calendar. The Aviva Stadium will also play host to some of the top teams in world rugby during the Guinness Series in November next year. Ireland is scheduled to play four internationals for the first time during that period against World Champions South Africa, followed by games against Samoa, New Zealand and Argentina.

Killeen Presents 2009 Irish Forestry Awards

Mr. Tony Killeen TD, Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food with responsibility for forestry, presented the 2009 RDS/Forest Service Irish Forestry Awards at a ceremony held in Kilkenny Castle last night.

The Awards recognise and reward farmer foresters and other forest owners who employ the basic principles of Sustainable Forest Management on their properties, including sound commercial management, environmental protection, biodiversity and social amenity. There are two main categories for which awards are presented - the Farm Forestry category and the Bio-Diverse Forest/Woodlands category. There is also a Special Judge's award, which may be made, at the discretion of the judging panel, in recognition of outstanding achievements by individuals within the industry.

The winner of the Farm Forestry category in 2009 was Mr. John O'Connell, Limerick with 2nd place going to Mr. Sean Ronan, Kilkenny and a Merit Award in this category going to Mr. Ambrose Kilcline, Co. Roscommon. Kerry County Council were the winners in the Bio-diverse Forest/Woodland category. 2nd place was awarded to Declan and Yvonne Foley of Sligo, while Merit Awards were presented to Mr. Derek Felton, Dublin and Mr. Vincent Slevin, Mayo. A Special Judges Award was made to Jan Alexander of Cavan, in recognition of the "close to nature methods" that are being applied to her plantation and also because of her contribution to Irish forestry over the years. Jan is chairperson of Pro Silva Ireland and a founding member of CRANN.

Speaking at the ceremony, Minister of State Killeen thanked the RDS for its organisation and promotion of the prestigious awards scheme, in partnership with the Department. He noted that the profile of the awards had increased within the forest industry, since they were first awarded 22 years ago.

Minister of State Killeen highlighted the ongoing and increasing importance of forestry and the need to raise the general awareness of the importance of the sustainable management of Ireland’s forests from a commercial, social and environmental point of view. Presenting the Awards, the Minister of State added: "I would like to congratulate the category winners and hope that the acknowledgement and reward of excellence through these Awards will continue to create awareness of what is required to manage our forests to the highest standards possible and indeed the high standards that can be achieved".

Early Retirement Scheme Funding Deadline Nears

Tony Killeen, Fianna Fail TD and Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, has reminded farmers that applications for the additional funding recently announced under the Early Retirement Scheme must be submitted by the end of the month.

The provision of extra funding was announced by the Department of Agriculture last month and will allow a number of new applications to be accepted. According to Minister of State Killeen: “The additional funding has been provided with a view to accepting as many as possible of those applications completed or close to completion at the time entry to the scheme was suspended on 14th October 2008. In order to give those who might be eligible for admission to the scheme an opportunity to apply, farmers may submit their applications, accompanied by a lease/deed of transfer stamped by the Revenue Commissioners, to the Early Retirement Section in Johnstown Castle on or before 30th October 2009.”

The Junior Agriculture Minister added: “In processing new applications, the Department will give priority to those applications which have leases/deeds of transfer stamped by the Revenue Commissioners prior to 14th October 2008 and, thereafter, priority will be determined by reference to the date on which the lease/deed of transfer was stamped.”

"Any decision about further reopening the scheme will be taken only in the context of the annual Budget/Estimates process”, Minister of State Killeen concluded.

EU Committed To Supporting Dairy Sector Says Killeen

Junior Agriculture Minister Tony Killeen, T.D., has welcomed a commitment by the European Commission to take further emergency action in the event of market volatility in the milk sector.

The Fianna Fail TD for Clare was speaking after an emergency meeting of EU Agriculture Ministers in Brussels yesterday, which follows weeks of protest over the decline in milk prices. He said: “This meeting provided an opportunity to Member States and the Commission to have a full and open discussion on the very difficult market situation being faced by dairy producers. Among the matters discussed by Ministers were proposals put forward by France and solutions suggested earlier by the European Commission, the EU's executive arm in charge of farm policy.”

Minister of State Killeen added: “I recognise that the Commission has been quick to deploy aid to private storage, intervention and export refunds to support the sector to date. However, the fact is that these measures, while stabilising the market, have proved insufficient to lift the market. It is reassuring to see that significant progress is now being made on advancing proposals from a large number of Member States. I am especially delighted to learn that EU Agriculture Commissioner Ms Fischer Boel has confirmed that a proposed high-level group of experts will begin meeting next week to look at medium and long-term solutions including contractual issues between producers and dairies and a possible dairy futures market”, he stated.

Meanwhile, Minister of State Killeen welcomed the Commission declaration that stocks of butter and skimmed milk powder would not be released from intervention until the market situation had been stabilised. The Agriculture Council is scheduled to return to the situation of the milk market at its next meeting in Luxembourg on 19th October.