Shannon Development Report likely To Raise Fears Over Agency's Future

Shannon Development, one of the state agencies recommended for rationalisation under the newly released Bord Snip Nua report, today reported a loss of €5.6 million for 2008 due to a fall-off in rental income and lower revenues from asset sales .

The State-owned company made a profit of €732,000 in 2007, according to its annual report published today. The agency manages a large portfolio of State-owned industrial property in the region which stretches from south Offaly to Kerry, and also includes North Tipperary, Clare and Limerick. It also operates the Shannon Free Zone (SFZ) and a number of tourism attractions such as Bunratty Castle through its subsidiary companies.

Meanwhile, Shannon Development announced that nearly 600 new jobs were created in the Shannon Free Zone last year. The agency says the biggest single boost was 250 jobs announced by the medical devices company Zimmer. The total created in the zone last year was 576, but with 468 jobs also being lost during the year, the net gain was just 108.

The agency says there are now more than 7,000 people employed by more than 100 copanies in the free zone. The zone is the only location where Shannon Development has direct responsibility for job creation, through it offers a number of other support services for companies in its region.

Chief executive Dr. Vincent Cunnane said the agency had also worked during the year to secure a 500m euro Shannon LNG project for Ballylongford, Co. Kerry. He said: "This project has the potential to provide up to 60pc of Ireland's project future gas needs. We plan to intensify our focus on securing further energy solutions in the future."

The agency had also signed 35 major tourism marketing agreements with key travel companies world-wide, which had resulted in 426,000 additional bednights for the Shannon Region and boosted visitor spend in the area by over 43m euro.

Second Irish Language Scheme Is Published

The availability of public services through the Irish language will be further strengthened over the coming years, according to Minister of State Tony Killeen.

The Clare T.D. made his comments following the publication of the second Irish Language Scheme 2009 – 2012 by the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs.

Minister of State Tony Killeen T.D. said the new Scheme builds on and consolidates the commitments in the first Scheme. He explained: “It sets out a commitment on behalf of the Department to develop the extent to which services are currently available through Irish and identifies areas for future enhancement. Under this Scheme the Government will continue to deliver the commitments set out in its first scheme and will build on the progress achieved over the preceding period. I am also pleased that this new Scheme sets out a framework for the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs to further develop the extent to which services are currently available to our customers through Irish.”

Minister of State Killeen continued: “This Scheme also takes account of the adoption by Government in December 2006 of the Policy Statement in relation to Irish that sets out a number of key principles for supporting the language; the policy context of the proposed 20 Year Strategy for the Irish Language; and the particular mandate that the Department has in respect of supporting the extension and growth in use of the Irish language countrywide, including its maintenance in the Gaeltacht, which is the primary source of the living language.”

In relation to the wider implementation of the Official Languages Act, the Department has worked with partners to develop a range of supports to assist public bodies in meeting their obligations under the Act and in meeting the challenges of delivering on the commitments in their respective Language Schemes. These include:
- a Quality Assurance System for Translators;
- an on-line database of placenames www.logainm.ie;
- development of an Irish Language Translation Memory Resource;
- a glossary of signage and other terms established by Foras na Gaeilge on its website www.gaeilge.ie;
- development of a database of EU and legal terminology in Irish; and
- Freagra, a help-line for the public sector (freagra@acmhainn.ie).

Minister of State Killeen said it is envisaged the Department will continue to make such supports available, as appropriate, in the period ahead.

The Department’s Language Scheme 2009-1012 is available on www.pobail.ie

New Post Grad Course In Veterinary Public Health

Junior Agriculture Minister, Mr. Tony Killeen has welcomed the launch of a new Post Graduate Certificate in Veterinary Public Health.

The course has been developed by the universities in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and Northern Ireland’s Department of Agriculture and Rural Development to meet the continuing educational needs of Official Veterinarians involved in regulating the food industry. “The course, which will be jointly conferred by University College Dublin and The University of Ulster, is delivered entirely on-line and is the first of its kind to be available anywhere in Europe”; explained Minister of State Killeen. The Co Clare Deputy added: “The Department of Agriculture’s contribution to developing this new course and continuing education for official veterinarians engaged in veterinary public health, demonstrates the importance it gives to the proper regulation of the food industry. This regulation is essential if Ireland is to maintain and enhance its position as a producer of food of the very highest quality in European and world markets.”

“This type of continued collaborative work is mutually beneficial to us all and anything that strengthens our controls can only enhance Ireland’s profile within the agri-food sector,” concluded Minister Killeen.

Every household to receive Lisbon postcard

A postcard explaining the legal guarantees secured by the Government in relation to the Lisbon Treaty is to be sent to every household in the country.

The Government information campaign comes just three months ahead of a controversial second referendum on the treaty planned for early October.

The guarantees in respect of taxation, neutrality and abortion were agreed at June’s EU summit in Brussels and will be incorporated in a series of treaty protocols.

Ireland Is Declared Brucellosis Free

Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, with special responsibility for Forestry, Fisheries and the Marine, Mr. Tony Killeen has warmly welcomed the EU Commission’s approval of Ireland’s application for official brucellosis free status.

“For some time, Ireland has been in a position to be declared Brucellosis-free because of the dramatic reduction in the incidence of Brucellosis over the past decade and because there has been no confirmed outbreak of this disease here since April 2006”, explained Minister of State Killeen.

The Fianna Fail TD for Clare described the EC’s approval as a “significant development” for Irish agriculture. He pointed out that securing Brucellosis-free status for Ireland would now enable the Department of Agriculture to reduce some of the control elements of the eradication programme over the coming years with a beneficial impact on farmers, particularly in relation to trade.

Minister of State Killeen continued, “I acknowledge that the eradication arrangements have been disruptive and costly both to farmers and to the Department of Agriculture, in terms of compensation and the substantial additional costs incurred on testing and other economic losses arising from the premature removal of infected cattle. Our combined efforts and success in combating Brucellosis is due to a number of factors, not least the full cooperation of all stakeholders with the eradication regime.”

Minister Killeen welcomed the confirmation from his colleague and Minister for agriculture Brendan Smith that a controlled reduction in the brucellosis eradication programme would take place over a period of years. He stated: “There will be an increase in the period of the pre-movement test from 30 to 60 days, while the age threshold for round testing will be increased to 24 months. However, in view of the greater risk attached to the movement, particularly the movement of breeding animals, the age limit for the pre-movement test will be retained at 12 months except in the case of bulls, for which the age limit is being increased to 18 months, given the lower risk of transmitting the disease.”

Minister Killeen said that the new arrangements would be implemented as soon as possible after the publication of the Commission Decision and the necessary amendments are made to national legislation.

Electric and plumbing firm creates 70 jobs

A Tyrone-based company that provides plumbing and electrical services has announced plans to create 70 jobs in the Leinster region in the coming years.

O'Kane Plumbing and Electrics said the positions will be created during the next three years. It says it plans to upskill prospective employees to ensure full familiarity with the renewable energy sector.

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.

Internet users warned about Revenue scam

Revenue today warned Internet users of a bogus email that lures people into sending personal financial information.

The scam first popped up in March with fraudsters contacting their victims claiming they are owed a tax refund and asking for credit or debit card details and date of birth, reports breakingnews.ie. “The email appears to have issued again today,” a spokeswoman said. “This email did not issue from Revenue. The Revenue Commissioners never send emails which require customers to send personal information via email or pop-up windows.”

Revenue asked anyone who receives a suspicious email to forward it to webmaster@revenue.ie.

(Click on above image to view the bogus email received today by Irish County News)

Junior doctors face longer working weeks

Junior doctors face longer working weeks if a new Labour Court directive is adopted.

The Court has issued a ruling on the working hours of junior doctors, which recommends that their working day and working week should be extended, and which severely limits the opportunity for doctors to earn overtime pay. Junior doctors are currently rostered to work from 9 am to 5 pm, Monday to Thursday, and from 9 am to 4 pm on Friday. Any work they do at night and at weekends is considered overtime, reports irishhealth.com.

The recommendation, if implemented, will lead to major savings for the HSE in junior doctor overtime pay at a time when it is trying to cut payroll costs. The IMO is to meet later this week to discuss the proposal and will ultimately ballot its members on it. In excess of €260 milliion per annum is spent on junior doctor overtime.

In-store tobacco advertising ban to be enforced from tomorrow

A ban on the display and advertising of tobacco in retail stores will come into effect tomorrow.

Tobacco will now be placed in closed plain containers behind the counter.

Vending machines in pubs will be token operated and within the sight of the bar manager, reports RTE.

Bus Eireann cutbacks talks underway

Management and unions at Bus Eireann are today engaged in talks at the Labour Relations Commission in a bid to resolve a dispute over the company's cost-cutting plans.

A planned strike over the €30m cutbacks was deferred last week after the Commission invited both sides to discussions. Bus Eireann wants to shed up to 320 jobs and alter the working conditions of employees.

However, the company has agreed to suspend implementation of the cuts pending the outcome of the latest talks.

Bord na Mona workers accept new arrangements

A strike at Bord na Mona has been averted by workers voting last night to accept new working arrangements.

The workers voted at a meeting in Tullamore last night to accept new proposals from the company on restructuring of seasonal peat production. Workers at four locations in the midlands had voted last month for a strike against earlier proposals.

Arramount seeks appointment of examiner

Arramount Furniture, which has seven shops across the country, is to seek the appointment of an interim examiner, it announced this afternoon.

The company, which employs 34 people, said it needed to begin examinership proceedings in an attempt put in place new refinancing arrangements for creditors and bankers. It is to seek the appointment of Kieran Wallace of KPMG, according to the Irish Times. The store was established in 1995 and has branches in Dublin, Limerick, Cork, Newbridge, Tullamore, Athlone and Mullingar.

Killeen Calls On EC To Stimulate Dairy Market

Junior Agriculture Minister Tony Killeen, T.D., has pledged his support to measures being put forward by the Irish Government aimed at securing additional supports for the Dairy Industry.

The Clare Deputy said that the European Commission had been presented with a set of proposals including an extension of closing dates for private storage aid and the removal of the "free at frontier" price for cheese. “The European Commission must continue to support the milk market effectively, and that further support for the Dairy Industry is absolutely essential and urgently needed”, stated Minister of State Killeen.

He continued: “Along with my colleague Minister for Agriculture Brendan Smith I urge the EC to consider removing the "free at frontier" price for cheese that is blocking the use of export refunds for certain cheeses. This is a self-imposed technical impediment not warranted in the current circumstances. Furthermore, the EC should consider extending intervention purchases of butter and skimmed milk powder beyond the end of August and extending closing dates for private storage aid.”

Minister of State Killeen stressed the need for the EC to continue to step up efforts to stabilise the situation and stimulate the market.

Bord na Mona strike action is averted

Unions at Bord na Móna have deferred strike action after a meeting this morning.

It is understood that workers will be balloted on Thursday on new proposals from the company. RTE reports that a picket was placed on some Bord na Mána works this morning, but the action has now been lifted until the ballot in Tullamore.

Workers at Bord na Móna bogs in Offaly, Westmeath and Longford had voted in favour of strike action three weeks ago.

Northern Ireland promotion for Shannon Region

A million people in Northern Ireland will hear about the Shannon Region as a holiday destination when six radio stations broadcast live at the weekend.

Over 40 tourism businesses from Limerick, Clare, Tipperary and Offaly will be given an opportunity to sell their attractions and facilities live on air in a tourism promotion which has been organised by Shannon Development, reports the Limerick Leader newspaper.

Representatives from the six Northern Media Group radio stations travel to the Shannon Region this week to prepare for the live outside broadcasts which will take place in Killaloe/Ballina on Friday, June 19, from 2pm to 6pm and from a base at the Ballyhoura Mountain Biking Park in County Limerick on Saturday, June 20, from 2pm to 6.30pm. The six Northern Ireland radio stations are Q97.2 Fm; Seven Fm; Q102.9 Fm; Q101 Fm; Six Fm; and Five Fm.

Irish Government Seeks Additional Support For Dairy Farmers

The continued weakening of the Irish dairy market has led to increased efforts by the Irish Government to exert pressure on the European Commission to provide every available support to farmers.

That’s according to Junior Agriculture Minister and Clare T.D. Tony Killeen who noted that without such support the current deep crisis in dairy markets would continue to badly affect dairy farmers’ incomes. Minister Killeen said, “Farmers across the EC, and farmers in Ireland in particular, are facing very severe difficulties in making ends meet. Prices are historically low and while the Commission has made every effort to stabilise the situation, there is no real sign that a recovery is in sight. I share my colleague and Minister for Agriculture Brendan Smith’s concern that the market continues to show resistance, and price returns to dairy farmers in Ireland are now at levels that threaten the very viability of many farm enterprises”.

Minister Killeen said that the Irish Government has been to the forefront in pressing the Commission since last November for the activation of market measures, with some considerable success. He continued, “The Government will continue to seek further steps that may assist in reversing the downturn and stimulating the market further. This includes prolonging the intervention purchases of butter and skimmed milk powder, and the private storage scheme for butter beyond their normal closing dates in August. I believe that the role that private storage plays in particular, but intervention too, are such that their continuation after the normal end dates will be crucial in evening out the supply/demand curves and preventing further market turbulence at a time when supplies would otherwise hit commercial markets”.

Royal Institute announces shortlist for Architectural Awards

The Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland has announced a shortlist of 35 projects for this year’s Irish Architectural Awards.

The awards will be presented next Monday June 22nd at Farmleigh.

10A Grangegorman Villas - Odos Architects
A House - FKL Architects
St George's Church & St Thomas's Insertion - Clancy Moore Architects
Arás na hÓidhreacha, Former Bishops Palace - OPW
Ballyfermot Leisure & Youth Centre Project - McGarry Ní Eanaigh Architects
Café /Bar on Deal Pier - Niall McLaughlin Architects
Coady House - Boyd Cody Architects
Country House, Morna Valley, Balearics, Spain - De Blacam & Meagher
Domus House, Rathmines - Donaghy & Dimond
Dwelling at Maytree - Odos Architects
Eurocampus/French School Dublin - A2 Architects
Extension to Ellenvale - Catriona Duggan & Achim Gottstein Architects
Hazelwood School - GM & AD Architects
Irishtown Health Centre - A&D Wejchert & Partners
Jigsaw - McCullough Mulvin
Lake House - Clancy Moore Architects
Landscape Room - Lid Architecture
Leixlip Garda Station - O'Brian Beary Architects
Library, Abbeyleix - De Blacam & Meagher
Light House Cinema, Smithfield - Dta Architects
Midland Regional Hospital at Tullamore - Murray O'Laoire/Brian O'Connell Associates
Origami House - Jane D Burnside Architects
Precast House, Howth - FKL Architects
Spa & Leisure Building, Hotel Europa - Gottstein Architects
St Michael's House Swimming Pool - Michael Collins Associates
St. Georges Church - Joseph Doyle Architects
Tallaght Zip & Plaza - Seán Harrington Architects
Thomond Park Redevelopment - Murray O'Laoire Architects/AFL Architects'
Timberyard Social Housing - O'Donnell & Tuomey Architects
Tesco Tramore Eco-Store - Joseph Doyle Architects
Ulsterbank - Consarc Design Group Ltd
University Of Ulster Belfast Campus - Todd Architects
Victoria Square - BDP Architects
Wexford Opera House - OPW & Keith Williams Architects
York Street Social Housing - Sean Harrington Architects

Banville and Earley win GAA monthly awards

Kildare footballer Dermot Earley and Wexford hurler Stephen Banville have been named as the official GAA Players of the Month for May.

Earley has been honoured for his role in Kildare's victory over Offaly in Portlaoise in May. Banville was a key figure in Wexford's Leinster championship win over Offaly at Wexford Park two weeks ago.

Special classes axed across country

The response by Minister for Education Batt O’Keeffe to the appeals by primary schools against the closure of special classes has been “minimalist and totally inadequate”, the Irish National Teachers' Organisation (INTO) said today.

General secretary of the INTO John Carr told the Irish Times the response leaves hundreds of special needs children in dozens of primary schools without the "vital service".

Earlier this year the Minister announced the closure of 128 special classes in 119 schools for children with mild general learning difficulties. More than forty schools appealed the decision to the Minister and today it was announced that only ten of the classes will be retained.

The following schools, who appealed the decision, will have special classes closed:St Anne's NS, Bailieborough, Co Cavan - 1 class to be closed,St Joseph's NS, Macroom Road, Coolock, D17 - 1 class to be closed,St Michael's GNS, Arklow, co Wicklow - 1 class to be closed,St Fergal's SNS, Boghall Road, Bray, Co Wicklow - 1 class to be closed,Mary Queen of Angels NS, Ballyfermot, D10 - 1 class to be closed,Sacred Heart School, Sruleen, Clondalkin, D22 - 1 class to be closed,Convent of Mercy JNS, Castleblaney, Monaghan - 1 class to be closed,St Michael's NS, Domincan Campus, Ballyfermot, D10 - 1 class to be closed,Mercy Primary School, Birr, Co Offaly - 1 class to be closed,Virgin Mary Girls & Boys' NS, Ballymun, D9 2 classes to be closed,St Oliver's NS, Ballycasheen, Killarney, Co Kerry - 1 class to be closed,Sc Chaitriona JNS & SNS, Renmore, Co Galway - 2 classes to be closed,Mallow Convent NS, Mallow, Co Cork - 2 MGLD classes to be closed. One class since re-designated as an autism class,Convent of Mercy NS, Kilrush, Co Clare - 1 class to be closed,Mary Queen of Angels NS, Ballyfermot, D 10 - 1 class to be closed,St Catherine's SNS, Ratoath Road, Cabra, Dublin 7 - 1 class to be closed,St Mary's NS, Bancroft Avenue, Greenhills Road, Tallaght - 1 class to be closed,St Cronan's SNS, Brackenstown, Swords - 1 class to be closed,St Brendan's BNS, Birr, Co Offaly - 1 class to be closed,St Mary's BNS, St Mary's Hill, Monaghan - 1 class to be closed,Sacred Heart SNS, Killinarden, Tallaght, D24 - 2 classes to be closed,St Aidan's NS, Brookfield, D24 - 1 class to be closed,St Brendan's BNS McAuley Road Artane, D5 - 1 class to be closed,St Peter Apostle SNS Neilstown Clondalkin, D 22 - 1 class to be closed,St Kevins BNS Barry Avenue Finglas West , D11 - 1 class to be closed,St Francis' JNS Priorswood, D17 - 1 class to be closed,St Joseph's Arklow - 1 class to be closed,St Peter Apostle JNS - 1 class to be closed,St Mary's JNS, Rowlagh, Clondalkin - 1 class to be closed,St Joseph's SNS, Balcurris, Ballymun - 1 class to be closed,St Eithne's NS, Edenmore, Dublin 5 - 1 class to be closed,St Helen's SNS, Portmarnock, Co Dublin - 1 class to be closed,Dominican convent Wicklow/Rathdrum Wicklow - 2 classes to be closed.