His family have been fishing here for three generations.

But Ramsey-based James Moore’s scallop vessel is the only Manx boat to have been denied a licence to fish for queenies and king scallops.

It’s a bitter blow for someone who has invested in a new boat, the Thom Ryan - and who had seen dozens of off-island boats converge on Manx territorial waters for the start of the king scallop season.

The reason he has been denied a permit is that he had no track record of fishing in Manx waters for the required years of 2011 to 2015 – and that’s because he only purchased the vessel in 2014 and it had not previously fished here.

His case has been taken up by the Manx Fish Producers’ Organisation who accept there is little that can be done as if an exemption was made for a Manx fisherman it would have to apply to both boats from England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Mr Moore, who is part-owner of the Thom Ryan, said: ‘When we bought the vessel in 2014 there were no plans in place to restrict licences. This only came in the 2015/2016 scallop season as there had been an increase of non-local boats turning up to fish scallops in Manx waters.

‘We have also been kicked out of the queen scallop net fishing as well which meant we couldn’t even fish the summer months of this year in Manx waters. We have invested a large amount of money and time in the vessel.

‘DEFA knew the Thom Ryan was going to become a Manx-registered vessel and target king and queen scallops in Manx waters but they still didn’t put any safeguards to protect the local fleet. They said it would be discriminative to non-local vessels. My family have fished here for over 40 years - isn’t this discriminatory to us?’

The Thom Ryan, which was built in 1969 and had previously worked out of Hartlepool guarding the off-shore windfarms, was converted into a scalloper and registered as a Manx vessel in August of 2015.

Under the rules, boats over 15 metres have to supply a track record of fishing activity in Manx waters for 26 days over a four-year period.

An appeal by Mr Moore and the Manx Fish Producers’ Organisation was rejected.

But Mr Moore claims at least five more permit were issued to other non-Manx vessels who appealed.

David Beard, chief executive of the MFPO, said: ‘It’s a tough one. This is a Manx family who have fished here for three generations.

‘The government has signed a fisheries management agreement with all the other administrations and there can’t be any discrimination in how the rules are applied. If they allow James’s boat a huge number of other boats would also have to be allowed.’

In an email, Minister Geoffrey Boot told Mr Moore: ‘I understand your disappointment in not having been granted a licence to fish for king scallops within the territorial sea. However, I am committed to ensuring the sustainability of this fishery.’

Talented Kumar Menon has scooped another food award.

Onion bhaji mix, produced by his ‘labour of love’ business, Leela’s kitchen, based in Douglas, won Gold in the 37th Quality Food Awards, held at London’s Grosvenor House Hotel.

Kumar, owner of Leela’s kitchen, said: ‘I’m over the moon, still cannot believe I actually won Gold in the prestigious Quality food awards.

‘It was was unreal to see Leela’s kitchen alongside Aldi, Lidl, M&S, Tesco, Co-op to name a few.’

His success came just days after his business was awarded one-star each (simply delicious) Great Taste awards for its vindaloo curry powder and mild curry powder.

Following his latest accolade Kumar said: ‘I strive to ensure my products use the best ingredients, and feedback from my customers is extremely positive. I’m glad the judges thought so too.

‘Leela’s kitchen products including award winning spices can be bought online at www.leelaskitchen.co.uk, Robinson’s, Tynwald Mills, The Good Health store, Port Erin, The Cook Shack, Bride, The Food Assembly, Noa’s Bakehouse, Mostly Manx and the Welcome Centre at the Sea Terminal, Douglas.

‘I’d also love to hear from anyone who would like to stock my produce on and off our island.’

Kumar added: ‘I would like to thank my mom, my nana Leela and my partner Michele for all the help and support, not to mention our Manx community for their continuous support for making my small business grow.’ The couple’s daughteris also called Leela.

Kumar said proudly: ‘That’s one more award for a Manx produce.’

Douglas mayor John Skinner will switch on Douglas’s Christmas lights today (Thursday) at 7pm.

Events will unfold from 6.15pm on Lower Ridgeway Street, which will be closed to traffic until 2am. Road closures will also be in place on Prospect Hill between Athol Street and Ridgeway Street.

Entertainment preceding the switch-on, includes carols with Douglas Town Band, a Miley Cyrus number sung by Grace Lee, 11, and a snippet from this year’s Gaiety pantomime, The Wizard of Oz.

The event also marks the start of late night shopping in Douglas, with free parking after 5pm on Thursdays and weekends at Shaw’s Brow and the Bottleneck; free after 3pm, weekdays in Chester Street; £2 all day on Saturdays.

Police are investigating after the front door of premises in Athol Street, Douglas, was forced open.

The incident happened between 10pm on Friday, November 18, and 7am on Sunday, November 20, at 30 Athol Street.

A police spokesman said: ‘The lock sustained damage as a result. However it does not appear that anything has been taken from within the premises.’

Your island, your news

After years of dithering and the public forking out £3m, not one inch of Tarmac had been laid. But now a ‘temporary fix’ is being made on the road from Broadway to Summer Hill.

It should be finished by December 4.

I would agree that it might sound like a lot of rubbish but the idea being put about in the Isle of Man last week was that other countries, like the UK, should send us their waste for burning in our so-called energy from waste plant at the bottom of Richmond Hill.

We used to call this the refuse incinerator years ago when Tynwald was trying to decide whether or not it should build the thing and in the debates at least one member used to call it the ‘insimnerator’.

At the time we had a refuse problem with the population growing apace and creating more and more waste and the idea of landfill was wholly unacceptable.

Today our population growth appears to have stalled round about the nearly 90,000 mark and we haven’t been creating enough rubbish to keep the home fires burning to the full in the incinerator. But I would like to know why we should now start taking in other people’s waste.

What we should be doing is thinking up ideas for creating more new kinds of local waste – let’s call it rubbish – to get the incinerator’s operations up to capacity I would like thought to be given to what things like buildings and such – or even people if it comes to that – should now be defined as junk and put to the flames.

Mind you Tynwald would have to make it legal for men and women to have their wives and husbands or even mothers-in-law despatched in the incinerator. This might cause the Isle of Man to get the wrong sort of publicity.

Finally regular reader Frank Bond tells us that the Examiner’s view was that it would depend on how much ‘bottom ash’ was produced.

I don’t like the sound of that stuff at all.

THIS man’s athletic balancing act has, apparently, nothing to do with the Isle of Man or the Three Legs of Man.

The photograph appeared in The Times and it illustrated an article about couples in Britain who spend most of their time together taking part in keep-fit exercise programmes designed to give them the body beautiful.

The article was written by Shane Wilson who says they are a new breed – but no fun at all.

The man’s balancing act appears to be one that he does regularly but there is no indication that it is anything to do with the Isle of Man or the Three Legs of Man.

Mr Wilson refrains from advising people not to try this at home and I would endorse that, even if they might be Manx.

THIS week’s crossword clue has come in from Frank Bond (who also features today in another context) and it comes from the Telegraph Big Book of Crosswords as follows: ‘Forecaster holding races for dog (7).’

LAST week I went to Noble’s Hospital have blood samples taken for one of my regular health checks. The lady taking the blood told me comfortingly as she inserted the needle: ‘Just a little scratch.’ She added: ‘We used to say just a little prick but we have been told not to say that any more because of political correctness.’

I think the word describes one of the people who try to impose the cultural fascism of political correctness upon us.

CROSSWORD: Setter.

LAST week the Manx Independent had a story in which EasyJet promised nicely to do more to prevent delays and cancellations on its flights between Gatwick and the Isle of Man. In that case would they mind refunding the money I had to spend to get on a later flight after I was booked on one of theirs from Gatwick which was cancelled – in, er, June this year. My trusty travel agent Peter Crossley assures me they have promised to do so.

Does this come under the heading of a delay or a cancellation?

A new initiative is coming to the Isle of Man, says Christian Aid Isle of Man’s local climate campaigner Cat Turner

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The EcoChurches movement was started in the UK by A Rocha UK (www.arocha.org.uk), a Christian charity working for the protection and restoration of the natural world.

Across the UK, churches are signing up and finding out how they and their congregations can be more environmentally friendly.

It’s inspiring – they’re investigating energy efficiency, renewable power, recycling, creating pollinator-friendly surroundings and buying things they need more sustainably.

So we’re excited that Dr Ruth Valerio, A Rocha’s churches and theology director, will visit the island to launch an Isle of Man version.

She’ll be here from Thursday to Sunday, November 24-27, explaining what people, and their churches, can do to become an EcoChurch and look after our planet and community.

Ruth will lead an informal discussion and supper, entitled ‘Environment and Faith’, for members of faith and environmental groups, organised by Christian Aid IoM.

It’ll be held on Friday at 7.30pm, at Onchan Methodist Church Hall.

We’re hoping that as many people as possible will come – you don’t need to belong to a church or be Christian – to explore how our beliefs affect our attitude to the environment, and sharing ideas on how places of worship and community in the island can become more sustainable.

We’ll provide supper – if you’d like to come let us know by emailing Louise Whitelegg, Christian Aid’s IoM Co-Ordinator, at lwhitelegg@christian-aid.org – though if you forget, please come anyway, we’ll manage to stretch the soup!

Ruth will also lead a service at the Broadway Baptist Church on Sunday, and on Saturday she’ll be at an informal drop-in session at St John’s Mill – www.stjohnsmill.com – where church leaders and members can find out more, and sign up.

This session will run in tandem with Petrina Kent’s thought-provoking exhibition at the Mill – a lovely display, described as follows: ‘With vivid immediacy Petrina engages the viewer to feel the freshness of the air in her paintings and be embraced by light.

‘As an expression of her Christian faith she explores the theme of light and in the extreme “contra jour” paintings the viewer is not so much staring into the sun but is invited into the presence of God.

‘In this way she seeks to show the experience of God in our landscape. It is an understatement to say that for a believing artist, this is a task of great gravity, yet she has emerged from it ‘enlightened’ in every sense.’

Ramsey shop ‘The Snug’ recently handed over a cheque for £1,000 to Manx animal charity Paws for Therapy to support their oxygen masks for animals campaign.

The shop’s initial aim was to raise funds for fire appliances at the fire station in Ramsey.

However, their achievements far exceeded this and they decided to donate some of the money to the animal charity.

Pictured is the charity’s secretary, Ruth Postlethwaite with her black Labrador ‘Nell’, receiving the cheque from Snug representative Steve Kimmins.

A Ramsey old folk’s home will be holding a Christmas fair tomorrow (Saturday).

It will take place at Cummal Mooar on Queen’s Promenade from 2.30pm.

The event will have two raffles and array of traditional stalls offering seasonal homemade treats and Christmas gifts.

There will also be a special visit from Father Christmas.

Admission is £1, which includes a mince pie and hot drink on entry.

All proceeds raised will go towards the residents’ amenity fund which helps to provide outings, treats and gifts during the festive season and on other special occasions.

Ex-Isle Film Agency is seeking women who are willing to shave their heads for a feature film being shot on the Isle of Man from the beginning of December.

Director of ‘A United Kingdom’ and ‘Belle’, Amma Asante, has chosen the Isle of Man to film a love story, ‘Where Hands Touch’ set in the Second World War.

Each woman who takes part in the head shaving role will receive a one-off payment of £200 in addition to the standard daily rate.

The production will also donate £100 to Manx Breast Cancer Support Group for each lady who takes part.

Carole Male from Manx Breast Cancer Support Group said: ‘We are delighted that the film production has offered to donate so generously to our charity.

‘We are really grateful to all of the ladies who have put themselves forward so far, and we hope to sign up more. It’s a big ask for anyone to shave their head, but the donations really will mean a lot to this very special charity.’

If you are interested, register at www.ex-isle.com, visit the Ex-Isle facebook page or attend the additional casting day on Saturday (November 26) at Loch Promenade Church in Douglas between 1pm and 6pm.

Passenger watchdog TravelWatch has welcomed moves by budget airline easyJet to improve punctuality on island services.

EasyJet hit the headlines over several successive weeks during the summer after passengers were left stranded in Gatwick when Sunday return flights to the island were delayed or cancelled overnight.

The airline blamed unprecedented external events such as strikes, severe weather and airport issues. But is now introducing ‘firebreaks’ in its schedule to try to minimise the disruption to services.

In a review of air services, TravelWatch said this was an encouraging move.

Spokesman Terry Liddiard said: ‘EasyJet has responded positively by introducing what they describe as a ‘firebreak’ in their schedules for 2017, designed to give them a chance to absorb any minor delays which might build up during the day, and which have been damaging the operating integrity of their evening services.

‘We hope that TravelWatch, and the many passengers who contacted us during this difficult period, played some small part in this move, in the absence of any officially published punctuality figures, reflecting the considerable public concern over the frequency and extent of the delays suffered, particularly on the evening Gatwick services.’

He said it was also encouraging to see that, as the pressures of peak Summer operations disappear, easyJet has improved punctuality during the two months of September and October.

The move of all easyJet services to Gatwick’s North Terminal in January should improve the overall travel experience, with potentially fewer bus journeys between aircraft and Terminal buildings, he added.

TravelWatch is continuing to press Isle of Man Airport to publish monthly punctuality figures for all airlines.

Looking ahead to 2017, the passenger watchdog said it was concerned that flight schedules for Flybe for the summer are not yet available.

Mr Liddiard said: ‘By the same token, whilst we welcome easyJet’s decision not to withdraw the daily Saturday service to/from Gatwick during the

peak Summer months as has happened over the past two years, we note that no mention was made of the simultaneous withdrawal of three midweek rotations during the same period, with a loss of 600 seats a week.

‘Three rotations per week in the summer peak have also been withdrawn on their Liverpool route. It is a disappointing response.

‘We would urge the government to do all it possibly can to encourage more air capacity to London and the South East. Realistically, however, we recognise it is probably already too late to influence any airline to amend its 2017 summer schedules.’

The owners of a white marble fountain have appealed for information after it disappeared from their property at the end of October.

Exactly how thieves managed to take the feature, which is six feet tall with three tiers, five feet wide at the base and weighs at least half a ton, is a mystery.

The fountain had been at Garey Mooar Farm at Ronague for around two years and the owners are offering a £100 reward for information leading to its return.

Police are not sure how the item was lifted but a largish vehicle must have been used to take it.

Anyone with information should contact Castletown police station on 822222, or the anonymous Crimestoppers line on 0800 555111.

Quinn Legal has appointed Stephen Savage as head of the Corporate and Commercial legal team.

Stephen, a Manx advocate and qualified Scottish and English solicitor, said of his appointment: ‘I am delighted to be joining.

‘Quinn Legal is a leading Isle of Man law firm and separates itself from other law firms by offering an approachable style in its provision of legal services on the Island.

‘I am looking forward to working with the team to further develop the client experience and expand the services offered.’

Quinn Legal is based in Ridgeway Street, Douglas, and provides an expansive range of legal services to individuals and businesses in the island.

The firm’s business team supports local companies and corporate service providers with specialist services across banking and finance, commercial, commercial litigation, corporate, regulatory investigation, data protection, digital currency, criminal and employment law.

Managing director James Quinn said: ‘Our approachable business team is a dedicated and reliable resource for local businesses and corporate service providers.

‘We’re absolutely thrilled to welcome Stephen to the team and look forward to working with him.

‘Stephen has joined Quinn Legal at a very exciting time. This year we’ve rebranded, launched a new website and have many big plans in the bag for 2017.’

Stephen’s commercial legal experience is extensive.

He is a Manx Advocate (admitted 2012) and qualified Scottish and English Solicitor (1994 and 2000 respectively).

Having worked in the Isle of Man and in other jurisdictions such as the Caribbean,

Stephen brings insight and valuable knowledge of corporate and commercial law on an international 
scale.

A Peel man has celebrated his 103rd birthday at the Corrin Memorial Home with a visit from Lieutenant Governor Sir Richard Gozney.

Jimmy Lorne Clague was born in Toronto in Canada but grew up in the Isle of Man in a cottage in Regaby.

He worked in a convalescence home near Ramsey as a cleaner where he met his future wife, Kitty, who was a nurse there.

As Kitty lived in Peel, Jimmy would cycle 15 miles to meet her. The couple would also enjoy walks on Ramsey beach together and go to a dance hall in Ramsey.

Jimmy and Kitty married, living at St German’s Place and Glenfaba Road in Peel, where they had two children, Paul and Lorna.

He worked at the Brickworks in Peel and later for the forestry board, where he was employed for 24 years.

One of his greatest loves is wine and he was a prominent member of the Peel Wine Circle for many years.

Jimmy served in both world wars in a range of locations including Malta, India and Germany.

He was a guard at the Khyber Pass, between India and Pakistan, where he says it was a challenge to make it from the mess tent to quarters with a plate of food while trying to protect it from the ‘flying dogs’ (large bats).

Jimmy cannot fully extend his left arm due to shrapnel being embedded in his elbow during a bombing.

He moved to the Corrin Home in 2003 with Kitty who sadly passed away earlier this year.

He attributes his long life to hard work and keeping on the go.

We’ve arrived at the final of the 2016 Amber Battle of the Bands this Saturday night.

And what a heavyweight final it’s shaping up to be.

Congratulations go to Aeons who took the third and final heat and who go through to join The Fletcher Christian Mutiny and The Clown Calls For War in the line-up this weekend.

Commiserations go to Eoin O Maol Mhuaidh and Tiger T.

Here’s a quick recap on the finalists.

Aeons, a band whose line-up is made up by ex members of The Water is Rising and The Southern Audio Conspiracy, namely Justin on drums, bass and vocals is Kenny, Scott and Si on guitars and Skippy on vocals and who specialise in all things in the technical metal end of the spectrum.

Next up we have The Clown Calls For War, featuring Brook Wassall on guitar, Lee Stevens on drums and Andy Clucas on bass and vocals.

Style wise it’s pretty much indie and rock with a smattering of influence from the likes of Explosions In The Sky, Mogwai, Oceansize and Muse.

Finally we have 2015 defending champions The Fletcher Christian Mutiny, with Nell Kneale and Justine Lewis on guitars, Stephen Quinn on drums, Keef Lawler on vocals and Andrew Cregeen on bass.

They pick their influences from the heavier end of the spectrum.

It’s a tough one to call. Doors open at 8pm, entry is freeand the music starts at about 9.30pm.

Elsewhere tomorrow night (Friday), singer and guitarist Mae Challis and band will be in action at Jaks Bar in Douglas.

At the age of just 15, Mae won the 2012 Next Big Thing competition at the Gaiety.

She lists her influences from Queen, Oasis, KT Tunstall and Joni Mitchell to more contemporary performers like Hurts, Coldplay, Train, James Morrison, Skrillex, Bruno Mars and Emeli Sande.

With a full band behind (Mark Brabbs on drums, Nell Kneale on guitar and Robbie Sampson on bass), she supported UK pop and soul troubadour John Newman at the Villa Marina and this year released her first single and video, ‘Crazy’.

To finish, The Rockits appear at The Highwayman in Peel on Saturday from 9pm.

Featuring Steve Hull on lead guitar and lead vocals, Ste Clayton on keys, Richard Hannay on guitar and backing vocals, Steve Peverall on drums and Dan Bryans on bass, the band specialise in mainly covers, with influences ranging from 50s artists such as Elvis, Jerry Lee Lewis and Leon Russell through to more recent rockabilly bands such as the Stray Cats.

A Liverpool man stored heroin between his buttocks while breaching an exclusion order banning him from the island, a court has heard.

Tony Murray, aged 26, of Leeds Street, pleaded guilty to possession of the drug and breaching the order and will be sentenced on December 20.

Prosecutor Hazel Carroon told the court how, on November 4, police received information that Murray was in Douglas, despite being banned from entering the island until 2018.

Officers went to a flat in Fairfield Terrace and found Murray there and arrested him.

When he was arrested and searched police found a small wrap between his bottom cheeks.

Murray said to police: ‘It’s heroin.’

The court heard how Murray had been jailed for five years in August 2011 but released in September 2013.

A five-year and four month exclusion order, banning him from the island, came into force upon his release from prison.

The wrap was weighed at 15.86 grams but analysis of the substance found only a trace of diamorphine.

The majority of the substance was made up of paracetamol and caffeine.

During a police interview Murray said that he had come to the island for a week, visiting his girlfriend while on holiday.

He said that he was a regular heroin user and used it every day.

Murray said he had bought the drug after arriving on the island and it cost him £150.

Defending Murray in court, advocate Dawn Jones said: ‘Referring to the facts, my client did say during his police interview when he purchased the drugs he was told it was a very low grade and that is why it only cost £150. It was not sufficient to inject and could only be smoked.

‘He gave that explanation in the interview. It is correct as only traces of the drug were found, insufficient to give any percentages even.

‘So what he said in interview has been borne out in the analysis.’

Mrs Jones said that, regarding the exclusion order, Murray had believed that it was at an end.

The advocate said: ‘He believed it started in August 2011 and ended in August 2016, but the duty is on him to check.

‘But he didn’t come to the Isle of Man knowing he was in breach of the order. He hasn’t been back until now. He has close friends here and believed it was OK to see them.’

Deputy High Bailiff Jayne Hughes accepted jurisdiction for the case saying that her summary court powers would be suffice for sentencing.

The case was adjourned pending the preparation of a probation report which will consider all options, including custody.

This was the scene outside Wilkins this morning as the Douglas jeweller began its closing down sale.

The Strand Street shop is closing after more than 100 years in business.

To read our story about the decision to close click here

News of the closure was reported on page one of the Manx Independent earlier this month.

Police in Peel are appealing for information after vandals tried to puncture tyres on a car parked at the Town Hall.

The car was there from Friday until Sunday when its owner Jane Woodhouse returned, and drove over four plastic spiked strips which had been placed under the car’s tyres.

Mrs Woodhouse’s husband Paul said: ‘My wife was leaving for work at about 3pm on Sunday from the Town Hall and as she drove off she felt a bump.

‘She got out of the car and saw these strips had been placed under the tyres.

‘She had driven over them but luckily we took the car to a garage and they confirmed there was no damage.

‘The mechanic said, as the tyres had a lot of tread left on them, the strips had not damaged them, but if they had been worn tyres they could have popped or caused a slow puncture.

‘My wife could have been driving and had a blow-out at speed and there could have been a fatality.

‘The police said they have viewed CCTV footage of the area but said it is too dark to see anything.

‘The people who did this need to be caught and prosecuted. There could have been a serious road accident.’

Mr Woodhouse posted his own appeal on Facebook with the message ‘Please Please Please, share this with all your Isle of Man friends and let’s get these people caught and prosecuted before they kill someone.

‘My main concern is not any damage done but if they do it again there could be a serious accident.

‘We have lived in Peel since 2002 and never had any problems with anyone.’

Police are appealing for information on their Western Neighbourhood Policing page. Anyone with information is asked to contact Constable Breeshey Craine at Peel Police Station on 842208.

The Department of Infrastructure appears to be mounting a charm offensive to promote its work.

In a press release issued this morning the deparment says it is ‘continuing to prioritise the maintenance of key assets to help underpin the social and economic wellbeing of the Isle of Man’.

It also describes a ‘comprehensive programme of work’ aimed to ‘secure the long-term integrity of the island’s highways, bridges, retaining walls, harbours and breakwaters’.

The department is currently resurfacing the northern end of Douglas Promenade as a short-term fix until a full reconstruction scheme can be progressed.

Click here to see what the Minister said in Tynwald.

Click here to see photos of the work this week

Work is also taking place to regenerate the main road through Higher Foxdale, to apply the finishing touches to the replacement bridge in Laxey, and to refurbish Ramsey’s 120-year-old navigation lighthouses.

The 2016-17 strategic maintenance programmes for highways and structures are available on the department’s website.

The reports feature information about individual schemes, including costs, as part of what the department says is its ‘commitment to public engagement and openness’.

In addition to its current and recent projects, the department carries out routine maintenance of s roads such as pothole repairs identified by the public via the ‘report a problem’ website and mobile phone app.

Minister Ray Harmer MHK said: ‘The department is responsible for providing a good quality infrastructure that supports our people and the growth of our economy.

‘It is important to invest in the maintenance of our assets, as carrying out work now means we can avoid the need for more costly interventions in the future.’

He added: ‘Work of this nature can sometimes lead to disruption, but the relatively short-term inconvenience must be balanced against the long-term benefits. For example, roadworks may lead to longer journey times for a period, but the improvements result in highways that are capable of meeting traffic, utilities and drainage requirements for the next 40 years or more.’

The department tries to keep roads open wherever possible, but full closures are sometimes required, particularly when roads have to be excavated to a depth of more than two metres to install sewer, gas or water mains, electricity cables and telecoms services. The complexity of what is beneath the ground has a significant bearing on the duration of a road closure.

All major schemes have input from the strategic infrastructure group – comprising the Department of Infrastructure, Manx Utilities, Manx Gas and Manx Telecom – to promote partnership working and to avoid the need to dig up the same stretch of road again in future years.

Mr Harmer added: ‘People may question the length of time required to complete certain road works, but there are always a number of constraints to take into account.

‘These can include staff working hours, maintaining access to properties and businesses, and the need to avoid the TT, MGP and Christmas periods

‘Also, it’s almost impossible to compare highway schemes. The resurfacing of a motorway lane in the UK will be vastly different to reconstructing a failing road in the Isle of Man where we have to dig down a couple of metres to install new foundations, storm water drains and electricity, water and gas services, while ensuring existing services to homes and businesses continue without interruption.

‘The department has introduced flexible shift patterns, mobile technology and more efficient machinery in recent years to reduce costs and speed up the delivery of highway schemes. We will continue to look at smarter ways of working as part of our focus on keeping the Island’s structural assets in good order.’

Mr Harmer’s predecessor, Phil Gawne, also promoted the department’s work. Click here for a reminder.

Chief Minister Howard Quayle MHK today headed a delegation from the Isle of Man attending the 28th British-Irish Council (BIC) summit in Cardiff.

Mr Quayle and Graham Cregeen MHK, Minister for Education and Children, took part in discussions on a range of issues, including the consequences of the UK’s Brexit vote and the importance of early years education.

The BIC, established under the terms of the Good Friday peace agreement, is a forum which brings together the governments of the UK, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Isle of Man, Jersey and Guernsey.#

As well as contributing to the summit’s main agenda, the Chief Minister had meetings with key figures including the First Minister of Wales Carwyn Jones, Scottish External Affairs Cabinet Secretary Fiona Hyslop, and Robin Walker, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the UK Department for Exiting the EU.

Members of the Manx delegation also took part in a meeting with their counterparts from Jersey and Guernsey.

Mr Quayle said: ‘This was my first BIC Summit as Chief Minister and it was good to continue the island’s engagement with our friends and neighbours through this important forum. The British-Irish Council gives the Isle of Man a seat at the table alongside all the other governments of these islands, allowing us to build relationships and develop our understanding of the challenges facing all BIC members.’

The Chief Minister added: ‘I was particularly pleased that Early Years education was on the agenda for this Summit, as this was one of the issues highlighted as a priority in the Framework for a Programme for Government which I presented to the November sitting of Tynwald.’

Mr Cregeen said: ‘Our new administration in the Isle of Man recognises the importance of the Early Years in building firm foundations for children and families. We are committed to ensuring lifelong learning, from Early Years onwards, while also ensuring the education is aligned with economic needs.

‘I very much welcome the opportunity that the BIC offers the Isle of Man to collaborate and share early years policy and practice across all member countries.’