“The Mercosur deal which would allow Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay and Argentina to access EU markets is a bad deal for our Irish farmers”, Tipperary Independent Deputy Michael Lowry stated yesterday.
The Deputy continued, “This deal will result in what is estimated to be an extra 99,000 tonnes of beef emanating from these four South American countries, causing untold damage to our Irish beef farming sector”.
“I have already informed the Minister for Agriculture Mr Michael Creed that Ireland should not endorse this agreement in its present format. Although the EU has promised to protect food standards and environmental factors as part of the deal on imported beef, farmers here are already feeling uncertain about the fallout of a potential no Brexit deal”, he continued.
Deputy Lowry further stated, “We will need to see our Minister for Agriculture and our Taoiseach fight for the Irish beef farmers at EU level. How can we enforce a guarantee against the risk of undocumented and potentially infected animal breeds, should this deal be ratified. We must not overlook the issues regarding standards when it comes to beef coming from Brazil. Traditionally Brazil has been permitted to export its beef, despite standards not reflecting those of the EU.”
“The environmental impacts in terms of the carbon footprint used by exporting this amount of beef , as well as the problems associated with deforestation in Brazil, means that this deal, if ratified, is even more damaging to the environment than it is to our Irish beef sector. Brazil currently maintains record levels of deforestation”.
Concluding Deputy Lowry stated, “I do recognise that the Mercosur deal does potentially opens markets for Europe’s motor industry, financial services and telecommunications; signalling hugely beneficial opportunities. However, our Government needs to be mindful of the market disruption to our own agricultural sector, which will undoubtedly cause huge financial losses to our beef producers. Our rural communities are already at risk with falling beef prices, and the overall uncertainty of Brexit. Therefore, I have called on the Government to vehemently oppose the ratification of this Mercosur deal on behalf of farming communities in Tipperary and countrywide.
The annual Borrisoleigh Festival returns again this weekend; bigger and better than ever before. The festival is being run in tandem with “The Arty Rooster Arts Festival”, which runs for the entire week from 1st July.
Overall Winner of the 2018 Wheelbarrow Competition with her entry ‘The Dogbox’ is Kathleen Ryan (left) with her sister Margaret and mother Effie (RIP)
The growing “International Wheelbarrow Extravaganza”, promises some wonderful creations. The competition is open to everyone to submit their modified wheelbarrows to be in with a chance to win some great prizes. Your imagination is the only limiting factor in this unique competition.
‘The Arty Rooster‘ will feature shop-front exhibitions, workshops, demonstrations, talks and performances, including an oil painting demonstration by artist Jim Donnelly on Saturday morning and a short play written by Ciarnad Ryan. The play is based on events which took place during the War of Independence and will be performed on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday in the function room in Finn’s Bar. Follow ‘The Arty Rooster’ on Facebook for full schedule updates.
The annual walk with the Bush and Briar Ramblers takes place on Saturday July 6th, walking part of the Beara Breifne Way from Greenane to Latteragh. Registration is at 8.30am in the Community Centre.
Award winning photographer Tom Doherty will be hosting a photo walk, giving tips on how to take great photos on a walk around Borrisoleigh starting at 11:00am in The Square. This should prove useful to anyone planning on entering the festivals Instagram Competition. Be sure to use the hashtag #BorrisFest19 when posting festival photos on Instagram to be in with a chance to win some great prizes. After the Official Opening with Lord Mayor Paddy Dolan and special guest on Saturday, there will be a Jiving Competition and Social Dancing with ‘Phil Maher’s Band’. The band ‘Ebony’ will finish off the night; from 10:00pm to 12:00 midnight.
A fire performer will be thrilling spectators throughout Saturday night with a number of performances from 8:00pm and Hot Chocolate and Wraps will be available from ‘The Hungry Horse’.
Sunday 7th July has a packed schedule from 2:00pm with the ‘Wheelbarrow Extravaganza’, live music, kid’s entertainment and lots more. The individual wheelbarrow categories are: Best Environmental; Best Miniature Garden; and Most Imaginative.
Entries open on Sunday 7th July 2.00 – 4.30 p.m. No entry fees. This year there is a new ‘Commercial’ Category. Local businesses can showcase their business in a wheelbarrow in the centre of Borrisoleigh for the duration of the Festival. €10 advance entry fee. Wheelbarrows can be displayed from 1st July – 7th July. There will be a public vote for the best overall wheelbarrow on Sunday afternoon. Votes cost €1.00 each. So, take another glance at that old wheelbarrow in the corner of the garden, and imagine what an amazing spectacle it would make with a little bit of ingenuity and TLC. And don’t forget to use #BorrisFest19 when uploading your photos to Instagram!
At 2.30pm in the Community Centre there is a Make Up Demonstration with MUA Kayley Moylan, admission is €8. Kids entertainment will feature Bouncy Castles, Disco Dome, Gladiators, Gaming Van and Hawkeye Powershot Competition. There will be a BBQ in the village square also on Sunday evening and a Hobby horse competition from 6.30pm to 7.30pm.
Live music starts at 2:00pm on Sunday with DJ Matt Ryan and a host of wonderful performers throughout the day. Starting with Paudi Bourke at 4pm, Dufrane 4.30pm, The Mangled Badgers 6pm and finishing with Silver Dollar from 8pm until late.
All in all, it promises to be a terrific festival with something for everyone and all ages. Pick up a copy of the festival booklet in any local shops for full schedule of events and follow Borrisoleigh Festival on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for regular updates.
Malfunctioning septic tank systems are posing a risk to both people’s health and the environment, with nearly half of septic tank systems failing inspection in 2017 and 2018.
The EPA is responsible for the development of a National Inspection Plan for domestic waste water treatment systems. The current plan covers 2018-2021. Under the plan, local authorities are required to undertake a minimum of 1,000 inspections each year, distributed by risk across the country.
Domestic waste water treatment systems are used by rural householders to treat sewage. There are nearly half a million systems in Ireland and most (90%) are septic tanks.
Householders needs / must fix malfunctioning septic tank systems and the Government’s proposed expanded septic tank grant scheme is therefore welcome as part of addressing this serious issue.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) yesterday released a review of over 2,000 inspections of septic tanks and other domestic waste water treatment systems in 2017 and 2018. Nearly half of the systems failed inspection because they were not built or maintained properly. Faulty systems can contaminate household wells and pollute rivers. Householders should now avail of the proposed expanded grant scheme, when it becomes available, to address the problem of malfunctioning septic tanks.
Commenting on the report, Dr. Tom Ryan, Director of the EPA’s Office of Environmental Enforcement stated, “If you do not maintain your septic tank, it can contaminate your own or your neighbour’s well or your local stream, putting your health at risk and that of your family and neighbours. You can take simple steps to maintain your septic tank by making sure it is not leaking, ponding or discharging to ditches and by cleaning it out regularly.”
The report also found that nearly one third of systems that failed inspections during 2013-2018 are still not fixed. Local authorities need to take appropriate measures to ensure householders fix systems that fail the ongoing inspections.
Mr Noel Byrne, Senior Scientist in the EPA’s Office of Environmental Enforcement stated, “It is important that householders fix systems where problems are detected. To improve water quality, the government’s proposed expanded septic tank grant scheme, due to be launched later this year, will increase the maximum grant aid available to €5000 and remove the means test requirements.”
For further information: Contact Niamh Hatchell/ Emily Williamson, EPA Media Relations Office Tel: 053-9170770.
Sinn Féin have withdrawn their earlier request for a full recount in the recent European Parliament election for Ireland South. Same decision was made following initial recounting of 755,9876 ballots, which began this morning, further indicated that no major ballot anomalies had taken place.
Following the initial count last Thursday, the Sinn Féin MEP, Ms Liadh Ní Riada, stood to lose her seat by some 326 votes, to the Green Party candidate Tramore, Co. Waterford Senator Ms Grace O’Sullivan.
Following a demand by Sinn Féin, it was deemed necessary by the Mr Martin Harvey (Returning Officer) to grant a full recount following a day long recheck of votes which saw Ms Ní Riada gain just a single vote, thus reducing her then deficit from 327 votes to 326.
Ireland South EU Election results now stand as follows:
Fine Gael MEP and former GAA President Mr Sean Kelly topped the poll and was elected on the ninth count, while on the seventeenth count, the former Fianna Fáil Minister Mr Billy Kelleher was elected. Wexford Independent TD Mr Mick Wallace and outgoing Fine Gael MEP Deirdre Clune were both elected without reaching their required quota of 119,866. Ms Ní Riada’s transfers will now decide the alignment of the two remaining seats, that of Ms O’Sullivan and Ms Clune.
What do you want your community to look like in 10 years?
Tipperary Public Participation Network (Tipperary PPN) are delighted to be rolling out a new National Initiative on Community well-being. The PPN is bringing together social inclusion, environment and community development voices in our communities to develop a “Well-being Vision Statement” that sets out their shared vision for County Tipperary.
What is Community Wellbeing?
Well-being is an increasingly common term that can describe wider conditions than just good physical and mental health, which we need as individuals and communities in order to have a better quality of life, a healthier environment and increased prosperity.
Some of these are things that we can easily measure e.g. the number of pre-school places, or the speed with which an ambulance can get to a sick person. Others are less easily measured, e.g. our pride of place, our heritage and the way in which we all look after each other.
All aspects of well-being are connected to each other. So, for example, if our natural environment is poor, it will affect our mental and physical health as well as our economy. In other words, all the parts of our community well-being are interconnected.
Let’s develop our vision for community well-being for the Cashel / Tipperary Municipal District.
Community Well-being Vision being developed in Cashel / Tipperary Municipal District, County Tipperary
So, what do we need for the well being of the community of Cashel / Tipperary?
That is the question being posed by Tipperary PPN, and we want to hear from all the groups and organisations in this area. Feed into this important vision for your area by starting a conversation and attending a public meeting on Wednesday, May 29th, 2019, in Kilfeacle Community Centre, Moatquarter, Kilfeacle, Co. Tipperary.
Remember
Date: Wednesday, 29th May, 2019
Location: Kilfeacle Community Tennis Club. E34 YP98
Time: 6:30pm- 9:00pm – Registration from 7:00pm
Refreshments on arrival.
Developing a Vision for Community well-being means thinking about what we have and what we need to help Cashel / Tipperary Municipal District to be as great as it can be, for us and for the many generations that will follow into the future.
All the information gathered on the above stated night, will be brought together and used to influence policy, thus guiding the work of the PPN and its representatives; in influencing policy and working towards achieving community goals.
On the night Tipperary PPN will look at community well-being under six headings as follows.
Social and community development. Environment and sustainability. Economy and resources. Health (physical & mental). Values, culture and meaning. Participation, democracy and good governance.
By using the above six headings across all the country, we can see whether we resident in Tipperary have the same concerns and indeed causes for celebration, as do others.
Further information on the well-being vision which is been rolled out around the country can be found HERE .
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