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HERE WE GO again.
It’s day three of Luas strikes in Dublin, with more widespread disruption on the way for the tens of thousands of commuters who use the service every day.
More strike action will follow tomorrow, with further days scheduled for 8 March and St Patrick’s Day. Workers will face losses to their wages at the end of the month for the days of work that they have missed.
The nature of the dispute, which has been well-reported on, boils down to pay – with Luas workers under the Siptu trade union asking for increases and employer Transdev not willing to offer the amount that they are asking for.
Neither side of the dispute has met the other since last week – and by all accounts this situation is no closer to being resolved than it was a month ago.
How to get to work today
Much the same as last week, Tranportforireland.com is providing up-to-date real time travel information for anyone who needs an alternative route to work, with major routes across Dublin expected to be very busy over the next two days.
For anyone who has to get a bus or drive, leaving the house early will be essential. Keep an eye on the AA Roadwatch Twitter account for the latest in traffic updates.
It’s important to note:
Holders of seven-day, 30-day, monthly and annual Luas tickets are entitled to a refund for the strike days in question. For details on how to claim a refund, visit the Luas website.
Hailo reported a 25% increase in demand last Thursday during rush hour, and is advising people to order taxis well in advance and at off-peak times.
https://vine.co/v/inmB0gzF9Eq
If you’re thinking of walking, it seems that a lot of people decided to walk along the tracks to get to where they were going faster last week. However, Transdev has said in its statement that people should stay off the tracks.
Transdev remind customers that although there is no tram service it is against the law to trespass on Luas tracks and property. The overhead lines will be live and maintenance will be working on parts of the system.
No sign of agreement
Both sides of the dispute seem stuck in a stalemate as the strikes continue.
Luas workers are looking for payment increases of between 8.5% and 53.8% over a number of years.
Transdev says that those kinds of increases are not possible, and that the costs incurred to the company would be €30 million over the course of the five years of the Luas operating contract.
Talks broke down between workers and the company in the Labour Relations Commission (LRC) at the end of January. Since then, neither side has made significant movement towards the other.
Speaking yesterday on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland, Siptu division organiser Owen Reidy said that the top line figure of the salary demands was ambitious.
“I appreciate that the headline figure is very ambitious and unprecedented,” said Reidy.
The workers know full well that the start is not the endpoint. But if we’re going to try to negotiate our way out of this we’re going to have to have a willing partner.
Siptu has repeatedly stated that Transdev is only willing to consider pay increases in line with the Consumer Price Index. However, Transdev has said it will consider pay increases outside of this.
“Transdev have said… that it is willing to discuss pay increases outside of the consumer price index,” the company said in a statement.
The demands however must be reasonable: sensible. Normal pay demands in the public and private sector are between 1 – 3%.
Owen Reidy said workers were willing to negotiate and he said Transdev should re-enter into talks before the situation became more serious.
“We’ve said that we’re happy to enter talks with Transdev immediately in whatever form they choose,” he said.
Meanwhile, Transdev has said that it is “calling on SIPTU and internal staff representatives to re-engage under the auspices of the WRC to resolve this dispute and avoid any unnecessary disruption to our customers”.
So far, however, neither side appears to be able to reach an agreement.
Both state bodies overseeing the Luas service, the National Transport Authority (NTA) and Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) have said that they can’t interfere in the dispute – as Transdev is a private company that was awarded a contract, and any State interference would compromise the contract.
However, with a St Patrick’s Day strike having the potential to cause huge disruption, it is clear that something will have to be done soon.
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Yahoooooooo.
Carefull now. You know who will probably buy a majority share in the canadian company or the bank that finances it.
Red diesel is the way to go.
Freeing up funds for a takeover of IW perhaps????
Another STROKE of Genius Den
Only last Monday morning, I was speaking to a close friend , who operates another one of O’Briens Oil brands , who hasn’t as yet had Topaz branding placed on his premises.
He told me that he was dreading this rebranding happening, as he was hearing from colleagues , with Topaz branding, that their sales had been suffering, as a result of the Irish Water influenced, Boycott . This influence of poor sales , was particularly to be seen in Limerick, Cork and Dublin apparently.
So maybe this sale of these huge assets , has been partly brought about by the contagion of The O’Brien factor , as much by O’Briens recent floating failure , on the stock market ?
Yes, the “boycott” has caused untold damage…Oh, wait:
“Irish fuel chain Tozpaz made a profit of €2.3m in the 12 months to the end of March 2015, reversing a near €5m loss the year before.
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Accounts just filed with the Companies Registration Office for its 2015 financial year show that revenue at the firm fell slightly from €3.05bn to €2.95bn, with Irish sales dropping from €2.73bn to €2.53bn. The company said that the drop was mainly due to a reduction in commodity prices.
However, earnings before deductions increased from €23.7m to €26.1m while the amount of interest it paid out on loans and related charges fell by about €3m. The firm made a full-year profit of €2.25m compared to a loss of €4.84 the year before.
Topaz is owned by businessman Denis O’Brien. Mr O’Brien is also the largest shareholder in Independent News & Media, which owns this newspaper.
The number of people employed by Topaz rose from 1,512 in its 2014 financial year to 1,564 in 2015. A spokesman for the group said that the business is performing well and is benefiting from a “substantial investment which has been made over the past 12 months”.”
(So, Eddie’s either going to say I must be a FG troll, or that you can’t rely on anything you read in The Indo, especially when it comes to DOB’s businesses. )
I believe my choice to drive past Topaz stations hurts O’Briens business.
You don’t have to.
“I believe my choice to drive past Topaz stations hurts O’Brien’s business.”
the evidence says it doesn’t.
Of course it does any boycott hurts profits doesn’t mean the company can’t still make a profit .
Well topaz haven’t been getting my €55 euro a week over the last 2 yrs since DOB bought it …. I didn’t think it would make a difference to that business but it made a difference to me. I felt like I was doing something positive.
I’m sure Ill be told I was deluded shortly …
Do you ever think that the profits rose due to the fact topaz got the contract for patrol cars, rather than a rise in paying public?
You’re not alone.I’d run out of petrol and walk home before I’d get petrol from O’Brien.
Topaz and esso already held that contract
You might want to check that again Gordon. http://m.rte.ie/news/business/2014/0502/614868-topaz-ogp-deal/
http://m.rte.ie/news/business/2014/0502/614868-topaz-ogp-deal/ no doubt this is where their €20m profit came from.
Trevor the while public sector are signing up to these type contracts now , the thing is most of these public sectors are already being supplied by these suppliers as it is , as is the case with topaz / statoil and the garda fleet .
This article goes back to 2007 long before DOB owned topaz / statiol http://m.independent.ie/irish-news/garda-fumes-at-petrol-contract-26284300.html
I crossed the doorway last week of a Topaz for the first time in 2 years, I actually needed to buy a lighter, as i had come out without one, I was met by the bouncy girl behind the counter welcoming me to Topaz asking me what i needed, I replied Just a lighter please, she offered me a Topaz branded lighter, I replied no thanks can i have the orange Bic lighter next to those please, as I wouldn`t be seen dead with one of those in Public, her bounce was gone at this point……
Moral of the story, make sure you have a lighter for the joint in the evening, or otherwise you might have to sell part of your soul in a Topaz Station to get one, I still can barely forgive myself……
I hope you haven’t got Sky TV, Sky Fibre broadband, Virgin TV or Virgin fibre broadband at home mother…wouldn’t want to be hypocritical in anyway.
Brendan, he hasn’t the money…’sources’:-) say he hasn’t reduced the debt on his original purchase and therefore the 450€m price received is ‘at cost’. And the ‘phenomenal blah blah blah’ from the nephew should be taken with a grain of salt…..if Dinny can influence Ministers, imagine what he could perhaps do to a Family member!!
how would that be hypocritical wesole?
please explain to me the similarities in purchasing a cigarette lighter and watching TV/ Using the internet?
Sky TV/Fibre & Virgin TV/Fibre are all installed, serviced and maintained by a company called GMC Sierra. The same lads that install your water meters. Sierra is owned by your Topaz owing friend, Denis.
Yeah, But i haven`t got Sky/Virgin stamped on my lighter when i am out and about either wesole,which is basically all i cared about, I have no other reason to use a Topaz whatsoever as i don`t drive in this country.
Was that a freudin slip wesole? “owing” instead of “owning”
*Freudian
But by having Sky or virgin at home, you’re supporting Denis and popping a few bob into his pocket, he’ll take the hit on the lighter…
Does that mean Esso will stay Esso or still go ahead to Topaz??
FTA TV satellite and Saorview – 170 once off payment for one room,do it youself kit up to 4 rooms for about 450, easy peasy.
Eircom for Broadband, streaming,work,chatting to you, and just about everything else – never have to give Denis a dime again, and you could save a fortune overtime to boot
good for you…. glad to hear it. I’ve Sky, the works, all the channels…get it all for free. And their BB
And that comment about good for you, is real, not meant to be sarcastic.
http://m.rte.ie/news/business/2014/0502/614868-topaz-ogp-deal/ no doubt this is where their €20m profit came from.
That is 20 million of revenue. Revenue is not profit.
Good for you! What`s your address and i`ll post you a Blue Peter badge for getting all of that Gratis.
That info is wrong as well Gordon. Topaz wins battle for Statoil stations in ?285m deal http://www.independent.ie/business/irish/topaz-wins-battle-for-statoil-stations-in-285m-deal-26380283.html
The fact that Topaz is using advertising gimmicks on his radio stations to sell their fuels says the boycott worked as for 2.25 m profit seems a very poor return for such a big company. Still won’t be buying fuel there Topaz the dearest around the country.
Would this be anither agreement made with our Government ?
Eddie,
If your friend is dreading the re branding, then tell him not to sell to Topaz. Simples.
Trevor you’ve missed the point ive been making , Topaz / statoil already had the contract to supply these fuels , they’ve basically won it again after it went out to tender as the goverment now does with all its contracts , Not sure what your talking about
Just like the taxpayer waved goodbye to the €55m IBRC generously wrote off when Denis bought Topaz. Don’t suppose they put in a claw-back clause in case he subsequently sold it for a huge profit? No, didn’t think so.
What the fu€k is our monopolies regulator doing?
What do you want them to do Paul?
Examine the situation with regard to fuel imports and retail sale in Ireland.
Their job.
Yes, they should be protecting all of this, and more, for redacted.
Why is O’Brien ‘really’ selling Topaz? Is there a worry that the dealings with the IBRC to purchase Topaz were at best dodgy? SiteServe has already been liquidated? Or maybe I’m just being cynical..
I think the 30% quoted is probably a share of the retail fuel market? Don’t know what the story is with imports, something tells me it might be worse, as a small island on the edge of Europe there’s only going to be economically feasible for one/two importers?
Anyway, the margin on the fuel for these petrol station/convenience stores is so low that it’s almost a loss leader to get you in to buy some overpriced coffee and pastries. That’s where the profit is.
I go around Europe a lot and always do a quick price check – I’m not seeing fuel prices way cheaper elsewhere. In the states they are but that’s a whole different world.
Is fuel margin much higher in ireland or is this hair obrien bashing?
Fuel prices are both cheaper and more expensive elsewhere in Europe. We sit somewhere in the middle: http://www.theaa.ie/AA/Motoring-advice/Petrol-Prices.aspx
It’s cheaper in Lanzarote. Like many things and yet like us it’s an Island
The 30% figure refers to the 130 “company owned” Topaz stations.
Their website, Topaz.ie says this:
“With over 330 stations across the country, Topaz is Ireland’s largest fuel and convenience brand, and we’re growing every year. We at Topaz are committed to change for the better, where standards in service, convenience and quality, alongside our responsibility to the environment, are paramount.
Topaz. That’s better. (Sic)”
So, over 200 franchise stations would indicate that Topaz are supplying well over 30% and quite possibly well over 60% of Irish petrol and diesel.
That’s an issue of national importance.
*162 company-owned…
The article, and linked article say they have 30% of the market. That to me means 30% of the fuel retail, not the number of petrol stations,
Most other european countries have car tax included in the pump price and it still seems cheaper or around the same price than rip off Ireland who pay car tax separate
I think that ########### is a plague that’s being fuelled by ## and the generosity of #### with our money
Malvolio32
The article only makes reference to 162 Topaz owned stations representing 30% of the market. When Topaz say they have over 330 stations, this would still, to you, mean 30%?
“Examine the situation with regard to fuel imports and retail sale in Ireland.
Their job.”
I see, so because the Competition Authority didn’t agree with you, they’re not doing their job?
Tax zero
Could you give me regards to Anthony Lang next time you see him David.
* my regards…
“Tax zero”
We’d all like to pay zero tax, but unfortunately we have to pay tax.
“Could you give my regards to Anthony Lang next time you see him David.”
I have no idea who that is.
It says here that he used to destroy handwritten notes at DOBs business meetings.
http://www.moriarty-tribunal.ie/images/transcript_171.pdf (at page 4).
I thought you might know him.
For clarification:
… destroy handwritten notes that were taken at…
Again, I do not know Anthony Lang.
The full reference to him is:
” Mr. Anthony Lang, one of the
solicitors in the firm of Kilroy’s, from handwritten
notes he made at the meeting and that his method of
working is that once he dictates the notes he destroys
the handwritten notes. So just to explain the
circumstances of these being typewritten notes.”
http://www.moriarty-tribunal.ie/images/transcript_171.pdf
Thanks David.
You can’t see that it’s an unusual way of working, but it was deemed worthy of comment in the Tribunal.
Anyway.
Anthony hasn’t been seen on TheJournal.ie in a while.
He has, Paul. Saw him a week or so ago on here.
I stand corrected.
I hope he’s in the kind of health he deserves.
Thanks Pepper!
Topaz. IBRC. Cowan. Mates rates.
Ohh, please tell me Cowan is out of a job… That would really make my day.
It’ll never happen, Rasputin, these guys are cushioned on all sides.
The Phoenix has been saying for months. Denis O’Brien is in financial trouble. He is selling assets. His floatation of his mobile business went tits up. If it continues at this rate he will be joining ‘Sir’ Anthony and Sean Quinn on Queer Street.
I have a bottle of champagne chilling in the fridge, awaiting this day!
If they reduce their prices I might buy some petrol there beginning next Spring. Topaz always at least 3c a litre dearer than any other petrol station
Exactly, Topaz beside Northwood on the Ballymun Road considerably more expensive than Maxol beside OMNI in Santry and the unmanned station on the Swords Road towards the airport all only 5-7 or so minutes drive from Topaz.
There are three petrol stations in my area: Topaz, Top, and Applegreen. They all charge the same price. Topaz is not 3 c dearer.
Applegreen are better value anyway.
And better delis
And those thermo layered gloves for a fiver are brilliant!
It would appear that the instructive thing about this, and earlier, announcements is that He who cannot be named is desperate for money, as is evidenced by recent divestments. Can you give us a steer as to why this might be, Journal? ;-)
And rashers he is not desperate for money at all. He recently spent 2.5 million on a painting to donate it to the state.
Was that 2.5 mil painting to say sorry for the 55 mil write down?
So VLI you want him to apologise for getting up off his arse an earning hundreds of millions and also conform to the train of thought that he owes you and everyone else is Ireland a living. Pure green eyed nonsense.
I don’t care for apologies. I do think the state either has to clearly show by 55 mil write down was necessary or I want Denis to pay us back the money. Only common sense that people pay back what they were given. I’m working on a business idea myself at the moment, I want every irish citizen to be a success, even if they do unfortunately pay their taxes in Malta
I wish he would just f^ck off completely!
Looks like the Boycott worked.
Vladimir. … spot on. And so will the boycott of Irish water if we continue to boycott that Incompetent quango.
So how much will the tax payer get from this sale on the “massive” profit being made on the deal.. Eh, diddly I reckon. It will all go off shore.
Well Maltese citizens generally don’t pay tax in Ireland.
We are already 55 mil down given Denis got topaz at write down price. Unless he donates 56 mil to charity to irish people will see little benefit from this. My hope is that new owners will treat staff better as many are struggling
Topaz is heading towards 2000 staff. Over 70% on 9.50 an hour or less. Hopefully the Canadians treat the staff better.
Better?
Yes better. For example in South dublin alone there are roughly 20-30 supervisors on sales assistant contracts. They are fully trained and experienced but the topaz board must have been thinking about the cents saved. Anyway nobody can get a mortgage because 100% of all sales assistant contracts are flexi. It’s a disgrace
People are going to be so peed off when they realise the new owner is led by evil Canadian billionaire Denise O’Ryan.
If he is in trouble; it couldn’t happen to a more deserving person.
Couche-Tard buys company from Douche-Bag
Douche-Tard ?
Goodbye (v)Dennis goodbye …..
More money for Big Den. Begrudgers be damned congrats to the man.
Have to agree this man knows how to make money
‘Have to agree this man knows how to borrow money’
Couldn’t argue with that. By the way, where is Alan Dukes these days?
I would be a fan of Denis if he was transparent, didn’t donate massively to fine gael & didn’t bring the state to court. If he treated his staff well & paid his taxes here in Ireland. Oh and if he rejected write downs off the state knowing the taxpayer foots the bill
He gets kncoked for having a few bob and playing the game. Typical irish begrudgery in plentiful supply on here. I pointed out here before he is a huge charity giver but nobody wants to hear that apparently….
Never did I give out to Denis for being successful. Try read my comment again. The money lost to Malta trumps the money donated to charity by a long shot but it does help spin people’s perception of him.
” didn’t donate massively to fine gael”
How much has he donated to FG?
Take a look at the moriarty tribunal
Moriarty Tribunal didn’t say anything about donations to FG. You did.
How much?
I dont know one single person wants to pay tax when they dont legally have to. Do you?
Check what the moriarty tribunal did find, not what it didn’t. I don’t know a single reason why 55 million euro of your money & my money was taken off the price for Denis. Either way he has now sold topaz for a fat profit, making much more than 55 mil yet 0 will go back to the state.
“Check what the moriarty tribunal did find, not what it didn’t.”
I did.
Now, how much has DOB donated to FG?
Hats off to him VLI. You of all people should know that the Irish government have spent the last 7 years riding its citizens i.e. Me and you. I for one love to see somebody with the balls to ride them back. We all have 55 million reasons to give Kenny and co the middle finger. They’d only squander it on some failed project anyway in a matter of days
If you wish to run a successful country it’s never about the people vs the state. It’s about the people voting & engaging to make sure the state acts in their best interests. Unfortunately a FG dominant government means only looking after the top earners in this society
David and Tweed…there’s no doubt Denis has business acumen but what really got him rolling was a bribe…..and that was to the cost of you, me and the taxpayers of this country. the Government have sat on the Moriarty report when it should be handed to the Gardaí…..the report followed the money and found the bribes. So where is the full and proper court case?
To be honest with you Al I’d be more p1ssed at the €200 million that was squandered on the said inquiry. All it proved was that O Brien is a sharp cookie. But sure everyone knew that already. There will never be a court case because they simply ain’t as smart as him. He played FG for the total muppets they are. I’m a fan.
Al Capone?
Will make a tidy profit and free up funds watch this space
Removing his assets before Fine Gael loose forthcoming election. .
Runs at a loss for years then makes a grand profit …right before its sold ..when oil prices are the lowest for years …I smell a rat
Gosh….you don’t think it was undervalued…do you? Surely Dennis’s mates wouldn’t stoop so low as to screw over the taxpayer for a buddy…would they?
Couche-Tard? Thats what I turn into after too much TV!
Ah lads Dennis is sound. Fair play to him to see an opportunity and take it. Don’t be jealous.
Well, whatever about anything else, picking up the tab for the FAIs last two very expensive managers counts for something no?
“Well, whatever about anything else, picking up the tab for the FAIs last two very expensive managers counts for something no?”
And (allegedly) part of Jonny Sexton’s salary.
It’s called public relations, people only come to dislike Denis obrien when looking at the bigger financial picture.
Ah Nooooooo
How much does a sexton weigh on the mind of the stoker?
Still gonna bycott it just in case
For a week or two anyway.
Just to be sure.
I wonder if the new company will be requiring Brian Cowans financial wizardry in the boardroom. I heard he’s on linkedIn now so maybe not! So what was he doing for DOB, i’m guessing making the tea and getting the bikkies.
Jaysis, I wouldn’t trust Cowan with the bikkies ….
Does that mean BIFFO is out of a cushy board membership then?
Wondering if the new group will retain “BIFFO” .
No real surprise here but couche-tard is part of the Rothschilds global cabal DOB the slave just handing over his work to his masters like a good boy. He got it cheap and they will get it cheap. All roads lead to the Rothschilds sadly
Here’s to cleaner toilets
Happy Christmas to the people of Tipperary.
So will all Topaz filling stations get re-branded as Circle K here too?
You just want to get the chance to say …. “Strange things are afoot at the Circle K”..
What will George Hook flog on his programme now?
Dead horses !!
Make a bu*ger out of most things !!
Maybe now the customer toilets might be brought up to scratch!!!
Interestingly Couche-Tard also operates under ‘on the run’ which used to be in most Esso’s in Ireland until they pulled out or were forced out, I think. Never thought much of those shops, I wonder what brand they will bring this time.
Re-Tards.
Decent coffee (fresh brewed, not machine). Too dear though.
Fresh brewed coffee comes in powered packets. Machine grinds beans the second you press button.
Could be worse as it could be sold to Turkey lol.
http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2015-11-25/meet-man-who-funds-isis-bilal-erdogan-son-turkeys-president
Fair play to him he is a smart operator
With many friends
Here’s to clean toilets
Here’s to cleaner customers
Strange things are afoot at the Circle-K.
Wow you get 300 million for 150 million. How did IBRC go out of business with such a clever decisions being made for wealthy businessmen? Alan Dukes is right it’s the begrudgers fault.
I hope none of the people who claim to boycott Topaz, IW, Newstalk and Today FM or the Irish Independent have Sky TV, Sky Fibre broadband, Virgin TV or Virgin fibre broadband…wouldn’t want to be hypocritical in anyway.
I get the feeling you don’t really mean that…
Wonder will the tax payer get the €50 million back IRBC wrote off out of his cut one thinks not.
I blame Denis O’Brien.
Here s to cleaner toilets!!!
He’s more Money than me, which makes him a tosser
Former Taoiseach Brian Cowan on the board. And people say crime doesn’t pay.
this was a very interesting move……..i wonder what the debts of the company are.
More profit in Lucozade than petrol
The picture of the topaz garage!!!
Diesel is €1.12 per litre
Unleaded is also €1.12 per litre ( probably wrong price )
If topaz is owned by the same dick how come the topaz garage beside me the price for fuel is diesel €1.18
Petrol € 1.30
Rip off Ireland or just robbing s%£tes????
Digicel is in trouble, and he is selling all to save it.
And thus ends my boycott of Topaz.
Mine won’t end until it’s official and until the day the company has actually changed hands.
At times like this, I love the internet.
have your say