Full report

‘Use caution’ when buying from UK during online sales

NOVEMBER 26 is Black Friday which will bring a raft of bargains for Irish consumers but with the UK no longer part of the EU there are now signi cant changes for consumer rights when buying from retailers in the UK, and not just on Black Friday.

Ireland South MEP Deirdre Clune has urged shoppers to be very aware when shopping online in the Black Friday and the New Year sales. Changes are also in place when it comes to sending parcels to the UK so it is vital consumers are aware of the new rules.

Ms Clune, a member of the European Parliament Committee on Internal Market and Consumer A airs, said: “Black Friday can be very bene cial for those looking for a bargain but things are very di erent now for shoppers when it comes to buying from the UK. ere are also changes when it comes to sending parcels to the UK so it is so important to be aware of the changes so that shoppers are not hit with unforeseen extra charges. Consumers need to be mindful that additional charges such as custom duties or vat may now apply to goods purchased from the UK.

“When a consumer shops online from a business in the EU, they have strong consumer rights under EU consumer protection legislation. However consumers no longer automatically have these rights when buying from a UK based business,” she told e Kilkenny Observer.

“I would urge shoppers to nd out where the business they are buying from is located. It is not enough that the website has a .ie domain name or that prices are in euro as the business could still be located in the UK. It is important, if in doubt to check the T&Cs on the website for their physical location.” * For more information check out ccpc.ie which is the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission.

Govt ‘has to heed strong message’ of our farmers

IFA President Tim Cullinan has said the recent ‘Save Irish Farming’ rally in Dublin sent a strong message to the Government that negotiation with farmers on their future has to take place.

He was speaking after a convoy of tractors and farm machinery travelled from the Irish Farm Centre to Merrion Square.

“Due to Covid restrictions, we had to modify our event from a farm family rally to a convoy of vehicles. Farmers drove from every corner of the country,” he said.

“Farm families are genuinely concerned about their future. Equally, there is deep frustration that every policy of this Government, including their proposed National Strategic Plan for the next CAP, is designed to reduce production. Farmers are being asked to do more and more for less,” he said.

Mr Cullinan said proper engagement with farm leaders was needed to negotiate a farm-level plan that farmers can implement. To date, nothing had been forthcoming from the Government. Minister McConalogue could not continue to avoid the views of farmers before he finalises plans next month.S

The IFA President said farmers were very conscious of the climate challenge, and they want to play their part. But this Government had no plan. Farmers were being talked at, rather than talked to. “The Government needs to provide more funding, including a properly-funded Common Agricultural Policy, to ensure that farmers can take on the climate challenge while remaining viable,” he said.

“Currently, only 30% of farmers in Ireland are viable, and the Government’s policies will make more family farms unviable,” he said.

“The farming and food sector employs 300,000 people across the country, and we contributed €13bn in exports in 2020. We will not be ignored or pushed aside,” said the IFA President.

The reality was that if food was not produced in Ireland, it would be produced in countries with a higher carbon footprint such as Brazil, where it was reported this week that 13,235 square kilometres of rainforest were cleared in 2020/2021.”

“Farming is a business activity, and farmers will not stay at it unless they can make a profit and make a living for their families,” he said.

WHERE FARMING STANDS ....

• Outside of Dublin and the mid-east region, the sector provides between 10% and 14% of employment. The agri-food sector makes a significant contribution to employment in rural and coastal areas in particular. • The average herd size in Ireland is 70 cattle. • The Irish climate and land are ideally suited to our grass-based production system. Ireland’s milk is the most carbon-e cient in the European Union and the 5th most e cient in beef (source: EU

Joint Research Centre). • Irish dairy herds graze open pastures for an average of 240 days of the year, enjoying a diet that’s 95%* grass and grass-based forage. • Irish beef herds graze open pastures for an average of 233 days of the year, enjoying a diet that’s 95%* grass and grass-based forage. • There are significant scientific developments happening in farming to reduce methane output per animal and other emissions. • The contribution of biochemical methane (from cattle) to global warming is also being reviewed at international level.

World Children’s Day: Our Darragh (12) on life after his major scoliosis surgery

KILKENNY native Darragh Cahill (12) joined seven other young speakers at the recent Child Talks 2021, an annual event hosted by the Ombudsman for Children’s O ce to mark World Children’s Day. Following a devastating 18 months for children and young people, Child Talks 2021 gave children an opportunity to have their say on the impact the pandemic has had on their mental health,

Darragh (pictured) took to the stage at the RDS in Dublin to talk about what happens to a soccer loving young boy living with scoliosis after he nally undergoes the long awaited surgery that changes his life for the better. e event will be streamed live on www.oco.ie. In keeping with this year’s theme, children aged 10 to 17 shared their ‘Hopes For e Future’ and called on those in positions of power, to listen and to learn from what they have to say.

Dr Niall Muldoon, the Ombudsman for Children said: “Children have been through so much since March 2020 – they have missed out, fallen behind and taken the blame.

“ e theme of this year’s Child Talks is My Hopes for the Future and it is inspiring to hear how our young people are dealing with challenges and looking forward. “ is year’s speakers brought so much hope and positivity highlighting the strength of our young people.” Child Talks 2021 was presented by former speakers Katherine Amusan (17) and Oisin Putt (19) and was watched by students across the country.

Other speakers included Angelica Foley (17) from Wicklow who told a story about fast fashion and how she struggled to nd a way to make a personal di erence in the face of such a huge global issue.

Franny Raven (16), also from Wicklow, told about her daily struggle with people that led to her leaving school early. However during lockdown, a passion for animals inspired her to reach out, make friends and reconnect with the world again.

Fair now cancelled

IN the interests of health and safety, L’Arche community has cancelled their Christmas Fair. Tickets for the ra e and all the usual fair items can be purchased from the L’Arche Christmas Shop (open seven days a week from this weekend onwards 10am-2pm) located by the main building in Green Lane, Callan, Co Kilkenny, R95FP27; in the Garden Stall beside Moor eld House, in Kilmoganny (across from Garda Station) and in the Pop-up Shop that will open later in December.

THIS WEEK, in our look at the recently published book of poetry and prose by e Kilkenny Involvement Centre and e Recovery College, we feature the work of Mai Dormer, Fin Dowling and Suzy Du y. anks to T.A.S.K and Ed Murphy for photos.

Much More Than Words

If ever a book deserved the award for ‘ e Perfect Title’ surely that accolade must go to a new compilation of poetry Much More an Words. Indeed its very title describes comprehensively the diversity of the treasures to be discovered within its covers. is volume of carefully crafted poems, interspersed with prose and enhanced with well-chosen images, is the second collection produced by e Involvement Centre Kilkenny and the rst in a joint venture with e Recovery College. e Kilkenny Observer Newspaper is delighted to promote the work of e Involvement Centre and e Recovery College, and so, will publish a selection of their work over the coming months. ‘Much More Than Words’ can

be purchased at the following Kilkenny outlets: Bargain Books, The Butterslip Khans Bookshop, James’ Street & The Book Centre, High Street. Price: €10

Mai Dormer

Saints of my Time

I walk a lime tree avenue Stand by graves of loved ones Whisper a prayer Follow the sound of the church bell Bless myself with holy water Go to the same seat as always Mooch in pocket or purse Light candles of petition Images of another era oat my mind Women head scarfed and shawled Placing their worries before the Sacred Heart and Our Lady Rosary beads thumbed and colour faded Prayer books worn from used prayer In the silence of this sacred space I glimpse the saints of my time

Mai Dormer

Fin Dowling

Rome, Home, Poem

I saw him late, stood still by some cold river Shoes too wet to remove Removing would freshen the state A state starved to improve e moon held exactly where it had to, Hung still in the darkness, as it sat in the water It’s steady gaze indi erent, He was obliged to apathy just the same

Starved of softened passion, that kind re, He searched in the second hand droplets And wondered if anyone thought he expressed that light, As the Moon expressed the hidden Sun Far too late for such a thought Far too early to know the answer Regardless, e light wouldn’t be his own, nor the river’s, nor the moon’s Perhaps he knew that And on a nal meander towards his mew He wondered if the heat had escaped him, Or the cold slipped through. Far too late for such a thought, but he thought he knew For he had long since felt his innocence Drowned By some inevitable tide Not quite blood dimmed No cruel, slouching hide But a slow ebbing of association, A lack of honourable conviction.

Fin Dowling

Suzy Du y

Today I am in Charge

I am stronger than I used to be, I would hide in the shadows, Hoping people would not see, Little old me. Now I am in more control, I am determined Not to lose control, To step out of balance, is is a no. Today I am in charge of my life, I have less stress and strife, I am more con dent today, I can look you in the eye, I am not afraid, To openly say, What is on my mind today.

Suzy Du y