European Commission
united-kingdom

Belfast, 13 March 2008

EU bans dangerous lighters

New EU rules banning the sale of cigarette lighters that are dangerous to children have entered into force. The decision requires governments to ensure that common cigarette lighters placed on the EU market are child-resistant. It also forbids the placing on the market of lighters which resemble objects that are particularly attractive to children (also called "novelty lighters"). EU Consumer Protection Commissioner Meglena Kuneva said: "I urge the national enforcement authorities to take their responsibility and vigorously enforce theserequirements". It is estimated that between 1,500 and 1,900 injuries and 34 to 40 fatalities per year in the EU are due to fire-related accidents caused by children playing with lighters. For further information, please visit: http://ec.europa.eu/consumers/index_en.htm

IP/08/425

Our Lady and St. Patrick's College, Knock wins EU debating competition

Students from Our Lady and St. Patrick's College, Knock fought off stiff competition to win the Northern Ireland final of the European Youth Parliament (EYP) debating competition, which was held at Belfast Metropolitan College on Thursday 13 March 2008. The students will now go on to represent Northern Ireland at the UK final, which will be held in Durham in September. The group of ten students from Our Lady and St. Patrick's College successfully proposed and defended a resolution on how the EU institutions should be reformed to take account of European enlargement.  The five participating schools were Dominican College, Portstewart; Assumption Grammar School, Ballynahinch; Strabane Grammar School; St. Mary's Grammar School, Magherafelt; Our Lady and St. Patrick's College, Knock.  Eddie McVeigh, Head of the European Commission Office in Northern Ireland, said: “The standard of debating this year was very high and all the schools contributed to what was a very successful event. I wish Our Lady and St. Patrick's College, Knock every success at the UK final in September".The EYP competition is organised by the European Commission Office in partnership with the Northern Ireland European Youth Parliament Committee.

Backing for EU agricultural and regional policies              

New Europe wide surveys have revealed considerable public support for two of the EU's most important policies, the common agricultural policy and regional policy. A majority of respondents to the Eurobarometer survey on agriculture have backed recent moves away from subsidising products and giving more funds to rural development. Public awareness of EU support for regional development is highest in Slovenia, Lithuania and Ireland and lowest in the UK, Bulgaria and the Netherlands. The full reports are available at http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/index_en.htm

IP/08/440        IP/08/399

Greek Icon Exhibition in Derry

The Gordon Gallery in Londonderry is hosting a month-long exhibition of Greek icons in association with the Panhellenic Society of Iconographers. The exhibition will be on public display from 12 March to 12 April 2008. Further information at www.gordon-gallery.com.

For information on any of the above items, please contact Catherine McShane on 028 9024 0708 or email catherine.mcshane@ec.europa.eu.