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Meath Tourism
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Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Horses
Horse Trainer Ted Walsh to Consider Problem of Slaughter of Horses at Oireachtas Agriculture Committee
30th March 2010
The increasing problem of abandoned horses and how best to dispose of them will be placed under the spotlight at tomorrow’s (31st) meeting of the Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.
Well known horse trainer Ted Walsh and Ted Farrell of BF Meats will attend the Committee to examine the issue. The meeting will take place at 11 am in Committee room 4 of Leinster House.
There has been a reported increase in the number of abandoned horses throughout the country of late. This trend has been attributed to the economic downturn which has meant that some horse owners can no longer afford to look after their animals. Charities working in the area have reported sharp increases in volumes of calls received on this matter.
Committee Chairman, Johnny Brady TD said;
“Unfortunately, like all sectors, the equine industry has not been spared the effects of the downturn. This has resulted in some horse owners choosing to abandon their animals. Inevitably, this causes serious animal welfare issues and raises the question of how unwanted horses should be dealt with.
The meeting tomorrow will consider how this problem can be addressed and will also analyse the procedures and facilities available for slaughter of horses. ”
30th March 2010
The increasing problem of abandoned horses and how best to dispose of them will be placed under the spotlight at tomorrow’s (31st) meeting of the Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.
Well known horse trainer Ted Walsh and Ted Farrell of BF Meats will attend the Committee to examine the issue. The meeting will take place at 11 am in Committee room 4 of Leinster House.
There has been a reported increase in the number of abandoned horses throughout the country of late. This trend has been attributed to the economic downturn which has meant that some horse owners can no longer afford to look after their animals. Charities working in the area have reported sharp increases in volumes of calls received on this matter.
Committee Chairman, Johnny Brady TD said;
“Unfortunately, like all sectors, the equine industry has not been spared the effects of the downturn. This has resulted in some horse owners choosing to abandon their animals. Inevitably, this causes serious animal welfare issues and raises the question of how unwanted horses should be dealt with.
The meeting tomorrow will consider how this problem can be addressed and will also analyse the procedures and facilities available for slaughter of horses. ”
Monday, March 29, 2010
Canine Breeders
Canine Breeders of Ireland to Voice Concerns on New Dog Breeding Bill at Oireachtas Committee Meeting
29 March 2010
The possible consequences on the dog breeding industry of the new Dog Breeding Establishment Bill 2009 will be outlined by the Canine Breeders of Ireland at tomorrow’s (30th) meeting of the Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Heritage and Local Government.
The meeting will take place 1pm in Committee Room 4 of Leinster House.
The Bill aims to provide safeguards for dogs in breeding establishments and give assurances to customers that pups and their mothers are well treated in these facilities. Under the Bill, each local authority will be required to have a register of dog breeding facilities and will require operators to register and pay an annual fee.
There had been some concerns that Ireland had become the “puppy farm capital of Europe” due to lack of regulation.
Canine Breeders of Ireland have over six hundred members, made up of mainly commercial dog breeding establishments. While the Canine Breeders accept the need for good practice in this area the organisation has expressed strong reservations regarding some aspects of the new bill.
Committee Chairman, Sean Fleming TD said;
This bill has been introduced to ensure that adequate legislation exists in the area of breeding and puppy farms. However, some groups including the Canine Breeders of Ireland have claimed that bill will burden them with additional costs and will cause welfare problems for some dogs.
Tomorrow’s meeting will give an open forum to those who represent many dog breeders to articulate their problems with the bill and how they feel it needs to be altered.”
29 March 2010
The possible consequences on the dog breeding industry of the new Dog Breeding Establishment Bill 2009 will be outlined by the Canine Breeders of Ireland at tomorrow’s (30th) meeting of the Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Heritage and Local Government.
The meeting will take place 1pm in Committee Room 4 of Leinster House.
The Bill aims to provide safeguards for dogs in breeding establishments and give assurances to customers that pups and their mothers are well treated in these facilities. Under the Bill, each local authority will be required to have a register of dog breeding facilities and will require operators to register and pay an annual fee.
There had been some concerns that Ireland had become the “puppy farm capital of Europe” due to lack of regulation.
Canine Breeders of Ireland have over six hundred members, made up of mainly commercial dog breeding establishments. While the Canine Breeders accept the need for good practice in this area the organisation has expressed strong reservations regarding some aspects of the new bill.
Committee Chairman, Sean Fleming TD said;
This bill has been introduced to ensure that adequate legislation exists in the area of breeding and puppy farms. However, some groups including the Canine Breeders of Ireland have claimed that bill will burden them with additional costs and will cause welfare problems for some dogs.
Tomorrow’s meeting will give an open forum to those who represent many dog breeders to articulate their problems with the bill and how they feel it needs to be altered.”
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Passports
Foreign Affairs Committee to Call in Union as Department Accuses CPSU of Blocking Recruitment and Stopping Overtime24 March 2010 The Oireachtas Foreign Affairs Committee is to seek a meeting with the Civil and Public Services Union (CPSU) in an attempt to find a resolution to the current passport impasse. The Committee met today with the Secretary General of the Department of Foreign Affairs, David Cooney, and with the Head of the Passport Office, Joe Nugent. Mr Cooney told Committee members that the CPSU had blocked the recruitment of fifty temporary workers who were due to be assigned to the Passport Office to deal with the annual high season demand for passports and had also instructed their members not to do overtime, as is the norm at this time of year. He also informed the Committee that the current industrial action had led to a build up of almost 50,000 applications in the system and that the demands for passports this year is up 11%. In order to try and accommodate those waiting in line outside the passport office, the Committee learnt that Department of Foreign Affairs is in the process of trying to source suitable alternative public office space where people could wait in more comfort and be assisted more effiently. Committee Chairman, Dr Michael Woods TD said; “The Department officials expressed their frustration at the actions of the CPSU Union in particular, as they are currently banning their members from doing overtime. They are also blocking the recruitment of additional staff which is both denying work to people currently unemployed and worsening the situation at the Passport Office. The Department of Foreign Affairs have made it clear that it is only through additional staff and overtime that the current backlog in passport applications can be cleared. The Union have made their point. They have shown the important work which their members do on a daily basis and the huge disruption to public services which the withdrawal of their cooperation can cause. There is nothing to be gained from continuing to disrupt the passport service. The constitutional right of all citizens to travel must be respected. The Committee want to hear the Union’s perspective at first hand and we are requesting that they attend a Committee meeting as soon as possible. The longer this dispute continues, the more people will suffer. I would urge ICTU to support the suspension of industrial action at the Passport Office while talks are progressing.”
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Where Is The Cobble Gone?
Dear Sir
I have noted that for the past number of weeks a company (Kn - network services) have been carrying out works on the Abbey Road junction just behind the Navan Shopping Centre.
I have noted that several square metres of cobble lock which cost us the tax payer thousands of Euro in recent times, has been ripped up and replaced with concrete.
Cobble Lock by its nature is simple to take up and put back down that is why it is so popular, why has this cobble lock on Abbey Road not been put back down the way it was taken up and where is all the cobble lock gone?
Those of us trying to promote shopping in Meath understand that the shopping experience is not confined to value in the trolley and customer service, but the entire shopping enviroment. We bought cobble lock as it is easy on the eye and gives one a sense of economic well being, if we had wanted to create a concrete jungle we would have done so.
Can someone in authority establish why our cobble lock has been replaced with concrete, and actually do something about it.
Further more I note that hundreds of Euro worth of shrubs (paid for by the tax payer) on the New Relief Road (off the Round O Roundabout) have been dug up and a path laid into a private housing estate. Is this private developer going to pay for these shrubs that we paid for.
It is time that someone in authority started to look at what is going on in Navan as it is starting to appear that our tax dollars are being abused and our trust taken for granted.
Yours truly
Shoppinginmeath.blogspot.com
I have noted that for the past number of weeks a company (Kn - network services) have been carrying out works on the Abbey Road junction just behind the Navan Shopping Centre.
I have noted that several square metres of cobble lock which cost us the tax payer thousands of Euro in recent times, has been ripped up and replaced with concrete.
Cobble Lock by its nature is simple to take up and put back down that is why it is so popular, why has this cobble lock on Abbey Road not been put back down the way it was taken up and where is all the cobble lock gone?
Those of us trying to promote shopping in Meath understand that the shopping experience is not confined to value in the trolley and customer service, but the entire shopping enviroment. We bought cobble lock as it is easy on the eye and gives one a sense of economic well being, if we had wanted to create a concrete jungle we would have done so.
Can someone in authority establish why our cobble lock has been replaced with concrete, and actually do something about it.
Further more I note that hundreds of Euro worth of shrubs (paid for by the tax payer) on the New Relief Road (off the Round O Roundabout) have been dug up and a path laid into a private housing estate. Is this private developer going to pay for these shrubs that we paid for.
It is time that someone in authority started to look at what is going on in Navan as it is starting to appear that our tax dollars are being abused and our trust taken for granted.
Yours truly
Shoppinginmeath.blogspot.com
Monday, March 22, 2010
Public Accounts Committee
The findings of a key report published today (22nd), by the Comptroller and Auditor General (C&AG) into the measures taken by the Financial Regulator as the financial crisis unfolded will be scrutinised by the D il Public Accounts Committee in the coming weeks. The report evaluates how some of the significant decisions such as the supervision of financial institutions covered by the guarantee scheme and the transfer of loans by a director of one financial institute were handled. The report also contains a series of recommendations aimed at tightening up regulation. In the coming weeks, the Public Accounts Committee will hold public meetings with the new Head of Financial Regulation at the Central Bank, Matthew Elderfield, the Head of the National Treasury Management Agency and with officials from the Department of Finance. Committee Chairman, Bernard Allen TD said; “The Committee broadly welcomes the publication of this report. There has been an acknowledgment that financial regulation failed dismally in its duty to monitor the sector and that major changes will be required to avoid the reoccurrence of such failings. Up to the end of November last year, the State had directly spent a total of €11 billion on stabilising Irish banks. The principle remit of our Committee is to safeguard public funds and ensure that the taxpayer gets value for the money spent on its behalf. Therefore, the Committee intends to conduct a series of meetings with the main players in financial regulation and with those charged with monitoring how this huge sum is managed. If there is to be proper accountability regarding how this massive amount of our money is spent, and transparency regarding any future outlay by the State into Irish banks, we need to have an opportunity to properly question those in charge of this process. We will also want to question them on some of the recommendations contained in today’s report and how they will be addressed. It is clear that there cannot just be a continuation of the way things were done in the past and we are anxious to learn what changes are planned." The Committee has scheduled a meeting with the head of the NTMA, John Corrigan on 22nd April, with officials from the Department of Finance on the 6th May and with the Central Bank’s Head of Financial Regulation, Matthew Elderfield on 13th May.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Friday, March 12, 2010
Mystery Shopper Visits Argos in Navan
shoppinginmeath.blogspot.com continues to carry out Mystery Shopping visits in Meath.
Today, Friday, one of our Mystery Shoppers visited Argos in Navan.
"I went into Argos to buy a small paddling pool for my two ducks, one of whom you can see enjoying her paddling pool in the picture below. I spent some time viewing the catalogue in order to get an idea of how long it was taking customers to be served. I estimated that customers were being served and walking out the door with their goods in 3/4 minutes, which is exceptional by any standards.
As I viewed the catalogue one member of staff was busy making sure the catologues and order slips were tidy and in order. She also gathered up some dockets and other items that had fallen onto the floor. This was very impressive as so often one goes into shops and views rubbish on the floor while staff stand idle and chatting.
I picked my item, checked its availability on the easy to use self service stock checker, I filled out the docket, made my way to the counter, had a good laugh with the lady at the checkout when I told her that the paddling pool was for my ducks, this is the type of engagement that is sadly lacking between customers and staff in many retail outlets. I handed my recipt to the lady at the collection desk and had my paddling pool in my had within two minutes.
From filling out my order form to walking out the door with my goods it took exactly 4 minutes. The shop layout is very professionally done, loads of room between customers as they view the laminated catologues, loads of order slips, pens etc. Great customer service and value for money. And as you can see from the picture of my duck, another happy customer".
Today, Friday, one of our Mystery Shoppers visited Argos in Navan.
"I went into Argos to buy a small paddling pool for my two ducks, one of whom you can see enjoying her paddling pool in the picture below. I spent some time viewing the catalogue in order to get an idea of how long it was taking customers to be served. I estimated that customers were being served and walking out the door with their goods in 3/4 minutes, which is exceptional by any standards.
As I viewed the catalogue one member of staff was busy making sure the catologues and order slips were tidy and in order. She also gathered up some dockets and other items that had fallen onto the floor. This was very impressive as so often one goes into shops and views rubbish on the floor while staff stand idle and chatting.
I picked my item, checked its availability on the easy to use self service stock checker, I filled out the docket, made my way to the counter, had a good laugh with the lady at the checkout when I told her that the paddling pool was for my ducks, this is the type of engagement that is sadly lacking between customers and staff in many retail outlets. I handed my recipt to the lady at the collection desk and had my paddling pool in my had within two minutes.
From filling out my order form to walking out the door with my goods it took exactly 4 minutes. The shop layout is very professionally done, loads of room between customers as they view the laminated catologues, loads of order slips, pens etc. Great customer service and value for money. And as you can see from the picture of my duck, another happy customer".
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Eating Disorders
Eating Disorders and Combating Obesity under the Spotlight at Oireachtas Health Committee8th March 2010 The key agencies working to prevent obesity and treat eating disorders will speak at a meeting of the Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children, tomorrow (9th) at 2:30 pm in Committee Room 2 of Leinster House. The meeting will hear from the Food Safety Authority, Bodywhys, Healthy Food for All and medical experts working in this sector. Committee Chairman, Se n O’Fearghail TD said; “The initiative to bring all these relevant groups together is timely considering some of the startling statistics regarding eating disorders and obesity in Ireland. For example, the Department of Health estimates that up to 200,000 people in Ireland may be affected by eating disorders. An estimated 400 new cases emerge each year, representing 80 deaths annually. According to a 2007 study of Irish children and adolescents, 1.2% of Irish girls may be at risk of developing anorexia nervosa, with 2% at risk of developing bulimia nervosa The prevalence of obesity has increased with alarming speed over the last twenty years. In Ireland at the present time 39% of adults are overweight and 18% are obese. Most worrying of all is the fact that childhood obesity has reached epidemic proportions in Europe, with body weight now the most prevalent childhood disease. In economic terms, a figure of approximately €30million has been estimated for in-patient costs alone. The meeting tomorrow will allow the Committee to consider this hugely serious issue with those organisations and professionals with the most up to date knowledge on the trends in this area.”
Friday, March 5, 2010
HSE
HSE must ensure the 226 Hospital Consultants in Breach of Contract are Monitored-Public Accounts Committee4th March 2010 The Health Service Executive must ensure that those hospital consultants who are not adhering to the stipulated public/private mix of the consultants’ contract are not allowed to continue with this practice, the D il Public Accounts Committee has insisted today. HSE executives told the Public Accounts Committee that they had written to 226 hospital consultants to inform them that there were in breach of the public/private patient mix requirement. Under the terms of the contract accepted by 86% of hospital consultants they must carry out 80% public and 20% private work. The Committee was told that a provision exists in the contract which allows a period of time for those consultants who have not achieved the 80:20 ratio to change their work practices accordingly. The HSE said that by May this year they hope these consultants will be in line with their contract stipulation. Committee Chairman, Bernard Allen TD said; “The new hospital consultants’ contract is clear regarding the limited level of private work most consultants are permitted to carry out. The fact that over two hundred of them have still not reached this requirement is unsatisfactory. The HSE has contacted the relevant individuals to remind them of their responsibility, and this Committee intends to monitor their response. We cannot tolerate a situation where highly paid individuals are failing to perform their contractual duties to provide health services to the public. Under their contract any revenue generated from additional private work must be returned to their hospital and we urge the HSE not to hesitate to do this in cases where blatant violations have occurred."
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Council Declares All Out War On Litter Louts !
The Meath Chronicle reports this week that Meath County Council is finally going to get tough on litter louts. Well this new campaign is welcomed by shoppinginmeath.blogspot.com. We are constatly recieving emails about the illegal dumping of litter all over the Royal county. It is time that the litter louts were treated like any other criminal who are intent on destroying our community and our appeal to tourism.
These people should be pursued and prosecuted with vigour, it is criminal to see so many good people keeping our estates and road sides clean and tidy only to be destroyed by careless litter louts. We wait and see now if the council follows through on its promise as we have many examples of illegal dumping on record.
These people should be pursued and prosecuted with vigour, it is criminal to see so many good people keeping our estates and road sides clean and tidy only to be destroyed by careless litter louts. We wait and see now if the council follows through on its promise as we have many examples of illegal dumping on record.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Social Exclusion
Officials from the Office for Social Inclusion will attend the meeting and detail how the State will implement the goals of this EU initiative. The European Union is one of the richest areas in the world, but still 17% of EU Citizens have such limited resources that they cannot afford the basics. Committee Chairman, Bernard Durkan TD said; “The current (2006) rate of consistent poverty in Ireland is 6.5%, having reduced from 8.2% in 2003. Regrettably, the current economic downturn is likely to increase the risk of people falling into poverty. This European Union sponsored drive could provide impetus to tackling the levels of poverty and social exclusion in Ireland and across the European Union. The purpose of the meeting tomorrow is to learn from those with direct responsibility for implementing the programme in Ireland, what they propose to do and what impact it is likely to have.” Some of the stated aims of the European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion are: giving voice to the concerns and needs of people experiencing poverty, promoting a society that sustains quality of life, engaging with civil society organisations that fight poverty and social exclusion. The Office for Social Inclusion is part of the Department of Social and Family Affairs and has overall responsibility for co-ordinating the government’s social inclusion policy which includes the National Action Plan for Social Inclusion 2007-2016.
Monday, March 1, 2010
Free Range Chickens
In or about February of last year I decided to buy six Free Range chickens. I love eggs and as my garden is a good size I decided I could accommodate 6 chickens. The Chickens are easy housed and easy feed and each morning there are fresh eggs for breakfast. In fact my chickens produce one egg each per day which means that I can also supply family and friends with fresh eggs.Now chickens are not kept without some effort on my part. Once per week I must clean out their house. Each morning and evening they must be feed with layers pellets and spoiled with some bread. I love watching the chickens interact with each other as they go about the garden eating grass and enjoying their freedom.Layers pellets cost 9 Euro per bag in any Farm supply store, the bag of pellets can last a month. The chickens originally cost me 7 Euro each and so all in all this has been a cost effective, healthy and worthwhile purchase. The personal satisfaction I get from watching and rearing my chickens is priceless.However, the story does not end there. A friend gave me a rooster and I put him in with the chickens.A few weeks later one of the hens started to clock. This means that she sits constantly on any eggs laid in the nest not just her own. I took her off to another little house and left her to clock. Unfortunately this was not successful and after 24 days there were no chicks. I put the hen back into with the rest of the hens and again she started clocking. This time I left her with the other hens but separated the nest, after 21 days 6 little chicks were born, this is their picture below without blacky who is always doing his own thing.One of my hens was accidentally killed by my dog and so now I have 5 mature hens, 6 babies and a rooster.I also attended Dunderry Fair in the summer and bought myself 2 ducks, these are great and again fresh eggs every day. All of these animals are so easy to keep and can be feed for a few cents per day. However, you do need a bit of space, not allot but enough to let them walk about and eat grass.
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