DHL staff to vote on job cuts deal

Workers at DHL centres around the country will next week vote on a series of proposals from the firm that could see some of the 320 redundant staff take up self-employed contracts with the courier.

SIPTU today said that the proposals provide for a Service Partner Model which will allow a number of workers being made redundant at the depots in Athlone, Cavan, Enniscorthy, Galway, Sligo, Tralee and Waterford to continue working on a self-employed basis with DHL, reports Businessworld.ie.

Annual Review Highlights Importance Of Agri-Food Sector To Economy Says Killeen

The newly published Annual Review and Outlook for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food 2008/2009 highlights the importance of the agri-food sector to the Irish economy.

That is according to Junior Agriculture Minister Tony Killeen T.D. who pointed out that the indigenous strengths of the sector were evident from the report, which states that the sector accounts for 6.6% of GDP, 8.5% of employment, and EUR8.1 billion in exports.

Minister Killeen said: “The report indicates that Irish raw materials and services account for a significantly higher proportion of expenditure within the food and drink sector (70%) than for the manufacturing sectors as a whole. Moreover, 44% of food and drinks companies are located in the BMW regions compared with 30% of other manufacturing industries. In addition, the report shows that the wider biosector contributes approximately one-third of the net flow of funds into the economy generated by manufacturing exports.”

Jump in Live Register figures in North West

The Live Register figures across Sligo and Leitrim now stands at over 8,000.

According to Ocean FM, the total Live Register figures for Leitrim is now 3,394 while in Sligo, it stands at 4,964. The number of those signing on in Carrick-On-Shannon has increased 102 per cent on this time last year, while in Manorhamilton there’s been a jump of 100 per cent, with the number now standing at 853.

In Sligo there’s been a 96 per cent increase in the dole queue in Sligo Town and a 75 per cent increase in Tubbercurry. The figures there now stands at 4,050 and 914 respectively.

North West European Election Seats Filled

The three seats in the North West European constituency were filled in the early hours this morning.

Independent Marian Harkin (left), Pat the Cope Gallagher of Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael's Jim Higgins were all elected on the sixth count without reaching the quota. After a lengthy count and a detailed recheck of over 500,000 ballot papers in the constituency, just 1,487 votes separated the three successful candidates at the end of the proceedings in Castlebar.

Libertas leader Declan Ganley resigned from politics following the election count.

Energy company announces 1500 jobs

A Cootehill-based company has announced an ambitious expansion to create 10 wind-farms in Ireland.

Gaeltech Energy plan to invest €740 million in the project which it says will create up to 1,500 jobs during the construction phase. Gaeltech energy says its wind farm project will be able to provide electricity to over 135,000 houses when completed.

The company will locate the wind farms in Cavan, Monaghan, Roscommon, Westmeath, Meath, Sligo, Offaly, Laois and Longford. According to a statement issued by Gaeltech, 1500 jobs will be created during the construction phase of the project and a further 3,500 will be created in supporting industries.

Protecting County Clare’s Coastline From Erosion

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Mr. Tony Killeen, said that the Government is taking the necessary steps to ensure that coastal defences are put in place around the country.

He added that coastal protection works are being undertaken at various locations throughout Ireland in response to the increasing threat posed by climate change. Minister Killeen’s comments followed today’s allocation, by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, of EUR3 million for important coastal protection works around the country in 2008.

Ross in County Clare has received EUR180,000, the third highest figure allocated nationally. “It is estimated that coastal erosion causes a loss of land area of between 160 and 300 hectares a year around the coast of Ireland”, stated Minister Killeen. He continued, “Furthermore, climate experts predict that our coastal defences are likely to be severely battered in the next 50 years. Therefore, it is imperative that we continue to undertake coastal protection works in order to protect farmland, tourist amenities, natural habitats/ecology and private property. I am delighted that the Government has allocated EUR180,000 for important works to be undertaken at Ross.”

“Being an island community, our coastline is one of our most important natural resources and is of particular importance to our tourism industry”, explained the Clare T.D. He added, “Ross is a well visited tourist location and one that is particularly vulnerable to the increased threat posed by rising sea levels. I am confident that the introduction of rock armour and gambions will help protect it against the elements.”

Other projects in Local Authority areas receiving funding under the Coastal Protection Programme 2008 include Strandhill in Co. Sligo, Abbeyside, Dungarvan, in Co. Waterford, Clonakilty, Co. Cork and Casson Sound, Co. Donegal. In addition, coastal protection works will continue at St. Helens Bay and Curracloe in Co. Wexford.