- NEWS
Pictures take you upstairs and downstairs in the ‘Big Houses’ of IrelandAn exhibition of Big House photos reveals some intimate moments in the lives of both the families and staff, says Tommy Barker
Appeal for public help in double murder probeA double murder investigation involving more than 50 gardaí got under way in Killorglin, Co Kerry, after autopsies confirmed a Lithuanian woman and her young daughter had died violently.
- WORLD
Brand divorced me by text, says Perry Pop star Katy Perry has revealed that Russell Brand told her he was divorcing her in a text message.
Ex-hitman: Bulger’s FBI dealings ‘broke my heart’A former criminal associate of James "Whitey" Bulger told jurors at the accused mob boss's trial that he agreed to testify against his old friend after learning that his former gang pals had begun co-operating with law enforcement.
- BUSINESS
Aircraft leasing firm buys 10 Boeing jetsShannon-based aircraft leasing firm GE Capital Aviation Services have bought 10 new Boeing 787-10 Dreamliners for an estimated $3bn (€2.24bn) at list price.
20% of rich see value of assets halved Nearly 20% of Ireland's wealthy people have seen the value of their assets halved as a result of their over-reliance on property.
- SPORT
GPA may get involved over Friday night championship dictatThe GPA could yet act on the behalf of the Carlow and Laois football panels as they have confirmed neither they nor the players were consulted about Friday week's All-Ireland round one qualifier.
Kearney keeps eyes on main prize Rob Kearney might not have felt like putting his best foot forward today as the Lions continued to prepare for Saturday's all-important first Test against Australia but he is experienced enough to know that after this midweek defeat by the Brumbies, it is essential for the main mission of the tour.
- LIFESTYLE
Bradley bares his soul Soul singer Charles Bradley found fame late in life, but is haunted by his past, writes Ed Power
Our history of shame about sex laid bareSPECTATORS of the live dance-art show, Witches, will have to wake early or stay up late to watch it.
16-19C
Breaking stories
I’m still sceptical of ESM reassurances
By Martin Coughlan
The fiscal treaty referendum is concluded, the Irish people have spoken, and the country moves on.
In the final week of the campaign, I was among an invited audience at a debate chaired by Matt Cooper between the ‘yes’ and the ‘no’ sides and broadcast from UCC by Today FM’s Last Word programme.I scored it a draw, with the speakers doing justice to their respective positions.
The ‘no’ side started strongly and put the ‘yes’ side, led by Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney, on the back foot.
Gradually, the minister and his team fought back, and contained the arguments of their opponents.
My question was ‘if the setting-up of the ESM fund did not go well, would the EU/CAP budget come under pressure’?
I watched and listened with interest as the minister answered, not responding to my ‘what if there isn’t enough money?’ fears, but concentrating on the point that the CAP budget is an independent entity.
Despite Minister Coveney’s reassurances, I remain sceptical on how Europe will find the money to fund the ESM.
Because of the nature of the referendum, a complex international treaty on the viability and survivability of the euro, and because events internationally may yet influence its final outcome, none of the combatants in Cork appeared able to land a truly crippling blow on the opposition.
That said, Caroline Simons, on the ‘no’ side, appeared well-briefed and offered balance in the face of the ministerial-led opposition.
On the ‘yes’ side, the minister led from the front and debated ably, and by heading up the Government’s ‘yes’ campaign, Coveney has probably come out of the campaign with his reputation as a politician, and confidence as a negotiator, enhanced.
This is all good from a farming perspective, with the CAP negotiations only months away.
However, as the financial crisis continues, I will be watching carefully this autumn for budget or administration issues that may result in delays in the run-up to payment of the 2012 single farm payment.
nMeanwhile, back home in Co Waterford, I noted over the weekend that sections of local roadside verges appear to be turning brown, as if they have been sprayed.
I can only assume this has been done by our local council, because the areas affected seem to be exclusively around road signage, crash barriers, corners, junctions and rain water run-off cuts.
Apart from the effect on the image of Ireland as “a green and pleasant land”, this apparent extensive use of chemicals, as opposed to the traditional approach to roadside maintenance, raises other, more serious issues.
As custodians of the countryside, farmers are aware that there are strict regulations governing the use of chemicals for the control of weeds.
These regulations govern their use close to water-courses, the effects on wildlife, and the danger of run-off into the wider environment.
Do the same considerations apply to the control of herbage on the roadside?
If this operation was sanctioned by the council, questions need to be asked. On a more technical point, they appear ignorant that there are herbicides on the market that kill selectively and don’t leave the area sprayed totally denuded of life and open to re-colonisation by weeds and briars.
One herbicide, in particular, kills only weeds and briars, and has no effect on grass. I’ve used it occasionally under electric fences to eliminate weeds and have seen the areas spayed rapidly green-up as grass re-establishes.
However, I wouldn’t use it to tidy up the ditches on my driveway.
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