Blockades are continuing at meat processing plants around the country as just four of the 20 pickets have been lifted.

Meat Industry Ireland is claiming that thousands of staff have been temporarily laid off at meat processing plants as the beef price dispute rumbles on.

A blueprint for future development in East Cork includes plans for more than 5,000 homes, four primary schools, two secondary schools, shopping centres, parks, cycleways, and a railway station.

Workers at the Dawn Meats plant in Ballyhaunis, Co Mayo, have voted to accept a redundancy package negotiated by their union SIPTU, and management.

90 jobs are to go at the Dawn Meats plant in Ballyhaunis, Co Mayo in the latest round of job lay-offs following the introduction of the Cattle Destruction Scheme.