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.

Roads funding boost for Derry

Over £21.5m is to be spent improving Derry's roads this year, the Transport Minister has said.

Meeting with the city council, Conor Murphy announced works to dual 6.75km of the A2 between Maydown to City of Derry Airport had commenced.

The contract was recently awarded to Lagan Construction Ltd. It is thought the scheme will take 18 months to complete, reports build.ie. Mr Murphy also welcomed the recent selection of the preferred routes for the A6 dualling, Derry to Dungiven and the Buncrana Road widening scheme.

The Minister said this year's increased allocation for structural maintenance would allow a larger number of resurfacing schemes to proceed on local roads.

Man recovering following Derry shooting

Police in Northern Ireland are investigating a shooting incident in Derry in which a 26-year-old man suffered injuries to his leg and foot.

The victim was shot by a man who called to his house on Florence Street just before midnight. He is said to be in a stable condition in hospital this morning. Breakingnews.i.e reports his attacker fled the scene on foot.

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.

Aer Arann launches new connecting service

Aer Arann has introduced connecting flights to Cork from Donegal, Derry, Galway and Knock Ireland West via Dublin.

"These new flight services open up the possibility for short but important business and leisure trips that would otherwise involve lengthy and often frustrating car journeys" comments Andrew Kelly, Aer Arann's Director of Corporate Affairs.

"By opting for a connecting flight rather than driving, customers can save significant travel time, as well as enjoying the added comfort of travelling with Aer Arann" he told Businessworld.ie.

Two killed in Derry and Cavan

A woman in her 60s has died after a two-car collision occurred on the N3 near Cavan town yesterday evening.

The accident happened south of the town at around 5.30pm. Meanwhile, a man has also died after a collision occurred near Derry yesterday evening, reports breakingnews.ie. The crash happened at the junction between Culmore Road and Springfield Road shortly after 6.30pm.

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.

Minister Killeen Meets EU Commissioner Joe Borg

In a meeting with European Commissioner Joe Borg at today’s Fisheries Council in Luxembourg, Mr. Tony Killeen TD, Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food with responsibility for fisheries, outlined for the Commissioner the current issues facing the industry.

Minister Killeen commented: “I highlighted the current problems where we are again seeing rising fuel costs at the same time as the price of fish at the quayside is falling for many of the important stocks including hake and prawns.” He said that the economic viability of the fishing sector had again come into question. The Minister continued: “Ireland would like to put back on the table its submission for an emergency aid package for discussion with the Commission. These proposals, based on a restructuring package for the fishing fleet & involving the provision of additional EU funding are now needed to assist the industry. I asked that in the current circumstances we reconsider the need for an EU funded package of measures. I also asked that the EU Commission ensure that imports of fish into the community respect all appropriate rules & that we do not increase the volume of fish imported at reduced or zero tariff levels.”

Minister Killeen raised issues in relation to the Cod Recovery Plan in the Irish Sea and in the North West. He asked for changes that would maximize the available fishing effort for the Irish fleet by allowing Ireland to choose the reference years to be used to establish the effort for each individual fishery. The Minister also asked for other practical changes to the rules that would help alleviate the impacts on the fleet particularly in the North West and in the Irish Sea.

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.

Body found in Derry stream

A man was found dead in a stream in County Derry today.

He was discovered near the Buncrana Road shortly after 4pm close to licensed premises. The PSNI are investigating.

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.

Derry Manager rings in the changes

Derry manager Damien Cassidy has been forced to name a rejigged side for Sunday's clash with Tyrone at Casement Park tomorrow.

Defender Kevin McCloy is replaced by Sean Marty Lockhart, with the former All-Star one of three changes from the team which beat Monaghan. The suspended Fergal Doherty and the injured James Kielt are the other players to lose out, reports breakingnews.ie. Eoghan Brown and St Mary's Banagher clubman Mark Lynch come into the side, with Lynch expected to slot in, in Kielt's position, but Barry McGoldrick and Joe Diver are named as the midfield pairing.

DERRY (Ulster SFC v Tyrone): B Gillis; K McGuckin, SM Lockhart, G O'Kane; C McKaigue, B McGuigan, SL McGoldrick; B McGoldrick, J Diver; E Brown, P Murphy, E Lynn; E Bradley, P Bradley, M Lynch.

Shared Neighbourhood Programme for eleven NI housing areas

Eleven housing areas across Northern Ireland have been unveiled as the latest participants in a major £1m initiative designed to support and encourage shared neighbourhoods.

Participation in the Shared Neighbourhood Programme will provide access to grants to celebrate diversity and bring together people, from all backgrounds, who live in these areas, reports build.ie. Participants also benefit from community relations training, community consultations and support to design their own Neighbourhood Charter and deliver their own Good Relations Programme.

The 11 housing areas, joining an existing five participants in the programme are Redburn and Loughview, Holywood; Suffolk and Lenadoon, Belfast; Skegoneil and Glandore, Belfast; Shandon Road & Belfast Road, Newry; Central Brownlow, Craigavon; Sion Mills Village; The Glen, Limavady; Whiteabbey Village; Castle Street/Westgate, Ballymoney; Areema, Lisburn; and Windmill/Minorca Drive, Carrickfergus.

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.

Dooher to start on bench for Tyrone

Brian Dooher will have to settle for a place on the bench when All-Ireland champions Tryone take on Derry this weekend.

Despite overcoming a groin injury, the Tyrone captain has not been named in the starting line-up for Sunday’s clash at Casement Park, reports The Irish Times. Dooher was sprung from the bench against Armagh and will expect to play some part against Derry but manager Mickey Harte has named an unchanged side for the Ulster semi-final.

Derry are due to announce their side tomorrow evening.

Two held over Derry murder

Two men, aged 43 and 37, have been arrested as part of the investigation into the murder of Kevin McDaid and the attempted murder of Damian Fleming in Coleraine, County Derry.

Mr McDaid, a 49-year-old Catholic, was attacked by loyalists last month after a row over republican flags in the Heights area.

Ten men have so far been charged in connection with the incident, six of them with the murder of Mr McDaid, reports RTE News.

Coleraine quarry redevelopment given green light

Plans to redevelop a former quarry and concrete plant in the North West have been given the go-ahead.

Farrans Homes has secured planning permission to build an £80m scheme on the site of Spital Hill quarry and concrete batching plant in Coleraine.

Around 450 residential units will be built on the 42-acre area, which will range from six to seven storey blocks of apartments and houses, reports build.ie.

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.