Amid much of the media and political frenzy surrounding the Mount Sion location last Friday, An Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, officially unveiled the Edmund Rice Heritage Centre after receiving a brief guided tour of the ground floor facilities on the day.

With representatives from Waterford City Council, the Chamber of Commerce along with an international presence of Christian Brothers, the event was held on a make-shift tent structure on the grounds in which addresses were given by Barry O'Brien of the Heritage Centre, the Mayor, Cllr Mary O'Hallaron with the main address by the visiting Taoiseach and then by Br. Michael Godfrey on the International Centres Ltd.

In her address to the audience, Mayor O'Halloran said that the centre was "one of the country's premier ecclesiastical and heritage tourism sites" and that the centre would draw Irish and overseas visitors to the city and the South East region.

The National Forum on Europe came to Waterford City on Monday night as members of the public, political party representatives, both local and national along with business and other interest groups debated the Reform Treaty at City Hall.

With Maurice Hayes serving as chair to the discussion, Ireland South MEP advocated a 'no'vote while Fine Gael represenative and former MEP, John Cushnahan, advocated a 'yes' stance.

In attendance, Sinn Fein City Coucillor, Joe Kelly, voiced his support for a rejection of the treaty, saying Ireland citing potential privatisation and the lack of referenda in European counties in his addresss.

Workers' Party Councillor, Davy Walsh also made a statement highlighting what he called a 'democratic Deficit in European politics' while welcoming the Forum on Europe's debate on the issue.

Dr. Martin Manseragh of Fianna Fail made an address in favour of a 'yes...
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Gardai represenatives say that the situation involving a dispute between rival traveller families appears to have reached a level of calm after additional Gardai personnel were called in to quell the trouble in the city area last week.

Gardai said that the dispute began with an argument between two men that escalated into a dispute between groups of travellers which warranted a Gardai presence to disperse any mobilisation of the groups.

Waterford Gardai say that they are still keeping a high-profile presence in the area after mediation between the groups at Waterford Garda station resulted in some resolution to the dispute.

However, last week, Gardai in Waterford also conducted searches on Thursday, seizing items of weaponary in the process and processing a number outstanding warrants also.

Gardai in Waterford had called in additional resources from regional colleagues during the d...
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Waterford Gardai are appealing for witnesses in connection to an attempted robbery of a bookmaker's premises on the Paddy Brown's Road last Thursday 7th February at approximately 6.00p.m.

Gardai say that two men entered the premises with their faces covered, threatened staff with hammers, but the raiders left the scene without reward.

One of the men is described as being approximately six feet tall with a blue hoodie with his accomplice being in the region of five feet nine inches tall.

Gardai are appealing to anyone who may have seen the two men running from the scene or acting suspiciously in the area before or after the time of the attempted robbery to contact them.

Standing Orders in February's monthly meeting of Waterford City Council were suspended to discuss the issue of Waterford Insititute of Technology's (WIT) University Status bid in the wake of news reports on the issue last week.

The issue was initally discussed immediately at the meeting but there was the usual concensus on support for WIT at Council level but differences of opinion on which way to act on the situation.

Independent Councillor Mary Roche (pictured) sought to have a City Council delegation to seek a meeting with the Minister for Education and Science, Mary Hanafin, while Workers Party Councillor, Davy Walsh, called for an open public forum on the issue.

Fine Gael Councillor, Tom Cunningham, suggested that representatives of the council meet with representatives of WIT to discuss a way forward but this was met with disagreement by Cllr Roche who said that WIT was not a political b...
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Waterford Area Partnership and the Chartered Institute of Personnel Development are organising a Breakfast Meeting on Work Life Balance.

Through this Framework, trade unions, employers and Government work to support options which enhance the opportunity to reconcile work life balance and contribute to the effective and efficient operation of the enterprise.ance Day 2008 – 29th Feb. to explore the issues around the implementation of Work Life Balance Policies in the work place.

The Speakers will be Brian Merriman, Communications Manager, The Equality Authority, Dublin and Neil O'Sullivan, HR Manager, Waterford Institute of Technology. Venue: Tower Hotel, Waterford from 08.30 – 10 a.m. A limited number of places are available. People wishing to attend should contact Catherine O'Neill at Waterford Area Partnership Tel: before Monday 25th February.

The event is part of the Nationwide Awa...
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The Country Markets Ltd have launched a new fundraising effort in order to make a difference in the fight against cancer. Over Valentine's weekend 37 country markets nationwide will hold a coffee morning at their country market in order to raise vital funds for cancer research. Local country market events in your area are:

- Dungarvan Country Market is holding its coffee morning on Friday, 15th February at the Causeway Tennis Club from 10am onwards.

- Waterford Country Market is holding its coffee morning on Friday, 15th February at St. Olaf's Hall from 8am onwards.

Everyone is welcome to attend the markets and join us for a cup of coffee to support a great cause. Together we can make a difference!

After hard training for the last number of months the Basketball Skills team headed off to Limerick last Saturday 9th February. The skills involved are shooting, dribbling, passing and catching. All the team members showed fantastic skill in their own divisions respectively.

6th place: Donie O'Sullivan, Anthony Phelan

5th place: P.J. Reville, Olu Akinfenwa

4th place: Joan Doyle, John Phelan

Bronze: P.J. Purcell, Tony Collins, Michael McLoughlin

Silver: Martin O' Grady, Elizabeth Breen, Padraig O'Rourke, Martina Maye, Bobby Power

Gold: Michael Walsh, Eddie Rossiter, Connie Mullins, Eddie Daly, Joseph Walsh

Well Done to Everyone involved!

This Monday 11th February a group of service users, staff and volunteers, many of which are involved with Special Olympics are heading up to Belfast to see "the X-Factor Live Tour". This trip is linked t...
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The Framing Studio and The Mirror Gallery has become, since its opening nine years ago on the Lower Yellow Road the very best choice in fine art prints, framing and mirrors. Now in its new location just off the Cork Road just behind where the old Smyths Toy Store store used to be it has grown and evolved into one of the region's finest print and mirror galleries. The secret behind the success of The Framing Studio and The Mirror Gallery is owner Tom Walsh's eye for collecting together the best in what is available on the market and bringing it all together in one place. Tom has a keen sense for what people are looking for today when it comes to decorating their home, office, hotel, restaurant or factory. The store is in a great location and is just next to other home furnishing outlets such as Sienna home furnishings and Ritz. You can park right outside the door which makes things all that more easier. The ground floor is given ove...
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Waterford's premier restaurant, La Boheme, has been awarded two covers from the top Independent restaurant publication, Michelin-Guide.

This prestigious award comes days after La Boheme was named one of the '10 most romantic restaurants in Ireland' by Food and Wine Magazine.

The owners of La Boheme, Christine and Eric Theze, said that that the two awards are merely a stepping stone on the way to fulfiling its further potential in Waterford.

Christine said: "It's the reward of 18 months of hard work, passion and drive to be the best that we can be."

The award-winning owner added: "It goes without saying that this would not have been possible without the hard work of all of the staff, the loyalty of our local customers, and the freshest products from our suppliers" la boheme Restaurant is found at 2 George's Street, Waterford and their number is (051) 875 645.

Opening t...
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Empty promises made by Minister for Health Mary Harney, means a still longer wait by Waterford women for BreastCheck – the breast cancer screening programme according to Regional Health Forum member Cllr Seamus Ryan. Despite an undertaking given by the government and Minister for Health in 2005 that the mobile BreastCheck service would be delivered in Waterford by 2007 women are still waiting for the service.

The latest communication received by Cllr Ryan states that it is still not possible to give a date for the roll out of BreastCheck to Waterford. The failure of the government to live up to its own commitment to deliver the BreastCheck roll out to women in Waterford means that many women in this area are denied the opportunity of early diagnosis and treatment.

Cllr. Jim D'Arcy says that a recent FG survey shows that tens of thousands of consumers are being ripped off due to unfair terms and conditions on gift vouchers. He says that the gift voucher market is estimated at €330 million a year and it is estimated that more than €40 million worth of vouchers are never redeemed, representing a huge windfall for retailers. Cllr. D'Arcy points out that some key findings of the survey were that:

- 68% of vouchers had an expiry date, which, in some cases was as little as three months.

- Over 80% of gift vouchers stated that consumers would not get change on their purchase, even for sums below €1 left on the gift card, thus forcing them to make another purchase if they wanted to get the full value of the card.

- Many gift vouchers have unfair terms and conditions such as service charges, administration charges and restrictions on use.

...
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Cllr. Davy Walsh has been informed by the senior road engineer of Waterford City Council that contractors will be on site from Monday 11 Feb. Cllr. Walsh welcomes the very fact that after so many years advocating the up-grading of this road that at last his representation has come to fruition.

This road has been for a long time one of the most dangerous roads under the control of Waterford City Council.

This road services Abbey Park and all the new housing estates in the surrounding area which has resulted in an explosion of traffic.

For many years he has been stressing the dangers that exists to the pupils of Ferrybank Girls National School and the Abbey Community College.

This contract will immediately address the dangers that currently exist with a bad road surface and heavy vehicle traffic. The contract is for the immediate re-surfacing of the road and includes three speed tables,...
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At the Joint Policing Committee on Monday January 28th Cllr Tom Murphy raised the question with Chief Superintendent Pat Murphy regarding the on going problem with boy racers which have caused noise nuisance, havoc on main Cork Road at Ballineesagh as well as built up areas such as Ballybeg and Larchville areas

"These areas which have families with young children also includes guest houses have been regular targeted by these boy racers on a number of occasions over the past few weeks. Noise and nuisance are a high priority under the City Council's anti-social behaviour policy" stated Cllr Murphy and the noise of these cars can be terrifying for some of the residents of these areas, who I have been informed are afraid to go out side there own homes when the noise starts. On the N25 main Cork Road there are a number of guest houses, and they depend on the tourist trade. Some guest house owners are afraid this type of beh...
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Aggregate household wealth has surpassed the €1 trillion mark according to a new wealth report from National Irish Bank. The report, 'The Emerald Isle – The Wealth of Modern Ireland', shows that, despite a far slower rate of growth in 2007, by the start of 2008 the average Irish household had a wealth holding of €674,000. Excluding household debt, net wealth per household is €547,000.

Highlights of the report include;

- Aggregate wealth in Ireland has surpassed €1 trillion for the first time in 2008.

- There are more Mercedes cars per head in Ireland than in their native Germany.

- Irish households' management of their wealth tends to be unplanned, which could lead to future problems, especially in its lack of diversity

- The recent growth of Ireland's private aviation market has been spectacular, with growth in privately-owned jets from six or se...
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Fine Gael MEP, for Ireland South, Colm Burke, spoke to Waterford Today Newspaper at Waterpark College last week during a one-day visit to Waterford City and County while on his 'constituency week' from the European Parliament as he visited the school and met with Fine Gael representatives and other organisations in Dungarvan later that day.

Since his last constituency week in November 2007, Burke has been the signatory of EU Parliament resolutions on the crises in Kenya and Chad while also having official function in the EU Parliament Committees on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection, Fisheries as well as Foreign Affairs.

When asked about the reasons for his visit on 'constituency week', the Cork-born MEP, who took over the seat in the European Parliament from his Fine Gael party colleague, Simon Coveney, after the General Election last year, said: "This is constituency week so I try and get around...
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Waterford farmers have come out against a proposal to bring in inspections of farms at local authority level in relation to Water Regulations proposed by the Department of Enviornment, Heritage and Local Government.

Michael Keane, the Waterford Chairman of the Irish Farmers Association (IFA), told Waterford Today Newspaper that County Council's said that there was 'annoyance and frustration on the ground' among Waterford farmers.

When asked what sectors would be affected the most, the Waterford IFA Chairman said that the Dairy and Beef sectors would be 'hit worst' and that livestock-based farmers would be targeted under the proposals.

When asked if the Green Party was 'targeting' Agriculture, Mr. Keane said 'It is looking that way' but a spokesperson for the Minister for Environment, Heritage and Local Government responded by saying: "Measures are being taken to address all sources of water po...
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Discover Primary Science have announced the launch of the Awards of Science Excellence. The awards acknowledge the efforts of primary school children and teachers, who have shown an increased knowledge of science and its many applications as a result of participation in the Discover Primary Science (DPS) programme.

Last year 13 Waterford schools received Awards of Science Excellence - Ballymacarbry National School, Gaelscoil na nDéise, St John of God National School, Knockanore National School, Scoil Naomh Mhichíl, Whitechurch National School, Bunscoil Gleann Sidheain, Kilrossanty National School, Aglish National School, S N Lios Mor Mochuda, Scoil na Croise Naofa, Waterford Educate Together National School and Garranbane National School.

This is the first year that all the primary schools in the country have registered for the Discover Primary Science programme. In 2007, 494 primary schools received Awards...
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Brian O'Shea T.D. has been informed by Mr. Tony Killeen T.D. Minister of State at the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources that the tender documents for the New Ordnance Survey Ireland headquarters building in Dungarvan are expected to be completed and tenders invited later this month.

Minister of State Killeen was responding to a Parliamentary Question from Deputy O'Shea.

He stated that under the Government's Decentralisation programme, 199 posts in Ordnance Survey Ireland (OSi) are due to transfer to Dungarvan, County Waterford.

At present 16 staff have been recruited to posts relocating since the announcement of the Programme and some 57 staff have a relocation clause in their employment contract.

The Government has always recognised that the State agency aspect of the Programme presents different challenges from that of the Civil Service but is determined to ...
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Waterford's Minister Martin Cullen TD has said that his assurance and commitment while Minister for the Environment and Local Government to the delivery of a significant Government presence in Waterford city has this week gathered pace, with the announcement by Noel Ahern TD that the OPW has completed the purchase of a site in Waterford city for new decentralised offices for the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.

Speaking this afternoon, Minister Martin Cullen TD said: "This site purchase by the OPW is a significant step forward in the Government's decentralisation plans for the south east and also forms an integral part of the Waterford City Development plan which envisages a Government district quarter in the city. I am confident that decentralisation will have a significant beneficial impact on the quality of life for the civil servants and their families who decide to relocate here to Wate...
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This weekend proved a busy one for Sinn Féin activists from Waterford. On Saturday last week, a strong contingent travelled to Dublin for a conference on the Lisbon Treaty Referendum.

Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams opened the conference, which was also addressed by Mary Lou McDonald MEP, Aengus O'Snodaigh TD, Bairbre de Brún MEP and National Campaign Director Padraig MacLochlainn amongst others. Waterford members participated in a constructive and positive discussion.

The following day Waterford activists attended the Munster Cuige AGM in Mallow, where Martin Ferris TD gave the keynote address.

A packed meeting discussed the importance of the Lisbon Referendum Campaign and elected a strong Board of Officers to carry through the work of the coming year. Waterford City Cllr David Cullinane was elected to represent Munster on the party's Ard Comhairle.

Campaign Director for the Lisbon...
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