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“A speech worthy of a wider audience,” was how Tom Noone, the acting Master of Ceremonies, ably described it on Saturday night last, on the occasion of a banquet, celebrating the 50th anniversary of the founding of Thurles Credit Union. Fully supporting Tom’s remark, Thurles.Info is proud to publish, in full, the text of this speech, made at this event, by Guest Speaker, Thurles born, Mark Fielding, Chief Executive of ISME.
Note: ISME is the independent organisation for the Irish small and medium business sector, with in excess of 8,500 members nationwide. ISME’s mission is to independently represent, promote and support owner/managers of small and medium enterprises and be vigilant, decisive, and direct in promoting and defending their interests, while helping members to better manage and grow their business through the provision of excellent information and services.
If you are a small business presently seeking direction, a Minister or Politician (regardless of your party affiliations) a Union organiser, then this text is a must read in full, and at least twice. For in this text Mr Mark Fielding amply expresses the most intimate thoughts and feelings of the people of Ireland today, especially in the light of our current financial state.
Read Mark Fielding’s Address:
“Where there is no vision the people perish.“
“The founders of Thurles Credit Union in 1961 had a vision. I would like to congratulate the Thurles Credit Union, Board, Supervisors, Management and Staff and the members themselves on your anniversary, and on the valuable work that you have carried out since the inception of the organisation in 1961.
 Mark Fielding, Chief Executive, ISME. Credit unions are economically important as they mobilise household savings as loans, and socially important, as that they help create community social capital. Guided by that philosophy, the fundamental business purpose is to provide high quality financial services at fair prices to anyone who wants them. By excelling at this purpose, they build the capital reserves needed for sustainability. They are a vital store of intergenerational capital and a facilitator of community social capital.
In time consolidation may see the network consolidate down to less than 100 larger, sustainable credit unions, while maintaining most of the existing branch footprint. Wisely used, state funding will restructure credit unions into a modern credit co-operative system.
Some local politicians have accused Mathew Elderfield of driving people into the arms of loan sharks. Perhaps they should consider why so many credit unions are in financial trouble and why others like Thurles CU are in rude health; why lending has been restricted in some and continues to grow in places like Thurles. It is important to distinguish between a credit union and the people who govern and manage them and here again Thurles is an exemplar.
With the Government and Central Bank intent on stabilising the sector, credit unions need to realise the opportunity it proposes and through prudent management, become a leader in the sector.
When I was asked to speak on this occasion I began to think about what I would have said to a gathering of Thurles people back in 1961, the year of the birth of this fine Credit Union. So Imagine, if you would, what someone like me would say about the FUTURE, back there in 1961, allowing our fancy take flight, looking forward to the next 50 years, back then.
Continue reading Mark Fielding – No Vision People Perish
 Department of Social Protection I suppose it was the day every employer fears, the unexpected arrival mid month, of the officious brown envelope, bearing the insignia of a black harp.
Patrick Ryan, an elderly Tipperary farmer, received such a letter from the Department of Social Protection recently. The letter stated that they suspected he was not paying his employees the Statutory Minimum Wage. The letter further stated that they, the Department, now felt it necessary to send an Inspector to audit Paddy’s affairs and to interview him, personally.
Sure enough, on the appointed day and true to the Department’s promise, a rather stern looking Inspector, complete with heavy black rimmed glasses and matching black leather briefcase, turned up to Paddy’s farmhouse door, apparently oblivious of “Shep,” Paddy’s rather cross and aging sheepdog.
Parking himself on a chair at the kitchen table, he began to interview Paddy. “Tell me Mr Ryan about your present employees, how many staff do have working here on your farm at present? ” he began.
“Well now let me think,” said Paddy, “First I suppose there’s the farm hand, I pays him about €240 a week, and he has the free use of a cottage, its the gate lodge near the entrance, as you drove in.”
“Then of course there’s the housekeeper,” said Paddy, obviously thinking carefully. “Now I believe she gets €190 a week, along with free board and lodgings, here in the main house.”
“Then of course we mustn’t forget the village idiot, he is a bit of a half-wit. He works about 16 hours a day, seven days a week, and does 90% of the manual labour. He earns around €25 a week, or whatever is spare at the time, along with the occasional bottle of whisky thrown in. Oh, and as a special treat, occasionally he is allowed to sleep with my wife.”
“That’s really disgraceful,” said the Inspector, “I would like to interview this half-wit immediately.”
“No problem,” replied Paddy “Sure it will be me you need to talk to then.“
 Rib World Clonmel Jobs continues to be under threat here in Co Tipperary. This statement is borne out with the news that the Clonmel, Co Tipperary company, STGN Ltd, trading as Rib World, which specialises in the processing of vacuum-packed cooked pork ribs, has now gone into receivership.
The Bank of Scotland have now appointed Mr Liam Dowdall of Smith & Williamson Freany as receiver and manager to the company, which will continue to operate at full capacity, retaining its 65 employees, until same is sold as a going concern. Mr Dowdall met with employees at the company, following his appointment, stating he was confident that a buyer would be found quickly.
Rib World, established in 2004 and situated at Fethard Road, Carrigeen Industrial Estate, Clonmel, is one of Europe’s largest producers of pre-cooked pork ribs. It currently operates an ultra modern processing operation and has a strong core market in both Ireland and abroad.
Founder and Managing Director of Rib World, Scandinavian born Mr Bo Nielsen, had worked in the food industry for over 20 years, prior to starting this enterprise with partners, together with financial and other assistance from the Irish Government agency Enterprise Ireland.
 Mr Binman Fears mount over the future of 500 jobs after Kieran Wallace and Padraic Monaghan were appointed as joint receivers, to the waste collection service “Mr Binman,” earlier this week.
The “Mr Binman,” waste collection service is based in Kilmallock, Co Limerick, but operates subsidiary offices in Tipperary and also counties Clare and Galway, employing 331 staff. A further 200 jobs are indirectly linked to the Company through contracting and other support operations.
The companies’ biggest creditor, Bank of Scotland, owed €53m, stated that the receivers appointed would operate the business as a going concern in the “short to medium term”.
The bank confirmed that wages would be paid and waste collection services, at more than 50,000 households, would be maintained during that time.
“Mr. Binman,” is a privately owned company providing a waste collection and recycling service to household customers since 1994. Mr. Binman is one of the most progressive and environmentally conscious waste disposal companies in Ireland. The company was the first recycling plant in the mid-west region to obtain an EPA Waste Licence.
 Liberty Square The first Task Force meeting of the Thurles Traders Unite committee took place in “The Commercial Room,” in Hayes Hotel, Liberty Square, last evening. (26th October at 6pm.)
Reports, immediately following, state that the meeting was both positive and informative, with a delegation elected to meet with Thurles Town Council Executive and local Councillors on Monday 7th November at 6.30pm, at their Slievenamon offices. The Traders Unite Task Force will again meet in Hayes Hotel on Monday 7th November at 7.15pm, following on from this meeting with Thurles Town Council Officials, to further discuss the progress made by this deputation.
Issues discussed at Wednesday evenings meeting, raised many questions and suggestion in relation to:- Parking, Traffic Management, Tourism and charges regarding present Commercial Rates to local traders.
A review of a planned “Group Advertising Package,” for the town were discussed and planned at length, and a leaflet, containing up to date costs and information on this subject, will now be delivered to all traders on Thurles high streets, in the coming week.
Discount Parking Stickers, sponsored by Thurles Photo Station in Friar Street, Thurles, have now been printed and beginning on Monday next, participating traders / shops will offer 30 minutes free parking, to all customers of premises displaying this 5in x 7in sticker, which can be viewed by customers on shop windows. Please Note: Customers are asked to pay for parking as usual and they will be refunded later, by all shops supporting this new venture.
A motion was passed at the meeting, offering every assistance and support to the upcoming Thurles Christmas Market on 11th December next. All shops will be open in Thurles on that day, and all offering customers some very attractive deals.
In the meanwhile, an Email address has now been set up for this New Task force, and traders and others interested groups are invited to use same to contact the organisation, with constructive submissions which they feel are worthy of further planning, discussion and promotion. Please note this contact Email address is :- thurlestradersunite@gmail.com
A Facebook account, using the name Thurles Traders Unite has now also been set up and local Traders and other interested bodies are invited to join, thus keeping up to date with all relevant Thurles Town information.
For more updates watch this space and do remember if at all possible, please shop local, as future local employment depends on your loyalty to local businesses.
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