The Irish in Britain, including those of Irish descent, make up a significant part of the UK population. Here, you will find news, entertainment, events, sports and features from the local Irish Post newspaper.

Temperatures in Ireland set to soar in the coming years

RISING global temperatures will lead to a warmer and drier climate in the south and east of Ireland — while the north and west will be wetter, according to research carried out by Met Éireann.

The new study which attempts to gauge the effects of climate change on Ireland over the next century will be presented to John Gormley, the Minister for the Environment, this week.

He will ask his department to produce an adaptation plan to combat the effects of water shortages and flooding as well as other threats identified by the study.

Met Éireann estimates that average temperatures will increase by 1 to 1.4 degrees Celsius by mid-century, and possibly by as much as 3 to 3.5 degrees by 2100.

This would mean a major change in Ireland’s climate.

It is estimated a change of just 2 degrees in average temperature would give Ireland the same climate as that currently enjoyed in the south of France. It would entail massive changes for wildlife and agriculture.

Rainfall is expected to increase in the winter and decline in the summer by between 5 to 10 per cent by mid-century leading to water shortages in the south and east of the country — particularly in Dublin.

At the same time coastal areas will be threatened by flooding.

Creditors lose outin firm’s collapse

ALMOST 100 Irish creditors are nursing losses of €1.2million following the collapse of a Dublin-based importer and distributor of branded cosmetics.

Pharmicon was the Irish distributor for the Elizabeth French range of products and supplied hundreds of health and beauty retailers throughout the country.

The company experienced a significant financial loss when its main supplier went into administration in Britain in recent months.

The collapse of the British firm Disperse also resulted in significant stock shortages.

The directors of Pharmicon called a meeting of creditors in Dublin last week during which the company was wound up.

Unsecured creditors are owed €1.19million while the Revenue Commissioners also have ?60,000 in unpaid taxes.

The company has 98 listed creditors almost all of which are pharmacists and health and beauty retailers.

Pharmicon was appointed a distributor for Elizabeth French in January 2005.

Elizabeth French has three major brands — Vivo, a range of everyday cosmetics for women in their 20s, Lizzie, a fashion-focused cosmetics brand for teenagers and KT and Friends, a range of fun cosmetics for the under-12s.