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PUB OWNERS SAID they feel neglected by the current government, as they outlined the details of recent business closures and redundancies.
Over 350 publicans from all over Ireland are in Meath for the three-day 40th Annual Conference of the Vintners’ Federation of Ireland (VFI).
Dissatisfied
Recent research for the VFI showed that 86 per cent of publicans surveyed are dissatisfied with the level of support from government for Irish business.
Thirty nine per cent of publicans have made reductions in staffing levels in the first three months of 2013 “in a desperate effort to stay open”, it added.
Recent figures released by Revenue outlined that a further 150 pubs closed their doors last year and based on this independent survey and the trends outlined, the VFI believes that 2013 will see a further decline.
Some of the key findings of the independent survey show that in the first three months of 2013 only 8 per cent of publicans increased staffing levels, while 43 per cent have reduced staff working hours and 39 per cent have made reductions in staffing.
From January to March 2013, 62 per cent of VFI members say business has been slow and turnover down; only 9 per cent have recorded an increase in business/turnover. When compared with the first three months in 2012, 36 per cent say that business is down between 1-10 per cent, while 15 per cent have recorded an increase in turnover when compared with last year.
President of the VFI, Gerry Rafter said:
Unfortunately we find ourselves in a very similar situation to this time 12 months ago with further pub closures and job losses casting a long shadow over our AGM. The government made a lot of noise in their programme for government about helping Irish business but as yet we have seen very little action.
He said he believes it is “time that we started to shout about the positive contribution the Irish pub has made and continues to make to Irish society and in particular rural communities”.
Earlier today, the VFI said that if a ban on alcohol sponsorship is to be brought in, sports clubs could loss €3.5m per year.
The yellow box is there for a reason. Lot of people don’t know how to use it.
@Yorkie1892: for parking, right?
@Yorkie1892: Commercial vehicle drivers should know. That is such an idiotic driving.
@eddie horgan: why should they know. Minimum wage job driving a light commercial possibly an agency driver with no English who doesn’t understand the rules in Ireland because the vehicle owner just wants a bum on the seat. The industry is in turmoil because of constantly chasing low costs at any price & this individual with get blamed lose his job & be replaced by another low cost agency worker. It’s only not funny because someone is going to be killed.
@Yorkie1892: Hijacking to air a pet peeve. What’s with the “Keep Clear” boxes? I don’t notice them the way I noticed yellow boxes. Keep it consistent!
@Allora: I’d accept your point about minimum wage etc, but isn’t that the same as every other country? The barriers are the same all over the world, there’s nothing unique about them. It’s just down to stupidity, nothing more
@Yorkie1892: A high percentage of drivers don’t have the patience to wait at the barriers and don’t have a clue how to drive within a city area.
@Yorkie1892: people know what a yellow box is for, they just care
@Yorkie1892: I would be more concerned with the gate coming down than the yellow box.
@DReynolds: stupidity is a possibility or an unfamiliar environment like driving on the wrong side of the road & different signage & rules. Also maybe poorly educated drivers who accept low pay jobs.
It’s going to be a very black Friday for that driver. #unemployed
@Peter Cavey: why should he get sacked we all make mistakes.
He should be sacked because he’s clearly incompetent at following the basic requirements of the job. We can’t just chalk this down as a ‘we all make mistakes’ and let him do it again.
@: Not at a rail crossing and especially not where the driver is expected to be professional. Compounded by forcing his way through the barrier.
@: I think hitting a bridge or other infrastructure like railway crossing is an offence. No business owner can afford to tolerate breaking a law.
@Conor King: Pretty sure this is the one person that will never do this again…
@Cynical There are consequences for stupidity. That’s just the way it is. He should have his licence taken off him as well as his job.
But cyclists are the most dangerous things on the road
@Craic_a_tower: The truck driver – typical cyclist – is wearing neither helmet nor hi-viz.
@Craic_a_tower: we see what you’re doing and we’re not taking the bait. #tool
@Craic_a_tower: if only these road users were trained and had a licence and insurance…oh wait!
@Conoroconnor: and what about tax….don’t forget the tax :-)
@Craic_a_tower: most dangerous thing to themselves
@Thomas Maher: obviously not given this year 2 motorists who weren’t looking at the road ran over a cyclist each. Completely guilty and at fault and didn’t spend a day in prison. Motorists are found to be at fault. If you want you can post up a case in the last year where a cyclist was found at fault for their death by being knocked down.
@Thomas Maher: that’s provably untrue, do some research before you spout your poisonous and dangerous cliches
@Craic_a_tower: you’re a moron
@Craic_a_tower: It wasn’t a cyclist who damaged the gates at a level crossing
Expect to see Shane Ross giving updates from the plinth shortly
What an @sshat. These drivers should be fined heavily and get penalty points for doing this and driving into bridges. The amount of disruption they cause is huge.
No point to talk who is guilty. Train services shouldn’t be suspended. An emergency signals should be there. EOT
I blame Trump!
Same thing just happened to the level crossing in Killarney .. strange.
Sure he was wearing hivis so he is ok.
@Joe Dobias: if only the barrier was wearing a hi viz vest!!! Bloody barriers, asking for trouble.
People should lose their licenses for their incidents like this
At least the second time this year that that has happened, if I’m right
@Ewan O’Doherty: at the very least, because it has happened twice today alone.
He was parked forward of the barrier, so it stopped coming down, then it and the barrier on the far side started to rise again (I assume so the truck could get off the crossing), he couldn’t see the barrier he was under and just drove on…
This is because there is a right turn into Serpintine Court just after the level crossing and the traffic moves but then gets stopped when someone takes a right turn so you get stuck in the yellow box.
have your say