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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Council Seeks Removal Of Ennis Drinking Water Boil Notice

Clare County Council has entered consultation with the Health Service Executive (HSE) to lift a partial drinking water boil notice that has been in place for over four years in Ennis and surrounding areas.

The local authority confirmed that a new 9m euro water treatment plant at Drumcliffe, located on the outskirts of Ennis, is now fully operational. All tests on the water being produced at the new plant have indicated that the water being produced is to the quality required by the Drinking Water Regulations (No. 2) of 2007.

In excess of 30,000 residents in the greater Ennis area are affected by the precautionary boil notice, which was put in place following the detection of cryptosporidium in the public water supply in May 2005. Exhaustive testing throughout 2009 confirmed that there was no presence of cryptosporidium in the treated water that enters the Ennis public water supply.

Mr. David Timlin, Director of Services, Clare County Council, expressed optimism that the boil notice would be removed as early as possible.

“The new Ennis water treatment plant has now been fully commissioned. No major operational or production issues occurred during the new treatment plant’s thorough and wide-ranging testing period in the past five months. The treatment works has performing satisfactorily right through the severe weather conditions experienced recently and last summer. Site testing to date would indicate that there are no quality or quantity issues with the water produced. The new plant at Drumcliffe continues to produce water of the quality required by the Drinking Water Regulations (No. 2) of 2007”, he commented.

Mr. Timlin confirmed that the Council has issued a takeover certificate to EPS Ltd enabling the contractor to commence the Operate phase of the Design Build Operate (DBO) contract for the new water treatment plant.

He continued: “Full chemical parameter tests on the quality and quantity of water being produced at the plant have proven satisfactory, which is why the Council is working through very extensive protocols with the HSE to remove the partial boil notice. There is no doubt that such a move would provide a tremendous boost for residential and commercial customers of the Ennis Public Water Supply. In the interim, however, we wish to remind consumers that the Precautionary Partial Boil Water Advice remains in place for the protection of vulnerable groups.”

Vulnerable sectors of the community include patients who are immuno-compromised, infants, pre-school children and visitors. These groups are advised to continue to boil tap water before consumption. Institutions serving vulnerable people should also continue to boil tap water or use alternative supplies. This includes hospitals, nursing homes, crèches, pre-schools and day care centres.

Tills To Ring As Christmas Bells Toll In Ennis

Ennis Town Council today announced a series of incentives aimed at attracting shoppers to the Clare County capital in the run up to Christmas.

Free car parking will be provided on Saturday 12th and 19th December while festive street entertainment will take place throughout the town centre on the afternoon of Saturday 19th. The initiatives complement last week’s announcement by the Council that Abbey Street, O’Connell Square and O’Connell Street will be pedestrianised on Saturday 12th, and 19th, Sunday 20th and on Christmas Eve 24th December.

Councillor Frankie Neylon, Mayor of Ennis said the Council was keen to support local businesses and promote the town as a unique shopping destination.

He explained: “The key message being promoted by the Council is that Ennis is very much open for business despite the recent serious flooding that hit the town and, of course, the devastating impact that the economic downturn has had on retailers throughout Clare. I believe that by organising street entertainment, in tandem with the introduction of free car parking, pedestrianisation and an impressive Christmas lighting scheme, Ennis Town Councill will be helping to create a festive atmosphere and enhance the overall shopping experience.”

“People must realise that trains on the Ennis to Limerick line work both ways and that we should be doing our utmost to attract day shoppers from Limerick City and the wider region. Ennis, like many other towns throughout Ireland, has had to contend with various problems but we now need to move forward, be positive and get the message out that the town is up and running and open for business. The Council also wishes to remind shoppers that by supporting local businesses they are helping to sustain employment within the community”, added Mayor Neylon.

Ennis Brass Band and the Ennis Gospel Choir are among the musical acts scheduled to perform in O’Connell Square on Saturday 19th. The festive musical entertainment will be accompanied by street entertainment throughout the town centre.

Free Parking will be provided on Dec 12th and 19th at locations including Abbey Street Carpark, Parnell Street Carpark and Friary Lane. Motorists are advised that normal car parking restrictions will remain in place elsewhere throughout the town.

Meanwhile, Ennis Town Council, supported by Marian Athletic Club and the RNLI, has confirmed that the 13th Christmas Turkey Trot will be held on St Stephens Day, leaving Waterpark House in Drumbiggle at 12 noon. The annual event, which is being sponsored by McDonalds, is open to walkers, runners and cyclists. Funds raised this year will be distributed to local charitable and voluntary organisations.

For further details on festive street entertainment, free car parking, pedestrianisation and Christmas lighting in Ennis see www.ennistowncouncil.ie