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AM: 'Useful opportunity' to share energy between Ireland and Wales

"It would be an illusion to think that we should be absolved from actually delivering our own energy needs in as far as we can" says Liberal Democrat AM William Powell.

"It is useful - in the context of a community that works together for mutual benefit - that we have the opportunity to share the energy generation".

Electricity from Irish wind energy could be transported to Wales

by Owain Phillips
The proposed scheme would be completed by 2017 Credit: Danny Lawson/PA Wire

Protestors unhappy with the Irish Government's handling of the Emerald Isle's economy were vocal at the British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly in Letterkenny, Donegal. Delegates were told selling electricity from Irish wind turbines to the UK could help them exit their economic troubles.

Plans are afoot to lay two cables from the Irish Republic to Wales - one connecting to the grid in Prestatyn, the other in Pembrokeshire.

Liberal Democrat William Powell AM welcomed the move, but said it should not be a way for Wales to abscond its renewable targets.

Conservative Darren Millar told ITV News it was clear we'd still have to rely on fossil fuels in the short and medium turn and said we are already "over-dependent" on wind as a power source.

The scheme is due to be completed by 2017, and could mean power from Welsh sources - such as Wylfa going the other way.

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95% 4G broadband coverage for Wales 'by the end of 2017'

The popularity of smartphones has driven demand for data over mobile networks Credit: Press Association

Included in today's 4G spectrum auction results is an obligation for one provider to make sure at least 98% of the UK population can access mobile broadband speeds within five years.

Winning bidder Telefónica UK Ltd won the 800Mhz allocation, which means it will have to cover at least 95% of the population of each of the UK nations – England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales - by the end of 2017.

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4G mobile auction winners announced by Ofcom

Ofcom has announced the five phone operators that have won the 4G licenses - permits to run mobile networks at the kind of speed you get from your home broadband.

The winning companies are:

  • Everything Everywhere Ltd.
  • Hutchison 3G UK Ltd.
  • Niche Spectrum Ventures Ltd (a subsidiary of BT Group plc).
  • Telefónica UK Ltd.
  • Vodafone Ltd.

Pupils share online safety tips with Commissioner

Keith Towler started his research at Cadoxton Primary School in Barry. Credit: Carl Edwards / ITV News Cymru Wales

The Children's Commissioner for Wales has been speaking to pupils in Barry, to find out how they use the internet, and how they stay safe online.

He's launched his research project on Safer Internet Day, which aims to promote safe use of online technology and mobile phones around the world.

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Project aims to empower children online

We are all a part of a digital landscape that is changing all the time. It is vital that all children and young people feel that they can use the internet safely, that it isn't something scary and that they know how to protect themselves online.

To make sure that this happens we need to gain an insight into the ways that children engage with digital media. Gathering this information is a crucial part of protecting children and young people and empowering them to stay safe online.

– Keith Towler, Children's Commissioner for Wales

Project launched to help children stay safe online

A Wales-wide research project aimed at finding out how children use the internet and digital media is being launched today.

Children's Commissioner for Wales Keith Towler will meet pupils in the Vale of Glamorgan as part of the project launch, which coincides with Safer Internet Day.

Cadoxton Primary School, Ashgrove School, Barry Island Primary School and Ysgol Gyfun Bro Morgannwg are currently taking part in a pilot of the Welsh Government's new digital learning platform, named 'Hwb'.

During the visit, the commissioner and members of Wales' National Council for Digital Learning will find out how pupils stay safe online and whether enough is being done to help them use the internet safely.

Anglesey inventor of electronic breathalyser dies

Dr Tom Parry Jones
Dr Parry Jones' invention has been used to catch drink-drivers around the world Credit: Wales News Service

The man from Anglesey who invented the electronic breathalyser has died at the age of 77. Dr Tom Parry Jones, from Menai Bridge, developed the technology in 1974.

He held an OBE, and was a Fellow of Bangor University. He established a fund to encourage young people to follow careers in science and technology, and promoted entrepreneurship.

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