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AUTHORITIES IN SPAIN’S Balearic Islands are clamping down on binge-drinking tourism in three hotspots, introducing what they claim is the first law of its kind in Europe.
The islands’ regional government has passed a law prohibiting the organisation and promotion of pub crawls and publicity promoting alcohol sales by means of “open bars” and “happy hours”.
It also prohibited the practice of jumping from hotel balconies into swimming pools — popularly known as balconing — throughout the Mediterranean islands.
The practice has led to many injuries and several deaths. Those caught taking part in the activity will be obliged to leave their hotel and may face fines.
The legislation will apply to a long stretch of the capital, Palma, as well as the Magaluf area on Majorca, and the West End area of Ibiza, initially for the next five years.
Majorca and Ibiza are two of Europe’s most popular tourist destinations, and their nightclub-filled beachfront promenades are particularly popular with young people from Ireland as well Britain and Germany.
The regional government said the law is a novelty in Europe and that it is aimed at improving the quality of tourism on the islands and the well being of both tourists and residents.
The regulation bans alcohol-selling machines, and shops selling alcohol must close between 8.30pm and 7am in the areas.
It freezes new licences for so-called “party boats” and forbids them from taking on or offloading revellers in the three areas.
The legislation envisages fines ranging from €6,000 to €600,000.
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They are doing great work but we should do everything to keep our own healthcare workers here.
@Munster1: having immigrants working here means that at least some of the pressure is taken off overworked staff meaning that staff don’t leave the job or country in search of better working conditions as much
@Munster1: I remember going to Kerry for holidays as a kid and asking my mum what language they were speaking… it’s also sometimes hard to understand some accents. Instead of forcing it why not provide classes as anyone who comes here is eager to learn English…
Make fluent English one of the criteria. Some of them are impossible to understand. Also, make citizenship conditional upon HSE employment.
@Benny McHale: Having worked in Healthcare for more than 20 years, I have encountered many non-EU employees. All of the non-EU doctors and nurses I have met speak fluent English. Some of my Irish colleagues are not quite so easy to understand.
@Benny McHale: the majority of foreign medical staff in ireland are fluent English speakers but much like Kerry people their accent makes it difficult to understand….
@Benny McHale: The article was perfectly clear and articulate. If I had to be hospitalised I’d certainly appreciate being treated by a doctor capable of speaking out when necessary. Certainly not one that settled for struggling in silence for fear of what people might imagine. Everyone needs some hope that they can progress in life.
We are producing enough of our own at significant cost to not to have to do this.
@Bill ORourke: not everyone who graduates wants to stay in Ireland and they shouldn’t feel like they have to, and some will go abroad for a few years experience
@Bill ORourke: no we’re not.
@Sam Harms: isn’t that more of a case to better the working conditions in Ireland. For the Irish people. Rather than setting the bar lower and lower and staffing the country with foreigners in the first place? It’s only putting a bandage over the wound the country is continuing to cut into itself.
This is a consequence of brain drain of the last decade as a result of failed policy to retain talent.. Recent survey from nurses graduates showed over 70% are planning to emigrate.
How about paying student nurses Donnelly…. their the backbone of the health sector. Which you are missing…..
We produce more than enough doctors and nurses- highest per capita in Europe- that is Irish doctors alone excluding the foreign students who also graduate here.
The issue here is that doctors and nurses are leaving for better conditions overseas and in the private sector. 20% of consultant postions in the public sector are unfilled.
Asking him to do something.. Like that’s gonna work.
Thumbs up
Good for Ireland, not so good for the countries these badly needed professionals are leaving behind.
Wow how fast can these guys respond to a trending story however merited but take years to deal with true problems like paid sick leavefor workers, nurses retention, poor public transport systems etc
These articles about immigrants in Ireland are always guaranteed to bring out the whataboutery, closet xenophobia and racism…
This is bound to just create some form of “look after own” thread .
@Paul Hayes: are you suggesting that looking after our own is a bad thing?
@Cormac McCarthy: Cormac, our own are not here today to care for our own. .. it’s a pandemic and our own choose to look after themselves.
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