http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2009/0415/1224244720653.html
MARK HENNESSY,
Wed, Apr 15, 2009
SIR ANTHONY O’Reilly has been sharply criticised by Northern Ireland’s First Minister Peter Robinson and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness over the O’Reilly-controlled Belfast Telegraph’s coverage of Northern Ireland politics.
In a joint letter in early March, the two accused the Telegraph of “relentless negativity” in its attitude to the work of the Northern Ireland Executive and the Northern Ireland Assembly.
“We are writing to draw your attention to what we consider to be a quite serious deterioration in the Belfast Telegraph’s coverage of the work of the Executive and the Assembly,” they wrote.
Listing a series of complaints, Mr Robinson and Mr McGuinness expressly complained about the newspaper’s coverage of job losses, and were clearly irked by coverage of the Assembly and Executive’s attempts to deal with the worsening crisis.
The two have made no public or private reference to the existence of the letter which is dated March 2nd, or about their complaints with the Telegraph, despite a number of encounters since with members of the press.
The existence of the letter was revealed by the well-known Northern Ireland blogger, Mick Fealty, who publishes sluggerotoole.com.
In the letter, Mr Robinson and Mr McGuinness said the newspaper’s claim that it was “impossible” for anyone to get a full-time job was “lurid”.
“The leading article in the same edition accused the Executive of dithering and making excuses and covered quotes from stakeholders calling on the Executive to take steps we had already announced we were doing,” they said.
Later, they said the Telegraph “had attempted to claim credit for a speech” by the Finance Minister Nigel Dodds to the Assembly “just hours” after the newspaper had called on the Executive to focus on job creation.
“Anyone with even the slightest knowledge of how the Executive and the Assembly operated could see how ridiculous such a contention was,” the two politicians declared.
They added: “We do not seek to fetter in any way the freedom of the press, but by the same token we do not expect to see a campaign ostensibly about creating jobs being used to denigrate and undermine the Executive and the Assembly.”
The Ulster Unionist leader and the Sinn Féin Deputy First Minister have sought a meeting with Sir Anthony to “discuss our concerns with you and (we) understand you are already seeking a meeting with us on another matter”.
A spokesman for Sir Anthony last night said the letter had been “sent to a non-existent” address and it was not received by him “for some weeks”.
When it did arrive, Sir Anthony “passed the letter on to the Northern Ireland management, including the editor, and it was dealt with from there. As it should be. He is not going to meet with them about this,” the spokesman continued.
© 2009 The Irish Times
http://www.belfastmedia.com/home_article.php?ID=1657
Andersonstown News Monday 14th of April 2009
The Springfield Road was closed for a number of hours on Thursday following the discovery of suspicious objects, including the one above. The Stewartstown Road was similarly closed off on Friday morning.
On Thursday afternoon, the Springfield Road was closed between the junctions of Elswick Street and Springfield Parade, following the discovery of this suspicious object close to the Mackie's site. Shortly afterwards a second suspicious device was discovered. The PSNI asked residents from Lanark Way to the West Circular roundabout to remain indoors. Meanwhile a suspicious object found in Lenadoon has been declared a hoax. The PSNI received a report from a member of the public at around 3.30pm on Wednesday that a suspicious object had been found in Lenadoon Avenue.
British army Technical Officers attended the scene and the security alert was eventually declared a hoax at 7pm.
Last week West Belfast was paralysed on several occasions with bomb hoaxes and hijackings. On Thursday the Andersonstown News printed a letter from all the main community groups and politicians calling on dissidents to desist from targeting West Belfast.
http://www.belfastmedia.com/home_article.php?ID=1658
Andersonstown News Monday 14th of April 2009
THOUSANDS of republicans took to the Falls Road yesterday for the annual round of Easter parades.
In bright spring sunshine, local people representing all shades of republican opinion marched along the Falls to Milltown Cemetery to pay tribute to the sacrifices of generations past.
At the main republican parade, West Belfast MPGerry Adams hit out at so-called dissident groups after another week of widespread hoax bomb disruption in the constituency.
He told republicans gathered at the Republican Plot in Milltown: “I uphold the right of everyone to dissent from Sinn Féin’s point of view. But no-one is entitled to hijack our proud republican history and our republican future and abuse it for narrow, selfish interests or self-gain.
“Sinn Féin, standing firmly on a republican platform, sets ourselves firmly against those elements who do this,” he added.
Mr Adams said that Sinn Féin would be continuing to push for Northern representation in the Oireachtas and would go on working to secure an Irish Language Act in the face of continued unionist opposition at Stormont.
http://www.derryjournal.com/journal/Dissidents-39dishonour-IRA-dead39-.5168240.jp
Published Date: 14 April 2009
More than 1,000 republicans took part in the annual Sinn Féin Easter Rising commemoration in Derry on Sunday which was addressed by Regional Development minister Conor Murphy
The Sinn Féin MP told the crowd that the actions of dissident republican groups "dishonour the memory" of Derry's dead IRA volunteers.
The commemoration march began in Westland Street and made its way from the Brandywell to Creggan before finishing at the republican plot in the City Cemetery where wreaths were laid at the Cúchulain monument.
Adrian Kelly, from Ógra Shinn Féin, read the 1916 proclamation while Debbie McKane and Orla Doherty read the Roll of Honour.
Click here to view pics from the commemoration
More pics here
Minute's silence
Wreaths were laid on behalf of Óglaigh na h'Éireann, Derry Sinn Féin, Ógra Shinn Féin, the Derry Republican Graves Association, and the families of dead IRA volunteers.
Sarah Griffin sang a lament while a minute's silence was held in memory of all republicans buried in the City Cemetery.
The Easter message from the leadership of Sinn Féin, which was read by Liam Duffy, insisted was "no feasible alternative" to the party's strategy and called on all republicans to support it.
In the main address, Mr Murphy paid tribute to the IRA and said the conditions no longer existed for armed struggle.
"I am very proud of my time as an IRA volunteer," he said.
'Last resort'
"I am also proud to have been a political prisoner. Not because I am proud to have been in jail but because while in jail we were still part of a vibrant and effective strategy," he said.
"I am equally proud to have been involved in peace and political negotiations. Armed struggle is not a philosophy or ideology in itself. It is a decision of last resort," he said.
"It has to have a moral basis. It has to be understood and supported by huge numbers of those who are being oppressed," he said.
In a direct message to dissident republicans, the senior Sinn Féin man said: "Your disregard for the popular will of our people, your tactics and some of the elements you surround yourselves with, all allegedly in the name of republicanism, dishonour the memory of the people we commemorate in Derry."
http://uup.org/newsrooms/latest-news/general/close-down-voices-and-sources-of-terror.php
UUP MEP Jim Nicholson has voiced his concerns about websites and bank accounts being used to promote and raise funds for the Real IRA.
"It was reported last week that the Real IRA has a recruitment/propaganda website hosted by a server based in the United States. The US State Department lists the Real IRA (along with Continuity IRA) as 'Foreign Terrorist Organizations.' That being the case it is absurd---and a violation of its own definitions and regulations---for the State Department to allow a website hosted from within the United States to be used as a mouthpiece for an organization that engages in terrrorist activity in Northern Ireland.
"I will be writing to the US Consul in Belfast, seeking assuarances and guarantees that websites promoting terrorism in Northern Ireland---or any other part of the United Kingdom for that matter---will be closed as soon as they are detected and reported.
"And I am also very concerned that a front organisation for the Real IRA has a bank account with the Ulster Bank and lists details for terrorist supporters to donate funds. The organisation---the Irish Republican Prisoners' Welfare Association---is also banned in the US. Members are not allowed to enter the US and US citizens are banned from giving either the Real IRA or the IRPWA any "material support."
"Again, I will be writing to the US Consul in Belfast, to the Secretary of State and to the Royal Bank of Scotland (the Ulster Bank's parent company) asking them to close down this account with immediate effect. It seems to have sneaked through on a legal technicality: while the Real IRA is a banned organisation in NI, the IRPWA is not.
"It is up to both the UK and US governments to co-operate on this matter and swap the necessary information. Terrorist organisations thrive on loopholes and government foot-dragging. It is vital that every step is taken to ensure that armed and active terrorist groups, along with their "front" organisations, are immediately stopped from propaganda, recruiting and fundraising activities.
http://www.derryjournal.com/journal/Railway-museum-new-flashpoint.5167399.jp
Published Date: 14 April 2009
The Foyle Valley Railway Museum has become the newest sectarian flashpoint in Derry.
Clashes between rival gangs of youths have taken place at the riverside location in recent days.
Sinn Féin councillor Billy Page fears the area could become a new sectarian interface.
Colr. Page has praised local community workers for their efforts to diffuse the problem.
He said: "The situation at the Foyle Valley Railway Museum and the area around the old Tillie and Henderson site, particularly at weekends, is becoming very worrying. In recent weeks there has been an increase in a number of vandalism attacks on the museum and general anti-community activity.
"The area is now becoming a new gathering point for young people from the across the city to engage in underage drinking and get up to all sorts of carry-on. I know community workers have been in the area over the past numbers of weeks to help prevent the situation escalating out of control and they must be commended for that," he said.
Colr. Page called on parents to be aware of what their children are doing when they go out.
"Parents need to know about this developing situation and ensure that their children are not getting caught up in this. Much of the area is dark, out of the way and there are fears for the personal safety of young people who may go there under peer pressure," he said.
http://saoirse32.blogsome.com/2009/04/14/p13166/
Irish News
13/04/09
The SDLP made its own piece of history yesterday by issuing an Easter statement.
While Easter statements have traditionally been regarded as the sole preserve of republicans, Newry and Armagh MLA Dominic Bradley appeared to break new ground yesterday by issuing a message on behalf of the SDLP in what is being seen as a thinly veiled attack on the Sinn Fein leadership.
“There are some who react to violence and murder by saying it serves no purpose, as if wrong could become right if it were better directed,”
Mr Bradley, pictured, said.
“There are some who would have us believe that if the groups who seek to use violence to promote their political ends had more support or a discernible strategy, that would in some way justify their use of violence.”
Accusing mainstream republicans of attempting to justify their previous support for ‘armed struggle’ during the Troubles while attempting to distance themselves from dissident groups’ killings of security forces members.
“I suspect that those who make such arguments are more concerned about attempting to justify their own past violent actions than dissuading those currently involved in violence,” he said.
“To paraphrase George Orwell, their slogan seems to be: ‘old bullets good, new bullets bad’.
“In trying to sell this contorted logic and sheer inconsistency they end up praising the dissidents with faint damns.”
http://saoirse32.blogsome.com/2009/04/14/sf-want-lily-on-a-par-with-poppies/
William Graham
Irish News
13/04/09
THE Equality Commission in the north should “categorise’’ the Easter lily as a symbol which can be worn within the workplace, Sinn Fein’s Barry McElduff said yesterday.
Addressing republicans at an Easter rally in Carrickmore he said that the present situation where the commission did not extend recognition to the Easter lily constituted “a fundamental inequality in society”.
At present poppies and shamrocks can be worn in workplaces in a respectful manner, within the appropriate periods.
“We have considerable work to do before we reach a position where civic society accords equal respect to the symbols and emblems which matter so much to Irish republicans,” West Tyrone assembly member Mr McElduff said.
“We do have political arrangements within which republicans are working in order to advance our cause in a strategic way.
“This does not mean that we have secured a political settlement because there will only truly be a political settlement in this country when we have cut our political links with Britain, once and for all.
“We should never forget that it was Britain which introduced the gun to Irish politics, it was Britain which divided Ireland into two unviable states and it was Britain which carefully fostered differences between the people of Ireland.
“As we continue to make advances towards Irish unity we need more people to become actively involved in building political strength.”
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2009/0414/breaking56.htm
STEVEN CARROLL
Tue, Apr 14, 2009
The attitude of young Irish people towards the consumption of alcohol is changing for the better, the drinks industry body Meas believes.
Research by the organisation indicates that, in spite of a longstanding culture of excess around alcohol, young people’s behaviour is becoming more responsible.
“We’re seeing a change coming through,”Meas chief executive Fionnuala Sheehan said. “There’s quite a distance to go but it’s positive that people are picking up the message.”
Ms Sheehan said that Meas, also known as drinkaware.ie, has been tracking trends towards alcohol for six years and that the results are getting more positive.
“We ask younger people how many times have you suffered a hangover in the last month or how often have you drank more than you should, to gauge their behaviour, and we’re seeing a reduction in the numbers compared to last year and the year before.”
Ms Sheehan was speaking in Dublin today as the shortlist for the dare2bdrinkaware film competition, which examines the attitudes of young Irish people towards alcohol was announced.
The competition is organised jointly by the Digital Hub and Meas, and targets teams of young people at third-level aged over 18.
A total of 10 shortlisted teams hailing from Athlone Institute of Technology, Cavan Institute of Technology, NUI Maynooth and a number of Dublin colleges.
John Hurley of the Digital Hub said the response to the competition had been “overwhelming” and that the 100 entrants to the competition had well exceeded the organisers’ expectations.
The best editing, cinematography, narrative and creative interpretations of the competition brief will be awarded next week, as well as the best overall film.
The shortlisted films will battle for ¤5,000 in prize money and the winners will be unveiled at an awards ceremony next week, which Lenny Abrahamson, the director of Prosperity and Garage, is to address.
The entries are being judged by RTÉ presenter John Kelly; Ãine Moriarty, director of the Irish Film and Television Academy, and members of the Irish Film Institute, the Union of Students in Ireland, as well as the organisers.
“We had over 100 applications from around the country, which means that at least 500 young people have researched this, spoken to their friends and reflected on the topic of alcohol in society,” Ms Sheehan said.
The 10 shortlisted entries can be seen at www.dare2bdrinkaware.com.
© 2009 irishtimes.com
http://www.thepostsearchlight.com/news/2009/apr/14/bainbridge-natives-travel-ireland/
Published Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Six Georgia Southern University honors students had a unique spring break this year when they departed from Statesboro, Ga., for a trip to Northern Ireland where they toured, volunteered and spent St. Patrick’s Day working alongside some of the country’s most notable artists.
The Georgia Southern students arrived in Northern Ireland on March 14 and toured Belfast, the North Antrim coast and Dublin. On St. Patrick’s Day, they volunteered in Derry, where they worked to repair historically significant murals alongside the famed Bogside Artists.
Derry was the scene of a 1972 protest that turned violent when protesters were fired on by the British military. The events of that day led to escalated violence in the region and were the inspiration for the U2 song “Sunday, Bloody Sunday.” The Bogside Artists have painted a series of murals in the area depicting the scenes of that Sunday and other reminders of that unsettled time.
“Our students seek out meaningful learning experiences,” said Steven Engel, director of Georgia Southern University’s Honors Program. “When some college students plan their break around ‘fun in the sun,’ this group will have the opportunity to learn, first-hand, about the peace and reconciliation process in a society that has emerged from a period of conflict. These kinds of experiential learning opportunities are a hallmark of the honors experience at Georgia Southern University, where students can see ideas in action and make a difference at the same time.”
This trip is also significant because it will be the first time several of the students have traveled abroad.
The Georgia Southern students who traveled on this trip were Ava Conger and Rachel Anderson of Bainbridge, Ashlin Reid of Statesboro, Ga., Mary Elizabeth Cooper of Claxton, Ga., Rachel Rozier of Macon, Ga., and Catherine Ryan of Green Cove Springs, Fla.
Georgia Southern University, a Carnegie Doctoral/Research University, offers 116 degree programs serving nearly 18,000 students. Through eight colleges, the university offers bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs built on more than a century of academic achievement. The university, one of Georgia’s largest, is a top choice of Georgia’s HOPE scholars and is recognized for its student-centered approach to education.
http://www.belfastmedia.com/news_article.php?ID=3055
Andersonstown News Monday 14th of April 2009
by Aisling Ní Chorra
SUFFOLK Community Forum have raised concern about the living conditions that some people in the area are enduring.
“The Suffolk area is the oldest housing estate in the outer West Belfast area,” said the Forum’s Jane Brown. “Some of these houses are around 60 years old, therefore they would need much work done.
“We read recently that Margaret Ritchie (DSDMinister) has announced millions of pounds is going into the West Belfast Gateway project. Of course we approve and are happy that money is coming into the West of the city, but should people’s living conditions not come before improving the roads?”
Jane’s Forum colleagueAnnie Croso added: “It seems that Suffolk is being ignored everytime a scheme is being done and if something positive isn’t done on behalf of the Suffolk community then there is a possibility that we could see more families move out.”
The community has suffered yet another blow after it was announced that Suffolk Primary School is due to close this June.
Jane said: “The school and nursery are due to shut. This has sent negative waves throughout the area. Kids are now expected to travel three miles to the next nearest school and, given that some parents are unable to drive, this has caused problems. The Belfast Education and Library Board (BELB), are refusing to provide transport for the kids.
“It’s not only the school that will be closing but the youth club. The nursery hall is used for the kids’ youth club, and without it, it’s leaving kids to roam the streets and get up to mischief.”
Local SDLP councillor Tim Attwood said: “It’s shocking to think that Suffolk came through the Troubles only to be undermined by the peace.
“The essential housing infrastructure is lacking in this community. If an improvement scheme was to happen, it would not only enhance people’s living conditions but also create jobs for the building trade,” added Cllr Attwood.
A spokesperson for the Housing Executive said: “The Housing Executive has plans to carry out an improvement scheme to 50 homes in the Suffolk area.
“However, a shortfall in the housing budget caused by the collapse of the housing market regrettably means that the bulk of the Housing Executive’s maintenance and improvement schemes are currently on hold.
“The Housing Executive will be receiving confirmation of its budget for 2009/2010 over the next few days.
“At that stage we will be able to consider the impact on our programmes.”
Speaking to the Andersontown News, a spokesman for the Belfast Education and Library Board said: “The Chief Executive of the BELB has met with families of pupils attending Suffolk PS and has informally guaranteed transport for all pupils transferring to Taughmonagh PS.
“This process cannot be formalised until the Minister for Education gives a final decision on the development proposal to close the school. On approval of closure by the Minister, the Chief Executive will write individually to each family informing them of travel arrangements.”
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/motors/2009/0415/1224244700438.html
TIM O'BRIEN
Wed, Apr 15, 2009
THERE IS growing uncertainty over Government commitments to spend €440 million on road building projects in the North.
Two years ago, the Government announced it would provide £400 million (€440m) for road projects in the North. Funding was earmarked for carriageways on the A5 western corridor between Derry and Aughnacloy, and on the eastern corridor between Belfast and Larne.
The roads are deemed strategically important, providing an extension of the N2 route from Dublin to the Border via Monaghan, and access to the Port of Larne via the M1 and Belfast.
But Minister for Finance Brian Lenihan recently halted road projects in the South, issuing instructions to the National Roads Authority that no capital spending projects were to go ahead without his approval. He also issued instructions to local authorities to halt spending of €500m on roads, subject to approval.
While the projects in Northern Ireland are not scheduled until 2012, there is growing concern that funding may be subject to reassessment.
A Department spokesman confirmed money had “started to flow” to the projects. Asked if the same strictures would be applied as in the South, the spokesman stressed construction funds won’t be required until 2012.
But the Northern Ireland roads agency said it had not been notified that project funding may be subject to any further assessments. The agency said the A8 was strategically important to the economy of the island, and minister for regional development Conor Murphy announced the preferred corridors for it last November.
© 2009 The Irish Times
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/7999191.stm
Water in Northern Ireland has been declared safe to drink following a series of tests.
A third test of water from a treatment plant which supplies 220,000 households found no contamination, Northern Irleand Water said.
A directive to boil drinking water was lifted on Tuesday evening following a third test.
NI Water issued the warning after a potential problem was spotted at Dunore Point treatment plant at Lough Neagh.
Earlier on Tuesday, a second test by an independent laboratory found no contamination but the boil notice remained until the third test was completed.
'Inaccurate'
The company welcomed confirmation that there was no safety issue with drinking water supplies and thanked its customers for their patience over the last 24 hours.
A spokesperson said: "This third set of results once again confirms that the initial test, which suggested there may be a problem, was inaccurate.
"The water was, and is, completely safe to drink. Customers should be reassured that the public health authorities and Northern Ireland Water treat the issue of public safety as our number one priority."
The Northern Ireland Public Health Agency had advised people affected by the alert to boil water and allow it to cool before drinking it, using it to prepare salads, fruit or vegetables that will not be cooked, brush teeth or use it in any other direct way.
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/7999191.stm
Published: 2009/04/14 19:54:32 GMT
© BBC MMIX
http://www.irishcentral.com/ent/Irish-dance-champs-puts-Philly-on-the-map-42955597.html
By APRIL DREW
IrishCentral.com Staff Writer
Published Tuesday, April 14, 2009, 9:23 AM
Updated Tuesday, April 14, 2009, 9:45 AM
The 6,000 Irish dancers and 15,000 spectators who descended upon the city of Philadelphia last week put the Pennsylvania city on the map according to Senior Communications Manager for the Philadelphia Conventions and Visitors Center – the official tourism and marketing agent for the city of Philadelphia – Liz Sullivan.
“Having the World Irish Dancing Championships in Philadelphia was wonderful,” said Sullivan.
“We would welcome them back every year with open arms if they wanted to come back.”
Sullivan, a third generation Irish American with roots in County Cork, hailed the eight day event as “a great experience for the city of Philadelphia.
“Having the competitions here was a great opportunity for the country and the world to see what Philadelphia has to offer,” said Sullivan.
Speaking to IrishCentral.com last Thursday from the Kimmel Center, Sullivan said that up to that point - there were still another three days to go - “everything has worked out really really well.”
Sullivan said it was a “great honor” for the city of Philadelphia to work on an event of such magnitude.
“It has really worked out well and it’s been a great joy,” she said.
“This shows what Philadelphia is capable of doing. There is no event too big or too small that Philadelphia can’t do. We put on a good show and a good time for everyone.”
Philadelphia has one of the largest Irish populations in the U.S. Apart from the 2009 World Irish Dancing Championships, the city’s St. Patrick’s Day parade draws thousands of participants and spectators to the city every year.
“Another great success there,” said Sullivan.
According to the Philadelphia Convention and Business Center, an estimated $11 million was injected into the local economy by the 20,000 or so visitors to the city for the week-long event.
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2009/0415/1224244720811.html
STEVEN CARROLL
Wed, Apr 15, 2009
BED AND breakfast bookings have increased by more than 20 per cent this year in spite of a reduction in the number of visitors to Ireland.
The Town and Country Homes Association, which represents 1,100 bed and breakfasts, attributed the increase to extra interest from continental tour operators and the growth of traffic to its website (www.townandcountry.ie/).
“It’s a remarkable turnaround, given that consumer bookings were showing a decline of 30 per cent in January,” association chairwoman Kate Burns said. “In the last two months, online bookings have shot up, so it’s great news.”
Figures from the association show that consumer bookings were up 13 per cent in March compared to the same month last year.
Bookings from tour operators, which account for 80 per cent of BB business, increased by 20 per cent in the same period, while bookings from France rose by 22 per cent and bookings from Germany were up 10 per cent.
“Around 80 per cent of our bookings come from international clients,” she said. “Irish people think BBs are a thing of the past, but this is not the case for French, Dutch or German visitors.”
The figures represented a strong performance for the “reinvigorated sector”, Ms Burns said, given the gloomy wider outlook for tourism in Ireland this year.
Tourism Ireland, which promotes the country overseas, believes visitors to the country overall this year could fall by up to 9 per cent, following a 3 per cent reduction in 2008.
The body is predicting that the reduction, brought about by the economic downturn and the strength of the euro against the dollar, could lead to revenue in the industry falling by some 15 per cent this year.
Ms Burns said that a €400,000 investment in a new IT system by the association was paying dividends and that rooms in some 750 of the BBs can be booked online.
“Customers find the new system easier to use, mainly because it’s live and you can book a whole trip – including stays at different BBs – in one sitting.”
Figures from the Central Statistics Office show the BB sector suffered during the Celtic Tiger years. The number of nights spent in guesthouses and bed and breakfast accommodation by Irish residents fell from 2.2 million to 1.8 million between 2001 and 2005. The sector was also affected by the increase in the number of budget hotels and the fall of the US dollar against the euro.
Ms Burns said that despite the fall-off in nights spent in BBs, the income of the association remained constant.
“Certainly the hotels took a domestic and British trade and a bit of US trade,” she added, “but we have had a decrease in membership of 10 per cent year-on-year in that period, 90 per cent of those would be retirees, so average income per member did not fall, as the decreased membership levelled this out.”
© 2009 The Irish Times