Important talks on a Ireland-England single green energy grid facility under way
Talks to break down the barriers to the creation of a single green energy market between Ireland and Britain are under way between officials, the British-Irish Council reported yesterday.
They are going to discuss the possibility of direct export of power from Ireland’s wind turbines, both onshore and offshore, to UK.
Some firms are eyeing opportunities in this industry, and had talks with both UK and Irish governments about installing wind turbines in Ireland and exporting the power to the neighboring island.
If the deal is concluded, the markets could be opened by the end of this year or early 2013.
Complex “financial, legal and regulatory barriers” must be overcome to enable cross-border trading, including the need for greater interconnections between electricity grids.
The twice-yearly meeting of the British-Irish Council was hosted in Stirling by Scottish first minister Alex Salmond, who has vowed to make Scotland “the Saudi Arabia of green energy”.
Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources Pat Rabbitte and his British counterpart, Charles Hendry, met last week in London for talks on agreeing a memorandum of understanding on the issue.
“It would allow us to get to a point where the potential for Ireland to be able to export energy to Britain would become a reality,” Taoiseach Enda Kenny said of the Rabbitte-Hendry talks.
British energy companies are investing heavily in offshore wind in Scotland, though Ireland has the potential to produce energy more cheaply in shallower waters.
An Anglo-Irish team of officials, chaired by officials in Britain’s department of energy and climate change, is investigating the issues posed by linking the two grids.
“Huge and important progress is being made on developing wave and tidal power in Scotland,” Mr Salmond said after the meeting, adding that the work of the council is helping to further co-operation.
The council is made up of the Irish and British governments, the devolved administrations in Belfast, Cardiff and Edinburgh, and the British crown dependencies of Guernsey, the Isle of Man and Jersey.
Mick Wallace formally resigns from the Dail technical group
IRELAND’S TAX cheat Mick Wallace has finally formally resigned from the Dail technical group 10 days after his apparent departure.
Mr Wallace has written to Ceann Comhairle Sean Barrett informing him he has officially resigned from the group of Independent and small-party TDs.
The Independent TD is understood to have initially refused to sign a letter saying he had permanently resigned.
Independent TD Finian McGrath confirmed yesterday Mr Wallace had resigned from the group, sent a letter to the Ceann Comhairle and has also resigned from the Oireachtas European Affairs committee. “He is gone completely from the technical group,” he said.
The controversy over Mr Wallace descended into farce this week amid confusion over whether he had actually resigned from the group.
A row broke out in the technical group over a proposal to remove his membership of the Oireachtas committee, which he holds as a member of the group. Mr Wallace’s close friend,Socialist Party TD Clare Daly, claimed he had only temporarily left the group and would be returning.
Ms Daly’s claim caused consternation in the group, with several TDs insisting he was not coming back.
At one point, the very future of the group was in doubt.
A delegation was sent to Mr Wallace to ask him to confirm his resignation from the group in writing.
Mr Wallace was approached on Wednesday and again on Thursday. He eventually agreed to sign and send the letter.
At least 20 thousand Galway households still using the ANALOGUE AERIAL signals
SOME TWENTY THOUSAND GALWAY HOUSEHOLDS ARE STILL RELIANT ON ANALOGUE AERIAL
At least 20 thousand Galway households remain exclusively reliant on an analogue TV aerial.
These homes must take action before October 24th when the signal will be switched off.
Thousands more Galway residents who have subscribed to digital providers such as UPC or SKY but have other tv sets operated by anologue signal, will be similarly affected.
A digital switchover information campaign called “Saorview fortnight” begins in Galway on Monday with instore demonstations and promotions at Saorview registered stores.
Brian Geraghty, Digital Reception Manager with Saorview says the transition to from analogue is straightforward for Galway residents where full coverage is available.
Tai Chi makes your brain bigger
Improves memory & possibly delays age related conditions
As Tai Chi increases mental activity, scientists believe it may be possible to delay the onset of incurable Alzheimer’s in pensi
TAI Chi makes your brain bigger and can improve memory and thinking – possibly delaying the onset of Alzheimer’s disease, claim scientists.
A new study has revealed how elderly people practising Tai Chi – an ancient Chinese form of slow, meditative exercise – just three times a week can boost brain volume and improve memory and thinking.
As the exercise increases mental activity, scientists believe it may be possible to delay the onset of incurable Alzheimer’s in pensioners.
Dementia and the gradual cognitive deterioration that precedes it is associated with increasing shrinkage of the brain, as nerve cells and their connections are gradually lost.
Previous research has shown Tai Chi can help relieve stress, improve balance in the elderly and stave of high blood pressure- helping those who suffer from heart disease.
Although scientists know brain volume can be increased in people who participate in aerobic exercise, this is the first study to show a less physical form of working out, like Tai Chi, can have the same results.
Researchers conducted an eight month controlled trial on Chinese seniors, comparing those who practiced Tai Chi three times a week to a group with no intervention.
Participants also had lively discussions three times a week over the same time period, with results showing a similar increase in brain volume and improvements on memory and thinking as those exercising.
Findings also revealed the group who did not participate in Tai Chi showed brain shrinkage over the eight months – consistent with what generally has been observed for elderly people in their 60s and 70s.
The research suggests forms of exercise like Tai Chi, that include an important mental health exercise component, are associated with increased production of brain growth factors like aerobic exercise.
Dr James Mortimer, of the University of South Florida, said: “If this is shown, then it would provide strong support to the concept of ‘use it or lose it’ and encourage seniors to stay actively involved both intellectually and physically.
“The ability to reverse this trend with physical exercise and increased mental activity implies that it may be possible to delay the onset of dementia in older persons through interventions that have many physical and mental health benefits.
“Epidemiologic studies have shown repeatedly that individuals who engage in more physical exercise or are more socially active have a lower risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
“The current findings suggest that this may be a result of growth and preservation of critical regions of the brain affected by this illness.”
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