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 Passport Scandal Figures released show that there are 57,516 passport applications waiting to be processed in Dublin and Cork passport offices, but a new service has been introduced to prioritise applications for people with immediate travel plans within three days. The cost of this new service to the taxpayer however has not been disclosed.
North Tipperary Fine Gael TD, Deputy Noel Coonan stated:
“Passport applications with ‘absolute proof of travel’ are now guaranteed to be processed within three working days. Applicants should make contact with the passport service and provide proof where applicable. While the backlog is still hugely excessive at 57,516 as of July 6th, and the Government is still struggling to alleviate the problem, at least a new fast turnaround time has been introduced. Additional temporary staff have commenced work in the passport service in the last few weeks to clear the backlog and while this is welcome news, I’m disappointed that the Government did not appoint extra staff before an enormous backlog had formed and the problem had already snowballed. Until now, the fastest turnaround time was open only to applicants who needed to travel for urgent humanitarian reasons but this new service will prioritise applications for people with immediate travel plans.”
Information released by the Foreign Affairs Minister also revealed that it is taking eight weeks to process applications received through the ordinary post channels. Passport demand is now running at 14% higher than this time in 2009. Unfortunately, the Minister was unable to confirm how many North Tipperary people are waiting for their passports to be processed.
Of the 57,516 applications waiting to be processed, 12,400 of these were received by the Passport Office in Cork. Applications submitted via the Passport Express service (Swiftpost in the Republic and NIPX in the North), available through local post offices, are being processed within 20 working days. This 20 working day guarantee is kept under review. There appears to be no difference in waiting times for a Passport Renewal or First Time Applications.
But wait for it – Yes, you have guessed correctly, an additional fee to those seeking passports, may apply in respect of such new prioritised applications.
 A total of 263 Gardaí, comprising 151 men and 112 women, graduated from the Garda College in Templemore, Co Tipperary on Thursday last and will now be posted to various Garda stations around the country.
Thursday’s passing out ceremony will be followed by a further graduation in October. From October next, the college will remain empty because no new recruits from existing panels have been offered posts over the past two years, as a direct result of the Garda recruitment embargo currently in place.
Minister for Justice Equality and Law Reform Dermot Ahern stated, “Plans were already in place to begin recruitment again. The timing however of the next recruitment drive and the numbers to be hired had not yet been determined. While the country is in a challenging economic position, the Government is committed to maintaining Garda numbers as high as possible.”
At Thursday’s ceremony, the “Commissioner’s Medal“, presented to a student Garda who achieves the highest academic scores during Garda training, was awarded to Garda Majella O’Sullivan, who is a native of Clonmel, in Co Tipperary and who will be stationed at Tallaght Garda Station.
The “Templemore Town Council Medal”, awarded for outstanding achievement and appreciation in the area of Social Science Studies, was presented to Garda Cathal Murphy, a native of Bishopstown, Co Cork, who will be stationed at a Garda Station, in Co Meath.
 Gleeson Group, the Borrisoleigh, Co.Tipperary based drinks distributor, has acquired the Gilbeys wine business from Diageo in a deal understood to be worth close to €6 million.
The deal was signed off on in recent days and followed approaches from a number of potential bidders. It is understood that Gleeson Group will continue to use the Gilbeys name and that all staff working at the wine firm will transfer to the new owner. Gleeson Group owns and distributes a number of well known brands including Tipperary Water, Finches soft drinks and Bavaria beer.
The firm did a refinancing deal earlier this year, which gave it a €25 million war chest for future acquisitions.
A spokeswoman for Diageo confirmed the transaction had taken place, but refused to comment on the details of the transfer, since the deal was subject to the regulatory approval of the Competition Authority, a process that is expected to take up to three months to conclude.
Diageo, which owns Guinness and Baileys, has had previous dealings with the Gleeson Group, which is owned by the local Cooney family. It sold Finches to the group in 2004, followed by its United Beverage wholesale business in 2005.
Industry sources state that the Gleeson Group previously controled about 2 per cent of the wine distribution market prior to the deal, while Gilbeys controled about 13 per cent.
Sales at Gleeson Group fell by almost €20 million last year to €230 million, and pre-tax profits were down by 10 per cent to €2.7 million. No dividend was paid to the Cooney family, compared with €2.5 million in 2008.
 Supermarket giant Tesco will create an expected 748 jobs countrywide in Ireland over the next 12 months it was announced by the retailer today, with the opening of seven new retail stores.
New stores will be opened in Kinnegad, Co Westmeath, creating 80 jobs, in Oranmore, Co Galway with 110 jobs, in Swinford, Co Mayo with 90 jobs, and in Ballybeg, Co Waterford, employing 110 staff. An outlet to be opened shortly in Thomas Street, Dublin, will take on 16 staff, a store in Kimmage, Dublin, will employ a further 16 workers and Tesco will recruit for an additional 266 positions for its new store in Naas, Co Kildare.
Here in Tipperary, the replacement of a store in Roscrea, is expected to result in an additional 60 new posts being created.
Tesco, who also have a retail outlet in Liberty Square, Thurles, is presently a major employer in this country, employing some 13,400 of a workforce and this announced countrywide investment should help to build a little confidence in the private sector, as well as driving competition in the retail sector, while offering still further convenience and choice to our consumers.
However the question must be asked: How many real jobs will be created from this announced expansion with other smaller shops and convenience stores struggling to compete without access to credit?
Surely small shops must now be forced to reduce their present workforce to compete, as the large multiples continue to dominate and expand unabated.
What do our readers think? Your comments please.
Interviews will shortly be held for the post of Head Librarian at St Patrick’s College, Thurles.
St Patrick’s College is a centre of educational excellence, primarily specialising at undergraduate level in preparing students to teach in post-primary schools.  The College Library always seeks to provide an outstanding service to staff and students of St. Patrick’s College and to respond creatively to changes in the world of learning.
Applicants must be graduates and hold a recognised qualification in Library and Information Studies. Significant experience is required and a good working knowledge of Irish is desirable.
The appointment will be for an initial period of three years and the salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.
An application form and a description of duties can be downloaded here.
The completed form should be returned, accompanied by a CV and cover letter by post or email (including the words “Head Librarian” in the subject line) to: Rev Thomas Fogarty, President, St. Patrick’s College, Cathedral St., Thurles, County Tipperary.
Closing Date: July 23rd, 2010 (5.00pm)
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