NO GOOD NEWS FOR RETAILERS AT DARVER GAA FUNDRAISER
April 2009
There is little that can be done from an EU perspective to help Dundalk retailers who are being hit by a downturn in business because of people heading north to do their shopping, Ireland’s EU Commissioner Charlie McCreevy tells a fundraising breakfast in the Fairways Hotel on Friday.
Mr McCreevy is speaking on the theme of ‘ the recovery of the global economy’ at the event in aid of the Darver GAA Centre of Excellence.
The difficulty facing Dundalk businesses is highlighted by Paddy Malone, Vice President of Dundalk Chamber of Commerce during a question-and-answer session which follows the commissioner’s speech.
Mr McCreevy acknowledges that special buses are being organised from his own county, Kildare, for people to travel to Northern Ireland to do their shopping.
However, he says unless there is evidence of unfair competition there is nothing the EU could do to arrest the situation.
Mr Malone is not happy with the commissioner saying it is up to others to prove there is unfair competition.
‘ There is a de facto case for the EU Commission to investigate and do something about it.’
He continues it is clear there is a problem when you had a 13-mile queue to Newry on Good Friday.
‘ The VAT on food in both jurisdictions is zero, so why the discrepancy?’
Early risers pay €75 a head to hear Mr McCreevy who proves an affable guest and recalls many pleasant visits to the Wee County as well as one in particular which is not so memorable, namely Louth’s shock defeat of Kildare in the 1991 Leinster Championship when great things were expected of the Lilywhites under new manager Mick O’Dwyer.
A famous two-goal burst from Stefan White put paid to Kildare’s ambitions that year.
Seamus Kirk TD of the Darver Committee organised the event, and Mr McCreevy says he is only too delighted to travel to the north east to fulfil the engagement for a great friend of his over the years.
Mr Kirk informs the attendance that €6 million has been spent to date on the 35-acre site just off the Ardee Road, and while it is primarily a centre of excellence for the GAA, it also has a role in the community during the off-peak midweek hours of 9am to 6pm.
In that regard he believes the Darver centre could become a great recreational facility for Louth’s over 65 population of 11,000 which is increasing ‘with many of us in the queue to join!’
With local and EU elections fast approaching, Paddy Oliver, chairman of Louth GAA County Board, has a special word for guests Minister for Justice Dermot Ahern, MEP Mairead McGuinness and local councillors.
The St Patrick’s clubman notes the GAA was founded 125 years ago as Ireland emerged from the devastation of the Great Famine, and it was responsible for putting backbone into the country.
At the association’s core is its volunteerism and the amateur status of the players, and he shoots a warning across the bows of candidates in election year by asserting that the GAA must continue to get Government funding.