Mid West Farmers Markets Urged To Sign Up To Code Of Good Practice

Junior Agriculture Minister Tony Killeen, T.D., has urged Farmers’ Markets throughout the Mid West region to submit applications for the Code of Good Practice for Farmers Markets.

34 markets were awarded the good practice banner in 2009, including Nenagh Farmers' Market in Tipperary, Ballyvaughan, Kilrush and Ennis Farmers' Markets in Clare, and Abbeyfeale Market and Limerick Milk Market in Limerick.

Minister of State Killeen said: “One of the Government's commitments under the Programme for Government is to encourage more direct selling between farmers and consumers by restoring and promoting farm shops and a national network of farmers' markets and country markets”.

He added: “The awarding of this Good Practice Standard will give consumers more confidence in what local food markets stand for and provide Mid West food producers with a good route to market and opportunity to deal directly with local consumers. It is also a very good promotional tool for the market itself. Bord Bia will denote all Farmers' Markets on its website and Good Food Ireland has also expressed interest in including the good practice markets in its guides”.

“Markets operating to this standard receive a certificate and banner which they can display to inform the public, that they are undertaking to hold markets regularly; to source a substantial proportion, ideally 50%, of local produce from the county or neighbouring counties; to accommodate seasonal and local garden/allotment produce and to comply with food safety/labelling rules and criteria on good governance”, concluded Minister of State Killeen.

Applications should be made to Bord Bia, Clanwilliam Court Lower Mount Street, Dublin 2 on or before 31 March 2010. Further information is available at www.bordbia.ie or www.agriculture.gov.ie.

Men’s Voices To Be Heard On International Women’s Day In Limerick

International Women’s Day 2010 will be celebrated somewhat differently in County Limerick this year as three men take centre stage at an event entitled “Men’s Voices…Men’s Stories”.

The unique event will be held at the Newcastle West Public Library on March 8th and will feature the widely published and popular poet Gabriel Fitzmaurice, international singer and storyteller Colm Sands and the acclaimed Sean-nós dancer Seosamh O Neachtain.

For over 25 years, International Women’s Day has been marked in Newcastle West with events that have focussed on and celebrated women’s lives, creativity and achievements. Organised by Limerick County Council under the auspices of Newcastle West Library and the County Arts Office in conjunction with Newcastle West Arts Committee, this annual event has stimulated, entertained and drawn large appreciative audiences down through the years.

According to Limerick County Arts Officer Joan Mac Kernan: “I think people may be surprised, interested, even amused that we have given the one day that is an international platform for women over to our male brethren this year. But being the generous magnanimous sex that we are, we thought we would shine the spotlight on men, their lives and their creativity”.

Explaining the format of the upcoming celebratory event, Newcastle West Librarian Aileen Dillane said: “We have a trio of talented and might I say brave men taking to the stage on March 8th. The evening will weave in and out between poetry, song, story and dance, and with Seosamh accompanied by Colm Gannon on accordion, it promises to be a foot tapping, uplifting and energising event. And we might even have a bar of Bread and Roses, the International Women’s Day anthem”.

“An open invitation is extended to everyone, both sisters and brothers, to join the celebrations on Monday evening, March 8th in the library Newcastle West at 8.00pm. Admission is free”, concluded Ms. Dillane.

Further information is available from the Limerick County Council Arts Office on 061-496498.

Killeen Welcomes Pre-clearance For US Bound Private Aircraft

Minister of State Tony Killeen, T.D., today welcomed the commencement of US immigration pre-clearance operations for private aircraft at Shannon Airport.

The Clare T.D. noted that Shannon can now look forward to a notable increase in private aircraft utilising the US pre-clearance facilities as it is the only airport in Europe to offer such a service.

The local T.D. added: “Similar to the interest shown by commercial aviation since pre-clearance for commercial flights to the U.S. from Shannon was introduced on 5 August 2009, Shannon can expect a significant increase in private aircraft routing through Shannon. I am aware that a number of private aircraft already use the airport for refuelling and I am confident that a much greater number of such aircraft will take advantage of the new pre-clearance facility”.

“I would like to pay tribute to the US Ambassador to Ireland Daniel M. Rooney; U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security, Ms Janet Napolitano; Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey and the Shannon Airport Authority for their efforts in ensuring that the pre-clearance facilities were made available to US-bound private aircraft. This development is key to the continued success of the facilities in question, which are the envy of other airports throughout Europe”, Minister of State Killeen stated.

Minister of State Killeen continued: “The US Customs and Border Protection Inspection post has had a positive impact on the development of transatlantic business at Shannon since it was established in August 2009. Evidence of this success is visible from Continental Airlines recent announcement that it is to add four flights a week to Newark Liberty International Airport. These new facilities clearly have the potential to replace business lost due to the global economic downturn and the advent of open skies with its implications for transatlantic business at Shannon Airport.”