Killeen Opens Common Fisheries Policy Seminar

Tony Killeen T.D., Minister of State with responsibility for Fisheries in the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food today formally opened the Federation of Irish Fishermen's (FIF) review of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) seminar at the Radisson Hotel, Dublin Airport.

The seminar brought together a large gathering of fishermen from all over Ireland to listen to contributions from a broad range of experienced experts in the field of fisheries. It was the culmination of a consultative process engaged in by industry over the summer months to inform and contribute to the country’s position on the CFP.

"This is an important day for Irish Fishermen in that you get the opportunity to voice your opinions and contribute to shaping Ireland’s position on the review of the CFP", Minister of State Killeen said. He added: “For Ireland the long-term priority is to have a strong, sustainable and profitable seafood industry that supports fishing activities and related economic activity in our coastal communities. These communities have traditionally been based on fishing activity and have relied on access to national fishing quotas. Those quotas need to be maintained and enhanced as national quotas if our fishing communities are to grow and prosper into the future.”

Minister of State Killeen noted that, while not wanting to pre-empt the outcome of the consultation process, Ireland’s purpose must be to create and retain jobs and industrial opportunities in its coastal areas. He continued: “Some high profile proposals have been put forward that would promote inter nationalisation of the fish quotas and fishing effort, which would threaten our family owned fleet and lead to the concentration of activity among large European fishing companies. This would not be in Ireland’s interest, would lead to our access to fish stocks in our area declining and would ultimately result in the loss of jobs in our fishing fleet, fish factories and our local coastal economies".

The Fianna Fail T.D. for Clare stated: “Working with the Irish seafood industry the Government will endeavour through the process to reform the Common Fisheries Policy to promote the opportunities for our industry and see off the threats to the development of a thriving seafood sector in Ireland into the future. Urging all to engage in an open and frank debate Minister of State Killeen said that he "intended to listen closely to the fishermen, who are best placed to understand the problems with the current policy and suggest changes" and that he "eagerly awaited the result of their deliberations as it would inform his thinking and that of the Government in advance of communicating Ireland's initial response to the Commission."

Milk Super Levy Situation For August

The Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries & Food, Tony Killeen TD, has announced that based on estimated milk deliveries as submitted by milk purchasers for the period up to 31st August 2009, Ireland is 9.00% under quota when account is taken of the butterfat content of milk deliveries during the same period.

The milk super-levy and milk quotas were introduced in 1984 marking the first major changes to the CAP since Ireland's entry to the EEC. Sheep and sucker cow numbers increased as a result.

Ireland’s milk quota position is published on the Department’s website Under ‘Publications’, followed by the relevant year.

Over €130,000 sanctioned by Ó Cuív for Village Renewal in Donegal

Éamon Ó Cuív T.D., Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, has announced that he has sanctioned grants of €132,141 to Donegal County Council do carry out village renewal works in the Gaeltacht.

€90,737 has been granted for works in the village of An Charraig in the south west of the county. A grant of €21,404 has been sanctioned for works on the footpath between An Charraig and Na Doirí Beaga and €20,000 has been sanctioned for the Shore Project in An Clochán Liath.

Speaking today Minister Ó Cuív said “I am delighted that my Department is in a position to co-fund these practical works which will improve accessability in the areas concerned”. Donegal County Council is co-funding these works.

41 Out Of 43 Constituencies Say Yes To Lisbon Treaty As Irish Referendum Is Passed

Ireland has voted in favour of the Lisbon Treaty by a margin of 67.1% to 32.9%.

The Yes result from Cork South-West saw the 'tipping-point' reached - meaning the Treaty would definitely be accepted, even in the highly unlikely event that all the remaining votes had been cast against it reports RTE.

With results for all 43 constituencies in, the two Donegal constituencies were the only No votes. In the Tánaiste's constituency of Donegal South West, the No side won by just 171 votes. The margin was higher in Donegal North East, at 848, but Donegal stands alone - every other constituency in the country appears to have voted yes.

The final result shows a stunning 20% swing to the Yes side since the first Lisbon Referendum 15 months ago. In County Clare, 72.3% of voters said yes, represeenting a 20.5% swing from the last referndum.

The highest yes vote was in Dublin South, at just under 82%, closely followed by Dún Laoghaire at just under 81%. Higher turnout is part of the answer for the swing - the Government and the main Opposition parties, who all campaigned for a Yes, will now argue about who did most to win the referendum.

14 Million Litres Allocated To Dairy Farmers Under New Entrants Scheme

Junior Agriculture Minister and Fianna Fail T.D. for Clare, Tony Killeen said the news that 70 new entrants to dairying have each been allocated a milk quota of 200,000 litres under the New Entrants Scheme augurs well for the future of the Irish dairy sector.

Applications for the scheme, details of which were announced in June, were considered through a selection process conducted by an independent assessment group chaired by Mr. John Tyrrell, Director General of the Irish Co-operative Organisation Society (ICOS).

A total of 141 applications were received by the closing date of 31 July 2009. Of these, 35 were disqualified because the applicants were either already quota holders, did not submit a business plan or did not have the required educational qualifications. The remaining 106 were considered by the assessment group, which selected the 70 successful applicants.

Minister of State Killeen said the applications were high not only in number but also in quality. He continued: “The feedback from the assessment group has been extremely positive, in that while the 70 successful applicants clearly merited their selection, the overall standard across all applications was very high. The milk sector is, and will continue to be, hugely important for Ireland. It has huge potential. This scheme, aimed at new entrants, augurs well for the future of the sector.”

He noted that that a further 1% of additional quota would be available in 2010. “All recipients have until 1 April 2011 to commence production, and all will be required to attend training courses facilitated by Teagasc and to provide financial statements on an annual basis to the Department”, added Minister of State Killeen.

Moving Statue Of Virgin Mary Reported In Kerrytown Dungloe County Donegal

Visitors to a remote grotto have claimed a statue wept and crosses appeared and disappeared in the night sky this week.

A group of 14 people, who had gathered at the statue of the Virgin Mary, in a rocky outcrop near the town of Dungloe, Co Donegal, on Tuesday night, were transfixed as they watched the phenomenon, which they said lasted almost an hour, reports The Irish Independent newspaper

"It was a crazy evening. It was absolutely amazing. I am still on an emotional high. All but one person seemed to see the same thing," recalled James Boyle, from Ardara, who was at the site with his wife Margaret and children, Martin (10) and Mary (11).

The Kerrytown shrine is visited by thousands of pilgrims annually, after first becoming the subject of a religious apparition 70 years ago. James explained how the group had been drawn there last Tuesday night because of a claim by Ballyfermot-based faith healer Joe Coleman that the Virgin Mary had told him in a channelled message that she would appear at the shrine on September 29 at 8pm.

"We went into the shelter facing the rock and at a few minutes to eight someone suggested we should start the rosary. We had no sooner started than someone shouted 'look up'. To the left of the cross, another cross appeared in the sky and as soon as it disappeared, another one appeared. It lasted about 10 minutes," he explained.

Then people began noticing that the white statue with its red heart had begun changing colour and form. "She appeared to have a human face and her head turned and she looked at people. She looked down at the children who were at the front," he said. One woman explained how the statue began crying and she went up to dry the tears. "The tears were running down from her eyes," she told Highland Radio.

Dungloe is a town in the Gaeltacht of County Donegal and is the main town in the Rosses. The town attracts many tourists every August when the Mary From Dungloe International Festival takes place. It is also home to Fianna Fail politician Pat "the Cope" Gallagher.

Killeen Stresses Importance Of Lisbon Treaty In Tackling Climate Change

Minister of State and Fianna Fail T.D. for Clare, Tony Killeen today said that Ireland's policy and contribution on tackling climate change is increasingly shaped by our membership of the European Union, where we in turn can exert influence on the wider world.

Speaking during a visit to County Clare by Taoiseach Brian Cowen, Minister of State Killeen stressed the importance of a yes vote in the upcoming Lisbon Treaty referendum. He stated: “The European Union has taken a global lead on Climate Change with a unilateral 20% reduction in green house gas emissions by 2020 and a commitment to step-up this target to 30% in the event of world leaders reaching an effective and meaningful deal in December.”

Minister of State Killeen added that Ireland sought and secured EU agreement to the explicit inclusion of combating climate change as an EU competence in the Lisbon Treaty. “Ireland fully supports the EU policy in tackling climate change and the important role it is playing in the lead up to Copenhagen. There is no better demonstration of the importance and effectiveness of the EU to its citizens and the wider global community,” he commented.

SITA Announces 80 Jobs In Donegal

A Letterkenny-based software company based has announced the creation of 80 new jobs over the next 12 months.

The move will bring to 150 the number of people employed by SITA, a specialist in air transport communications and IT solutions.

SITA’s operation in Letterkenny was established following its acquisition in 2003 of Eland Technologies, an Irish software company. The company is actively recruiting and will attend the GradIreland Graduate Careers Fair in Dublin on October 21.

EU Agriculture Ministers To Discuss Supports For Dairy Market

Junior Agriculture Minister and Fianna Fail T.D. for Clare, Tony Killeen has welcomed the decision of the European Union’s Agriculture Ministers to meet on October 5th next to discuss the introduction of additional measures to support and stimulate the dairy sector.

Speaking ahead of the meeting, Minister of State Killeen reiterated his call on the EU Commission to increase the level and scope of export refunds and to continue to apply all available market support measures. He said: “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, and we now need to act on the proposals from a large and growing number of Member States.”

“Ireland, for its part, recently joined a number of other nations in pledging support to a set of detailed proposals to support the sector”, added the Clare Deputy.

Clare Rally Win For Monaghan's Niall Maguire

The S10 Subaru of Monaghan's Niall Maguire, who was co-driven by Enda Sherry, had too much power and pace for their rivals on today's Auburn Lodge Clare Rally.

They led throughout the Ennis-based nine-stage rally and won by a convincing margin of two minutes and 14 seconds, reports Breakingnews.ie. Mike Quinn/Grainne McEnery (Ford Escort) took second spot followed by the similar car of Ed O'Callaghan/Ger Clancy, who were 10 seconds further behind in third.

Maguire was quickest on the first pair of stages, while Clare ace Anthony O'Halloran (Mitsubishi) set the best time on the third stage. By then, Maguire was 21 seconds clear. He set the pace on all three stages of the second loop and duly stretched his advantage to 52 seconds.

Second placed O'Halloran had opened up a 25 second advantage over Quinn. Maguire cantered to victory but on the penultimate stage, O'Halloran retired after his Mitsubishi punctured. Quinn (Escort) took second followed by Ed O'Callaghan. Irish and British Fiesta SportingTrophy winner, Craig Breen brought the M-Sport Fiesta R2 home in fifth place.

1. N. Maguire/E. Sherry (Subaru WRC) 1h. 04m. 56s.
2. M. Quinn/G. McEnery (Ford Escort) 1h. 07m. 10s.
3. E. O'Callaghan/G. Clancy (Ford Escort) 1h. 07m. 20s.
4. T. Bustard/K. Bustard (Mitsubishi) 1h. 07m. 31s.
5. C. Breen/G. Roberts (Ford Fiesta) 1h. 07m. 57s.
6. B. Brogan/D. McGettigan (Ford Escort) 1h. 08m. 04s

For full results click here

Acceptance Of Lisbon Treaty Will Aid Irish Economic Recovery Says Killeen

Junior Minister and Clare Deputy Tony Killeen has said that Ireland's acceptance of the Lisbon Treaty in the upcoming Referendum would greatly assist Irish economic recovery and ensure that the country remained at the centre of Europe.

Minister of State Killeen noted that the scale of the current economic challenges could only be tackled by countries working more closely together. He continued: "We need an efficient and reformed EU to help us. Europe has listened to the Irish people and has given new guarantees on all of the main issues from last year. The Treaty is subject to these legal guarantees. Bearing in mind that in over 50 years the EU has fully honoured every one of many similar guarantees, we can be sure that voting Yes to Lisbon is a vote for economic recovery in both Ireland and Europe. No is the vote for Ireland taking a step away in a new and more uncertain direction".

Commenting on the legal guarantees received from the EU in June, Minister of State Killeen pointed out: "Voting Yes will ensure Ireland retains its Commissioner. A No vote will mean current rules remain, which means the loss of automatic Commission membership immediately. In 2008, 80% of people were concerned about this issue. It has now been addressed."

"Voting Yes will enhance Ireland's ability to attract investment. The people who invest in Ireland and support hundred of thousands of jobs say that confidence in our position as a Euro-positive country matters a lot for them. Only a Yes will help maintain confidence at this difficult time. Voting Yes is also good for workers and social protection. The Treaty is based on the idea of enabling both growth and social protection, building on the Union's role as the great protection of workers and consumers", he added.

Minister of State Killeen said that Ireland needed a reformed EU to tackle the economic crisis. "A Union frozen in the past is of no use to anyone, but a Union that is more dynamic and effective is essential for our future. A more efficient EU is to our benefit. We also need to send a strong signal to our EU partners and to international investors that we are a fully engaged EU country. Ratifying Lisbon will send this vital signal", he concluded.

Climate Change Strategies Must Consider Security Of Food Supply - Killeen

The need to ensure security of food supply and the doubling of global food production in Europe over the next forty years should be considered when addressing the challenge of reducing Greenhouse Gas emissions, stated Junior Agriculture Minister Tony Killeen, T.D., today.

The Clare Deputy said he believed the European Union should assume a lead role in the effort to ensure sustainable food production in Europe, and to achieve global food security while effectively addressing the challenges of climate change. He commented: “These objectives will not be easy to reconcile. However, improved efficiency and productivity has already had a significant impact on Greenhouse Gas emissions from European agriculture. Much has been achieved through better farm management, progress in animal breeding and better use of fertiliser.”

Minister Killeen noted that, in Ireland’s case, efficiency improvements have led to a reduction of approximately 12% in the methane emissions associated with each tonne of milk output since 1990. “Emissions from agriculture represent 27% of Ireland’s overall emissions and almost 40% of Ireland’s non-trading sector emissions. This is the highest level of any Member State”, he added.

“Carbon efficiency can be further improved somewhat, without reducing food production. However, the scale of the challenge of climate change, and the manner in which we choose to address it, may result in unintended negative impacts, both in terms of Europe’s role in global food production and global Greenhouse Gas emissions levels. Therefore, there should be a consolidation of European research into technologies that will deliver mitigation and assist in adapting to the changes that are unavoidable”, concluded Minister of State Killeen.

Ganley Calls Lisbon Referendum Undemocratic

Libertas founder and former Northwest Constituency European Election candidate Declan Ganley has said next month's referendum on the Lisbon Treaty is 'profoundly undemocratic'.

In an interview with the Wall Street Journal, Mr Ganley said the electorate was being asked to vote again on exactly the same treaty. He dismissed suggestions that a No vote would hurt the economy and said the only people voters risked annoying were 'a bunch of unelected bureaucrats' reports RTE. 'The Irish people had a vote on the Lisbon Treaty. They voted No. A higher percentage of the electorate voted no than voted for Barack Obama in the United States of America. No one's suggesting he should run for re-election next month.'

Last June, Mr Ganley failed to win a seat in the European Parliament in the Ireland North West constituency.

HSE West Defends Overspend

The Director of HSE West, Dr Seán Conroy, yesterday defended a €30 million overspend this year in operating the region’s hospitals, saying patients do not have heart attacks or have babies according to budget.

Dr Conroy was speaking at a meeting of the HSE West hospitals’ committee where members were told the cost overrun in the western hospital group was €22 million and in the midwest hospital group was €8 million to the end of July. According to today’s Irish Times newspaper, Senior HSE officials John Doyle and Alan Moran confirmed to members that bed closures would take place in the hospital network that serves an area stretching from Limerick to Donegal.

Speaking on the €22.7 million overspend to €403 million in the western hospital group, Mr Moran said the HSE would not be able to break even in the area by the end of the year, but increased efficiencies, bed closures and staff reductions would cut the deficit.

Minister Killeen Initiates Meetings On CFP Review

Tony Killeen, Minister of State with responsibility for Fisheries in the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food this week commenced a series of meetings on a regional basis with fishermen on the reform of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP).

This consultation will involve Dr Noel Cawley, who was appointed by Minister of State Killeen last May, to oversee consultations with stakeholders on the CFP reform. In April, the European Commission published a Green Paper on the latest reform of the CFP in order to launch a consultation with Member States and stakeholders and to initiate a broad public debate on the future CFP reform.

The planned meetings are taking place in Killybegs, Galway, Dunmanway, Waterford and Dublin. These will offer fishermen the opportunity to set out their own experiences of the CFP and outline the changes they are seeking to reform the policy. The outcome of these meetings will be compiled by Dr Cawley into a formal report to be presented to the Minister of State to inform Ireland's national position which must be submitted to the EU Commission by the 31st of December.

Under the planned EU timetable for the review, a summary of the consultation process will be published in 2010 by the EU Commission and will be followed by a legislative proposal to the Council and the European Parliament to be adopted in 2011, with a view to its entering into force in 2012.

Speaking this week, Minister of State Killeen said: “This review of the CFP offers a great opportunity to Irish fishermen to take stock of where we are and to identify the changes they consider will help address shortcomings in the policy, and so take better account of the needs and priorities of Irish fishermen. I intend to listen closely to fishermen who are best placed to understand the problems with the current policy and suggest changes.

“This series of meetings, which are being arranged with Dr Cawley, will be critically important in developing Ireland's negotiating position for the formal submission of our views by the end of the year. They will also aid us in the subsequent negotiations at the Fisheries Council and the European Parliament. My aim is to reform the CFP in ways that will maximise the benefits for employment and economic activity in our coastal communities", added Minister of State Killeen.

The first meeting was held on Monday in Killybegs where Minister of State Killeen took the opportunity to congratulate fishing vessel owners who have been awarded a Certificate of Conformity for mackerel fishing by the Marine Stewardship Council. "I am delighted that the mackerel fishing plan submitted by fishermen has earned them this Marine Stewardship Council Certificate which recognises that mackerel fishing will be carried out by vessels in the RSW Pelagic Fleet on a sustainable basis to meet high environmental standards", said the Minister.

Minister Killeen Reports On Current Milk Super Levy Situation

The Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries & Food, Tony Killeen TD, has announced that based on estimated milk deliveries as submitted by milk purchasers for the period up to 31 July 2009, Ireland is 6.73% under quota when account is taken of the butterfat content of milk deliveries during the same period.

Minister of State Killeen said that the rate of super levy for the 2009/10 period is EUR0.2783 per kilogram EUR0.286565 per litre). The milk super-levy and milk quotas were introduced in 1984 marking the first major changes to the CAP since Ireland's entry to the EEC. Sheep and sucker cow numbers increased as a result.

Ireland’s milk quota position is published on the Department’s website (http://www.agriculture.gov.ie) under ‘Publications’, followed by the relevant year.

Closing Date Nears For Submissions To Organic Farming Scheme Review

Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Mr. Tony Killeen, T.D., has reminded stakeholders in the organic sector and the general public that the deadline for submissions to the review of the Organic Farming Scheme is Friday, 4 September.

Last month the Department of Agriculture announced a review of the Organic Farming Scheme under which support is paid to farmers in the sector. According to Minister of State Killeen: "The review will look at how available funds can be used to best effect to deliver increased organic production and expand the area of farmland in the sector. As part of this review, the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food is developing a set of criteria for selecting those applications that are most likely to contribute to the scheme objectives."

The Clare Deputy added: "The Department is inviting submissions from stakeholders in the organic sector and from the general public. The deadline for submissions is Friday, 4 September." Submissions should be sent by email if possible to organics@agriculture.gov.ie or by post to the Organic Unit, Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Johnstown Castle Estate, Co Wexford.

Meanwhile, Minister of State Killeen has reiterated his call for the European Commission to introduce further measures that will help stimulate the Irish dairy sector. The Junior Agriculture Minister said further action was needed to increase dairy intervention prices, along with the scope and level of export refunds. "The European Commission must urgently consider such actions due to the current downturn in milk prices. I believe there is an urgent need for the Commissioner to develop a medium term strategy to enable the sector to manage the transition to a post-quota era and to deal with the effects of market volatility", he commented.

Minister Killeen noted that Agriculture Ministers from throughout the Union would have an opportunity to address the problems in the dairy sector at the next meeting of the Council of Ministers on 7 September next.

West Of Ireland Woman Dies From Swine Flu

A young woman from the west of Ireland has died from human swine flu at Tallaght Hospital in Dublin.

She is the first person to die from the H1N1 virus here since the first cases emerged in this country in May reports RTE NEWS. Department of Health officials said this evening that the woman had an underlying medical condition.

In a statement this evening, Tallaght Hospital said in order to protect the confidentiality and privacy of the family no personal details will be made available.

Agri-Food Sector Needs Support Of Irish Retailers

The viability of the agri-food sector is dependent on the commitment of the Irish retail sector to sourcing and providing a comprehensive range of familiar domestic products and brands.

That is according to Junior Agriculture Minister and Clare T.D. Tony Killeen who this week said that the concentration at retail level has fundamentally changed the balance of market negotiating power in the food chain. Acknowledging that this was not an issue confined to Ireland, Minister of State Killeen added: “This is one factor behind the declining share of retail prices passed to agricultural producers. The Department has been working closely with the Tánaiste, Mary Coughlan TD, and her Department on the details of a Code of Practice in this area, which will have as its key objective the need to achieve a balance in the relationship within the retail trade.”

The Clare T.D. explained, “The Irish Agri-food is Ireland’s most important indigenous sector, providing hundreds of thousands of jobs throughout every county in the country, at both producer and processor level. I, along with my Department colleagues, will continue to impress upon large retailers the benefits of continuing to support, source and make available as wide and comprehensive a range of Irish products as possible.”

“While it is important that consumers continue to get value from retailers, it should be pointed out that a fair return to suppliers and producers is essential to the maintenance of thousands of Irish jobs and the survival of primary producers. The importance of a sector that supports, directly and indirectly, 230,000 jobs cannot be overstated. Furthermore, the sector has the potential to accelerate the country’s economic recovery”, he concluded.

Eco-Assured Standard For Wild Fisheries Sector Launched

Tony Killeen, T.D., Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (with special responsibility for Forestry, Fisheries and the Marine), today officially launched a new wild fisheries eco-assured standard for the Irish fisheries industry at the Galway Bay Hotel in Salthill, County Galway.

Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM), the Irish Sea Fisheries Board as the holder, developer and manager of assurance schemes for the Irish seafood sector has developed its existing Quality Seafood Programme (QSP) to encompass wild caught Irish fish. The move will enable industry to clearly label their produce as Irish fish caught or farmed to the highest quality standards using responsible fishing and environmental practices. To ensure the entire supply chain is certified under the scheme, BIM is calling on fishermen, co-ops, processors and retailers to apply for the standard.

The extension of the BIM QSP to encompass wild fisheries actions a key recommendation set out by the Irish Seafood Market Initiative Group (ISMIG) set up by Minister of State Killeen last year. Chaired by BIM, the group consisting of industry representatives was formed by the Minister to determine actionable outcomes which will maximise opportunities in the Irish seafood market for the Irish fishing fleet, processors and retailers.

A number of fishermen and co-ops are already engaged in the Wild Fisheries Stewardship Standard and 56 vessels are currently implementing BIM’s Environmental Management System which demonstrates the industry’s commitment to not only adhering to strict quality standards but to ensuring vessels are run using environmental management and responsible fishing practices.

To ensure Irish seafood carries the eco-assured standard, Minister of State Killeen has called on the Irish fishing industry to apply for the standard. Speaking in Salthill today, the Minister of State said: “I welcome the new eco-assured standard that BIM is now offering Irish fishermen which will enable consumers to make informed choices about the fish they eat. This new standard will give consumers assurances that the fish they purchase was caught using responsible fishing practices on a vessel that follows a clear environmental management system.”

He continued: “I believe that consumers need to be informed about the fish they are buying and this standard will differentiate Irish fish under BIM’s Quality Seafood Programme from other fish on the market, including imports whose provenance is very often not known to consumers. I fully support BIM in the development of this standard and I would encourage all fishermen, co-ops, processors and retailers to apply for the standard so we can collectively drive the industry forward”.