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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.
Personally I have a Z3 and find the screen well big enough, any bigger would for me just be a pain to carry around, but it’s personal choice really,
MH, your last point was very helpful….
Will thanks for the compliment, happy it was useful to you as I can see you needed it based on your comment
I have a note 4 and it is a great phone. Size isn’t a problem… in fact I look at the iPhone 5 or regular 6 and they look way too small now.
My point is you get accustomed very very quickly to the larger screen size.
I have never used pure android but find the Samsung stuff really good so far.
I’ve a one plus one it’s the best phone out there
Completely agree. At half the price of the above phone, don’t understand how ppl can justify it. Really hope the OnePlus drives down the cost of the rest of the phone.
The current 6 is poor. Loose screen and shadow on the screen.
Too big a screen.. Unnecessary imo
I use an LG G2 32GB, paid €260 online. Superb phone, decent screen, great camera, awesome battery life…voted best smartphone of 2013. Can’t recommend highly enough :)
http://mobile.pcadvisor.co.uk/reviews/mobile-phone/3471896/lg-g2-review/
It’s 2015.
It is not the size what matters, it is what you do with it.
Rubbish phones the nexus,only hipsters or developers have any use for them
Clearly you never used one. I had the S4 Google Play Edition and it was amazingly smooth, fast and simple. The big bonus for me was that it was free of Samsung ‘s bloated software. While it was simple (but still customisable but not to the extent of samsung), the software was so good that I didn’t feel the need to change every nook and cranny.
I happened to break that one so I bought an S4 again(2 months ago!!) and rooted it with the software. It’s even better when rooted. And it’s just as fast as the new phones now. Not bad for a 2yr old phone.
My original nexus 5′s battery died while still within warranty and Google were very quick to send a replacement to me so kudos to them and that’s another good reason to purchase a handset from the play store. It’s still a very zippy phone after the lollipop update and I have to admit I’m delighted with it. Being free of carrier and manufacturer bloatware is a bonus, although Google have gone to town with their own car seat of apps, which, incidentally, you are unable to uninstall. The 6 is a bit too phablet for me personally. My best mate has the oneplus one and although it is very cool, it’s just too bloody big!!!
one plus one is indeed a smashing phone especially after the Lollipop update.
I could get the G3 (2015) and spend an extra 400 euro for essentially the same phone (give or take a few tweaks) but that woyld be pretty brain dead.
None of the networks are carrying it.
I’d switch to bill pay in a heartbeat if they have this phone :(
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