Thurles Information

Competition Launched To Appoint A Police Ombudsman.

GSOC to be reconstituted as Fiosrú headed by a Police Ombudsman and supported by a Deputy Police Ombudsman and CEO.
Fiosrú ‘s revised processes and procedures to increase efficiencies in resolution of complaints about An Garda Síochána.

The Minister for Justice, Mrs Helen McEntee TD has today launched a recruitment competition to appoint a Police Ombudsman, in accordance with the Policing, Security and the Community Safety Act 2024.
The competition will be conducted by the Public Appointments Service and the link to the competition can be found HERE.
As provided for in the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024, the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC) will be reconstituted as ‘Fiosrú’ (Name translated from Irish to English ‘Inquiry’), to on commencement of the Act, later this year. The current three Commissioner model will be replaced by a single head of the organisation, the Police Ombudsman, supported by a Deputy Police Ombudsman and a Chief Executive Officer.
GSOC has approximately 160 employees, at present, and has been provided with a budget of €19.6million for 2024, which is a 17% increase on the 2023 budget.

Speaking about the new role, Minister McEntee said,
“The position of Police Ombudsman in Fiosrú is critical to maintaining public confidence in An Garda Síochána into the future. It is a very important role which will require both dynamic leadership and the ability to manage change. The successful candidate will be required to guide a reorganised corporate body through a significant change in structure and expansion in remit, leading the organisation to achieve the very highest standards of service delivery, respectful of the rights of complainants and members of An Garda Síochána.”

Referring to the fact that the Act also provides for comprehensive reform of the current GSOC system, the Minister continued:
“The establishment of Fiosrú will build on the vital work carried out by GSOC since its establishment in 2007. Its development has been informed by the Commission on the Future of Policing’s recommendations on how an enhanced service can be provided. This is a pivotal time for policing reform in Ireland, with a suite of significant reform measures being implemented which will deliver longstanding benefits for the delivery of policing in Ireland.”

Under the Act, the independence, organisation, and governance of GSOC is addressed, with the new body, Fiosrú, expanding its remit and overhauling its processes and procedures.
The changes will ensure that all complaints, other than an agreed list of service level complaints, will be investigated by Fiosrú. This will result in more independent assessment of allegations of Garda wrong-doing, including those that are identified other than by way of complaints from members of the public.
Overall, the changes will greatly strengthen the existing mechanisms for Garda accountability, enhance transparency and improve efficiency of the complaints process. As was the case with GSOC, the Police Ombudsman, subject to the provisions of the Act, will be independent in the performance of his or her functions.

Note: The closing date for applications is 3:00pm, on Thursday, February 29th, 2024.

Research Shows High Trust In Food Safety In Ireland.

New research shows that consumers believe that food safety in Ireland has improved in the past five years, with some 9 in 10 people considering food in Ireland safe.
Comprehensive industry and consumer research undertaken by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) revealed today that overall food safety concerns by the food industry have also reduced due to what the industry perceives as robust regulations combined with their increased knowledge of food safety procedures and robust controls by food inspectors.

The FSAI national attitudinal research shows that the increased costs of doing business are cited by more than 3 in 4 (76%) of food businesses as the top issue affecting the industry and this is followed by concerns over the availability of staff (46%).
The research also highlights that despite increased confidence in Irish food being safe to eat, numerous food safety issues remain for food businesses.
Food allergens, food hygiene and handling, as well as food poisoning rank as the greatest food safety concerns for Irish food businesses, with over a third of food businesses listing these in their top three concerns.

The research was launched today by Minister Hildegarde Naughton, Minister of State with Responsibility for Public Health, Well-being & the National Drugs Strategy at the Department of Health who said: “It is a matter of pride that Ireland continues to be a leader in food safety matters. Our science and evidence-based approach to food safety maintains the integrity of, and trust in, our food chain. It is reassuring that this new research shows that consumers believe that food safety in Ireland has improved in the past five years. I applaud the FSAI for being proactive in undertaking this research – gauging industry and consumer priorities, and ensuring that our food safety systems are geared to meet our future needs.”

The FSAI undertook two comprehensive research surveys with both industry and consumers to seek attitudes on food safety, sustainable food, and food safety regulation. Overall, there is strong confidence in food safety measures among industry and consumers, with the industry also acknowledging the importance of food safety regulations in Ireland.

Dr Pamela Byrne, (CEO, FSAI) stated the research indicates that there is a strong trust in food safety amongst both industry and consumers. She also acknowledged there is some debate about sustainable foodstuffs and a divergence in consumers believing in the need for more food sustainability, but this is not making an impact on their purchasing decisions.

“Our research shows that confidence is high in the safety of our food in Ireland, something which is felt both by consumers and businesses, and is a reflection of the high standards in place by all those in the wider food industry. We also note that 3 in 4 businesses see the FSAI as having a role to play in supporting food businesses with food sustainability and in raising awareness of the need to move to more sustainable food production without compromising food safety. There is clear agreement too from consumers that the FSAI has a responsibility, with 7 in 10 (69%) citing that the FSAI should assist them in making more sustainable food choices (69%) and raise awareness of the need to move to more sustainability produced food without compromising food safety (77%).”

“The research findings also show that whilst sustainable packaging and recycling are areas where food businesses are making significant efforts, there are barriers to more widespread adaption of sustainability in food businesses. The barriers include cost and the fact the food industry perceives that sustainability is a low priority for consumers. This perception is then affirmed by our consumer research findings that even though over three-quarters of consumers cite the importance of food produced sustainably, just two in five consumers actually make decisions about food choices based on how sustainable a food product is,” says Dr Byrne.

The research reveals that some 3 in 5 food businesses claim that their company currently seeks to produce, source, or supply food more sustainably. Whilst 1 in 5 (21%) businesses expressed that sustainability initiatives make it harder to adhere to food safety regulations, almost 8 in 10 (79%) believe that supplying food more sustainably will have no impact on adhering to food safety regulations. From a sustainability perspective, most consumers, 3 in 4 (76%) say it is important that food is produced in a sustainable way. Whilst 3 in 4 (74%) consumers would like strict deadlines imposed on manufacturers to improve the use of plastic, there was a strong understanding of the importance of packaging in terms of food safety and authenticity (67%) and preserving shelf-life (63%).

Other key findings from the food businesses research reveal that overall, there are high levels of confidence in food safety measures for both the Irish food industry and those working in their specific sector, with nearly 9 out of 10 (87%) feeling confident in food safety standards. The industry cited carcinogenic or cancer-causing chemicals as a worry, with 1 in 3 (36%) citing them as a concern, with pesticides and antibiotic residues following close behind.

In terms of consumer trends, the research also found that some 4 in 10 (45%) people prepare meals at home from scratch using fresh ingredients daily and this rises to 7 in 10 (81%) doing so twice or three times per week. Some 3 in 10 (35%) order take away food at least weekly. Whilst almost 3 in 5 (56%) people check and adhere to use-by dates, a further 2 in 5 (40%) say that whilst they check them, they don’t always follow the product’s expiry dates.

“The FSAI is one of Europe’s first food safety regulatory agencies and over 9 out of 10 consumers in Ireland are aware of our role in protecting them in relation to food safety and that is to be warmly welcomed. Food businesses understand our role too and we will continue to be responsive to their concerns and available to them to advise them on compliance. The FSAI continues to work in partnership with Environmental Health Officers, veterinary inspectors and sea-fisheries inspection officers to ensure that food safety regulations are complied with, and that food produced in Ireland continues to maintain its reputation as being amongst the safest in the world,” concluded Dr Byrne.

Request For Tender For An Garda Síochána Body Worn Cameras.

Statement from the Minister for Justice on publication of a ‘Request for Tender’ for Body Worn Cameras by An Garda Síochána.

Minister for Justice Mrs Helen McEntee has stated, “The government is committed to ensuring An Garda Síochána have the resources, the equipment and the technology necessary to build stronger, safer communities. This includes ensuring that Gardaí have body worn cameras, which has been a priority of mine for some time.
This Request for Tender for the procurement of Body Worn Cameras (BWC) represents another important step forward in our fight against crime.
Body cameras will be an important tool in An Garda Síochána’s armour as they fight crime, and the Recording Devices Bill, which I brought through the Houses last year, laid the groundwork for this announcement. Procuring cameras for these pilots now means that before the Summer there will be cameras on Gardaí in Limerick and Waterford, as well as two areas of Dublin City, ahead of a nation-wide roll-out.
These trials will give Gardaí a chance to understand fully what the cameras can offer, and also allow the public to provide feedback, before we roll them out across the full organisation.
The cameras will be small, lightweight, and visible and based on the experiences of other police services internationally, they will enhance accountability, reduce challenges around arrests and reduce complaints of Garda misconduct”.

Mrs McEntee continued, “We also expect they will save time in court preparation and appearances, lower costs for investigations and court appearances and improve An Garda Síochána’s ability to collect evidence for trial. All footage recorded by the cameras will be deleted after an agreed time period if not required as evidence.
Most importantly, body worn cameras will better protect victims and improve safety for Gardaí”.

Updated Warning By Food Safety Authority of Ireland

Food Safety Authority of Ireland have further updated a previous warning regarding the possible presence of peanuts and crustaceans in various Jin Xuan Boa Mooncake products

Alert Summary dated Thursday, 08 February 2024

Allergy Alert Notification: 2024.A07 (Update)
Allergens: Peanuts and Crustaceans
Product Identification; Batch Code and Best Before Date: Please see hereunder.
Product Pack size Best before date
Jin Xuan Bao Mooncake Deluxe Assorted – 910g – 31/12/2024
Jin Xuan Bao Mooncake Durian 2 Yolks – 750g – 31/12/2024
Jin Xuan Bao Mooncake Taro 1 Yolk – 750g – 31/12/2024
Jin Xuan Bao Mooncake Nuts 2 Yolks – 750g – 31/12/2024
Jin Xuan Bao Mooncake Yellow Custard – 480g – 31/12/2024
Jin Xuan Bao Mooncake White Lotus Paste 2 Yolks – 750g – 31/12/2024
Jin Xuan Bao Mooncake Red Bean Paste 2 Yolks (2024.A07) – 750g – 31/12/2024
Jin Xuan Bao Mooncake Black Sesame 1 Yolk (2024.A07) – 750g – 31/12/2024
Jin Xuan Bao Mooncake 7 Assorted (2024.A07) – 710g – 31/12/2024

Country Of Origin: China

Message:
Further to FSAI food allergen alerts 2024.A07, the below batches of Jin Xuan Bao Mooncake products may contain peanuts and crustaceans which are not declared in the list of ingredients. This may make the batches unsafe for consumers who are allergic to or intolerant of peanuts and / or crustaceans.

Future Death Inevitable If Neglect Of Mill Road, Thurles Continues.

The pictures hereunder show the state of neglect of Thurles by Tipperary Co. Council, as was observed on Tuesday last, along less than a 40 kilometre (¼ ml) stretch of the Mill Road, here in Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

The first picture, hereunder, demonstrates what is left of repairs undertaken by Tipperary Co. Council only a few weeks ago. Here over the past 4 years it has become obvious that this Mill Road surface is slowly sinking into the River Drish.

**Mill Road sinking into the River Drish.**
*Pic: G. Willoughby.*

Since the half upgrading of Liberty Square, (For the benefit of non residents, latter is situated in the town centre), a considerable volume of traffic including heavy duty vehicles, now veer off to use this route to avoid inevitable delays, now an everyday occurrence, when attempting to enter into the town centre.

Most traffic travelling on the Mill Road route do so in breach of existing speed limits, resulting in some 3 single vehicle collisions in as many months.
Evidence of this can be viewed, hereunder, in picture number two, where a motor vehicle has, in recent days, been removed, having collided with a signpost, leaving crash debris scattered nearby.

**Evidence of one of 3 single vehicle collisions, which occurred in recent months on the Mill Road, Thurles**.
*Pic: G. Willoughby.*

On Tuesday morning last many areas of the town were flooded, (see picture three hereunder), mainly due to the failure by Thurles Municipal Council to provide staff to clean out drains; not only in our streets, but also on this same Mill Road area.

**Cathedral Street Floods again due to water flowing past clogged drains from top of Kickham Street to Barry’s Bridge area, before crossing into the area east of** **‘The Source**‘ **building.**
*Pic: G. Willoughby.*

On the Mill Road, picture four shows the road flooded at the narrow bridge which crosses the River Breagagh. This flooded area sits just 4 meters (15 ft) from the river ‘s edge which is not, itself in anyway flooded, and for the past 3 years Tipperary Co. Council has failed to dig a small trench, to allow the flood water escape into the river.
This stretch of roadway now prevents all use to school going students and other pedestrians, unless those who are wearing wellingtons.

**Mill Road junction flooded just just 4 meters *(15 ft)* from the River Breagagh**.

Soon this road surface will disintegrate, resulting in yet another resurfacing project and the continued wasting of public money, by Tipperary Co. Council.