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.

Minister Hogan to open Chief Fire Officers AGM tomorrow

Mr. Phil Hogan, T.D., Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government will tomorrow (Wednesday) join Fire Officers, Academics, industry experts, and Government and Local Government officials from Ireland and overseas for the annual showcase event for Ireland’s Fire and Emergency Services sector.

Kildare to host Irish Chief Fire Officers annual conference

The Irish Chief Fire Officers Association (CFOA) has announced it will host its annual Conference and Fire Technology Exhibition in Naas, County Kildare, on 7-8 May.

Minister Killeen Addresses PDFORRA Conference

The Minister for Defence Mr Tony Killeen TD last evening addressed the Annual Delegate Conference of the Permanent Defence Force Other Ranks Representative Association at the Knightsbrook Hotel, Trim, Co Meath.

Speaking at the Conference Minister Killeen noted the difficult times presently faced by Ireland.

In commenting on the major contraction of the Irish economy the Minister said: “The current financial situation precludes the Government from providing the level of resourcing as was available to the Defence Forces in previous years and this is in line with the broader public service”.

He continued: “Despite the harsh economic circumstances the Defence Forces are in good shape to meet their obligations. Comprehensive reform of the Defence Forces and an extensive investment programme over the last decade has ensured the organisation is in a healthy state to maintain outputs within a reduced budgetary provision”

Minister Killeen commended the Permanent Defence Forces “for continuing to deliver high quality public service.”

The Minister said that he is aware of the impact that the moratorium on recruitment, promotion and acting appointments has had on the Permanent Defence Force particularly, in light of the very high turnover rate that is part of any military organisation.

Its impact has been monitored on an ongoing basis in conjunction with the Chief of Staff and the Department officials. Specific requirements were identified and limited exceptions to the moratorium were obtained from the Minister for Finance.

“Within the context of consolidating the public finances, the Government is focused firmly on maintaining the operational efficiency of the Permanent Defence Force,” said Minister Killeen.

He advised that targeted recruitment is being carried out in 2010 and he has approved the recruitment of 40 Naval Service Recruits, limited recruitment to the Army and the intake of 30 Cadets from the Cadetship Competition 2010.

Agreement has been reached with the Department of Finance on the Employment Control Framework (ECF) for the Defence Forces. This agreement will result in recruitment and promotion being delegated back to the Department of Defence subject to ongoing control monitoring by the Department of Finance.

Minister Killeen acknowledged the demands placed on personnel who serve overseas and on their families and stated that while deployment to the Congo was at a huge human cost in terms of those who lost their lives, the dedication to duty of those who served in the Congo became a benchmark for all future peacekeeping missions.

The Minister confirmed that options for future deployment are being developed by Civil and Military management and subject to their advice he would expect to be in a position to consider the proposals and bring forward recommendations to Government as appropriate towards the end of the year.

Minister Killeen concluded by outlining that the challenge of managing the exceptionally harsh economic climate requires exceptional courage and public service in its purest form.

The Minister stated “I know that if we work together in the true spirit of public service that a brighter future lies ahead. I am confident that this future will see the continued modernisation of the Defence Force. I wish you all every success for the remainder of your conference and I look forward to working with you into the future.”
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Deadline Extended For Isover Ireland Building Awards

The deadline for submitting entries to the Isover Energy Efficiency Awards (EEA) has been extended until October 11th.

The inaugural awards scheme is being targeted at building professionals including architects, engineers, builders and developers across Ireland who have built new and renovated buildings that have been built with a very low energy demand.

A €10,000 prize will be presented to the overall winner of the Irish finals who will go forward to represent Ireland at a European Awards ceremony in Madrid in May 2011. The winner will also be profiled in the internationally-distributed Isover ‘Best Of’ book.

The awards scheme acknowledges the considerable shift within the Irish construction industry towards energy efficient building design, explained Mr. Kieran Holohan of ISOVER Ireland.

Mr. Holohan explained that the awards will celebrate Ireland’s most energy efficient renovation and new construction projects, both in the residential and non-residential sectors.

He added: “The ISOVER Energy Efficiency Awards reflect two environmental issues that are at the very heart of our core objectives - protection of the environment in the face of climate change, and enhancing the quality of and physical comfort in the buildings where we work and live.”

Mr. Holohan pointed out that much of Ireland’s existing building stock continues to consume a considerable amount of energy for heating with significant emissions of greenhouse gases from the burning of fossil fuels.

“New building regulations coupled with a change in consumer behaviour and attitudes has led to a significant increase in the number of renovation and construction projects embracing energy efficient design.

“Not only will this new awards scheme honour those who have excelled in the energy efficient building sector but it will also allow scheme participants to exchange and share knowledge and experience in the field. ISOVER Ireland is confident that this will help to highlight the importance of improving the energy performance of our buildings and, subsequently, the inhabitants' quality of life”, concluded Mr. Holohan.

The adjudication panel includes leading Irish experts in the field of green design and construction, namely Tomas O Leary, Passive House Academy Ireland; Jeff Colley, Editor of Construct Ireland and winner of the 2010 Green Leader Award; Jay Stuart RIBA, Sustainable Design Consultant; and Zdenka Debartoli, International Market Manager Building, ISOVER.

Projects entered in the competition must be fully completed by December 2010 and not more than 5 years old. Closing date for entries is Monday October 11th 2010. The Irish awards ceremony will take place in December 2010.

For more see www.isover-eea.com.

Department Of Defence And Defence Forces Annual Report Is Published

The Minister for Defence Mr. Tony Killeen T.D., today welcomed the publication of the Department of Defence and Defence Forces Annual Report for 2009.

Minister Killeen said: “2009 presented the usual challenges to the Defence Forces but the unusual events at home and abroad allowed a broad spectrum of capabilities to be deployed.”

Reflecting on events at home, the Minister added: “in years to come, 2009 will be remembered and not too fondly, by many people as the year of the big floods” The Minister once again paid tribute to the Defence Forces for the support they provided to the public at the request of local authorities and the HSE. The Minister said “the ‘can do’ attitude of the Defence Forces was put to the test by the many and varied tasks which they were requested to undertake during the time of crisis. The contribution of the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps was welcomed and widely acknowledged”.

The Minister noted that in 2009, almost 1900 members of the Defence Forces served overseas and continued to enhance the reputation of Irish troops in places such as Chad, Kosovo and Bosnia- Herzegovina. The Minister recalled that the valuable contribution made by the Defence Forces to international peacekeeping, for more than 50 years, was recognised by the United Nations Secretary General Mr. Ban Ki-Moon during his visit to Ireland in July 2009.

In accepting the Annual Report, the Minister remembered the two members of the air corps who died when their plane crashed in October 2009. Minister Killeen said: “a year of so much visible and tangible success was tinged with great sadness. The loss of two young Air Corps personnel, Captain Derek Furniss and Cadet David Jevens, who tragically lost their lives in the course of a flight training exercise, reminds us all of the many risks and dangers that can be associated with a military career”.

The Minister complimented the Secretary General and the Chief of Staff for the dedication and commitment of both civil and military staff throughout a difficult and challenging year. Minister Killeen said “the McCarthy report, published in July 2009, acknowledged the ongoing reform in the Defence Organisation. The considerable modernisation and efficiencies that have been achieved in recent years in the Defence Organisation were central to the targeted reduction in numbers, recommended in that report, being achieved by year’s end”.

The Minister added that: “the flexibility, adaptability and willingness to embrace change, with a focus on continuous improvement, is now firmly embedded within the Defence Organisation. This is a fitting tribute to the former Chief of Staff, Lieutenant General Dermot Earley, who passed away recently. His drive and determination played a key role in the continued modernisation and development of the Defence Forces.”

Concluding, Minister Killeen said “I wish to take this opportunity to record my appreciation for the work done by my predecessor as Minister, Mr Willie O’Dea TD. I am confident that the Defence Organisation is well placed to meet the significant further challenges ahead and will continue to be widely regarded as a model of public sector reform”.

A copy of the Department of Defence and the Defence Forces Annual Report 2009 is available on the Department’s website www.defence.ie and the Defence Forces website www.military.ie.

Appointment Of New Deputy Chief Of Staff (Operations) Of The Defence Forces

The Government today has accepted the recommendation of the Minister for Defence, Mr. Tony Killeen, T.D., to nominate Brigadier General Ralph James for appointment by the President as the new Deputy Chief of Staff (Operations) of the Defence Forces.

Minister Killeen said “I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Brigadier General James on his new appointment and I look forward to working closely with him in the future.”

Brigadier General Ralph James has been the General Officer Commanding the Air Corps and Director of Military Aviation since 2002. The native of Dublin commenced his military service as a cadet in November 1973.

Army Equipment Arrives Home From Chad

The Minister for Defence, Mr. Tony Killeen, T.D., accompanied by the Defence Forces, Chief of Staff, Lieutenant General Sean McCann, was at Dublin Port this afternoon to observe the arrival of the ship carrying the Defence Forces assets and equipment involved in the MINURCAT mission in Chad.

Minister Killeen said “This was a huge logistical task, one of the biggest ever undertaken by the Defence Forces given the location of the mission area in Chad. When the decision was taken to withdraw the Irish Contingent from the United Nations Mission in the Central African Republic of Chad (MINURCAT), the top priority for the Department of Defence and the Defence Forces was to achieve an orderly, efficient withdrawal of personnel and equipment from the country.”

The Irish contingent deployed with MINURCAT was withdrawn in May 2010 and the recovery of equipment and assets commenced straight away, culminating with today’s arrival by ship into Dublin and the subsequent transfer of equipment to the Defence Forces Training Centre in the Curragh Camp.

The Minister added that the Defence Forces would take the opportunity to undertake essential and extensive maintenance of the repatriated equipment in order to prepare for and be ready for their next deployment.

“The process of examining further options for Defence Forces overseas operations is already in train”, he concluded.

50th Anniversary Of First Deployment Of Irish Peacekeepers To Congo

An Taoiseach, Mr Brian Cowen TD, and the Minister for Defence, Mr Tony Killeen TD, accompanied by the Defence Forces Chief of Staff, Lieutenant General Sean McCann, today along with many veterans and their families attended Casement Aerodrome Baldonnel for the commemoration the 50th Anniversary of the Defence Forces deployment of troops to the Congo.

The Operation des Nations Unies au Congo (ONUC) from 1960 to 1964, was the first peacekeeping mission to which an armed contingent of the Defence Forces was committed.

Fifty years ago, the 32nd Infantry Battalion, consisting of 650 personnel of all Ranks, was the first Unit from the Irish Defence Forces to serve overseas. An Irish officer, Lt Gen McKeown, was Force Commander of ONUC from January 1961 to March 1962. Over 6,000 Irish personnel served on this mission with a loss of 26 lives. The mission to the Congo marked the beginning of over 50 years of unbroken service on UN missions for the Irish Defence Forces and laid the foundation for Ireland’s international reputation for professional and impartial peacekeeping.

Speaking at the commemoration the Taoiseach said “It was our involvement in the Congo that represented a new departure for the Defence Forces and Ireland, and from the beginning you set the standard. Poised as we are now, with over 50 years of Irish troop participation in Peacekeeping involvement around the world, I would like to salute you. Be in no doubt that you have left the State with a significant legacy. We are all hugely proud of you.”

The Minister for Defence, Mr Tony Killeen TD, said “The Taoiseach’s attendance at the ceremony is a fitting acknowledgement of the service overseas by Irish troops, starting with the historic Congo mission and continuing to the present day. I am confident that we will have troops deployed on a UN mission in the not too distant future.”

This international involvement was highly significant because it demonstrated that Ireland, though small and still a young state, was willing to play its part on the world stage.

Thus commenced a noble peacekeeping tradition, which has continued into the twenty-first century. This half century of troop participation in international peace support and peacekeeping operations in some of the most difficult conflicts around the world has brought pride, praise and prominence to the Defence Forces and Ireland. It is taken for granted today that Ireland’s Defence Forces would involve itself, as a matter of Irish Foreign Policy, in such challenging undertakings. Such operations present a consistent means of measuring and benchmarking the Defence Forces’ capabilities and standards against best international practice, exemplified most recently by its very successful two-year deployment in Chad.

Indeed, Ireland is regularly approached as a source of peacekeeping personnel and expertise. Relative to our size, available resources and capabilities, both financial and military, Ireland has been proportionately a very large peacekeeping contributor within the international community.

Over the last decade, the nature of peacekeeping operations has changed extensively. The twenty-first century, peace support and crisis management operations now incorporate conflict management, conflict resolution, capacity building and security sector reform. As part of Ireland’s foreign policy we will continue to support the European Union in responding to the challenges of an increasingly more globalised world and in supporting the United Nations. In this regard, Ireland continues to offer, through the UN Standby Arrangements System, to provide up to 850 military personnel for overseas service at any one time.

Garda Issue Appeal Following Fatal Kildare RTA

Gardai are renewing their appeal for witnesses following a fatal road traffic collision which occurred at Clane Village on 26th June 2010.

At approximately 10.45am a female pedestrian, aged in her 80s, was seriously injured when she was struck by an articulated lorry. The woman was taken by Ambulance to Naas General Hospital where she was pronounced dead.

Anyone who may have witnessed the incident or have any information is asked to contact Clane Garda Station 045-868262, or the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111.

New Chief Of Staff Of The Defence Forces Appointed

The Government this morning has accepted the recommendation of the Minister for Defence Mr. Tony Killeen, T.D., to nominate Major General Sean McCann for appointment by the President as Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces.

He will succeed the current Chief of Staff, Lieutenant-General Dermot Earley, who will retire on 13th June 2010.

Minister Killeen said: “I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Major General McCann on his new appointment and I look forward to working closely with him in the future.”

The Minister added: “I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Lieutenant-General Dermot Earley for his truly remarkable contribution to public life. On behalf of the Government, I would like to wish him well in his retirement and to thank him for his hard work and commitment over many years of service in the Defence Forces. The leadership, professionalism and dedication shown by him has brought great honour on the Defence Forces and on this nation as a whole.”

Department of Defence Launches Biodiversity Action Plan

The Minister for Defence, Tony Killeen T.D., this week published the Sectoral Biodiversity Action Plan for the Department of Defence.

The United Nations has designated 2010 as International Year of Biodiversity and this is currently National Biodiversity Week.

Action 1 of The National Biodiversity Plan requests “Relevant Government Departments and State agencies to prepare, with stakeholders, their own Biodiversity Action Plans in line with agreed guidelines to ensure and promote the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity.”

Minister Killeen said “I am delighted to publish this plan during National Biodiversity Week. Biodiversity is not just about animals and plants, it is also about the places in which these animals and plants exist and how these places are impacted by humans.”

The Department of Defence’s property and infrastructure portfolio consists of almost 100 sites including 23 permanently occupied military barracks, together with lands comprising about 21,000 acres. The major land holdings include the Curragh, Co. Kildare, Glen of Imaal, Co. Wicklow and Kilworth, Co. Cork.

In administering these large tracts of land the Department acknowledges that there is a requirement to take account of biodiversity issues. By their nature, the elements comprising the larger training lands are wilderness areas that are generally restricted in terms of public access. As a result these areas and the biodiversity contained within them can be maintained and encouraged to flourish whilst balancing the training needs of the Defence Forces.

The targets and actions contained in the Department of Defence’s Sectoral Biodiversity Action Plan are set out in a number of main categories:

• Land Use and Management
• Habitats
• Identification and Monitoring
• General Measures and sustainability
• Managing Biological Data

Minister Killeen said “Military training lands are located in predominantly remote areas with limited access. The level of activity on certain areas of the military training lands has ensured that biodiversity is conserved to a much greater extent than would otherwise be the case. The introduction of this plan, the first by any Government Department, shows the commitment of the Department to a range of issues that would not normally be associated with Defence policy.”

The Plan is available on the Department’s website at www.defence.ie

Minister Killeen Welcomes Home Troops From Chad

The Minister for Defence and Mid West T.D. Tony Killeen, accompanied by the Acting Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces Major General Dave Ashe, was in Dublin Airport this afternoon to welcome home the final chalk of Irish troops, consisting of 186 personnel from Chad.

A major logistics operation has been underway since the decision was taken to withdraw the main body of Irish troops from the MINURCAT mission.

The majority of Irish owned assets are now centralised in the Chadian capital of N'Djamena, after being transported some 800km across the desert from the Irish base in Goz Beida.

The next phase of the operation will involve an air, road and rail move to get the Irish owned assets the 1500km from N'Djamena to the Cameroonian Capitol of Douala and then onwards to Dublin by ship, a further 9,000km.

Speaking at the Airport, Minister Killeen said “I am delighted to be here to welcome home our troops. I want to express my appreciation to all of the members of the Defence Forces who have served in Chad. I also want to take this opportunity to pay tribute to their families and loved ones, many of whom are here today, for the unheralded role they play in Ireland’s contribution to peacekeeping missions abroad.”

Minister Killeen continued “The operational and logistical challenges faced in Chad cannot be overstated, and the success of the mission was due in large part to the expertise of our logistics and support personnel. This was probably the most difficult mission ever undertaken by the Defence Forces and the manner in which it was deployed and operated is testament to the effectiveness of the modernisation process implemented by the Defence Forces over the past number of years. Participation in the MINURCAT mission has been a continuation of our honourable tradition of supporting the United Nations in the cause of peace and security.”

In summing up, the Minister acknowledged the major role the Defence Forces have played, in contributing to the creation of a safe and secure environment in Chad for refugees and internally displaced persons. “I would like to again emphasise that the decision to withdraw the Irish contingent from the MINURCAT mission does not lessen Ireland’s commitment to the UN but was simply a decision forced on the Government for mainly logistical reasons arising from the delayed UN mandate.” the Minister said.

Upland Sheep Scheme Payments To Be Made In Early December

Tony Killeen T.D., Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, has confirmed that special payments amounting to approximately 7 million euro will be made to 13,000 hill sheep farmers over the next two months.

Minister Killeen confirmed that he expected that Upland Sheep Payment Scheme payments worth in the region of 5 million euro would be made by the end of the year with the remaining 2 million euro being paid in early 2010. A further 54 million euro will be made available over the next three years in unused CAP funds to support incomes in the sheep sector.

The Clare T.D. said: “The Uplands Sheep Payment comprises unused funds from the Single Payment National Reserve. By creating this payment, the Government has recognised the difficulties and costs, including compliance costs, facing the sheep sector.”

“In addition to the 7 million euro payments being made over the next two months, the Department has allocated an additional 8 million euro for sheep fencing and mobile handling facilities to assist sheep farmers in reducing labour input, as part of a new targeted on-farm investment scheme”, added Minister of State Killeen.

The 2009 Upland Sheep Payment will be payable to farmers who declared their sheep under the 2007 and the 2008 Sheep Census; declared Mountain Type Grazing under the 2009 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme; and were eligible for and were in receipt of payment under the 2009 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme. The maximum area payable is 15 hectares of mountain type grazing.

Crop Variety Evaluation Programme Review Is Completed

Junior Agriculture Minister and Clare T.D. Tony Killeen has confirmed that the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has completed an in-depth review of the Crop Variety Evaluation programme.

Among the key recommendations of the review are restructuring within the Department to reduce costs, greater collaboration with Teagasc, changes to the cereal and grass trialling protocols and introduction of some cost recovery.

As part of Ireland's Statutory obligation under EU Legislation for the marketing of agricultural plant varieties, the Department carries out National List trials on all of the major crops being grown in Ireland including cereals, grasses, oilseed rape and potatoes. In addition to the Statutory function carried out with respect to National List trials, the Department goes a step further and carries out an enhanced programme of Recommended List trials. These trials provide a comprehensive guide for Irish farmers in choosing the most suitable varieties for growing in Ireland.

According to Minister of State Killeen: “The Crop Variety Evaluation work provides an independent service whereby farmers can be confident that the recommended varieties perform well under a wide range of growing conditions. The contribution of improved varieties to increased production of wheat and barley is significant. Today, Ireland is among the highest yield of cereals per hectare in the world.”

The local T.D. noted the importance of exploring every opportunity to make savings, improve efficiencies, and improve the competitiveness of Irish agriculture production through the availability of the best varieties of cereals and grasses.

He added; “Crop variety trialling costs will be reduced by over 20% by amalgamating two Divisions within the Department - Crop Variety Evaluation and Seed Certification Divisions - and redeploying a number of staff to other areas of work. Department officials are in on-going discussions with Teagasc on making changes to both the grass and cereal evaluation protocols."

It is planned to introduce the new protocols in 2010. The grass trials will put greater weighting on grazing reflecting the increasing emphasis on low cost extended grazing systems for dairy and beef production. For cereals, the Department has agreed to include a number of Teagasc BETTER tillage farms as sites for trialling which will facilitate improved knowledge transfer to the commercial cereal growers. The review also recommends a contribution from industry towards the annual costs of providing the service. Charges for crop variety evaluation are in place in other EU Member States. The Department will continue to carry a proportion of the burden of cost.

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.

Dairy Sector To Benefit From High Level Consultative Group

Junior Agriculture Minister and Fianna Fail T.D. for Clare, Mr. Tony Killeen has welcomed the announcement by his colleague and Minister for Agriculture Brendan Smith regarding the establishment of a consultative group to advise on medium and long term measures for the dairy sector.

The new group is being established following this week’s special meeting of EU Agriculture Ministers in Brussels where there was a full discussion on the need for measures to manage the dairy market in the period up to quota abolition and beyond. According to Minister of State Killeen: “By availing of the broadest possible range of views, the Department of Agriculture and the country will be better prepared to develop a long term strategy for ensuring the viability of the Irish dairy sector.”

The consultative group will be representative of all stakeholders including the IFA, ICMSA, ICSA, Macra na Feirme, ICOS, IDIA and IDB, who will be asked to nominate representatives. In addition, Teagasc and academic interest will be invited to participate.

Minister of State Killeen said that the high level group would examine medium term and long term ways of stabilising dairy farmers’ incomes and improving market transparency.

“In its work towards delivering a comprehensive report by June 2010, the group will examine means through which contractual arrangements in the supply chain can contribute to the highest possible returns for producers, giving them more bargaining power in the process and providing a buffer against extremes of market volatility such as those that are being experienced at present. It will also examine existing market instruments and consider what other means, including a dairy futures market, could contribute to the objective of price stability in the longer term”, he added.

The Department of Agriculture is expected to shortly convene the first meeting of the consultative group.

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.

Irish Live Register Figures Drop In September

The numbers claiming benefits on the Live Register fell across all regions during September, with Mayo posting the biggest county fall, according to figures released by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) today.

Earlier this week, Live Register statistics released from the CSO revealed the number of people claiming unemployment benefits had fallen by over 16,000 since last month. There were 423,639 people signing on the register during September compared to 440,056 last month, a drop of 16,417 (-3.7 per cent).

Additional figures published today showed the decline was reflected across the State, with the largest percentage fall in the Border region (-4.8 per cent). The smallest decrease was in the greater Dublin area, at -2.9 per cent. In the year to September 2009 the number of people on the unadjusted Live Register rose by 183,422 (+76.4 per cent). All regions showed annual increases with the largest percentage increase in the mid-east region (+83.1 per cent), while the south-east region had the smallest increase (+68.1 per cent).

During September, however, the number of males claiming benefits fell in all regions, with the biggest downward trends coming in the Border and mid-east regions (-2.9 per cent), while the smallest percentage decreases were in the midland and south-west regions (-1.4 per cent). The number of females also decreased in all regions in the month, with largest and smallest decrease in the Border region (-8.3 per cent) and Dublin region (-5.4 per cent), respectively.

On a county basis, the biggest percentage drop for last month was in Mayo (-6.9 per cent), while the smallest percentage decrease was in Laois (-2.3 per cent). Outside Dublin (103,079) and Cork (45,563), Galway Social Welfare offices (24,206) had the most people on the Register last month, followed by Limerick (21,188). Leitrim had the lowest numbers claiming benefits, at just over 3,500, followed by Roscommon (3,758). In Dublin, Tallaght and Clondalkin Social Welfare offices headed the statistics, with over 9,600 claimants in each case last month.

In September, there were 345,158 Irish nationals and 78,481 non-Irish nationals on the Live Register, in what was a monthly decrease of 14,594 (-4.1 per cent) in Irish nationals and a decrease of 1,823 (-2.3 per cent) in non-Irish nationals. In the year to September 2009 the number of Irish nationals on the Live Register rose by 146,155, while the annual increase for non-Irish nationals was 37,267. A number of Social Welfare offices have seen the numbers claiming benefit double between September 2008 and last month, including Dún Laoghaire, Co Dublin (3,768 to 7,912) and Maynooth, Co Kildare, (2,763 to 6,185).

The Live Register is not designed to measure unemployment, as it includes part-time workers, seasonal and casual workers entitled to jobseekers’ benefit or allowance. Unemployment is measured by the Quarterly National Household Survey. The most recent figure for April to June 2009, is 264,600 persons unemployed.

ARTICLE - The Irish Times

Swine Flu Deaths Recorded In West And East Of Ireland

Two more people have died from human swine flu in Ireland, the Health Service Executive has confirmed today.

The HSE said one woman was from the west of the country and the other from the eastern region. Both women had underlying medical conditions.

Their deaths bring the total number of swine flu fatalities in the Republic to four.