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Nine Enforcement Orders Served on Food Businesses in May
The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) today reported that nine Enforcement Orders were served on food businesses during the month of May for breaches of food safety legislation, pursuant to the FSAI Act, 1998 and the European Union (Official Controls in Relation to Food Legislation) Regulations, 2020. The Closure Orders were issued by Environmental Health Officers in the Health Service Executive (HSE).
Four Closure Orders were served under the European Union (Official Controls in Relation to Food Legislation) Regulations, 2020 on:
· Johnson Best Food African Take Away, 86 Summerhill, Summerhill, Dublin 1
· Dublin Pizza Company (take away), 32 Aungier Street & 35 Aungier Street, Dublin 2
· Mizzonis Pizza (take away), 15 Prospect Road, Glasnevin, Dublin 9
· D1 Cafe and Bakery, 52 Dorset Street Lower, Dublin 1
Two Closure Orders were served under the FSAI Act 1998 on:
· Istanbul Bite (Closed area: boiler room and potato peeling room) (take away), Upper Cork Hill, Youghal, Cork
· Applegreen Cobh (fuel pumps external to the shops are not subject to this Closure Order), Tiknock, Cobh, Cork
Two Prohibition Orders were served under the European Union (Official Controls in Relation to Food Legislation) Regulations, 2020 on:
· Fresh Oriental Store Limited, 30-32 Abbey Street Upper, Dublin 1
· Johnson Best Food African Take Away, 86 Summerhill, Dublin 1
One Prohibition Order was served under the FSAI Act, 1998, on:
· The Village Grocer, Upper Main Street, Ballyporeen, Tipperary
Some of the reasons for the Enforcement Orders in May include: evidence of rodent infestation, including dead rodents in multiple areas, including under a fridge and under shelves on the shop floor; raw fish defrosting at room temperature in a dirty container on the floor of the kitchen area; accumulation of dirt, cobwebs and dead insects on floors; inadequate cleaning and a build-up of waste stored in a room next to toilets with foul odour and flies present; no hot water, soap or paper towels available at the wash hand basin in the staff toilet; absence of an adequate food safety culture particularly regarding training of staff.
Dr Pamela Byrne, Chief Executive, FSAI, said that breaches of food safety legislation pose a real danger to consumer health.
“This month has seen a decrease in Closure Orders from April, with a reduction of over 50% in orders served. However, the fact remains that food safety is not an optional luxury when operating a food business. It is a legal requirement in food law to protect the health of consumers. By neglecting to uphold basic food safety and hygiene standards, a business not only jeopardises the health of its customers, but also risks damaging its own reputation as a trustworthy food business. The food industry must continue to improve its adherence to food safety legislation to ensure consumers’ health is protected.”
Details of the food businesses served with Enforcement Orders are published on the FSAI’s website at www.fsai.ie. Closure Orders and Improvement Orders will remain listed in the enforcement reports on the website for a period of three months from the date of when a premises is adjudged to have corrected its food safety issue, with Prohibition Orders being listed for a period of one month from the date the Order was lifted.
It’s Aprons at Dawn as Eric Roberts and Holly Carpenter Take on ‘Ready Steady Taste’ Challenge at Taste of Dublin
Taste of Dublin today announces well-known personalities Eric Roberts and Holly Carpenter are set to battle it out at the ‘Ready, Steady, Taste’ cooking challenge at this year’s festival. The iconic food and culture festival, brought to you for 2024 by JYSK, returns from the 13th – 16th June in the surroundings of its new location in Dublin’s Merrion Square. Over 34,000 people are expected to attend the event over the four days.
Irish comedy and style are set to collide with the culinary world in what is predicted to be the ultimate battle of wills as these celebrities compete to be crowned ‘Ready, Steady, Taste’ champion 2024. Roberts and Carpenter will go head-to-head in a live cook-off in the new M&S Food Chef’s Kitchen during the afternoon session on Thursday, June 13th.
The celebrities will be guided by well-known TV chef Edward Hayden, who will be on hand to oversee the creation of their culinary delights. This unmissable cook-off promises an explosive mix of kitchen commotion, culinary mishaps and lots of laughs!
Commenting, Jo Mathews, CEO of Equinox Events said: We are so excited to have Eric and Holly take part in this year’s ‘Ready, Steady, Taste’ live cooking challenge. We wish both personalities the very best of luck and may the best chef claim the crown on the day!
For more information or to purchase tickets for this year’s event, visit tasteofdublin.ie.
Transformative Investment from IBM Ireland to Create Up to 800 High Value Tech Jobs
- Landmark agreement will focus on growth areas of Security, Automation and Hybrid Cloud – underpinned by Generative AI.
- The new roles will be in high value R&D and digital sales and consulting roles delivered across Dublin, Cork and Waterford.
Technology giant IBM Ireland today announced a new investment that will create up to 800 high-tech jobs across Ireland, helping build advanced software underpinned by the latest Artificial Intelligence technologies to advance Security, Automation and Hybrid Cloud. The AI technology will include foundational and Large Language Models that are key for Generative AI.
The investment will create hundreds of roles in research and development, as well as digital sales and consulting; and see Ireland continue to be among IBM’s strategic locations globally. The roles will be created across IBM sites in Dublin, Cork and at IBM’s subsidiary, Red Hat, located in Waterford.
The new staff will join IBM’s and Red Hat’s vibrant and diverse workforce, and help enhance Ireland’s rich and highly skilled technology talent pool that supports employment in knowledge-intensive and high-technology sectors. As the EU leader for the number of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) graduates per capita, Ireland has a talent pipeline fuelled by skilled young people while educators collaborate with industry to provide the skills needed in the future.
IBM has been in Ireland for more than 65 years during which time it has continually evolved its operations and capabilities to support the company’s global strategy. Today, IBM’s operations in Ireland help clients across key sectors such as financial services and healthcare streamline their business processes, increase productivity and gain competitive advantage through technology. Ireland is also host to IBM Research’s only facility in the EU.
The three-year investment is supported by the Government of Ireland through IDA Ireland.
Speaking of the announcement Taoiseach Simon Harris said, “I very much welcome IBM’s announcement today which not only reinforces the company’s deep-rooted commitment to Ireland as a strategic location but is also set to deliver real impact to the Irish economy through job creation and by strengthening specialist skills and expertise. Furthermore, this news demonstrates Ireland’s continued attractiveness as a preferred location for global companies to build out their digitalisation, research and innovation capabilities.”
Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Peter Burke said: “This is fantastic news. Today’s announcement that IBM Ireland are to create 800 skilled tech jobs between Dublin, Cork and Waterford, is hugely welcome. IMB is a world leader in Technology and has been a long standing high value employer in Ireland for almost three quarters of a century. Ireland is now ranked as the fifth most advanced digital economy in the EU, and having IBM choose Ireland for this new project is another vote of confidence in our country. The Government fully supports advancements in AI and Digital Transformation, and these roles will allow for exciting innovative opportunities for many of our skilled workforce throughout the country. Thanks to IBM for your continued investment here and best of luck to all involved in this exciting new initiative.”
Speaking of the announcement James Kavanaugh, IBM senior vice president and chief financial officer, said, “As IBM continues to help organizations transform their businesses with hybrid cloud and AI, attracting, developing, and retaining talent remains a key priority. Today’s announcement is a result of our strong relationship with IDA Ireland and the Irish government, but is also a testament to the calibre of talent here in Ireland, one of many reasons Ireland continues to be a strategic location for IBM.”
Deborah Threadgold, IBM Ireland country general manager, added, “We’re thrilled to announce this landmark and transformational initiative that will position the Irish operation at the cutting edge of next generation technology development within IBM globally.”
Speaking of the announcement, Michael Lohan, IDA Ireland chief executive officer, said “This is a remarkable initiative by IBM Ireland that will not only drive transformation within IBM and Red Hat’s operations but will deliver strong impact in Dublin, Cork and Waterford. It is also set to deliver real uplift in the Irish technology ecosystem by advancing capabilities across key growth areas for IDA Ireland such as Cloud, AI, Quantum and Cybersecurity. IDA Ireland has partnered with IBM for more than 60 years and we look forward to continuing to do so throughout this exciting project.”
For the latest information and to apply for the currently open roles at IBM and Red Hat, visit:
Highest Rate of Enforcement Orders this year, as Closure Orders Served on Food Business in April
The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) today reported that 21 Closure Orders were served on food businesses during the month of April for breaches of food safety legislation, pursuant to the FSAI Act, 1998 and the European Union (Official Controls in Relation to Food Legislation) Regulations, 2020. The Closure Orders were issued by Environmental Health Officers in the Health Service Executive (HSE).
Fifteen Closure Orders were served under the FSAI Act, 1998, on:
- Ginger Lillies Chinese Restaurant, 18 Mulgrave Street, Limerick
- Medina Kebab (Lets Eat) (Take away), 329 Blarney Street, Cork
- Georgian Delight (service sector), Kitchen 3, 58-66 Parnell Street, Moore Street Mall, Moore Street, Dublin 1
- Sabor Nordestino (restaurant/café), 58-66 Parnell Street, Moore Street Mall, Moore Street, Dublin 1
- Spicy Bite (restaurant/café), Unit 1, Moore Mall, Moore Street, Dublin 1
- Mroz (retailer), Moore Street Mall, Moore Street, Dublin 1
- Smaczne.Go! (restaurant/café), Moore Street Mall, 58/66 Parnell Street, North City, Dublin 1
- D Candy (retailer), Main Street, Roscommon
- Uptown Restaurant, Old Milk Market Lane, Killarney, Kerry
- Payless Grocery & Meat, 46 Port Road, Letterkenny, Donegal
- Bites By Kwanghi (restaurant/café), Capital Dock, 83 Sir John Rogerson’s Quay, Dublin 2
- Fresh (restaurant/café), Capital Dock, 4-5 Stephens Walk, Dublin 2
- Musashi Noodles and Sushi (restaurant/café), 15 Capel Street, Dublin 1
- All Bar Chicken (Closed area: the kitchen and storage areas) (restaurant/café), 47 Nassau Street, Dublin 2
- Fortune Terrace (restaurant/café), 46-49 O’Connell Street Upper, Dublin 1
Six Closure Orders was served under the European Union (Official Controls in Relation to Food Legislation) Regulations, 2020 on:
- Chicking (restaurant/café), Unit 3, O’Boyce’s Corner, Port Road, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal
- Fitzpatrick Castle Hotel (Closed areas: the operations from Albert & Behan Kitchen, PJ’s Kitchen and Mapas Kitchen – the serving of beverages from the bar area is not affected by this closure order), Killiney Hill Road, Killiney, Co. Dublin
- Café Brazil (retailer), 63 Thomas Street, Dublin 8
- The Ballsy Baker (Closed activity: preparation production and sale of food product with the claim ‘Nut Free’ and ‘Gluten Free’, and internet sites or social media sites it operates promoting and advertising the sale of food with these claims) (retailer), 10 Saint Mochtas Lawn, Clonsilla, Dublin 15
- Oriental Pantry (retailer), 22-23 Moore Street, Dublin 1
- Pastel King (restaurant/café), 22-23 Moore Street, Dublin 1
Some of the reasons for the Enforcement Orders in April include: evidence of rodent infestation; significant amounts of rodent droppings throughout the premises; ongoing cockroach infestation in the premises; mouse droppings in multiple food areas; heavy rodent and cockroach activity; the sale of food with the claim ‘nut free’ or ‘gluten free’ in a premises that contains tree nuts and peanuts; premises not kept in a sufficiently hygienic condition; evidence of altering the ‘use by’ dates and batch numbers on food and providing false labels on food; walls of an establishment in a poor state of structural repair with extensive dampness, mould growth and flaking; food handlers not supervised or instructed and/or trained in food hygiene matters commensurate with their work activity; failure to establish, maintain and provide evidence of a food safety culture.
Dr Pamela Byrne, Chief Executive, FSAI, said that the high number of Closure Orders needing to be served in April is alarming.
“Twenty one Closure Orders served in one month is the highest number since November 2019, when the same number were also issued. Amongst the reasons for the Closure Orders in April, a lack of adequate procedures to control pests was frequently cited. This resulted in evidence of widespread mice and cockroach activity, which leads to a serious risk of food being contaminated and poses a grave and immediate danger to public health. Food businesses must ensure that their food business is properly pest proofed, and that they take effective action if there is a pest infestation. Each month, we issue the list of Enforcement Orders as a deterrent, but it seems that last month, food safety fell off the list of priorities for quite a number of food businesses. Consumers have a right to safe food and food safety must always be a top priority for food businesses. There are no excuses. Food safety is a legal requirement for all food businesses.”
Also, during the month of April, one prosecution was taken by the HSE in relation to:
- Kenmare Brewhouse Ltd, The Square, Kenmare, Co. Kerry
Details of the food businesses served with Enforcement Orders are published on the FSAI’s website at www.fsai.ie. Closure Orders and Improvement Orders will remain listed in the enforcement reports on the website for a period of three months from the date of when a premises is adjudged to have corrected its food safety issue, with Prohibition Orders being listed for a period of one month from the date the Order was lifted.
A Fifth of the Nation Admit to Crossing Continents to Cheer on Favourite Team or Athlete
- Six in every 10 Irish people believe their support and cheer positively impacts performance
- 70% of people feel a huge sense of pride for Ireland’s sporting heroes
- Beating the All Blacks in 2016, Italia 90 and the gold winning moments of Paralympians, swimmer Ellen Keane and sprinter Jason Smyth were highlighted as the most “cheer-tastic” moments.
Ireland remains a nation of fanatical sports fans with a fifth of Irish people admitting to crossing continents to cheer on their favourite team or athlete. Revealed new research* released today to mark the announcement of Nestlé Cereals as the official ‘Breakfast Partner’ of the 2024 Irish Paralympic Team. The aim of the partnership is to encourage the nation to “Bring the Cheer” and support the team at the upcoming games in Paris (August 28th to September 8th).
Furthermore, the survey revealed Irish people truly value the power of this support for their team/athlete with six in every 10 believing their support and cheer has a positive impact on overall performance. Seven out of every 10 respondents also cited their sense of pride at seeing an Irish athlete on the world stage!
Leaning into this uniquely Irish sense of pride for our sporting heroes, Nestlé Cereals will roll out special cereal boxes, featuring Nestlé Cereals Ireland Ambassadors para-table tennis champion Colin Judge and para-cyclist Richael Timothy. Packs will also offer fans the opportunity to win a chance to bring the cheer and support the athletes at the Games in Paris. In a first for the brand, boxes will also carry a message of support to the team ‘as Gaeilge’.
The determination of Irish fans to “bring the cheer” no matter what is also evident, with more than a quarter of Irish people attending every game with four in 10 claiming to tune in to watch and cheer from afar. Those aged 18-34 were found to enjoy a watch party with family and friends, citing a greater sense of connection by supporting in this way.
Gold winning exploits of Paralympians, swimmer Ellen Keane and sprinter Jason Smyth were highlighted among the most “cheer-tastic” moments alongside beating the All Blacks in 2016 and Italia 90.
The findings also showed that women (65%) enjoy a greater sense of feeling valued through being supported while for men, personal support is the greatest contributor to building their own self-confidence. The power of support was also cited as a key factor in one’s ability to go that “extra mile” for more than half, with the same amount saying it provided a much-needed energy boost. Partners (44%) topped the poll as the greatest supporters followed my mums (16%) and friends (12%) taking bronze.
Jennifer Walsh, Country Manager, Nestlé Cereals said “We are delighted to come on board as the official “Breakfast Partner” for the Irish Paralympic Team and to play our part in supporting them as they prepare for one of the biggest events in the global sporting calendar.
“It is undoubtedly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity with our athletes putting it all on the line, to represent our country at this year’s event. They have spent months and years preparing for this, putting in thousands of hours of dedication behind the scenes, and have endured many challenges along the way, battling to overcome obstacles and all so they can represent their country at the highest level and to the best of their ability. Moments like this remind one of the importance of support and what a crucial role it plays and how it can make such a positive difference.
“It is clear from the research that we as a nation understand the positive impact of support and for this year’s games, we are encouraging the country to really get behind our athletes. It is important that we collectively lend our support, “Bring the Cheer” and show them that we are all there with them as they compete on the biggest stage. If you haven’t yet made your plans, start doing so now and “Bring the Cheer” as we prepare for Paris 2024 with Team Ireland.”
Stephen McNamara, CEO Paralympics Ireland said “We are delighted to announce this sponsorship with Nestlé Cereals. Having our Para Athletes represented on Nestlé’s instantly recognisable cereal boxes around the country provides fantastic visibility for disability sport. Our athletes competed in Tokyo in front of empty stands away from friends, family and supporters. This partnership will help to “Bring the Cheer” and provide the extra energy that they need to deliver on the biggest stage this summer.”
Rio joins the Rovers in celebration of Partnership that goes Beyond the Ball
The partnership of Rio Ferdinand Foundation (RFF) and the International Fund for Ireland (IFI) teamed up to deliver a match day experience hosted at Sligo Rovers, The Showgrounds on Wednesday.
Organised by the Rio Ferdinand Foundation, the ‘Beyond the Ball’ matchday brought together young people aged between 16 and 18 from community projects across the southern border counties and Northern Ireland as part of a major partnership approach to peacebuilding and cross-community reconciliation funded through the IFI’s Communities in Partnership Programme (CiPP).
The Beyond the Ball programme is one of the IFI’s most significant funding allocations in recent years with an overall investment of €628,850 / £541,713, which included an initial pilot scheme in 2023.
This new phase was officially launched in August 2023, with the partnership working across Donegal, Leitrim, Sligo, Antrim, Tyrone, Fermanagh, and Derry/Londonderry, connecting young people from cross-community backgrounds through sport, sharing experiences, and building trust and confidence between communities at a grassroots level. The programme is expected to launch in Louth in April this year.
At the heart of the partnership is a desire to connect young people, broaden their horizons and build their confidence and leadership skills to empower community leaders. Since February 2023, over 300 young people have participated in the Beyond the Ball programme, 70 completed accredited training courses and qualifications in youth leadership and equality and diversity through the Open College Network and community sports leaders’ qualifications through Sports Leaders UK, with an additional 75 due to undertake qualifications. A further 308 people attended cross-border consultations, events, and tournaments.
The successful event, which welcomed young people from Belfast, Omagh, Derry/Londonderry and Donegal as well as locally from Sligo and Leitrim means that the ‘Beyond the Ball’ project has engaged with more than 1,000 young people across a range of initiatives and events with plans to maximise this participation and interest to deliver real change for young people and their local communities going forward.
Commenting on Beyond the Ball, the England and Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand said:
“I think we all recognise that supporting young people to achieve their potential regardless of background is the key to building a better future. The Rio Ferdinand Foundation is committed to delivering projects that give young people the confidence, skills, and platform to achieve that aim by offering positive activities, training, and opportunities to build networks, relationships, and careers across Ireland and the UK.
“This partnership with the International Fund for Ireland brings together young people, communities and strategic partners to work together and shape new initiatives, relationships and networks across the border counties of Ireland, Northern Ireland and Great Britain by linking up with our projects in Manchester and London – and it’s been a privilege to spend time here in Sligo and the west of Ireland to meet young people, families and stakeholders from all parts of Ireland to see what they are achieving within the project.
“I look forward to seeing the Beyond The Ball project develop in the coming months and to seeing what we can achieve working together to enable these young people to reach their potential in Ireland and Northern Ireland by sharing experiences and learning with young people in England.”
Paddy Harte, Chair of the International Fund for Ireland, said:
“The IFI’s ‘Communities in Partnership Programme’, which funds the ‘Beyond the Ball’ Project is focused on embedding lasting relationships on a cross-border and cross community basis.
“This collaboration between the IFI and RFF aims to put young people at the heart of their communities, giving them a voice and facilitating opportunities to inform and influence what happens in their communities.
“Football is the vehicle for this project, facilitating opportunities to develop relationships between young people and their peers who they may not otherwise meet whilst accessing a range of vital training and development programmes and qualifications aimed at offering them a path to a more prosperous future.”
The ‘Beyond the Ball’ match day is representative of a collaborative ambition to develop lasting cross-border relationships, providing opportunities for young people from border communities to come together, learn new skills and be supported to succeed. Cheering on the teams were a host of dignitaries from Ireland and Northern Ireland.
The match day celebrated the partnership between the Rio Ferdinand Foundation and the International Fund for Ireland and its work alongside stakeholders including Garda Síochána and PSNI to build relationships and promote community safety. The partnership contributes to peacebuilding, bringing young people together to collaborate over shared experiences, undertake leadership training and accreditation, and explore pathways that shape their futures.
Leading the teams out on the day were ‘Team Managers’ England and Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand and Westlife front man and Sligo Rovers F.C. Superfan Shane Filan.
Thirty-two young people walked out on the pitch on matchday, unsuspecting of the day’s magnitude, with organisers keeping the details of attendees firmly under wraps. A further three-hundred young people, their families, and youth workers from eight counties across the island of Ireland were transported to The Showgrounds to support from the stands and take part in activities in the grounds during the day.
United through their love of the beautiful game, the ‘Beyond the Ball’ matchday was supported by former Northern Ireland International Footballer Gerry Armstrong, and equality and social justice advocate Paul Canoville the first black player to play for Chelsea FC.
Female players also joined a women’s empowerment session with TV personality Kate Ferdinand, Linfield Captain Ashley Hutton, and home team Sligo Rovers Emma Hansberry. IFI Board member Bernie Butler joined the session alongside local Sligo current affairs journalist Jessica Farry.
The IFI was set up by the British and Irish Governments as an independent international organisation in 1986, delivering a range of peace and reconciliation initiatives across the southern border counties and Northern Ireland.
Minister of State Dara Calleary TD, who attended the event on behalf of the Irish Government said,
“The IFI has played a key role over many years in building a strong level of trust at the grassroots level, setting the foundations which allow communities to take risks for peace. The IFI’s status as an independent international organisation, its reputation for neutrality and its long-established links within communities ensure that it maintains a unique position of trust within hard-to-reach communities. The Irish Government is proud to support the IFI’s Connecting Communities strategy and has agreed to provide €20m for the period from 2021– 2025. It is a worthwhile investment in peacebuilding.
“A key element of this partnership with the Rio Ferdinand Foundation, is the focus on relationship building and exploring shared identities and learning on an East-West, as well as North-South basis. This means we are exploring shared identities between our two islands through football, which we see today is a powerful and inspiring platform to bring young people and their communities together.”
The ‘Beyond the Ball’ match day builds on the Rio Ferdinand Foundation’s work on the Island of Ireland since 2016 to rebalance equality, empower young people and deliver positive social change. The partnership with the International Fund for Ireland is pivotal in the Foundation’s ambition to level the playing field, amplify the voices of young people from underrepresented communities and create opportunities that unleash their potential.