Power blackouts for Scotland by 2015

ELECTRICITY blackouts, not seen since the miners' strike, could be imposed on Scottish households within nine years unless new power stations are built soon, experts have warned.

"[Surplus capacity] is predicted by the National Grid to disappear within ten years, ie there will be electricity rationing by 2015 unless significant new generating capacity is installed" - RSE REPORT.

Full link is here

In 10 years House Prices jump up 270% while wages are up 70%

House prices in Ireland increased by 270% over the past ten years, according to the results of a survey published today.

The Permanent TSB/ESRI House Price Index said that the average annual increase in prices was almost 15% for each year since 1996.

Prices in Co Wicklow increased the most at 310% while the smallest increase was recorded in Co Roscommon where prices grew by 190%.

The average house price in 1996 was €75,000. In 2005, the average house price was €280,000.

According to the report, while ten years ago the difference between comparable houses in Dublin and the rest of the country was an average figure of €10,000, the gap now stands at an average figure of €130,000.

Special 10th Anniversary Edition of the permanent tsb/ ESRI House Price Index

Oil production could peak as early as 2020

Earlier this month the boss of French-owned Total, one of the world's major oil outfits, said global demand was so strong that production could peak as early as 2020.

See Telegrpah.co.uk for more