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.

Supermarket deliveries threatened by Kildare protest

Deliveries to Centra and Supervalu stores across the country could be disrupted by a protest being held at distribution centre in County Kildare.

Hundreds of angry farmers have descended on Musgrave distribution centre in Kilcock today in protest at the prices they are being paid for their produce.

The IFA says supermarkets are forcing farmers to sell them milk, meat and vegetables below the cost of production in a move that is putting their livelihoods at risk. Farmers have responded by blocking the entrance to the Musgrave centre, which distributes to Supervalu and Centra outlets around the country.

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.

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.

Department Committed To Reducing Agricultural Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Junior Agriculture Minister Tony Killeen T.D. has reaffirmed the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food’s long-term commitment to reducing agricultural greenhouse gas emissions.

The Clare Deputy was speaking following a seminar held in County Kildare focusing on agri-centered climate change research funded by the Department’s Research Stimulus Fund (RSF).

According to Minister Killeen: “This week’s seminar was designed to address numerous objectives including the important role research can play in reducing agricultural greenhouse gas emissions and to inform the research community about the challenges facing policymakers in relation to climate change and greenhouse gas reduction targets. The seminar also provided an opportunity for the research communities in Northern Ireland and the Republic to explore areas of mutual interest. Indeed, it should be noted that Institutes in both areas are collaborating on a number of projects funded by the Department.”

“Having initially set the global and national policy context the event went on to look at ongoing research on methane and nitrous oxide mitigation, the role of forestry, and the economic impact of various emissions reduction strategies, and opportunities to become involved in trans-national research under the EU Framework Programme. The seminar served as a reminder of the Department’s commitment to reducing agricultural greenhouse gas emissions by highlighting the fact that approximately €7m has been committed to funding research projects directly related to this area through RSF calls in the 2005 – 2007 period”, explained Minister Killeen.

He continued: “This investment is virtually doubled when account is taken of other RSF-funded research projects on agri-energy, animal manure utilisation, and animal production that indirectly contribute to tackling the problem of greenhouse gas emissions. The Department is hopeful that the eventual findings from all these RSF-funded projects will help enable Irish Agriculture to reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with the sector.”

“The Department believes that this event will make a valuable contribution in its on-going efforts to find practical, cost effective solutions that will enable the sector to play its part in meeting Ireland’s overall climate change commitments”, he added.

There is growing scientific consensus that the main cause of climate change is the emission of greenhouse gases from human activity. There are ongoing international efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions worldwide within the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. There is a political consensus that global average temperatures should not exceed 2°C above pre-industrial level. The EU has taken a unilateral decision to reduce emissions by 20%, relative to 2005, by 2020. It is hoped to achieve a global agreement at the UNFCCC climate change talks in Copenhagen in December that will reduce emissions globally by 30%.

Emissions from agriculture account for about 27% of total emissions in Ireland. This has fallen in recent years - from about 35% in 1990. The greenhouse gases emitted from the agriculture sector in association with food production are methane and nitrous oxide. These are emitted due to naturally occurring processes in crop and animal production systems. Because they are naturally occurring these emissions are very difficult to reduce - there are very few mitigation strategies available. Emissions per kilogramme of meat and milk produced in Ireland are low relative to other countries, due to efficiencies in farming systems brought about by research.

“It is recognised that we should aim, through research, to identify mitigation strategies that will reduce emissions further here. Given the global importance of reducing emissions this research will enable Ireland to play a role in reducing emissions associated with food production worldwide. The Department has made significant funding available for this research through the RSF. It will also help Ireland to maintain production - and play a role in meeting the increasing demand for food worldwide, which is expected to double by 2050”, concluded Minister Killeen.

Coach on fire on M50

A coach is on fire on the southbound off-ramp for the Ballinteer exit on the M50, reports RTE.

Traffic has been reduced down to one lane, according to AA Roadwatch. Visibility in the area is very poor and there are passengers on the side of the road.

New school building for Moone, Kildare

A new building extension has been opened at St Colmcille's National School in Moone, Co Kildare.

The school was awarded €534,000 to build two extra classrooms, a resource room and an extension to the computer room, reports build.ie. Speaking at the school, Education Minister Batt O'Keeffe said: "I'm delighted to be here in Moone to officially open the new school extension in St Colmcille's National School.

Weekend disruptions for rail users

A security alert on the Belfast to Dublin railway line has disrupted cross-border train services.

Bus transfers between Newry and Dundalk are currently in operation due to the alert.

Meanwhile, rail users are being warned about major disruption to train services at Dublin's Heuston Station this weekend. Bus transfers will be in place for all inter-city routes into and out of the station from 8pm this evening until Sunday night. The closure is due to work on the Kildare Project, which involves the construction of new tracks and stations between Hazelhatch and Dublin.

Sod turned on new Kildare school

The first sod has been turned at the site of a new eight-classroom school at Scoil Phádraig Naofa in Athy, County Kildare.

Scoil Phádraig Naofa will be located on a 15-acre site in Athy. The plan for the site will allow up to four primary schools to be located on the one campus.

Phase One, a new eight-classroom building for Scoil Átha Í, was completed in 2008. Scoil Phádraig Naofa is located in this new eight-classroom school, according to Build.ie. Phase Two of the plan will deliver a second eight-classroom school in early October into which Scoil Phádraig Naofa will move.

Staff walkout threat at 19 Tesco stores

Strike notice was today served on 19 Tesco stores around the country amid claims some workers have had more than €100 knocked off their wages.

The Mandate trade union maintains a dispute around the company breaching an existing agreement regarding reduction of workers hours has caused the industrial action, according to breakingnews.ie. Its Tesco members voted 95% in favour of strike action, which will start on Thursday July 2. Two more days of walkouts are planned for Thursday and Friday, July 9 and 10.

The stores affected are: Arklow, Ashbourne, Bloomfield, Carlow, Crumlin, Gorey, Greystones, New Street in Killarney, Longford, Naas, Navan, Newbridge, Omni, Poleberry, Rathfarnham, Roscrea, Roxboro, Tralee Manor, and Wicklow.

AIB seeks to raise capital

AIB is seeking to raise capital by selling and leasing back seven prominent branches in strategic business locations.

According to businessworld.ie, CB Richard Ellis, who have been given the contract to sell the properties, today said the branches are in Swords, Navan, Dundalk, Monaghan, Kells, Castleblaney and Maynooth. This is part of an ongoing strategy by the Bank to unlock capital for its core business activities since the sale of AIB Bankcentre in Ballsbridge in 2005 and 2006.

Following on from the recent sale of three branches in Dublin, Naas and Mullingar, the Bank is releasing another tranche of its branch network in the form of sale and leaseback investments, CBRE said. All of the branches will be secured by long-term leases to Allied Irish Banks plc for a period of 20 years with a break option in year 15 and the initial rents will be subject to upward only reviews at 5 year intervals.

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.

Post office raid in Kildare

An armed raider has escaped with an undisclosed sum of money after holding up a post office in County Kildare today.

The incident happened in Castledermot at around 10.30am, reports breakingnews.ie. The raider, who had his face masked, threatened staff before making his escape in the Carlow direction.

No shots were fired and nobody was injured during the robbery.

Minister Killeen Launches RDS Forest Service Irish Forestry Awards 2009

Mr. Tony Killeen TD, Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food with responsibility for forestry, this week officially launched the RDS-Forest Service Irish Forestry Awards for 2009 at the home of Mr. Joe Barry in Co. Kildare.

The launch was held on Mr. Barry’s farm as he was the winner of the 2008 RDS-Forest Service Bio-Diverse Forests/Woodlands Award.

The Awards competition is run each year by the RDS with funding from the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and the competition is intended to promote standards of excellence in the production of native forests and trees. The RDS-Forest Service Irish Forestry Awards 2009 consist of two categories - Farm Forestry and Bio-Diverse Forestry/Woodlands.

Toolin Travel customers will not be stranded abroad says Regulator

Aviation regulator Cathal Guiomard has guaranteed customers of Toolin Travel, which collapsed at the weekend, they will not be stranded abroad.

The travel agency, which had eight branches in Dublin and Kildare, ceased trading on Friday, reports businessworld.ie. However, hundreds of other holidaymakers who booked with Toolin Travel could be affected by the closure.

The Commission for Aviation Regulation says customers should check its website http://www.aviationreg.ie/.

K Club shoots for the stars

The owners of the K Club hotel and golf resort are defying the recession with an application for permission to extend the five-star venue, reports the Sunday Business Post.

The planned works include a spa and pool complex, 350-seater ballroom with bar, a new entrance foyer and drop off point, new kitchen and extension of ancillary accommodation on the ground floor. There will also be internal remodelling and refurbishment of all three storeys of the existing east wing and alterations to the facade.

Under the plan, the single storey leisure centre, which was built in the 1980s, would be removed at the south-east end of the hotel, though it will be partially reinstated. An additional 46 parking spaces will also be created by extending the existing car park.

Work on University building gets underway in Kildare

Construction work has commenced on the new €15m Interdisciplinary Research Building at NUI Maynooth, reports build.ie.

Walls Construction was awarded the contract to build the state-of-the-art unit, which will result in 150 new construction jobs.

The sod-turning event marks the beginning of NUI Maynooth's ten-year Campus Development Plan which will provide students with new facilities for research, learning and teaching.

Caution for Travel Agency customers

Customers of Toolin Travel, which ceased trading yesterday, are being advised to contact the relevant airline, ferry company or travel agent to check the status of their booking.

They can then make alternative travel arrangements if necessary.
Toolin Travel, which has eight branches in Dublin and Co Kildare, has said none of its customers currently abroad will be stranded.

The company also said that people who have booked to travel in the immediate future will not be affected.

Double injury blow for Wexford

Wexford will be without both Matty Forde and David Walsh for their Leinster SFC quarter-final clash with Kildare at Dr Cullen Park on Saturday evening.

Forde underwent surgery on a back problem in recent weeks, which effectively could mean that he will play no part in the championship campaign, reports RTE Sport.

Walsh, who missed out on the early part of the national league, has been unfortunate with an ankle injury and is only now easing himself back into training at the moment.