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 Yes austerity really does work, check out the figures below, but first a big thank you from all here in Tipperary, in particular to the Labour Party who continue to support Fine Gael in saving our nation from total collapse by the introduction of laws/taxes, which fail to take into consideration a person’s ability to pay.
Figures from the CSO confirm that some 82% of households had reduced their spending in the third quarter of 2012, as a result of the economic downturn.
The category where spending was most frequently reduced was going out to pubs, restaurants etc (66% of households), followed by clothing, footwear (65% of households) and groceries (51% of households).
Over one third of households who used a car had cut back on their expenditure on this means of transport.
Some 14% of owner occupied households with a mortgage were unable to make mortgage repayments on time at least once in the previous twelve months due to financial difficulties, while on the rental side 19% of all renting households failed to pay rent on time at least once.
Over 40% of households indicated that they had experienced difficulties in keeping up with their bills and debts, while two fifths of individuals were concerned about their level of personal debt into the future.
Over half of these said that they were currently more concerned than they had been twelve months previously. Only 5% indicated that their level of concern had decreased.
Meanwhile RTE has confirmed it was €65.2m in the red last year following a major restructuring of the company. The state broadcaster insists however that it was on target to break even in 2013, and thank God the Communications Minister Pat Rabbitte is on hand to keep a close eye on their finances which in real terms of course means an increase in licence fees, through mobile phone and computer usage is about to be demanded, to ensure they do. Now with plenty of repeat programming and Pat Kenny’s wage packet no longer an issue, this will most certainly be achieved.
Looks like all the numerous holes in this rotten hulk called Ireland are now sealed and we are once more sailing on calm, clear, blue waters, into a bright, new dawn. Expect full employment by a week from next Thursday, but before that expect a few more Labour TD’s to jump overboard very soon.
 A new political party, made up from the reform group Slí Níos Fearr (Irish: A Better Way,) has been established, with same vowing to be different from the current existing political groups.
The spokesperson for the new National Independent Party, (NIP) Mr Martin Critten, stated that they want people to understand that they are ordinary citizens looking to bring this country forward and are unhappy with how the current political system works.
Mr Critten stated: “We also want people to know that if they’re talking to the National Independent Party, that they’re engaging with people who are cognisant of past traditions. They know where we’ve come from, and we want to be able to exercise a balance and a fairness … across all sections of society.”
Slí Níos Fearr’s Mission Statement up until now at least has been to attempt to reclaim the current political landscape for the betterment and protection of Irish Citizens. To sponsor social responsibility, reward enterprise and promote education amongst it’s people and not least, to reform the governance of the current Republic for the well being of this country’s inhabitants, with due regard for health, opportunity and security.
Latter surely is the future aspiration of all of us and indeed an undelivered pledge made by our current Fine Gael / Labour coalition government when seeking power at the last election over two years ago.
The party said that between now and the Local elections they will canvass new members to run for the party, which is opening its first constituency office in Limerick on Thursday next.
There could be a job here in Tipperary yet for our soon to be ‘out of work,’ local and county councillors, many of whom are expected to loose their “bar stools,” in the next local elections.
 Leinster House Dail Bar Authorities in Leinster House are being asked to consider shortening our Dáil Bars hours of trading. Ceann Comhairle Mr Sean Barrett has added this ‘after hour’s issue,’ to an agenda for consideration at the next meeting of the Dáil’s main technical committee.
This once unlicensed “speak easy,” which recently has been in the spotlight, since it emerged that several TDs had been drinking heavily during one of the Dáil’s rare late-night recent debates, beats local competition for the price of its tipple. Customers can avail of ‘Guinness,’ costing €4.30 a pint, and ‘Heineken,’ for €4.70 compared to an average €4.80 and €5.20 usually paid outside this club’s precinct.
This subsidised alcohol price, saw turnover increase at this once “No Women Allowed Síbín,” by 5% from €138,600 to €145,623 in the twelve months to the end of December 2012. (Not bad consumption rates for 166 people on a three day week.)
Anyway, could over fraternizing at this favoured watering hole be the reason then why Ministers, TD’s and their staff, fail to answer e-mails; e.g Leo Varadkar, Allen Kelly and Richard Bruton.
Here on Thurles.Info we wrote to Minister Leo Varadkar requesting why a rail ticket from Thurles to Monasterevin had increased by over 100% – no reply. We wrote to Minister Richard Bruton last April hoping to discuss job creation in the town. We received the standard automated customary, “Thank you for your communication …. Will talk soon,” communication, and then no further contact. With Alan Kelly and e-mails, well he and his staff operate a contemptuous “Pretend and deny we ever got it,” system, which if pushed is then excused by an e-mail whitelist/blacklists anti-virus filtering system.
Some weeks ago we received a call to meet Mr Kelly to discuss issues here in Thurles on some Friday he had in mind. Despite an e-mail reminding him and requesting a date suitable for him to meet us, alas no reply. (Curses; foiled yet again by his anti-virus filtering system.)
On the other side of the Coalition North Tipp Fine Gael Deputy Noel Coonan has credited The Gathering with the increase in overseas visitors to Ireland, informing Tipp FM that the increase of 5.4%, announced by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) nationally is proof of what he is being told from business owners in Tipperary, that the Gathering has given tourism here a welcome shot in the arm. Here is a TD who obviously is unaware that at least 8 hotels in the county are in receivership with two now completely closed. He also has not read the Draft North Tipperary Tourism Strategy & Action Plan 2012 – 2014. Please, please, please take the time to skim down through this short draft document.
See page 6 [Table 1.1 Tourism Numbers in Mid West (Preliminary) 2010, Source Fáilte Ireland.]
The number of people visiting Ireland in the first half of this year, according to the Central Statistics Office possibly did increased by 5.4 % with those coming from north America up by over 15%, but how many of these statistics identify labourers and builders coming from Canada (Yes, latter is part of North America) as recent emigrants on a visit to their families back home. Note none of this 5.4 % increase certainly hit North Tipperary and British tourists fell by 1.1% nationally in April and June compared to last year, down from 735,200 to 726,900, despite the massive funding spent marketing by Tourism Ireland on just Dublin city alone.
It is also imperative that our readers see the funding handed out through Leader under the heading; (See pages 6 – 11 Inc.) North Tipperary LEADER Partnership, Summary of Tourism Related Rural Development Programme Investment, 2009.
Thurles Summer Arts Festival 2011 [Total Investment Cost or TIC] €24,009.18 – Thurles Halloween Festival 2012 (TIC) €67,472.50 – The Source Arts Centre, Thurles (TIC) €57,398.00. This financial figure does not include bucket collections on Liberty Square. Were any job’s created, was one tourist attracted I ask?
Yet, a call for the return of the Derrynaflan Chalice, latter stolen from our midst to assist and promote a Dublin economy, was found by North Tipperary Co Council, according to the same Deputy Noel Coonan, to be financially not viable and would cost €100,000 to accommodate here in Thurles.
Deputy Coonan it appears has not yet worked out that “Customers only create Jobs.”
Yes it appears our ‘know all,’ TD’s do not wish to listen or communicate with those who elected them, outside the precincts of the Dail Snug. Our voices are only required on voting day. Their deafness reminds me of the yarn told about an elderly grumpy member of our envied Irish justice system, who had a similar hearing problem.
“Have you anything to say before I pass sentence?” asked the Judge.
“Feck all,” said the defendant.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t hear that,” replied the ageing Judge, & turning to the Clerk of the Court, he enquired as to what the man had said.
“He said ‘Feck all,’ Your Honour,” responded the Courtroom official.
“Really?” puzzled the judge. “I could have sworn I saw his lips move.”
One of the world’s greatest social musical commentators, New Jersey and rock legend Bruce Springsteen is appearing in Kilkenny this evening. I am sure his first number as usual will be “Death To My Hometown.” Do you remember the lyrics ?:
“They destroyed our families’ factories and they took our homes,
They left our bodies on the plains, The vultures picked our bones,
So listen up, my Sonny boy, Be ready for when they come,
For they’ll be returning sure as the rising sun.“
[From Springsteen’s Album “Wrecking Ball.” (2012)]
 Revenue Commissioners According to a report on the website independent.ie, Revenue officials have carried out a search of the home of Independent Dail Deputy Mr Michael Lowry.
While a Revenue spokeswoman stated that the Revenue Commissioners would not comment on any individual cases, it is understood that officials called to his private home situated at Holycross, Co Tipperary, on Tuesday last.
It is also understood that a premises in Dublin was also visited as part of this search operation.
A former Chairman of the Fine Gael party, Mr Lowry also held the post of Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications between 1994 and 1996. Following revelations concerning certain aspects of his business affairs, he then resigned his Ministry in 1996, in some controversy.
Deputy Lowry was re-elected to represent the constituency of Tipperary North in the 2011 general election, heading the poll on the 1st count with 14,010 votes.
This same newspaper report states, that the Deputy could not be contacted for comment at either his Holycross home or his Thurles Constituency Office.
 North Tipperary County Councillor Seamus Hanifin, speaking with Dr James Reilly and assembled members of the Tipperary Centre for Independent Living at their headquarters in Stradavoher, Thurles, Tipperary, yesterday. (Photo courtesy G.Willoughby.) Minister for Health and Deputy Leader of Fine Gael, Dr James Reilly, visited the Tipperary Centre for Independent Living (TCIL) here in Thurles yesterday.
The Minister’s visit to the centre came about as a result of an invitation by North Tipperary County Councillor Mr Seamus Hanafin (Chairman of TCIL) and his Board of Directors, Mr Eamonn O’Dwyer, Cllr Mr Noel O’Dwyer, M/S Lucy McLaughlin, Mr Ger Sammon, and Mr Michael Hickey.
Cllr Hanafin warmly welcomed the Minister to the Tipperary Centre, and introduced him to the assembled gathering of Directors, the Management team of Pat Ryan, Anne Bolton, Lorraine Farrell, Mgt Moore, Gertie Moloney, employees and members.
Before taking the Minister on a tour of the facility, which includes a Computer Training Room, Beauty Therapy room, Wheelchair accessible Training Kitchen, Meeting room and a Function room, Cllr Hanafin spoke of the importance of TCIL to those experiencing isolation through, in particular, the lack of mobility.
Cllr Hanafin explained that TCIL is a service provider to the HSE through the Personal Support and Home Care Package with 120 Leaders around the county. They have 105 employees on a part time basis; all professionals, most with TCIL for many years and all of whom are nurtured and trained to the highest standards in keeping with the TCIL ethos of excellence and care, together with 25 people on two Community Employment Schemes, through the Dept of Social Protection. Between Thurles & Clonmel 500 hours per week / 25,000 hours per year of additional support is offered to people with disability, for their personal needs and social interaction and helping with continuous educational and training needs.
TCIL also run a fully wheelchair accessible Transport service in the county, which is subsidised to users for medical appointments, personal appointments and for social outings and occasions.
Cllr Hanafin stated: “The TCIL centre identifies a need to deal with isolation experienced by many and to provides a safe, suitable and accessible place for them to spend a few hours in a different environment and a place where they can provide other services and training. It has been a rip roaring success story, through the facilities and networking opportunities it presents to the different groups involved in the Voluntary Sector. We have the Irish Wheelchair Association on Fridays, Morehaven on Wednesdays, Edel McGarry operates the EMPLOY ABILITY service from here, Bernardos, Cabragh Resources, Thurles Lions Club all use our facilities and by sharing our resources we also share our experiences and we are as a consequence able to better deliver to our Leaders.
During the Minister’s visit Mr Mark Costigan spoke with Mr Bernard Gloster, HSE Area Manager, Mid West Region.
[audio:http://www.thurles.info/music/gloster.mp3|titles=|artists=]
M/s Edel Carey (left in red in picture shown above) from the Irish Wheelchair Association (IWA) also welcomed the opportunity to speak to Minister O’Reilly on behalf of the Friday IWA group, latter which meet weekly at the TCIL Centre in Thurles.
Edel said that in recent months following an Advocacy Training Programme (funded through the Centre for Independent Livings National Advisory Group), people with disabilities from both IWA and TCIL had come together to voice their concerns about proposed cuts to Mobility Allowance and the Motorised Transport Grant. She informed the minister that the group had met with five local representatives in recent weeks where views and opinions were made known and she asked Minister O’Reilly to consult with these public representatives to know what people with disabilities, living in rural Ireland, are currently feeling in relation to these cuts.
Edel thanked TCIL for the ongoing support they offer to the Friday Group and for the sharing of Resources that TCIL offer to other agencies within the Disability Sector. She concluded by thanking Minister O’Reilly for his time and for allowing her the opportunity to speak on behalf of the group.
Speaking later the Minister, who had earlier visited the Hospital of the Assumption, in Thurles, and had confirmed that 11 new staff would be appointed by September, which would in turn lead to the opening of 10 more beds, thanked Cllr Hanafin & complimented highly all those involved with the running of TCIL.
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