THE feared flight of white-collar jobs from developed countries, including Ireland, to India and China may not be as expected. According to a United Nations report, the relocation of services jobs has been between developed countries rather than to fast-growing Asian markets with relatively cheap labour.

The study was cited in a report released last week by Forfas, The Changing Nature of Manufacturing and Services - Irish Trends and International Context.

"To date, most relocation of services has occurred between developed countries and is not necessarily driven by cost, " the Forfas report states.

"In many instances, companies are relocating services as much to improve the quality of the service produced as to consolidate activities in search of economies of scale and to access certain skills or markets."

Local papers urge Rossport 5 to talk to Shell The Mayo News and Connaught Telegraph both ran articles last week urging the Rossport Five and other objectors to the Corrib Gas pipeline to return to mediation with Shell under the auspices of mediator Peter Cassells.

"Erris community leaders call for immediate dialogue to bring project to fruition", wrote the Mayo News, suggesting that local public opinion may have shifted decisively against the pipeline objectors.

The spike in prices requested by Bord Gais last week may only further weaken opposition to the pipeline.