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THE Department of Education has announced that Mark Browne is to be its new permanent secretary.

IFA president Tim Cullinan. /Philip Doyle Irish tillage farmers are undermined by third country grain imports which are of lower regulatory and environmental standards, IFA grain chair Mark Browne has said. The comments came during a meeting with Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue, where IFA president Tim Cullinan again called for an immediate impact assessment of the EU Farm to Fork and biodiversity strategies. Cullinan said: "Our preliminary estimates indicate a fall in tillage incomes of over 10% for 2020. Tillage farm incomes fell by 15% in 2019, representing consecutive years o...

The €10m straw incorporation scheme is dividing opinion among those affected. While tillage farmers are welcoming the scheme, livestock farmers, mushroom growers and compost manufacturers and farm contractors are all predicting negative effects for their sectors. While the details of the scheme have yet to be finalised, its shape is becoming clear. Firstly, as reported last week, farmers will receive €250/ha to chop and incorporate their straw. Farmers will apply by nominating plots of land containing cereal crops for the scheme as part of their BPS application. Application must be on a...

First Minister Arlene Foster and deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill are set to kick off negotiations before the end of next month (Liam McBurney/PA) Executive Office official Mark Browne said: “They are meeting with six relevant institutions to emphasise the moral imperative and need to make progress.” The state is covering the cost of payments to victims, which have already begun, but is attempting to recoup much of its outlay from those in charge of operating the institutions. Another Executive Office official, Gareth Johnston, said: “All the institutions have been willing to co...

Religious institutions 'willing to engage' on compensation for abuse victims The Historical Institutional Abuse (HIA) survivors outside court following the announcement that judges have ruled the Stormont Executive Office has the power to compensate survivors of institutional abuse Picture Mal McCann. Michael McHugh, PA 20 January, 2021 15:33 Religious institutions have been willing to come forward to discuss compensating abuse victims, Stormont officials said. First Minister Arlene Foster and Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill are set to kick...