Inter-country adoption in Ireland has effectively been closed down since the enactment in November 2010 of the Adoption Act 2010 which coincided with Ireland’s ratification of the Hague convention.

Recent reports on issues with regard to Mexico have highlighted the issues that can surround inter-country adoption and the need to have strong legislation governing the process. The ratification of the Hague Convention has been broadly welcomed by the adoption community in Ireland but it has significantly delayed the process for applicants who are already in the process.

The lack of countries available for prospective adopters in Ireland is the one key issue that has caused huge frustration and delay and Ireland’s interpretation of the Hague convention has contributed somewhat to this situation, in that inter country adoptions into Ireland can only be effected with other countries who are also Hague ratified or with a country with which Ireland has a Bilateral Agreement.

Vietnam and Russia were two of the most popular countries for Ireland for inter-country adoption prior to the Adoption Act. The imminent ratification of the Hague convention in Vietnam is significant and should help to provide the impetus to allow inter-country adoptions to resume into Ireland. Talks have also commenced on the re-establishment of a Bilateral Agreement with Russia.

The complexity of the issues around inter-country adoption is well documented. The guiding principle, remains the safeguarding of the best interests of the child; and this is paramount.

I welcome the positive engagement from the Minister, and the work of the Adoption Authority in implementing the Adoption Act. I do believe that there is an appreciation of the need to make big improvements to the overall process in terms of length of time to complete the application process, information and transparency, and available countries and I remain committed to working with the relevant bodies to make this happen.”

This is a significant job announcement and is testament to Ireland’s ability to attract services sector jobs. With our well-educated workforce and an improved cost base structure; this announcement enhances our reputation as a centre for this sector and these factors are proving critical in attracting investment.

Recruitment will commmence immediately with the 800 jobs being created over a period of 2 years. Sky’s Irish base of 600,000 customers will now receive service from an irish based customer services centre.

Wicklow born Director of Sky Ireland, Mark Deering has said this that the company is delighted to be announcing such a substantial number of new jobs for Ireland. Sky employs over 18,000 people in the UK & Ireland and plans to creat a total of 1300 jobs across both the UK & Ireland in the next 2 years.

Fine Gael TD for Wicklow/East Carlow and Chairperson of the Oireachtas Committee on Communications.

The reform taking place of the JLC system, makes for a fairer system, more reflective of modern working life.

The current JLC system is not fit for purpose for employees, employers and bearing in mind the economic position which the country is in. This was borne out in the High Court ruling in the case taken by John Grace, challenging the constitutionality of the JLCs.

The new legislation will reduce the number of JLCs from 15 to 6 and create a more pragmatic, relevant and up-to-date system which will reflect the needs of employers and allow them to create and maintain a viable business while at the same time providing fair employment.

It is clear from talking to those in the hotel business that, under the current system, dealing with employment law and compliance demands the almost full time attention of a staff member in a modest sized business. There are probably in excess of 30 different pieces of employment law to which employees must adhere, especially if dealing with food.

We want to make it easier to create jobs employment and to find employment, and for both employers and employees to be incentivised. This is about trying to maintain employment and protect workers. It is meant to be fair. Generally speaking, if one tries to be fair to everybody, one will probably please nobody but I genuinely believe that this new system will be a far fairer one that will benefit our economy and allow for job creation.

If we get more people working, we will get more people spending, more businesses paying commercial rates and more PAYE income. Each time we transfer one person from jobseeker’s benefit to employment, the State gains at least €20,000. Conversely, anyone who goes on the live register probably costs the State that amount.

The EU Agriculture and Rural Development Commissioner, Mr Dacian Ciolos met with the Oireachtas Committee for Communications, Natural Resources & Agriculture yesterday. While welcoming the visit and following the Commissioner’s address to the Committee about CAP reform proposals, there is a valid concern that some of the conditions, as currently proposed, will stifle Ireland’s potential to produce food in line with the objectives of the CAP.

When I met with Commissioner Ciolos I commended him for his work in ensuring the continuation the EU agriculture budget in a time of severe cutbacks and also raised a number of important points of concern in relation to CAP reform. I impressed upon him the need for flexibility regarding national CAP allocations which are of great importance to the future of sustainable Irish farming, the development of the agri-food business and agri-energy potential in Ireland.
The Commissioner confirmed that the negotiations are still being conducted on the 2014 reference year and the particular problems it posed for the Irish farm system. On the issue of flexibility of Member States on the distribution of funds, the Commissioner was non-committal.

The Commissioner defended his proposals on more greening measures on the basis that they are simple to implement. Regarding the sugar quota, Commissioner Ciolos is supportive of proposals to end sugar quotas in 2015 which would indicate that the industry would be free to restart and develop the ethanol sector for bioenergy. On the subject of milk quotas, Commissioner Ciolos confirmed that these are the responsibility of the Council of Ministers.

During our discussion, Commissioner Ciolos, made the very relevant point that in order to secure the budget for Agriculture across 27 EU nations, he had to justify it on the basis of security of European food production in a sustainable way with particular emphasis on supporting rural communities. I emphasised that these issues were important for Ireland, which is in a position to add to the food production potential of Europe under the new measures proposed by the CAP reforms.

The all-party Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture will continue to make every effort to ensure the best outcome of the CAP reform negotiations for Ireland and the EU. Given the likely possibility that Ireland will have the job of finalising the Common Agriculture Policy Reform negotiations across 27 countries in 2013 during the Irish presidency, it is vital that Irish interests are safeguarded now in the debates leading up to the final meetings. Following his two-day visit to Ireland, I am certain that Commissioner Ciolos is very much aware of the particular issues of concern to Ireland.

Flexibility must be shown for needs of individual member states

The visit of European Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Dacian Ciolos, to Dublin today (Wednesday) should be used to highlight the upcoming CAP reform negotiations. The Commission needs to be flexibile regarding individual Member States when it comes to implementing CAP.

Commissioner Ciolos’ visit to Ireland comes at a crucial time with regard to CAP. One of the objectives of the Danish Presidency of the EU, which has just begun, is to make progress on CAP reform. The Commissioner’s visit to Ireland brings the opportunity to bring the matter of CAP negotiations into sharper focus. At this crucial juncture we should take advantage of the visit to make a case for securing the maximum return for Ireland. It is important to impress upon the Commissioner the need for flexibility in allocations for individual Member States when it comes to CAP to ensure that payment models suit the needs of farming conditions in each country.

I am glad that the agricultural sector is finally getting the recognition it deserves. Agriculture is one of the shining lights in the economy and needs all the encouragement it can get to continue to provide jobs and stimulate the economy. There are 120,000 family farms in Ireland, one in eight people employed in Ireland work in the Agri-Food sector and farm incomes are estimated to have increased by 24% in real terms in 2010. Agri-Food is also one of the main drivers of our hugely successful export sector.

Progress will hopefully be made on CAP during the Danish Presidency, and the matter will then be taken up by Council of Ministers and then the European Parliament. It is envisaged that the new CAP regime will be concluded during the Irish Presidency of the EU during the first half of 2013. The Commission has been negotiating CAP since mid-2011 and it is believed that the final arrangements for the new CAP are unlikely to be agreed until late 2012. The aim is for a new CAP to be in place by 2014. As such, we are currently at a vital stage of the negotiations in terms of arguing a strong position for Ireland.

When it comes to implementing agriculture policy in member states, it is important to remember that one size does not fit all. For example, it is difficult to see how the Commission’s Greening’ proposals would work. Ireland has had 20 years of environmental schemes including various REPS and AEOS schemes and has acquired a huge amount of experience and knowledge over this time, more experience in fact than many other member states. This must be highlighted during any discussions with the Commissioner.

These figures demonstrate a 5% increase in seasonally-adjusted exports in November compared with October, and a 9% annual increase in unadjusted exports compared with November 2010.

Irish exports for November were the second highest on record and the trade surplus in November increased 16% to €4.31billion, its highest level ever achieved. Overall, there has been a 4.3% increase in exports in the first 11 months of the year, compared to the same period in 2010.

These figures indicate the resilience of the Irish economy which illustrates the high level of expansion in our exports despite difficult international trading conditions. These figures are strengthening international confidence in Irish industry and its products.

In particular the exports of food grew by 14% and of dairy products by a very impressive 28%. This illustrates the importance of Irish farming industry which has also experienced growth in 2011. The national farm income is estimated to have increased by 27% in 2010.

It is this confidence in the strength and power of Irish exporting industries that will help to support a sustainable jobs recovery in Ireland.

These figures are crucial to our recovery, this is exemplified by Minister Bruton who has stated “that a strong export performance will be crucial to achieving the economic and jobs recovery we are all working so hard for.

This website aims to become a central source of information and a meeting place for everyone with Ireland and Canada in common. It provides information to explore the long history shared between our two countries.

The Ireland Canada story is envisaged to become a multimedia project which will have a role in the promotion of Ireland in Canada and as such act a promotional vehicle for business and tourism. The Story will be told through an interactive, multimedia initiative including; a unique APP, a television documentary, accompanying book and educational resources, the website being the first resource in this regard.

The Story is about adventure, discovery and enterprise, the main aim of which is to trace the history of the Irish in Canada, celebrate common ground and acknowledge the contribution of the Irish in Canada.

The Jeanie Johnston is docked at Custom House Quay in Dublin. To step aboard is to take a step to understanding the experience of many millions who made the 3,000 mile Atlantic crossing in the hope of a better life. Many people travelled to North America on the Jeanie Johnston during the Famine “Black 47” so it was very fitting that the launch took place aboard this shipping vessel which is of such historic significance to Ireland. For more information visit the website www.theirelandcanadastory.com

Following a very informative site visit to Turlough Hill today, Wicklow/East Carlow Fine Gael TD Andrew Doyle has welcomed the nearing completion of a €76million facility refurbishment and has recognised its strategic importance in the development of sustainable renewable energy potential of Ireland.

“Turlough Hill has been in operation for over 40 years and this major upgrade, the first in its history which is due to be completed by July, will secure the continuation of this operation for the next 40 years.

Turlough Hill is an ESB pumped storage hydro-electric station. Construction of this station, which involved the building of a huge cavern in the heart of the mountain to house the generation plant and controls, took 6 years.

A pumped storage system allows for the use of excess electricity capacity during non-peak hours (mainly wind power) to pump water from the lower to the Upper lake and then to release water in the reverse direction in times of maximum demand-making extra electricity available immediately unlike a conventional oil or gas generating station.

“The site is a fascinating feat of engineering in a beautiful setting. It is welcome to see the upgrade nearing completion. 350,000 manhours and an average of 110 workers on site during the refurbishment demonstrate the scale of the operation. It is the only storage facility of its kind in the country and it is remarkable that its operation is as relevant today as it was in 1968.”

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