Opportunism over strategy: a history of regional policy and spatial planning in Ireland

Since the 1950s regional policy and spatial planning in Ireland has been largely reactive and opportunistic in nature rather than strategically or ideologically driven. As a result, inconsistent approaches to regional and spatial issues have arisen, driven mainly by short-term goals or issues of the day rather than adherence to a clear, long-term strategic objective. Thus, Government interest in regional and spatial issues has ebbed and flowed in reaction to the events and economic climate of the day; during the 1950s interest surged in reaction to rural decay, emigration and economic failure, waned with entry in to the European Economic Community in 1973 and the prolonged recession of the 1980s and re-emerged in response to growing congestion problems arising from the ‘Celtic Tiger’ at the turn of the century and led to the publication of the National Spatial Strategy (NSS) in 2002. This history is outlined and brought up to date, to incorporate recent developments, such as the publication of the government strategy document ‘Putting People First’. It is hoped that this may provide context to facilitate forthcoming deliberations around the recently announced ‘replacement’ NSS for Ireland.     

Evaluation of the effects of sodium chloride,potassium sorbate,nisin and lysozyme on the probability of growth of Clostridium sporogenes

The aim of this study was to evaluate the combined effect of salt (sodium chloride, 0–8% w/v), sorbate (potassium sorbate, 0–4.5% w/v), nisin (0–500 ppm) and lysozyme (0–500 ppm) on the survival of Clostridium sporogenes as a non‐toxigenic surrogate of Clostridium botulinum in terms of the probability of growth by using a central composite rotatable design. The results indicated that salt and sorbate were the most effective factors in preventing the growth of Cl. sporogenes in high‐moisture (>95%) and low‐acid conditions. The probability of growth of Cl. sporogenes in broth was reduced by combinations of salt and sorbate. Nisin and lysozyme had insignificant effects on the probability of growth of Cl. sporogenes (P > 0.05). Lysozyme individually and in combination with nisin had no inhibitory effect on Cl. sporogenes. Overall, the addition of sorbate and lysozyme may allow the salt concentration to be reduced while preventing growth.