iPods fuel Guinness decline
Irish drink less Black Stuff shock
THE IRISH ARE drinking less Guinness - official. Figures just released by Diageo - the company which owns Ireland's national tipple - show that sales slumped by six per cent.
The reason? Paul Walsh, Diageo's CEO, revealed that the typical 21 to 25 year old is failing to follow his father's footsteps down to the pub. Instead, "They're often putting their money into electronic stuff such as iPODs," Walsh told the FT.
The more cynical amongst us suspect that's only half the truth. The health Nazis have scored a major victory as the ban on smoking in pubs - recently enforced in Eire - is beginning to hit home.
The INQ hears rumours that Ireland might be surpassed as the biggest consumer of Guinness. Anecdotal evidence suggests a Guinness plant in Lagos, Nigeria is going great guns and is already the second largest Guinness brewer. Worse still, African Guinness is sweeter than normal. A sort of New Guinness to Ireland's classic Guinness.
Whilst we're on the subject of sacrilege, the INQ has toured Dublin's Guinness brewery and was told categorically that Guinness isn't made from Liffe water and never was. Worse still, it was first brewed in Park Royal, London.
Whatever next? Guinness served in two litre glasses? µ
Friday, January 14, 2005
Thursday, January 13, 2005
High Pressure in Hospitals
The management consultant, David Hanly, who was appointed to help implement reform of the acute hospital service, has confirmed that his contract has not been renewed by the Department of Health and Children.
Mr Hanly chaired the Hanly Report, which was published in June 2003 as the Government's blueprint for a new hospital system.
Mr Hanly told RTÉ News he had not formally met the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children, Mary Harney, to discuss the matter.
He said he 'assumed' that his contract had been allowed expire due to the impasse with consultants in a row over medical malpractice insurance.
Mr Hanly said the reforms were 'on ice' due to the dispute with consultants, who are not co-operating with the Hanly pilot projects in two health regions.
Mr Hanly's view was backed up by a spokesperson for the Department of Health, who said that the Hanly Two group had not been able to make any progress on a national plan for hospital services due to the dispute with consultants.
There has also been controversy over the Acute Hospital Review Group which is also due to prepare a plan for the country. That review group has never met.
The Hanly Report proposes a smaller number of major hospitals with full A&E units and a different role for other hospitals.
It recommends a new role for consultants and a method for the implementation of the 48-hour working week for junior doctors.
The management consultant, David Hanly, who was appointed to help implement reform of the acute hospital service, has confirmed that his contract has not been renewed by the Department of Health and Children.
Mr Hanly chaired the Hanly Report, which was published in June 2003 as the Government's blueprint for a new hospital system.
Mr Hanly told RTÉ News he had not formally met the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children, Mary Harney, to discuss the matter.
He said he 'assumed' that his contract had been allowed expire due to the impasse with consultants in a row over medical malpractice insurance.
Mr Hanly said the reforms were 'on ice' due to the dispute with consultants, who are not co-operating with the Hanly pilot projects in two health regions.
Mr Hanly's view was backed up by a spokesperson for the Department of Health, who said that the Hanly Two group had not been able to make any progress on a national plan for hospital services due to the dispute with consultants.
There has also been controversy over the Acute Hospital Review Group which is also due to prepare a plan for the country. That review group has never met.
The Hanly Report proposes a smaller number of major hospitals with full A&E units and a different role for other hospitals.
It recommends a new role for consultants and a method for the implementation of the 48-hour working week for junior doctors.
Sara Lee to close Killarney factory
ara Lee Corporation has announced that over 92 jobs are to be lost at their Killarney site in Co Kerry.
The company, which manufactures ladies apparel, is to close within the next two months.
In a statement, the company blamed the current over supply of its product in the market for the closure.
It also said it would be providing an employee support programme to assist all factory staff in securing alternative employment.
ara Lee Corporation has announced that over 92 jobs are to be lost at their Killarney site in Co Kerry.
The company, which manufactures ladies apparel, is to close within the next two months.
In a statement, the company blamed the current over supply of its product in the market for the closure.
It also said it would be providing an employee support programme to assist all factory staff in securing alternative employment.
Tuesday, January 11, 2005
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