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in March of this year.

Set in an animated version of Doo- lin, the story revolves around Ellen and Keats who venture into a realm of the dead called the Netherworld to uncover the mysteries surrounding their small village.

Sony Europe, who will officially

launch the game this Friday, have decided to capitalise on local interest in the game by hosting the ‘Create a Folk’ competition.

The winning character will be fea- tured in the game as downloadable content via the PlayStation Store.

To enter the contest, gamers must create an original illustration of a Folk character, name it, provide a brief description and then give the character a unique attack that can be absorbed during actual gameplay.

Submissions will have to be posted on the Sony Europe forum before noon on Monday, October 22.

‘Folklore’ was conceived by Yoshiki Okamoto, executive pro- ducer of such titles as “Resident Evil’ and ‘Devil May Cry’.

IRISH people spend more on alcohol in off-licences than on food, accord- ing to the Irish Creamery Milk Sup- pliers Association President Jackie OF TTeR

Speaking at last week, the farm- ing leader stated that the impact of increased milk and grain prices on food costs is being grossly exagger- ated by politicians and commercial interests and that the “so-called food inflation is nonsense”.

“Politicians and others should stop misleading consumers on this mat- ter. We do accept that there will be an increase in food prices reflecting

the new realities of production and, in this regard, it is important that the current increasing farm price for milk is at least maintained,” he said.

“That is precisely why the sug- gestion for a quota increase would warrant very detailed considera- tion. People who are calling for an increased quota at European level after a few months of improved milk prices – improvements which were long overdue and were critical for the continuation of profitable dairy farm productions – should pause for thought.

“Their energy might be better used in ensuring that the Irish retail food sector returns a higher market

to both the processor and farmer, reflecting the increased international food commodity prices.”

Mr Cahill said the reality of the situation is that food spending amounts to 11 per cent of total con- sumer spend. In the past, food prices increased despite falling farm prices and decreasing food commodity prices internationally.

“Milk and cheese account for a mere 1.2 per cent of total spend, even if the price of these were to increase by 50 per cent, it would add a mere 0.6 per cent to the cost of living,” he continued.

“Irish people now spend more on alcoholic drink than on food and that

off-licence sales of alcoholic drink alone – at 6 per cent – amount to more than the cost of bread and cereals, dairy products and meat.

“These official facts, as published by the Central Statistics Office, show the complete lack of a foundation to so-called food inflation. Comments alleging food inflation are now reg- ularly trotted out for political and CLoyrabeenet-i must hKieeke

“The tightening of world supply in food commodities, increased energy costs and climate change food will result in further commodity price increases, but that the impact of this increase on actual food prices in the shop would be low.”

BRAZILIAN beef products are not wanted in Ireland, according to the first survey conducted on public at- titudes towards imports from the Yells Waverouervemeeleilias

More than 90 per cent of people want Minister for Agriculture Mary Coughlan to secure a ban on Brazil- ian beef imports into Europe, ac- cording to a survey carried out by the Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA).

The survey, which was conducted by second-year agricultural science students from Gurteen College in Tipperary, was completed by 1,340 people. More than 94 per cent of those surveyed believe Brazilian beef fails to meet EU standards on

traceability, Foot and Mouth disease and food safety controls.

“The results of this survey sends a resounding message to Minister Coughlan and the EU Commission that people reject the double stand- ards that allow Brazilian beef 1m- ports into Europe,” said IFA Presi- dent Padraig Walshe.

IFA National Livestock Chairman John Bryan described the results of the survey as a landslide rejection of the EU Commission’s position on Brazilian beef.

Mr Bryan said Mary Coughlan could not ignore the depth of public feeling on the patent failure of Bra- Zilian beef to meet EU standards and she must immediately ramp up pres- sure on the Commission and call for

an outright ban. Meanwhile, the IFA has launched a major attack on the EU Commission over what it calls the ‘cover-up’ regarding the Brazil- ian beef problem.

Padraig Walshe said the EU policy was untenable and the clear message from the public and farmers at the National Ploughing Championship was that the EU should impose a total ban on Brazil.

This follows some shocking events at the championships, when an- ery livestock farmers challenged the EU representatives outside the Commission forum over the failure of the Commission to take decisive action to protect the European Union against the risks posed by Brazilian beef imports.

While all this is going on, Robin Smith, the Irish Cattle & Sheep Association Beef Chairman, has expressed anger at news that the Brazilian government is_ seeking even more time to get their house in order on traceability.

Reports indicate that Brazil- lan agriculture minister Reinhold Stephanes is travelling to meet with the EU this month to seek more time to conclude the implementation of their traceability system, which is known as Sisbov.

“The ICSA cannot believe that any more time can be given to the Brazil- lans – they are due an FVO inspec- tion on November 5 and either they have things right or they don’t,” Mr Sees lHeMy-vlee

AROUND 160 businesspeople from the region attended the first Mid West Entrepreneur Showcase, held in the Enterprise Acceleration Centre, Limerick Institute of Technology on Thursday last (October 4).

Among the innovative ideas on show were two from County Clare.

Eugene Crimmuins, Director, The Irish Bread Mix Company Ltd, which is based at Crimmins Bakery in Newmarket-on-Fergus, exhibited his easy-to-bake, additive-free bread mixes.

Although the company is at an early stage, the mixes are already selling to tourists in Bunratty Folk Park and at the Cliffs of Moher.

Liam Fahy of Fahy Analytical in Doora showcased his creative solu- tions to process problems in the med- ical and electronics areas. His com- pany provides cleaning for medical implants, and recycling services for used sandblast products. It also sup- plies lettering sand to stone masons.

Both men are participants in the Limerick Enterprise Acceleration Platform (LEAP) programme at EAC. As well as LEAP participants, other new and young companies in the mid-west exhibited. There were also stands for developments agen- cies, business associations, account- ants, banks, investors and other ad- visers.

The Showcase featured a half-day

seminar entitled “Funding for New and Established Start-Ups’.

Jerry Kennelly, the Kerry entre- preneur and founder of Stockbyte, which was sold in April 2006 for €110 million euro, gave a blow-by- blow account of how the business developed.

‘From a state support, infrastruc- ture, tax and can-do perspective, there has never been a better time to start a global business from Ireland,” | stemncyeB(Gm

David Boland, Managing Director of Documatics, revealed that his de- termination to set up his own busi-

ness was fuelled by having to work at a boring job during school holidays.

Documatics have developed a Busi- ness Process Management system using the Microsoft .NET platform.

Damian Young, head of the Small Business segment in Bank of Ireland, said that the environment for new businesses remains positive.

Drew O’Sullivan, an Investment Manager with 4th Level Ventures spoke on ‘Funding your Early Stage Venture – from BES to finding the right VC’.

Martin Corry, development advi- sor in Enterprise Ireland, said that the Showcase highlighted the range of business innovation in the region. He paid tribute to the late Dr Tony Ryan.

Dr Maria Hinfelaar, Director of LIT, who chaired the meeting, stated Merle MN ODM AYANOTSARCO1HuS OKC NENT. eee) tte omy could deliver a range of eco- nomic, regional and social benefits for Ireland.

The meeting was sponsored by Limerick based audit, tax and advi- sory providers, MGM Mulcahy Gor- man Mulcahy, and was part of Lim- erick Business Week.

BISHOP of Killaloe Dr Willie Walsh has lent his support to a campaign to retain accident and emergency serv- ices at Ennis General Hospital.

The leader of the Catholic Church in the diocese told the rally that ‘as Christians we need to provide a health care system that is universal’.

“Many of us here have health insur- ance but it is not right that any of us can get preferential treatment just be- cause we can afford to pay a private health insurance,” he said.

“It is a challenge to all of us to com-

mit ourselves to building a society that cares for our sick anything else is less than Christian.”

Mayor of Clare Cllr Patricia Mc- Carthy (Ind) told the crowd that the minister for health confirmed to the five mayors of the county that the development of the hospital would go ahead, that any retiring consult- ants would be replaced and that she wanted a higher level of activity at the hospital.

Among the other commitments given was that the accident and emer- gency department would be consult- ant-led but “going into the future it

would not be consultant-led for 24 hours. The model to be put in place during the non-consultant-led pe- riod has not been defined or agreed. Mammography services will not be part of the radiology service to be provided.”

“IT welcome the commitment of the minister for the improvements that she outlined for the delivery of health services in the county.

“However, in view of the isolated and dispersed nature of many of the communities in the county…it 1s 1m- portant that any changes do not take place within the existing services un-

til such time as promised improve- ments in the delivery of services… are in place and delivering a safe and best practice service,’ said the county mayor.

“While welcoming the roll out of BreastCheck and the commitment to centres of excellence and improved cancer treatment services, I am not convinced that going forward it is not possible to provide a mammography service at Ennis General Hospital.

“Modern technology in my opinion can and should be used to provide a safe and efficient mammography service at Ennis General Hospital.”

AS the dust began to settle on the an- nouncement of the third Milk Quota Trading Scheme last week, the Min- ister for Agriculture, Mary Cough- lan, went on the attack in Europe, calling for an increase of three per cent in milk quota’s in the EU Coun- TOY Pb toncwio dale ule

The demand was made at the meet- ing of EU agriculture ministers in Brussels on Thursday and was ech- oed by a large number of other mem- ber states. Coughlan commented that she was very pleased with the level

of support for this idea as she had been in contact with a number of her counterparts in recent weeks to build such support.

The Commission undertook to analyse carefully the demands for in- creased quotas and to bring forward a report before the end of the year.

Minister Coughlan said that she was very pleased that the debate had now commenced on an appropriate and early EU response to the current buoyancy in the dairy market.

“We have been looking very care- fully at developments in the dairy market, including future trends,” she

said.

“Our conclusion is that the buoy- ancy now evident has given a whole new impetus to the wider dairy sec- tor following the implementation of the Luxembourg agreement and the virtual removal of market support mechanisms that have resulted from the reform.

“We have entered a new period of trade in which worldwide supply is no longer responding sufficiently to increased market demand. Dairy farmers and the dairy industry must have the opportunity to benefit from the new demand situation by increas-

Th orcae loin Uae

The minister said that the Commis- sion should not wait for the health check to respond to the clear signals that the market is now giving. If the EU hesitates now in its response, our competitors will take the market op- portunities that we are best placed to Tos ais Leon

“The milk quota system has served Ireland well over the years. At the same time, it must be responsive to developments in the market and an increase of three per cent from April next would represent an appropriate response.”

THERE was a mixed reaction to the third Milk Quota Trading Scheme announced by the Minister for Agri- culture, Mary Coughlan, last week.

Reacting to the new scheme, Macra na Feirme national president, Cath- erine Buckley, said she was disap- pointed with the imposition of a 3:2 ratio on the amount of quota a young farmer could receive from the prior- ity pool relative to category one sup- pliers.

Ms Buckley said this could reduce the levels of allocations to young farmers in some co-op pools.

“This could put a greater financial burden on progressive farmers who are trying to expand their business

by acquiring quota. On the exchange young farmers will find it difficult to compete for quota against larger and more established farmers who have ereater resources,’ she said.

“In certain co-op areas some young farmers did indeed receive high lev- els of quota compared to category one producers in the last two exchanges, however these allocations were the product of ring-fencing.”

The Chairman of ICMSA’s Dairy Committee, Dominic Cronin, wel- comed the changes to the exchanged describing them as ‘broadly positive’. Cronin said he was delighted to note that the minister appeared to have acted on some of the ICMSA’s rec- ommendations concerning the short- falls of the existing system.

“There were specific anomalies in the old system that we had identified and to which we suggested the rem- edies. Those suggestions appear to have been acted upon,” he said.

“We’re particularly happy that the category one suppliers will now have a better opportunity of receiving an allocation from the 30 per cent fixed pool with a specific allocation now allocated to them.

“We also believe that the changes announced will address the problems thrown up in the northern counties — problems which again we had high- lighted previously.”

The third scheme will again be run in respect of each co-op area, and will again be comprised of a priority pool and a market exchange. Howev-

er, the method of distribution of pri- ority pool quota will be refined and a mechanism aimed at increasing the amount of quota traded on market exchanges in particular co-op areas will be introduced.

“T have listened very carefully to the views of the farming organisa- tions and ICOS in the course of a Summer of consultation on the op- eration of the Milk Quota Trading Scheme,” said the minister.

‘The very clear message has been that the scheme has functioned ex- tremely effectively. However, some farmers have continued to experi- ence difficulties getting access to quota, and some co-op areas have experienced trading problems due to supply and demand factors.”

The former president of the IMO was referring to the HSE announce- ment about cancer care during the week.

“In one paragraph, they talk about the orderly planned transfer of pa- tient care which will take place over

the next nine to 12 months. And d1- rectly underneath it, they say that as a consequence the following hospi- tals are to cease these proceedures with immediate affect and a long list that includes Ennis.

“I fear for Ennis hospital and I am familiar with the ‘golden hour’ and the far reaches of west Clare,’ Dr Roan UAYARy-B (OR

““T don’t believe that when and if the centre of excellence is up and run- ning in Limerick that people will want to see the A and E close here in Ennis as I believe you are still going to have the geographical difficulties.

“And certainly there is a lot to be said at being able to stablise a pa- tient, intervene at a level if necessary and maybe oviate ther necessity to travel,’ he added. “Nobody would be reasured by what is happening in the health service.”

Dr Reilly said that the minister’s vi- sion of a GP-led accident and emer- gency could work but man power would prove problematic.

“And I haven’t noticed the towns of west Clare or Ennis overbrimming with GPs who are stretched to the limit to do what they are doing at the minute as it is.

“Now, if she was to double those numbers, I would have no problem. I would say yes, these are very skilled clinicians who are making a very valuable contribution,” he said.

ENNIS’ Valerie Hassett will fly the Clare flag on the Irish team that contests the Irish Seniors Home In- ternationals this week. Hassett won her place on the team after finishing joint-ninth behind Alison Murdoch in the Irish Seniors Strokeplay Champi- onship in Ennis early last month. Hassett was a member of the Ennis Senior Cup team that made history

in the centenary year of the club by winning the All-Ireland title for the first time thanks to a 3 1/2 to 1 1/2 win over Royal Portrush in the final at Miltown.

The Irish team in full that will compete in the Home Internationals at Royal Tara from this Tuesday to Thursday reads as follows:

Carmel Cahill (Hermitage) Valerie Hassett (Ennis) Marilyn Henderson (West Rhine)

Eileen MacMullan (Donegal) Mary McKenna (Donabate) Mary Madden (Ballinasloe) Sheena O’Brien Kenney (Grange) Reserve: Pamela Morgan (Lahinch) Team Captain: Rhona Fanagan (Milltown) Team Manager: Roma English CR Taite

Meanwhile, Gort were denied AlIl- Ireland glory at the weekend when they had to give second best to En-

niscorthy in the AA Insurance Jun- ior Foursomes final in Athlone GC. They were beaten by 2 1/2 to | 1/2. The scores were as follows:

Teresa Gill and Josephine Cummins halved with Ann Nolan and Joan Millar

Josie Collins and Celine Fahey

lost to Julie McCarthy and Pauline Byrne by 2 holes

Maureen Brennan and Margaret Whelan lost to Michele Browne and

Ursula Cousins 7&5

WHEREVER Anthony Daly’s ca- reer path has taken him over the years, success has invariably fol- lowed. Whether it was with his na- tive club Clarecastle or with Clare, Daly always led from the front and this weekend, he hopes to add anoth- er title when he takes charge of Kil- moyley in the Kerry County Senior Hurling Championship final against Lixnaw.

Kilmoyley, along with fierce ri- vals Ballyduff, are the aristocrats of Kerry hurling but despite winning four-in-a-row from 2001 to 2004, they have since fallen on hard times due largely to their ageing side. John Meyler was the man in charge dur- ing that successful era at the begin- ning of the decade, but after getting the Wexford senior job last year, the club went in search of Daly who had himself left the Clare position.

The way it turned out was ironic really as Daly’s Clare inadvertently played a part in the vacant position in Wexford after beating them in two successive All-Ireland quarter-finals, thus opening the door for Meyler.

Kilmoyley are firm favourites to

win on Sunday after comprehen- sively beating Ballyheigue in the semi-final, but Lixnaw managed by another former Clare manager Ea- mon Cregan, will be no pushovers and Daly feels that the game could ome aALoNe

“It’s going to be close. A lot of people are making us favourites on the basis that we have won our two games well, but they won the cham- pionship two years ago so obviously they have a good team as well. Now they haven’t had them together with the football and that, but they won the football semi-final with Feale Rangers last weekend so they will be totally focused on the hurling for the Leto

‘This is one to look forward to any- way because they are die hards down there, they are fanatical about their hurling,” he said.

Daly originally got involved with the club through his love of grey- hounds and as aresult, he knew some of the Kilmoyley board who invited him down last year to give their mi- nors a training session before the m1i- nor final.

When Meyler left, they immediately thought of Daly who had just vacated

the Clare post and from there, the el- ements just seemed to fall in place. However at first glance, the Kiul- moyley job was a huge undertaking as the side had suffered a few very lean years and had a number of play- ers who appeared to be approaching

their end but Daly came in and re- vamped the side, beating bitter rivals Ballyduff in the quarter-final which gave them untold confidence.

As Daly recalled, “It was more a question of trying to reignite the players. There were some of them

that were very good players but had just lost enthusiasm, they’d been on the road so long. But I suppose a new voice was a help and once you got them going and once they started to bind, it came together. But they do have a few new bodies as well.

“There are a few young lads com- ing through and they won last year’s Under 21 and they are in the minor final as well on Sunday. They are a very good club and they really look after their young lads. But I guess there were a few lads there alright that were around the 32-33 age group and were possibly considering chuck- ing it and just decided to give it a lash for the year and so far so good.”

In addition, if Kilmoyley win on Sunday, they will equal Ballyduff’s record of 21 county senior titles, a milestone which they are eager to reach on Sunday and with Daly at the helm, they will conceivably never get a better chance.