Family Carers asked to put their life story on the line

Family Carers throughout Ireland are being invited to put pen to paper and compose a poem as part of Caring for Carers Ireland’s annual nationwide poetry competition.

Stimare signs distribution deal with AudienceView

Stimare today agreed a product distribution deal with one of world's leading providers of e-commerce and ticketing software for events and entertainment organizations.

Increase In Fire Fatalities Could Have Been Prevented - CFOA

The Irish Chief Fire Officers Association (CFOA) has called for greater fire safety awareness in light of the recent increase in domestic fire fatalities across the Republic of Ireland.

The Association has released figures showing that 18 fatalities occurred in December and January, representing almost 50% of the entire figure (40) for 2010.

9 fatalities were recorded last month in Cork (2), Clare (2), Wicklow (2), Tipperary (1), Dublin (1) and Donegal (1) in January 2011. 

The CFOA said smoke alarms were either not present or working in the majority of cases.

Michael Raftery, Chief Fire Officer in Galway and Chairperson of the Chief Fire Officers Association of Ireland said: “40 to 50 people have died in accidental house fires every year over the last 20 years and this trend has continued this winter. Sadly many of these fatalities could have been prevented.”

“Many more have been injured as a result of dwelling fires while there are a huge number of properties that have been damaged by fire. The increase in fire deaths serves as a stark reminder to us all of the importance of installing working smoke alarms and the need to have an escape plan should it become necessary to evacuate”, he added.

Mr. Raftery noted that there are a number of steps that can be taken by householders to reduce the risk of fire in the home.

He continued: “The CFOA urges the public to check smoke alarms, not only your own, but also those of elderly relatives or vulnerable neighbours. Householders should always make sure that flammable materials are kept as far away from sources of heat as possible, and that all forms of heating appliance, be they electrical or gas are well maintained. The public should never use any appliance that may be faulty."

The CFOA comprises the Chief Fire Officers of Ireland’s 34 Local Authorities.  The Association is also a member of the Federation of European Fire officers Associations and attends their twice yearly meetings.

Further Fire Safety advice is available from www.firesafetyweek.ie. For more on the CFOA  visit www.cfoa.net.  

Grant Aid Scheme For Horticulture Development

Minister for Defence and Clare Fianna Fail T.D., Mr. Tony Killeen has welcomed the launch by the Department of Agriculture of the 2011 Grant Aid Scheme for the Development of the Commercial Horticulture Sector.

The closing date for receipt of applications to the fourth round of the Scheme is Friday 18th February 2011 and only investments commenced after the issue of letters of approval will be eligible for aid.
 
This aid, which is set at 40% (50% in the case of young farmers) of total eligible capital investment, will fund projects in commercial horticulture undertaken during 2011. The scheme covers all horticultural sectors – protected crops, nursery crops, field vegetables, soft fruit, apples, beekeeping and, mushrooms.  
 
Minister Killeen explained that the scheme is aimed at assisting growers to efficiently produce high quality products to meet the increasing demands of a very competitive market.

“It will also contribute to increasing Irish fruit and vegetable consumption towards the recommended target of 5-a-day as part of a healthy diet”, he said.

The Minister continued: “There remains a continual need for the industry to adapt its production methods, both to minimise environmental effects and to benefit from adopting newer technologies. This scheme includes provision for increasing the uptake of green technologies, including water recycling, generating energy from waste and innovations based on plant production”.

Meanwhile, Minister Killeen has welcomed the launch by Bord Bia of their annual Performance and Prospects Report, indicating an 11 per cent increase, to €7.88 billion, in the value of Irish food and drink exports in 2010.

“I warmly welcome the strong performance of Irish food and drink exports in 2010 and the encouraging prospects for food, drink and horticulture in 2011. I am confident that the food, drink and horticulture sector will continue to perform strongly in 2011 with increased demand for dairy products, the maintenance in beef export values and good prospects for beverages, seafood and horticulture”, he concluded.

Details of the  2011 Grant Aid Scheme for the Development of the Commercial Horticulture Sector and application forms can be obtained from Crop Policy, Production and Safety Division, Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Administration Building, Backweston Campus, Young’s Cross, Celbridge, Co. Kildare, (01) 5058801/5058797 or at www.agriculture.gov.ie.

Irish Homeowners Could Save Thousands Of Euro With Passive Housing

People planning to build a new home could save themselves thousands of euro each year by developing a passive house.

That is according to the Passive House Association of Ireland (PHAI), a low energy design initiative comprising passive house designers and contractors. The Association, which was officially launched in Dublin this week, will operate in tandem with the ‘International Passive House Association’.

Passive house is the term used for a house which has no heating system installed, but whose occupants, rely on maximum heat gains from sunlight, high insulation and draught-proofing levels, for a comfortable and healthy lifestyle.

“Passive houses are leading the way toward a carbon-neutral future by producing more energy than they use and radically reducing fuel bills and C02 emissions”, explained PHAI Chairman Martin Murray.

He continued: “The Government's Building Regulations have lead to some improvements in energy efficiency in Ireland, but remain a minimum guide. Those in the construction industry and prospective homeowners, however, need to take the lead and invest in proper design. By doing so their homes will be energy efficient, therefore, helping to reduce their energy bills along with reducing overall CO2 emissions. The infrastructure required to implement such designs is available and affordable in Ireland, despite claims to the contrary from elements within the Irish Construction Industry.”

Mr. Murray added: “The idea of passive house construction is not new, as there are now over 30,000 examples built world-wide. These include many other types of building besides houses, such as, office-blocks, apartment-blocks, schools, and just recently a Tesco supermarket in Tramore, County Waterford. In each case, the building occupant has made considerable savings by not having to invest heavily in heating oil, gas or other fuel.”

He continued: “Extensive monitoring of these buildings is on-going and the results show that not only are the occupants saving money, but are, in general, hugely satisfied with the product which they have invested in.”

“The role of the association will be to develop the Passive House concept of construction within Ireland and attune it to the technologies and market practices prevalent within the country. The experience in other countries is that, such low energy initiatives only flourish, where National Associations take on a leadership role of research, promotion and education”, he concluded.

Individual and Corporate Membership of the Association is available and it is hoped that the Association will be of benefit to the construction industry as a whole.

The PHAI was launched during the annual SEAI/RIAI sponsored 'See the Light Conference' in Croke Park yesterday, 9th September 2010.

Killeen Welcomes Reopening Of Moroccan Market To Irish Beef

The reopening of the Moroccan market to Irish beef and live cattle after more 15 years has been welcomed by Minister for Defence and Clare T.D. Tony Killeen.

A certificate, which allows the export of live cattle from Ireland to Morocco was agreed by both countries last month and a Veterinary Health Certificate for the export of Irish beef to Morocco was ratified this week.

Irish beef from animals aged under 48 months will now be allowed into Morocco without BSE testing and beef from animals over 48 months, which have tested negative for BSE, will also be approved. This is the same testing regime, which applies to beef exports destined for the EU.

Reacting to the news, Minister Killeen said: “This market has been closed to Ireland for almost a decade and a half and its reopening follows a successful visit to Ireland by a delegation of senior Moroccan veterinarians last March.”

“The successful reopening of this vital market is testament to the ongoing work of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Bord Bia and the Department of Foreign Affairs to ensure that Irish exporters will have access to as many global markets as possible”, he added.

“We cannot underestimate the importance of the food sector to the Irish economy and I remain committed to ensuring that Department and I, together with Bord Bia and the Department of Foreign Affairs, will continue to actively work together in order to make this goal a reality”, concluded Minister Killeen.

Following the reopening of the Tunisian market to Irish beef in April, a veterinary health certificate has now been agreed which will permit the export of sheep meat from Ireland to Tunisia.

New Energy Awards Scheme Is Launched

The considerable shift within the Irish construction industry towards energy efficient building design is being acknowledged by a newly launched awards scheme, details of which were announced today.

Building professionals including architects, engineers, builders and developers, across Ireland are being urged to submit entries to the Isover Energy Efficiency Awards (EEA), which recognise new and renovated buildings that have been built with a very low energy demand.

A €10,000 prize will be presented to the overall winner of the Irish finals who will go forward to represent Ireland at a European Awards ceremony in Madrid in May 2011. The winner will also be profiled in the internationally-distributed Isover ‘Best Of’ book.

According to Mr. Kieran Holohan of ISOVER Ireland: “The new awards scheme will celebrate Ireland’s most energy efficient renovation and new construction projects, both in the residential and non-residential sectors.”

Mr. Holohan added: “The ISOVER Energy Efficiency Awards reflect two environmental issues that are at the very heart of our core objectives - protection of the environment in the face of climate change, and enhancing the quality of and physical comfort in the buildings where we work and live.”

He pointed out that much of Ireland’s existing building stock continues to consume a considerable amount of energy for heating with significant emissions of greenhouse gases from the burning of fossil fuels.

“New building regulations coupled with a change in consumer behaviour and attitudes has led to a significant increase in the number of renovation and construction projects embracing energy efficient design”, Mr. Holohan stated.

“Not only will this new awards scheme honour those who have excelled in the energy efficient building sector but it will also allow scheme participants to exchange and share knowledge and experience in the field. ISOVER Ireland is confident that this will help to highlight the importance of improving the energy performance of our buildings and, subsequently, the inhabitants' quality of life”, concluded Mr. Holohan.

The adjudication panel includes leading Irish experts in the field of green design and construction, namely Tomas O Leary, Passive House Academy Ireland; Jeff Colley, Editor of Construct Ireland and winner of the 2010 Green Leader Award; Jay Stuart RIBA, Sustainable Design Consultant; and Zdenka Debartoli, International Market Manager Building, ISOVER.

Projects entered in the competition must be fully completed by December 2010 and not more than 5 years old. Closing date for entries October 8th 2010. The Irish awards ceremony will take place in December 2010.

For more see www.isover-eea.com.

Gardai Investigate Fatal Wicklow Shooting

Gardai in Baltinglass are investigating all the circumstances surrounding an incident in which a man in his 60’s sustained gunshot wounds at a house at Cronelea, Shillelagh, Co. Wicklow at approximately 6.30pm yesterday evening 1st July 2010.

He was pronounced dead at the scene.

A firearm was recovered at the scene and a man in his early 60’s was arrested and is being detained at Baltinglass Garda station under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act 1939.

Department of Defence Launches Biodiversity Action Plan

The Minister for Defence, Tony Killeen T.D., this week published the Sectoral Biodiversity Action Plan for the Department of Defence.

The United Nations has designated 2010 as International Year of Biodiversity and this is currently National Biodiversity Week.

Action 1 of The National Biodiversity Plan requests “Relevant Government Departments and State agencies to prepare, with stakeholders, their own Biodiversity Action Plans in line with agreed guidelines to ensure and promote the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity.”

Minister Killeen said “I am delighted to publish this plan during National Biodiversity Week. Biodiversity is not just about animals and plants, it is also about the places in which these animals and plants exist and how these places are impacted by humans.”

The Department of Defence’s property and infrastructure portfolio consists of almost 100 sites including 23 permanently occupied military barracks, together with lands comprising about 21,000 acres. The major land holdings include the Curragh, Co. Kildare, Glen of Imaal, Co. Wicklow and Kilworth, Co. Cork.

In administering these large tracts of land the Department acknowledges that there is a requirement to take account of biodiversity issues. By their nature, the elements comprising the larger training lands are wilderness areas that are generally restricted in terms of public access. As a result these areas and the biodiversity contained within them can be maintained and encouraged to flourish whilst balancing the training needs of the Defence Forces.

The targets and actions contained in the Department of Defence’s Sectoral Biodiversity Action Plan are set out in a number of main categories:

• Land Use and Management
• Habitats
• Identification and Monitoring
• General Measures and sustainability
• Managing Biological Data

Minister Killeen said “Military training lands are located in predominantly remote areas with limited access. The level of activity on certain areas of the military training lands has ensured that biodiversity is conserved to a much greater extent than would otherwise be the case. The introduction of this plan, the first by any Government Department, shows the commitment of the Department to a range of issues that would not normally be associated with Defence policy.”

The Plan is available on the Department’s website at www.defence.ie

Mayor Calls For Public Retaliation Against Banks

The Mayor of Clare has called on members of the public to retaliate against any bank that raises mortgage interest rates by withholding mortgage payments, withdrawing bank savings and demanding that employers provide all wage payments in cash.

Councillor Tony Mulcahy said the actions should be taken if Minister for Finance Brian Lenihan, T.D., does not impose a moratorium on interest rate hikes by Friday, April 30th 2010. The Mayor confirmed he would be presenting his motion at this coming Monday’s monthly meeting of Clare County Council.

He added that the recent spate of interest rate hikes by AIB and Bank of Ireland was unsustainable for mortgage holders who were “paying on the double” for the recapitalisation of Irish financial institutions.

The Mayor pointed out that his call for retaliatory measures to be taken against banks was not politically driven but instead borne out of growing public anger over what he described as “the banking sector’s complete disregard for the Irish taxpayer and the Irish economy”.

“The fact that Bank of Ireland’s latest mortgage interest rate increase follows just 24 hours after the European Central Bank announced it was keeping euro zone interest rates unchanged at 1%, is nothing short of scandalous. Furthermore, it is an insult to every taxpayer in this country that Bank of Ireland has announced the move in a week when the bank's initial tranche of commercial property loans were transferred”, commented Mayor Mulcahy.

He continued: “The Bank’s claim that the cost of funding mortgages has become increasingly costly is an insult to taxpayers who are footing the bill for the recapitalisation of the banks. In essence, taxpayers are paying on the double while the unregulated financial institution merry-go-round starts to spin again. These Banking institutions have bled this country dry and should not be allowed to continue their reckless behaviour, whether that is through Government intervention or the measures I am proposing”.

The Mayor added: “A Facebook page, ‘Punish The Banks’, has been established for anyone wishing to join my call for Minister Lenihan to impose a moratorium on any further interest rate increases. I would urge members of the public to join this campaign and send out a message to the Government and our Banks that we will not tolerate any further interest rate hikes”.

“I too am a mortgage holder and tax payer who is fed up of banks profiteering from the very people who bailed them out. Protest marches and token commentary do not make a blind bit of difference to how our banks operate. The only way of making them sit up and listen is to stop the cash flowing through the banking system”, concluded the Mayor.

Energy Upgrade Scheme Will Create Thousands Of Jobs

A Pay As You Save (PAYS) scheme designed to energy upgrade virtually every building in Ireland over the next decade was officially recognised at Ireland’s prestigious 2010 Green Awards in Dublin last night.

Green building magazine Construct Ireland editor Jeff Colley (pictured), who developed the financing model, received the Green Leader and Green Communications awards for his successful campaigning work on PAYS.

The scheme, which is scheduled to be rolled out by Energy Minister Eamon Ryan before the end of 2010, will enable cash-strapped homeowners and businesses to pay for energy saving measures through fixed repayments on their energy bills over several years.

“Save as You Pay can become a major driver in Ireland’s economic recovery,” commented Mr. Colley. He said the upgrading of 100,000 homes per year will create thousands of jobs, reduce Ireland’s 6bn euro energy import bill, dramatically cut carbon emissions, and enable all Irish people to have comfortable, healthy homes.

"If ever there is an idea that's of its time, it is pay-as-you-save," added Colley. "We have just been through a freezing winter, carbon tax is coming in, and hundreds of thousands of Irish people are stuck in badly built, draughty homes with no ability to pay for the upgrade work needed to make their home more comfortable, cheaper to run, and more valuable. PAYS is specifically designed to solve that problem, and will mean that people can add the cost of the upgrade to their energy bill over time, with the repayments offset against reduced energy costs."

However Colley, who has no commercial interest in PAYS, cautioned that an ill-informed approach could see the scheme falling well short of its potential. He continued: "It is critical that the utilities give considered, independent advice, and that they do not contradict each other. If one utility says 'you should put in wall insulation' and another says 'don't do that - you should put in solar panels and heating controls,' it will create confusion and lack credibility."

Energy minister Eamon Ryan announced in December that his Department plans to test pay-as-you-save by the summer, before mandatory roll-out by the end of 2010.

Colley and Construct Ireland developed a campaign for PAYS last August and September through www.payscampaign.ie, with consequent national helping Colley to successfully lobby for the inclusion of PAYS in the renewed programme for government. In August an Amárach/Construct Ireland survey found that 80% of Irish homeowners would be interested in paying for energy upgrades through their utility bills.

Construct Ireland was among 20 winners of the 2010 Green Awards, which recognise excellence and outstanding achievement by organisations and individuals in tackling climate change and addressing environmental issues. Diageo won the overall green business award for its significant achievement in reducing water consumption by half; for decreasing waste sent to landfill by two thirds by putting in place an advanced waste management and waste prevention programme; and reducing their overall carbon footprint by nearly three quarters.

2020 Strategy Welcomed By Killeen

The development of a long-term strategy for the agri-food, forestry and fisheries sectors will place the industries at the forefront of the country’s export-led economic recovery.

That is according to Junior Agriculture and Fisheries Minister Tony Killeen, T.D., who was speaking following the appointment of a Committee to lead the process and has also established a web-based public consultation process. The 2020 Strategy Committee, chaired by Dr Sean Brady, is broadly based and possesses a wide range of skills and experience. It is drawn from senior experts and participants in all aspects of the sector.

According to Minister of State Killeen: “The Committee has been tasked with drafting a short, sharp document which sets out the key strategies required for the future development of the sector. I believe that the very high calibre of the committee members will ensure that the output from this exercise will be both bold and practical and will set a clear path forward for the sector. The Committee has been asked to report by June 1st next”.

The Clare Fianna Fail T.D. noted that the agri-food, forestry and fisheries sectors were hugely important to the Irish economy and society as a source of jobs, exports and regional development. He expressed his belief that the sector could contribute significantly to Ireland’s economic recovery and provide long-term growth into the future.

Minister of State Killeen said that in order to facilitate and target consideration of key issues, a series of discussion and background papers had been prepared.

He continued: “These papers, which may be viewed on the Department website www.agriculture.gov.ie, outline the current situation and challenges facing the sector but equally importantly, pose a series of questions, the answers to which will form the core of our future strategy. Relevant stakeholders are invited to submit their views on how best to deal with some of the critical issues arising from these discussion papers”.

Details on how to make submissions are given HERE.

The Big Freeze Set To Return To Ireland

All indications are that Ireland is set to see a return of bitterly cold conditions from the colder continent early next week.

Daytime temperatures are likely to be in low single figures by midweek and will struggle to rise much above freezing during daylight hours by the end of next week. Present indications are that the cold spell will last for at least five days before the Atlantic restores milder weather over the country.


Local authorities throughout Ireland will be keeping a close eye on the weather situation over the coming days and will be hoping to avoid a prolonged wintry spell that will put further pressure on salt and gritting stocks. Snow is likely at times but sharp to severe frosts can be expected.

Russia Lifts Temporary Ban On Irish Pigmeat

Junior Agriculture Minister and Clare T.D., Mr. Tony Killeen has warmly welcomed the decision by the Russian Federation to reopen its market to Irish pigmeat with effect from the beginning of February.

The market has been closed since the dioxin incident in December 2008. According to Minister of State Killeen: “The temporary ban on imports of Irish pork and pork products has been lifted as from the 1 February 2010 and in this regard pork and pork products produced after that date can be exported from Ireland to the Russian Federation.”

Minister of State Killeen said the announcement was hugely significant as Russia previously was a significant market for pigmeat producers in Ireland. He noted: “The Russian pigmeat market was valued at over 12 million euro in 2007. I have no doubt that that Russian market for Irish pork products is one that has considerable potential to grow. “

Minister of State Killeen added: “The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, together with Bord Bia and the Irish Embassy in Moscow, has been working vigorously to regain access to this important market. The reopening of the market is recognition that the production of pigmeat in Ireland is subject to extremely rigorous controls and reflects the importance we place on high standards for food safety. The Department’s intention as always is to ensure access to as many international markets as possible for all Irish meats and meat products”.

Minister O’Keeffe to allow schools to reopen tomorrow

Arising from an update on the weather, the Minister for Education and Science, Batt O’Keeffe TD, has decided that the normal arrangements whereby schools decide to open or close based on local circumstances should be re-instated.

This means that schools in a position to open tomorrow [Tuesday] should do so. Minister O’Keeffe took his decision based on weather advice given to this morning’s meeting of the Government’s emergency planning group and the unexpected rise in temperatures that has occurred in parts of the country.

Killeen Seeks Simplified CAP Rules And Procedures

Junior Agriculture Minister Tony Killeen has backed calls for a simplification of the rules and procedures involved in operating the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).

The Clare Fianna Fail T.D. was speaking following a meeting of the Council of Ministers in Brussels. He stated: “Proposals for simplification measures were made last May by a group consisting of Ireland and 12 other countries. In reviewing progress on these proposals, the Council agreed that while there had been useful work done, further efforts were needed. The Irish Government is now insisting that efforts to simply the rules and procedures are intensified, and I am delighted to see that there is strong agreement for this from other counties.”

Minister of State Killeen continued: “Officials will now continue the very detailed work involved in this and report to Ministers on a regular basis. In addition to this immediate work, I was also particularly pleased that a suggestion by my colleague Minister Brendan Smith that policy simplification should form a fundamental plank of our consideration of the shape of the CAP after 2013 was reflected by the Swedish chairman in concluding the debate. We need a simple EU agricultural policy - simple to justify to EU taxpayers, simple for farmers to understand and operate and simple for Member States to implement and enforce".

Among the other issues considered at the meeting of Agriculture Ministers was the CAP after 2013, and in particular the Rural Development or "Pillar 2" aspects of the common policy. Pillar 1 of the CAP consists of the Single Farm Payment and market support measures.

Commenting on the agriculture elements of Rural Development, Minister Killeen said that the Irish Government supported a move towards supporting competitiveness and sustainability in our farming systems. “Measures which promote competitiveness will perform a pivotal role in encouraging efficiency and innovation in farming for the future. These measures are critical to the future of Irish and European farming and should be maintained and enhanced”, he concluded.

Budget 2010 Policy Seeks To Energy Upgrade Every Irish Building

The inclusion in the Irish Government’s Budget for 2010 of the ‘Save as You Pay’ green financing model has been hailed as a visionary decision by the campaigner who introduced the idea.

“Save as You Pay (SAYP) could enable us to energy upgrade virtually every building in Ireland over the next decade, so it is exactly the sort of policy that could help lift us out of recession,” said Jeff Colley, Editor of green building magazine Construct Ireland.

SAYP will enable cash-strapped homeowners and businesses to pay for energy saving measures through fixed repayments on their energy bills over several years.

According to Mr. Colley: “We introduced the idea of paying for energy upgrade work through utility bills over the summer because many people do not have access to savings or credit to get the work done. It was a question of right policy, right place, right time.”

Colley’s campaigning efforts resulted in SAYP being included in the renewed Programme for Government and the Institute of European Affairs Greenprint for a National Energy Efficiency Retrofit Programme. He noted: “We have been blown away by the level of public demand for this approach”.

80 per cent of Irish homeowners responding to a Construct Ireland/Amárach Research survey in August said they would be interested in paying for energy upgrade work through their utility bills. 58 per cent of homeowners said they did not have enough money saved to upgrade their home.

“If the majority of Irish homeowners can’t access the money to pay for energy upgrade work, a grant alone will be of limited use,” Colley said. “Even with a grant covering 30 per cent of the cost of a typical upgrade, we have to help people to find the remainder, be it through payments on their energy bills or by adding it to their mortgage”, stated Mr. Colley.

The response from utilities has already been encouraging, with Bord Gáis announcing plans in October to introduce a major energy efficiency home services initiative in 2010, which will offer homeowners a full-scale energy efficiency service with a range of separate products and services through an on-bill finance.

“Save as You Pay can become a major driver in Ireland’s economic recovery,” said Colley. “It will create jobs, reduce our 6bn euro energy import bill, dramatically cut our carbon emissions, and enable all Irish people to have comfortable, healthy homes”, concluded Mr. Colley.

IMAGE: Jeff Colley, Editor, Construct Ireland. Pic by David Ruffles

Positive 2010 Outlook For Irish Tourism

UK based self-catering holiday operator, Imagine Ireland, is confidently predicting growth in the Irish tourism market in 2010.

Established in 2003 by Annette Collins and Astrid Nitzsche, Imagine Ireland is one of the UK’s largest self-catering companies and offers over 1000 individually vetted properties throughout Ireland. And although the company saw a 25% drop in holiday bookings during 2009, Imagine Ireland expects volumes to return to 2008 levels of 11,000 holidays by the end of 2010.

Speaking at the launch of Imagine Ireland's new holiday programme for 2010, Astrid Nitzsche stated: “Clearly our outlook is at odds with even the more optimistic commentators in the industry. However, our predictions are predicated on three factors: the increasing value for money for UK tourists in Ireland, the UK general election and the bottoming out of the UK's recession."

"There is an ongoing adjustment within the cost base of the Irish economy which combined with salary cuts and declining domestic demand will see a 10% fall in products and services over the course of 2010 countering the recent rises in the value of the Euro versus Sterling. This makes Ireland a value for money destination for our clients. Secondly we expect the market will react positively to a change of government in the UK which is likely on foot of the 2010 general election which in turn will positively impact on people's perceptions of their own prospects and in turn perceived prosperity”, she added.

Ms Nitzshe continued: “if people are optimistic, they spend more and comes on foot of tremendous uncertainty and pessimism amongst UK consumers. Thirdly although not exclusively, there are green shoots beginning to emerge within the UK economy as the banks are stabilized and the economic upheaval of the past 12 months settles. This in turn will encourage banks to start lending, companies to start investing and companies to start employing in turn putting more spending power back into the UK economy as consumers recover the confidence to spend."

Co-Director Annette Collins added: "Our business is well-established thanks to our relationship with our owners and our holidaymakers. That said we take nothing for granted particularly as the tourism market has become global due to the internet while the self-catering market in particular has seen an upsurge in competition from non-traditional sectors such as hotels and serviced apartments. We have for example invested this year in our brand while our marketing activity is being repositioned to target our predicted lift in tourists' propensity to travel hence our recent re-launch of Imagine Ireland against the backdrop of the world's largest trade fair, World Travel Market, which took place in London earlier this month”.

Imagine Ireland, however, has cautioned the Irish tourism industry against complacency as other worldwide destinations similarly would be actively targeting any resurgence in demand.

“The need to constantly drive value for money throughout pubs, shops, transport providers and attractions, combined for example with Tourism Ireland's efforts at maintaining a prevalent brand presence across key markets particularly the UK, Ireland's closest and largest overseas market, was further underlined as critical to Ireland's emergence from its current tourism downturn”, concluded Ms. Collins.

ABOVE IMAGE:
Pictured at the launch of Imagine Ireland's 2010 Self-Catering Holiday Programme are (from l-r) Jose Herrero, Key Account Manager, P&O Ferries; Astrid Nitzsche, Stregic Director, Imagine Ireland; Colin Faircus, Regional Sales Manager, DFDS Seaways; Karl McCay, Marketing Services Executive, Tourism Ireland; Andy Greenslade, Area Sales Manager, Carlton Hotel Group; Dave Ashcroft, Key Account Manager, P&O North Sea Ferries; and Annette Collins, Operations Director, Imagine Ireland

Crop Variety Evaluation Programme Review Is Completed

Junior Agriculture Minister and Clare T.D. Tony Killeen has confirmed that the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has completed an in-depth review of the Crop Variety Evaluation programme.

Among the key recommendations of the review are restructuring within the Department to reduce costs, greater collaboration with Teagasc, changes to the cereal and grass trialling protocols and introduction of some cost recovery.

As part of Ireland's Statutory obligation under EU Legislation for the marketing of agricultural plant varieties, the Department carries out National List trials on all of the major crops being grown in Ireland including cereals, grasses, oilseed rape and potatoes. In addition to the Statutory function carried out with respect to National List trials, the Department goes a step further and carries out an enhanced programme of Recommended List trials. These trials provide a comprehensive guide for Irish farmers in choosing the most suitable varieties for growing in Ireland.

According to Minister of State Killeen: “The Crop Variety Evaluation work provides an independent service whereby farmers can be confident that the recommended varieties perform well under a wide range of growing conditions. The contribution of improved varieties to increased production of wheat and barley is significant. Today, Ireland is among the highest yield of cereals per hectare in the world.”

The local T.D. noted the importance of exploring every opportunity to make savings, improve efficiencies, and improve the competitiveness of Irish agriculture production through the availability of the best varieties of cereals and grasses.

He added; “Crop variety trialling costs will be reduced by over 20% by amalgamating two Divisions within the Department - Crop Variety Evaluation and Seed Certification Divisions - and redeploying a number of staff to other areas of work. Department officials are in on-going discussions with Teagasc on making changes to both the grass and cereal evaluation protocols."

It is planned to introduce the new protocols in 2010. The grass trials will put greater weighting on grazing reflecting the increasing emphasis on low cost extended grazing systems for dairy and beef production. For cereals, the Department has agreed to include a number of Teagasc BETTER tillage farms as sites for trialling which will facilitate improved knowledge transfer to the commercial cereal growers. The review also recommends a contribution from industry towards the annual costs of providing the service. Charges for crop variety evaluation are in place in other EU Member States. The Department will continue to carry a proportion of the burden of cost.

Early Retirement Scheme Funding Deadline Nears

Tony Killeen, Fianna Fail TD and Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, has reminded farmers that applications for the additional funding recently announced under the Early Retirement Scheme must be submitted by the end of the month.

The provision of extra funding was announced by the Department of Agriculture last month and will allow a number of new applications to be accepted. According to Minister of State Killeen: “The additional funding has been provided with a view to accepting as many as possible of those applications completed or close to completion at the time entry to the scheme was suspended on 14th October 2008. In order to give those who might be eligible for admission to the scheme an opportunity to apply, farmers may submit their applications, accompanied by a lease/deed of transfer stamped by the Revenue Commissioners, to the Early Retirement Section in Johnstown Castle on or before 30th October 2009.”

The Junior Agriculture Minister added: “In processing new applications, the Department will give priority to those applications which have leases/deeds of transfer stamped by the Revenue Commissioners prior to 14th October 2008 and, thereafter, priority will be determined by reference to the date on which the lease/deed of transfer was stamped.”

"Any decision about further reopening the scheme will be taken only in the context of the annual Budget/Estimates process”, Minister of State Killeen concluded.