Recent posts

#1
General discussion / Re: The Fine Gael thread
Last post by Eire90 - Today at 12:12:45 PM
https://www.irishtimes.com/politics/2024/03/28/mass-influx-of-refugees-due-to-european-war-seen-as-potential-risk-to-ireland/

A mass influx of refugees due to a potential European war is one of the key risks facing Ireland, according to the latest Government risk assessment.

In its first National Risk Assessment in four years, the Government views such a risk as "very likely" and has raised concerns about the impact on the economy.

For the first time, the National Risk Assessment, which will be published on Thursday, includes "mass inward population displacement" as a major potential threat to the country.

According to the assessment, which was drafted by the Office of Emergency Planning in the Department of Defence as well as experts from other Government departments, the "reasonable worst-case scenario" is a "mass inward population influx, coupled with an increase in international protection applicants, impacting the carrying capacity of the economy".
#2
General discussion / Re: extortion
Last post by Franko - Today at 12:12:11 PM
We're veering off into another discussion here.

If Beannchor pubs can set prices at 'whatever they want' and people still pay it then the reason can only be because they are the best pubs so still attract the punters despite the gouging.

If others can't do the same it's because whatever they offer isn't at the same level and therefore, for them, a price increase = lost customers

If Beannchor can make MASSIVE returns out of the pub/restaurant/hotel game in Belfast, then there's no reason others can't.

It's not up to the taxpayer or ratepayer to subsidise these sub-standard outlets.  Or to add another few hundred grand to Bill Wolseys annual dividend for that matter.

And if there are too many pubs and restaurants in Belfast and supply exceeds demand... well tough toddy... a few of them will have to close.
#3
GAA Discussion / Re: NFL Division 1 2024
Last post by marty34 - Today at 12:10:01 PM
Quote from: shawshank on Today at 11:32:45 AM
Quote from: phpearse on Today at 10:32:24 AMhttps://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/2019/0330/1039632-derry-see-off-dogged-leitrim-to-take-division-4-crown/

Just 5 years ago. In fairness some turn around in fortunes for Derry but they never were a division 4 side anyway.

Just four players from that starting team still playing. The new players introduced improved the quality significantly.

Fair play to Leitrim.

A small county population wise and club wise as well as being hit hard by emmigration and lads working away from home etc.

Great to see them play in Croke Park. 
#4
GAA Discussion / Re: NFL Division 1 2024
Last post by JoG2 - Today at 12:01:40 PM
Quote from: Blowitupref on Today at 10:49:04 AM
Quote from: les Antiques on March 27, 2024, 01:12:54 PM
Quote from: Blowitupref on March 27, 2024, 12:37:46 PM
Quote from: toby47 on March 27, 2024, 09:09:42 AMHow many do we expect to be in Croke Part on Sunday?

According to Crokepark.ie they are expecting 40k and 10k for Saturday.

Optimistic on both counts from Crokepark.ie in my opinion.
They are never far wrong with their expected crowds.

Emmm.. Chances are the upper decks will remain closed
#5
GAA Discussion / Re: 2024 League Competition......
Last post by Gael85 - Today at 11:57:19 AM
Dublin v Derry - Derry by 2
Armagh v Donegal - Donegal by 2
Westmeath v Down - Down by 4
Laois v Leitrim - Laois by 6
#6
GAA Discussion / Re: Sigerson Cup 2024
Last post by Blowitupref - Today at 11:47:46 AM
Team of the year published today.

1. Conor Flaherty (UL, Claregalway & Galway)

2. Mark Dempsey (UL, Moorefield & Kildare)

3. Ryan Magill (UU, Burren & Down)

4. Josh Largo Ellis (UU, Irvinestown & Fermanagh)

5. Donncha Gilmore (UCD, Steelstown & Derry)

6. Ronan Mc Caffrey (UU, Teemore Shamrocks & Fermanagh)

7. Ben Mc Carron (UU, Steelstown & Derry)

8. Jonathan Lynam (UCD, The Downs & Westmeath)

9. Oisín McCann (UU, Killyclogher & Tyrone)

10. Eoghan Frayne (Maynooth, Summerhill & Meath)

11. Dáire Cregg (UCD, Boyle & Roscommon)

12. Aaron Lynch (UCD, Trim & Meath)

13. David Garland (UCD, Donaghmoyne & Monaghan)

14. Niall Loughlin (UU, Greenlough & Derry)

15. Darragh Canavan (UU, Errigal Ciarán & Tyrone)
#7
General discussion / Re: The Fine Gael thread
Last post by AustinPowers - Today at 11:34:03 AM
Quote from: From the Bunker on Today at 10:52:12 AMSinn Fein are proving they are just in the main a bunch of mostly elected nobodies who see which way the wind is blowing.

Isn't that the way with all parties?

Look at the post  office scandal in recent weeks.  Those people got no support  from government/politicians for years , then  after that  TV show airs, politicians are  tripping over each other to be seen to be apologising and  saying all the right things.
#8
GAA Discussion / Re: NFL Division 1 2024
Last post by shawshank - Today at 11:32:45 AM
Quote from: phpearse on Today at 10:32:24 AMhttps://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/2019/0330/1039632-derry-see-off-dogged-leitrim-to-take-division-4-crown/

Just 5 years ago. In fairness some turn around in fortunes for Derry but they never were a division 4 side anyway.

Just four players from that starting team still playing. The new players introduced improved the quality significantly.
#9
General discussion / Re: extortion
Last post by general_lee - Today at 11:16:46 AM
Quote from: Franko on Today at 10:26:05 AM
Quote from: general_lee on March 27, 2024, 10:26:12 PM
Quote from: Tony Baloney on March 27, 2024, 01:53:24 PM
Quote from: general_lee on March 27, 2024, 12:11:01 PMSo why is a pint in Belfast £6+?
Is it solely because of some imaginary cabal price gouging (see Beannchor) or is there actually more to it?

Belfast city centre pubs pay 20% VAT, in Dublin it's 13.5% (was 9%). UKGov refuses to reduce VAT for hospitality & tourism.

There is no rates relief in Belfast city centre (or NI) for hospitality businesses that is available elsewhere in the UK. So when the council raise their non-domestic rates, pubs and restaurants here get slaughtered.

Despite handsome profits last year, Diageo have announced their latest price increase - this is the one that makes the news but other breweries and suppliers have also put their prices up in the past 12 months.

Many Belfast city centre pubs employ people on minimum wage. When that goes up next month, they will be paying their bar staff more. They then have to pay supervisors, managers etc more as well. If they hire external contractors such as a cleaning company, that bill will also increase.

Wetherspoons, despite being a messy, under-staffed, McDonald's that serves alcohol and cheap, nasty food, has still increased prices twice in the last 6 months. The industry is fucked.
I was in Belfast over the weekend and plenty of hoardings up around construction sites for new "coming soon" bars, restaurants etc. You'd think Belfast is a saturated market but business owners must think there is profit to be made from the tourist sector in particular.
They'll be heavily backed by whatever group they're owned by so not as much risk attached, compare that
Quote from: Franko on March 27, 2024, 04:14:14 PM
Quote from: general_lee on March 27, 2024, 12:11:01 PMSo why is a pint in Belfast £6+?
Is it solely because of some imaginary cabal price gouging (see Beannchor) or is there actually more to it?

Belfast city centre pubs pay 20% VAT, in Dublin it's 13.5% (was 9%). UKGov refuses to reduce VAT for hospitality & tourism.

There is no rates relief in Belfast city centre (or NI) for hospitality businesses that is available elsewhere in the UK. So when the council raise their non-domestic rates, pubs and restaurants here get slaughtered.

Despite handsome profits last year, Diageo have announced their latest price increase - this is the one that makes the news but other breweries and suppliers have also put their prices up in the past 12 months.

Many Belfast city centre pubs employ people on minimum wage. When that goes up next month, they will be paying their bar staff more. They then have to pay supervisors, managers etc more as well. If they hire external contractors such as a cleaning company, that bill will also increase.

Wetherspoons, despite being a messy, under-staffed, McDonald's that serves alcohol and cheap, nasty food, has still increased prices twice in the last 6 months. The industry is fucked.

Bollocks

As someone pointed out, Beannchor Group posted a 5m (net... I repeat net) profit after tax on a 28m turnover in 2022.

They are printing money

And wanting an already underfunded BCC to put the cherry on top
Beannchor are the cabal. They can set prices to whatever they want in their establishments and people will pay it. A few others often follow suit but that's a lot different to saying the Downeys, Conlons etc are all in on it.

The size of the Beannchor group is largely irrelevant

If they "can set prices to whatever they want in their establishments and people will pay it" then why can't others?

It's not as if the people of Belfast flock to Bill Wolsey's pubs out of love for the man
That's like saying if Diaego announce a price increase, why don't Heineken? Or Tennents?

The size of the group is very much relevant, more so when they have 3 or 4 outlets slap bang in the Cathedral Quarter - two of which happen to be arguably the most popular bars in Belfast. If all 4 start charging a premium for a pint and one outlet struggles (unlikely), it's no major problem as it can be easily offset by the other 3 that are probably raking it in.

The Downeys might hypothetically see the Dirty Onion next door up their prices and think they want a slice of the action, and both bars will probably get away with it. That's not the same as them all sitting around with Colin Neill at the head of the table deciding how much the next price increase will be, as some people seem to suggest.
#10
Laois / Re: Underage squads 2024
Last post by redsetanta - Today at 11:00:47 AM
That game againt the Dubs last night was a tough experience for our lads.

They were blitzed in the first half. Dublin far superior with and without the ball. Don't think they lost one of their own kickouts and turned over plenty of ours.

In fairness to the Laois lads they made a game of the second half and outscored the Dubs.

Next up is Offaly next Wednesday evening. The loser of that one will be out.

Hopefully our lads bounce back.

Big crowd there yesterday but not an ideal spot to hold such a game.