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.

Burren & Cliffs of Moher Geopark to attend World Travel Market

The Burren & Cliffs of Moher Geopark has confirmed it will join Ireland's two other Geoparks, the Marble Arch Geopark in Fermanagh and the Copper Coast Geopark in Waterford, at the World Travel Market (WTM) in London next month.

High Profile Speakers Confirmed For National Tourism Conference

Fine Gael Leader Enda Kenny, Aer Arann chairman Mr Padraig O Ceidigh and F.A.I. Technical Director Packie Bonner will join tourism interests from across the island of Ireland at the National Tourism Conference, details of which were announced today.

The Clare Tourist Council - in conjunction with Clare County Council – will host the 22nd annual conference at The Falls Hotel, Ennistymon, County Clare, from 25-27 November.

The annual event will be attended by hundreds of tourism industry officials and members of Local Authorities, County Enterprise Boards, partnerships, and all public and private bodies involved in the promotion of tourism on the island of Ireland.

This year’s conference, entitled “Achieving World Class Tourism”, also will see some of Ireland’s leading tourism operators pledge their support for the Cliffs of Moher’s bid to be named one of the ‘New7Wonders of Nature’. The iconic County Clare landmark was shortlisted in July 2009, along with 27 other sites, from over 440 participants representing over 220 countries.

Speakers scheduled to address the conference include: Aer Arann chairman Mr Padraig O Ceidigh (The Importance of Access); Gerard Dollard, Director of Services Clare Co Council and Ennis Town Manager (Raising the Bar – The Role of local Authorities); Geraldine McGahey, Chief Executive, Larne Borough Council (Learning from the advantages of networking: The Pathway to Success); Samantha Williams, Cantata Project Coordinator, Denbighshire County Council (Developing an authentic tourism experience); and Bodil Alver Moen, Lillehammer Kommune, Norway (World Class Tourism: The Importance of Exchange Programmes, from Inside and Outside the E.U.).

The Football Association of Ireland (F.A.I.) will also be represented at the conference as it prepares to hold its own annual conference in County Clare next summer. Former goalkeeping international and current F.A.I. Technical Director Packie Bonner will address conference delegates on the issue of “Football in Clare: The Key to Success”, while F.A.I. delegate from Clare Jim Madden will speak about the importance of networking within clubs.

Commenting on the upcoming conference, Mr. Flan Garvey of the Clare Tourist Council said: “The interest shown in this year’s event indicates the very real commitment among all tourism agencies and operators to participate in a unified approach to addressing common issues facing the sector. Tourism has been hit badly by the downturn in the economy and it can only survive and prosper if operators in the sector exchange ideas and collaborate.”

Mr. Garvey noted that the conference has in previous years attracted tourism representatives from all over Ireland to Ennistymon to share their views on the best way forward for the sector.

“For over two decades this event has promoted the benefits of adopting a collaborative approach to developing tourism on the island of Ireland. The Clare Tourist Council is committed to engaging with tourism providers and promotional agencies throughout the island in reinforcing the country’s status as a domestic and international tourist destination alike. All political parties, including Sinn Fein and the Democratic Unionist Party, will also be participating in the event in the best interests of developing tourism”, he added.

Next month’s three-day conference will include the presentation of the Clare Tourist Council Tidy Towns Awards, sponsored by Fitzpatrick’s Supervalu Supermarket in Ennistymon, along with a site visit by delegates to the nearby Cliffs of Moher.

The Clare Tourist Council hosted its first national tourism conference, entitled ‘The Tourism Explosion - Implications for Ireland’, in 1989. Subsequent conferences have addressed a wide range of tourism issues like ‘Tourism for the ’90s’, ‘Tourism & the Environment’, ‘Let Tourism work for You’, ‘Keeping up with Changing Times’, ‘The Role Played by Local Authorities in Tourism’, ‘Positioning Tourism - Quality or Price”, “Promoting Co-operative Tourism Marketing”, and ‘‘Promoting Partnership In Tourism: 21 Years Of Progress”.

The Big Freeze Set To Return To Ireland

All indications are that Ireland is set to see a return of bitterly cold conditions from the colder continent early next week.

Daytime temperatures are likely to be in low single figures by midweek and will struggle to rise much above freezing during daylight hours by the end of next week. Present indications are that the cold spell will last for at least five days before the Atlantic restores milder weather over the country.


Local authorities throughout Ireland will be keeping a close eye on the weather situation over the coming days and will be hoping to avoid a prolonged wintry spell that will put further pressure on salt and gritting stocks. Snow is likely at times but sharp to severe frosts can be expected.

Northern Ireland Confirms Three More Swine Flu Deaths

Northern Ireland's Health Minister Michael McGimpsey has said he is terribly saddened to hear of the three latest swine flu related deaths in the region.

A second child from a school in Derry has died after contracting swine flu. Five Foyleview (left) pupils have now contracted swine flu, reports RTE News.

A 62-year-old man has also died in a hospital in the North. He was confirmed as having swine flu but it was not the cause of death. A third patient with swine flu and other complex health issues has also died in hospital.

Mayor Congratulates Victorious Clare Ladies Footballers

Mayor of Clare Councillor Tony Mulcahy has warmly congratulated the county’s Intermediate Ladies Football side following their All-Ireland final victory in Croke Park at the weekend.

Councillor Mulcahy said that Clare’s comprehensive win over Fermanagh was the culmination of exceptional effort and commitment by both players and mentors alike.

He said: “I wish to pay tribute to everybody associated with the Clare Ladies Intermediate Football team as they have shown great courage and ability to bounce back from last year’s All Ireland final defeat to Tipperary. Like Clare’s U21 hurlers, the Ladies Football team used their experience of losing a final as a motivational mechanism to achieve eventual All Ireland success.”

“The ladies footballers can now look forward to taking part in the TG4 Ladies Senior Football Championship next year. This is a fantastic achievement and one that is a great source of pride for everyone associated with Clare GAA. I wish to congratulate the players, mentors and the supporters of the Clare Ladies team on their All Ireland success and wish them all the best for 2010”, added Mayor Mulcahy.

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.

Poundland To Create 200 Jobs

More than 200 jobs are to be created across Northern Ireland with the arrival of a discount retailer which sells everything for £1.

Poundland announced today it will open six stores in Northern Ireland by Christmas, creating a total of 210 jobs reports RTE. The first store will open in the CastleCourt shopping centre on Belfast's Royal Avenue on 8 October.

Meanwhile, Asda announced it will create 400 temporary jobs in Northern Ireland to help cope with the Christmas shopping rush.

Lisbon No Vote Will Isolate Ireland In Europe, Says Killeen

A “No” verdict in the second referendum on the Lisbon Treaty would greatly undermine Ireland’s bargaining power on vital issues in Europe.

That is according to Minister of State and Clare T.D. Tony Killeen who warned that a second rejection of the Treaty in October would diminish Ireland’s credibility abroad.

“Having attended numerous Council of Ministers meetings before and since the Treaty was rejected by Irish voters last year, I have noticed a distinct change in the attitudes of other EU member states towards Ireland”, stated the Junior Agriculture Minister. He continued: “It has become increasingly evident that Ireland no longer holds the same goodwill and appreciation of other member states as it did prior to the first referendum on the Lisbon Treaty. Such a situation, if allowed to continue, will greatly undermine Ireland’s bargaining position at EU level.”

Minister of State Killeen noted that a second rejection of the Lisbon Treaty would have serious consequences for Irish agriculture and other business sectors. He added that a ‘Yes’ vote would deliver increased access to European Markets.

“Ireland is a small open economy which exports over 80% of every product and service it produces. Through our membership of the EU and the creation of the single market Irish business can now sell all of its goods and services to 486 million customers throughout the EU on an equal footing to any other company in the EU. In the past 10 years Irish companies have doubled their exports into EU member states from EUR44 billion to EUR87billion. However, the European single market is not yet fully realised particularly in the area of services. A yes vote on the Lisbon Reform Treaty would result in the single market project becoming more efficient and Irish business securing further business opportunities”, stated Minister of State Killeen.

The Clare T.D. outlined a series of other positive consequences for Ireland as a result of accepting the Lisbon Treaty. “Ireland will retain a veto in key areas for Irish Business, while businesses will be afforded increased access to international markets and power to shape the rules of international trade. A Yes vote will also mean that Irish business will continue to develop highly skilled jobs, our ability to attract foreign direct investment (FDI) will improve, Irish business will have a flexible and adaptable workforce, R&D potential will be enhanced, and Ireland’s exposure regarding energy security will be reduced”, concluded Minister Killeen.

Extension Of Public Intervention For Butter And Skimmed Milk Powder

Junior Agriculture Minister Tony Killeen expressed delight that pressure from the Irish Government and other EU Member States had led to the European Commission’s decision today to extend public intervention for butter and skimmed milk powder.

“This measure reflects the view at high political level of the continued importance of the dairy sector to the EU and the EC’s commitment to providing as much support as possible to address the current volatile international dairy market situation”, stated Minister of State Killeen. He added: “While prices remain at an unacceptably low level, the Irish Government will continue to mobilise colleagues in the Council of Ministers for their continued support in favour of actions in the dairy market. Such action is absolutely essential to support the Dairy Sector through a difficult period. The Irish Government will continue to highlight the need to use in the most effective way possible all Market Management measures”.

Minister Killeen has also welcomed the decision of the Milk Management Committee to extend the private storage aid scheme for butter from 15th August, when the scheme would normally close, until 28th February 2010. The scheme was introduced in January this year, two months ahead of schedule because of the difficult market situation.

Meanwhile, Minister Killeen said that the Irish Government, principally, through Minister for Agriculture Brendan Smith, would continue to press for an increase in export refunds for cheese, butter and skimmed milk powder. “My colleague Minister Smith this week pressed for the removal of impediments to support the export outside the Community of cheese products. In parallel with an increased level of refund, we also need to secure the suspension of the free-at-frontier price so that cheese refunds would actually benefit exporters. The export of quality cheeses from the EU would act as a stimulus to the market and generate much needed demand”, concluded the Clare T.D.

Irish holidaymakers to enjoy reduced mobile roaming charges

Anyone travelling within the European Union can enjoy reduced mobile phone roaming charges from this Wednesday, 1 July.

Making a telephone call, sending a text message or reading emails on a mobile phone from across the European Union will cost less from tomorrow. Businessworld.ie reports that the tariff cuts, which complete a European Union ruling from 2007, were proposed by the EU's executive arm at the end of 2008 and won approval by the European Parliament and member states. Following the new price curbs, which take effect on July 1, it will be up to 60 percent cheaper to send mobile phone text messages while travelling in the EU or to surf the Web by laptop.

Operators will be allowed to charge customers a maximum of 11 euro cents (15 U.S. cents) per roamed text message (SMS), excluding sales tax, compared with current prices of about 28 cents. As of July 1, prices for making a roamed mobile call will be capped at 43 euro cents per minute versus 46 cents previously, and at 19 cents, down from 22 cents, for calls received abroad.

The caps will further fall to 39 cents for calls made and 15 cents for calls received while roaming from July 1, 2010 and to 35 cents and 11 cents from July 1, 2011. Downloading data while roaming will cost a maximum of 1 euro per megabyte from Wednesday at the wholesale level compared with about 1.68 euros today. Operators must also introduce per-second billing after 30 seconds for roamed calls made and from the first second for calls received abroad.

Minister Killeen Welcomes Pledge Of Support For Undocumented Irish

Minister of State Tony Killeen T.D. has warmly welcomed a pledge by a Congressional Delegation to support the case of the undocumented Irish in the United States.

The Chairman of the “Friends of Ireland,” Congressman Richie Neal, today offered the group’s support to the case of the undocumented and pledged to further assist efforts to foster economic relations between the US and Ireland. Mr Neal made his comments during bi-lateral talks between the Friends of Ireland Congressional Delegation and an Irish Parliamentary delegation.

According to Minister of State Killeen: “The status of the undocumented Irish remains an issue of the highest priority for me and one that I have raised at Government level both in Ireland and the US on numerous occasions. Indeed, I have previously met with Congressman Neal in Washington and am delighted that he has again offered to support the case of the thousands of undocumented Irish.” The County Clare Deputy added: “Many Irish people have settled in the USA but, unable to return home, they have been separated from their families and their homes for many years. I am particularly pleased that the Friends of Ireland Congressional Delegation have pledged their support to this important issue. The group’s commitment to advance the case of undocumented is very important and much appreciated".

This week’s bi-lateral talks centred on the case of the undocumented Irish in the US, the Northern Ireland Peace Agreement, Ireland-US relations, International Fund for Ireland and the World Financial Crisis. Commenting during his visit to Ireland, Congressman Neal said: “The need for a strong relationship between Ireland and the US is now more important than ever. The Friends of Ireland Congressional Group has a long tradition of cultivating and supporting links between Ireland and the US, and during our meetings with the Ceann Comhairle, Taoiseach, Tánaiste and Party Leaders we have undertaken to continue this support. We have also agreed to advance the case of the thousands of undocumented Irish in the US. Many of these people have made lives for themselves in America and contribute positively to the communities they live in. We feel a way must be found to accommodate the needs of this group of people.”

The Friends of Ireland is a group of United States Congressmen, which promotes Irish interests in the US Houses of Representatives and helps to foster trade and cultural links between Ireland and the US.

19th NI swine flu case is confirmed

Another case of swine flu has been confirmed in Northern Ireland.

The latest case, the 19th, is a man who recently returned from London. He has been given anti-virals and is recovering at home.

18th Swine Flu case confirmed in NI

Another case of swine flu was confirmed in Northern Ireland today.

The latest case, the 18th in the province, is a woman who was in contact with a previously confirmed case within the province rather than someone who had picked it up abroad, according to breakingnews.ie. The Department of Health and Social Services in Belfast said there were another 10 potential cases under investigation in the region.

Two more swine flu cases confirmed in NI

Two more cases of swine flu were confirmed in Northern Ireland today.

It brings the total diagnosed in the region to 17, according to breakingnews.ie. One of the new cases is a man who has recently returned from Mexico. The other is woman just back from the the USA.

Both are recovering at home, according to the Department of Health. Five other suspected cases are still under investigation.

Undersea telecommunications cable makes land at Portrush

The €30m ‘Project Kelvin’ fibre cable that will link Ireland to 24,000km of undersea cable linking Ireland with the US, Canada and UK came ashore at Portrush yesterday.

The fibre project, supported by €30m in public funding, was brought ashore by Hibernia Atlantic, parent company of Magnet Networks. The telecommunications cable will be connected by high capacity fibre to Letterkenny, Monaghan, Castleblayney, Dundalk and Drogheda, and it will also have points of presence in several locations across the border, reports Silicon Republic.

‘Project Kelvin’ is is a joint cooperation project between the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment in Belfast and the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, which is part financed by the EU under the North-South cross-border cooperation programme.

14th Swine Flu case for Northern Ireland

A 14th case of swine flu has been confirmed in Northern Ireland.

The latest case is believed to be in a female who recently returned from the USA.

She has mild flu symptoms and is recovering at home.

The Sky's the limit for Fermanagh roofing company

A Fermanagh-based firm has announced plans to invest £1.3m in developing its environmentally friendly plastic roofing products.

Erne Extrusions Ltd specialises in the design, manufacture and distribution of moulded plastic products for the GB and European uPVC roofing markets, reports Build.ie.

Invest NI has offered £171,000 towards the investment which will help the new company generate over £2m in sales in its first three years, and create 18 new jobs by 2011.

Huge increase in NI unemployment rate

Unemployment in Northern Ireland showed another upward leap today and the the number of people claiming benefits is now over double what it was 15 months ago.

The number of people unemployed was 49,000 for the three-month period to the end of February, up 3,000 over the quarter and 16,000 over the year, reports breakingnews.ie.

The rate of unemployment has now hit 6.2% - 0.5% up on the quarter and 2.1% up on a year ago.

Another swine flu case confirmed in Northern Ireland

Members of the public in Northern Ireland were urged not to get alarmed today after another case of swine flu was confirmed.

The total number of confirmed cases in the North is now nine, and another six possible cases are under investigation. Breakingnews.ie reports that the latest case relates to travel outside the UK and does not involve a school, workplace or other setting in the North, the Public Health Agency (PHA) said.

The sufferer has mild symptoms and is at home and taking antiviral treatment.