The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) today announced that Mr Greg Dempsey has been appointed Chief Executive. Mr Dempsey is currently Deputy Secretary General at the Department of Health and will take up office following the conclusion of tenure of the current Chief Executive, Dr Pamela Byrne, on March 1st 2025.
A native of Dublin, Mr Dempsey is a graduate of Trinity College Dublin, holding a BSc in Financial Information Systems and is qualified as a Chartered Certified Accountant. He is a member of the Board of the Institute of Public Administration, and a member of the State Claims Agency Advisory Committee.
Mr Dempsey has worked in the Department of Health for over a decade, where he was previously Assistant Secretary and Head of Finance, before becoming Deputy Secretary where he heads the Corporate Affairs Division overseeing the highest standards of corporate governance in the Department. Prior to that, he was Chief Finance & Operations Officer with the Department of Finance, having joined there from in the Central Bank. Before he joined the public sector, Mr Dempsey had a distinguished career in the private sector, where he worked in a number of Financial Services firms, including as CEO of Zurich Bank.
Commenting on the announcement, Ms Ann Horan, (Chairperson FSAI) stated that Mr Dempsey brings a wide breath of expertise and leadership to the role of Chief Executive that will be invaluable in steering the FSAI to maintain its primary role in protecting consumers’ health and interests in relation to food safety.
“The Board is delighted to welcome Mr Dempsey as the new Chief Executive of the FSAI. Mr Dempsey’s appointment marks an exciting new chapter for the FSAI, as we roll out our new Strategy 2025-2029, which sets out an ambitious roadmap to continue safeguard consumer health and enhance trust in Ireland’s robust food safety system. With his exceptional leadership skills, and a clear vision for the future, we are confident that he will safeguard and further drive the FSAI’s exemplary track record in delivering its legal mandate,” said Ms Horan.
“On behalf of the FSAI, I wish to thank our outgoing Chief Executive, Dr Pamela Byrne for her exemplary leadership during her tenure. Dr Byrne’s vision, passion, hard work and commitment to food safety has been instrumental in the FSAI continuing to be a highly regarded regulatory agency both nationally and internationally. We wish Dr Byrne all the best in her future endeavours and look forward to building on the strong foundations she has established,” Ms Horan concluded.
Following payment increases, tax changes, new grants etc, announced by the Irish Government back on October 1st last, many new measures will now come into effect within the coming days. Some of these cost-of-living changes will now include:-See full changes HERE.
The national minimum wage will increase by 80 cents to €13.50 per hour.
The 4% rate of Universal Social Charge (USC) will be reduced to 3%.
A €125 energy credit, to be paid to all households, regardless, from January 1st 2025.
Means test to be disregarded for Fuel Allowance will be extended to those aged 66 years and over – €524 (single person) and €1,048(for a couple).
Carer’s Allowance will become a qualifying payment for Fuel Allowance, subject to meeting all criteria of the Fuel Allowance scheme, including satisfying the Fuel Allowance means test.
Weekly rates of Child Support Payment will increase by €8 to €62 for those aged 12 years and over, and by €4 to €50 for those aged under 12 years.
A €15 increase in Maternity Benefit, Paternity Benefit, Adoptive Benefit and Parent’s Benefit.
Newborn Baby Grant of €280 in addition to the first month of Child Benefit (€140) for children born on or after December 1st 2024.
A €12 increase in most weekly social welfare payments, with proportionate increases for qualified adults and people obtaining a reduced rate.
An increase by €60 a week in the case of the Working Family Payment; regardless of family size.
A €20 increase per month in Domiciliary Care Allowance.
The amount not taken into account when you sell your home to move into care will increase to €337,500 from January 2025
Those in receipt of State Pensions(Non-contributory); Disability Allowances or Blind Pensions; the amount not taken into account when you sell your home to move into care will increase to €337,500 from January1st 2025.
Carer’s Benefit to extend to persons who are self-employed.
VAT for installing a heat pump will be now be reduced from the current standard rate of 23% to the reduced rate of 9%.
A final decision on the report had been previously delayed for further consultation; with a second traffic system trialled over a period of 3 days, instead of the 4 days originally agreed. However, the initial plan, formulated by Transport Infrastructure Ireland(TII) was proposed, yesterday, by Fine Gael Cllr. Ms Peggy Ryan and seconded by Fianna Fail Cllr. Sean Ryan, thus giving same idiotic plan the “green light”.
Yesterday evening, following the approved of this controversial plan, we understand that traders reacted angrily, with the latter holding banners stating, “It’s OK to say NO” and “120 Job Losses”.
The new plans, which are expected to take several years to implement, will involve changing the traffic system reduced to one lane, thus accepting traffic and heavy goods vehicles converging from 3 lanes right in the very centre of town. It will also see a further reduction of, at least, 12-14 car parking spaces from west Liberty square, and the removal of mature trees to be replaced by miniature trees forcing a colony of 1,000 Pied Wagtails becoming homeless.
The previous five-seater Tipperary constituency has now been re-drawn to form a two x three-seater constituency (Tipperary North and Tipperary South). Thurles Town remains in Tipperary North, so with 3 seats now up for grabs, it does not take a genius to realise and accept that possibly at least one totally new individual will take a seat in Dáil Éireann.
This scenario follows the fact one of two previous Thurles Teachtaí Dála, namely Fianna Fáil TD, Mr Jackie Cahill, some weeks ago, announced that he would not be contesting the 2024 General Election on Friday next, November 29th, due to health concerns.
On November 17th 2024, last a headline on the Nenagh Guardian newspaper [READ FULL ARTICLE HERE], correctly pointed out that “Tipperary is lacking in political clout”.
From a sports point of view this article correctly pointed out that the previous week had seen the third sports capital funding allocation for the year, with €173 million for 35 projects being part of the Large Scale Sports Infrastructure Fund(LSSIF). While a number of Tipperary clubs were successful in appeals over their CSFF allocations, it would appear, as our local politicians slept, that the application pertaining to refurbishment works for Semple’s field (Semple Stadium), lost out to Fitzgerald Stadium in Killarney, with the Kerry venue getting €6 million for work on its west terrace, to not only improve the spectator experience for matches, but also as an outdoor concert venue. This all happened despite having two resident Thurles TD’s who supported the present outgoing government.
On Friday next Thurles and District electorate, not to mention the Constituency of North Tipperary, as a whole, will get a chance to introduce this new face into Dáil Éireann.
Thurles over the past 10 years, in particular, and even longer, has been allowed to slide into slow disintegration. We have for too long listened to promises, with current politicians announcing funding for an ‘Inner Relief Road’; a‘Business Innovation Centre‘; ‘increased employment‘; a ‘Holycross Museum’; a ‘Ring Road’etc. etc., none of which have ever come to pass, as present incumbent politicians continuously tied themselves to wealthy individuals, latter who used them to seek even more government funding and changes in the law.
With Tipperary North now a three seater constituency and Thurles town on the decline; sound logic would indicate that Thurles now badly needs to elect candidate and present Co.Councillor Mr Jim Ryan, who is currently resident in Thurles town and who will represent, not just Thurles Town, but also the constituency of Tipperary North, if elected to take a seat in our 34th Dáil.
Mr Jim Ryan, to date, has given his adult life to both local and Co. Tipperary politics. He has consistently been elected as a County Councillor in local elections and as his poster states, he is proven; is certainly experienced and is reliable.
Try to forget “Political Party Allegiance” when voting on Friday next. Vote No1 Jim Ryan, before marking your No. 2 choice etc…
We must ask ourselves, as logical Thurles voters, the following question. “What have other candidates currently in the race; including some with absolutely no political experience whatsoever and now seeking our individual, valuable vote, ever achieved for Thurles Town“.
George Willoughby’s No.1 Vote will go to Councillor Jim Ryan on Friday morning next, in an effort to attempt the slow the obvious decline to a town that I love so well.
I ask all voters and lovers of Thurles, to think logically and to support Thurles and North Tipperary, by electing Jim Ryan to the 34th Dáil.
You know it makes sense, otherwise we will have nothingfor the next 5 years; yet again.
Objections to the proposed construction of a drive-thru McDonald’s Restaurant here in Thurles, Co. Tipperary, have today hit the headlines on The Irish Times, The Journal.ie and on R.T.E. .
All press articles highlight that local residents, including a local physician, Dr Paul Ryan, are objecting to the construction of a McDonald’s Drive-Thru restaurant near a crèche, school facilities and within 100 yards of Dr Ryan’s own surgery. “Having a fast food outlet is of no help at all in our efforts to promote healthier lifestyles.” Dr Ryan stated.
In his objection to the proposal Mr Chris Delahunt also echoed health concerns, as did others who made submissions to Tipperary Co. Council.
This planning application by the McDonald’s franchise, on a site situated close to the German international discount retailer Lidl, on Slievenamon Road, (N62), in the centre of a residential area has been described by many as being unprecedented and a bizarre planning move. If approved this could see a 24/7 fast-food restaurant placed slap bang in the heart of a major residential area, where residents already struggle daily to deal with serious growing traffic congestion due to the failure to provide a Ring Road.
While to date, over 20 objections have been lodged against this planning proposal; a number of the objections by resident locals are rightly based on health grounds,particularly as we are in the midst of an obesity crisis in this country, where one in five children aged under five, is obese according to a study referenced on the HSE (Health Service Executive) website on October 10th 2024.
Mr David Crowley in his submission rightly has stated that this planning application in effect is a takeaway and therefore contravenes the Thurles and Environs development plan 2024-2030 and should therefore be rejected out of hand. He believes that the proposed ring road around Thurles should be in situ, before any such development of this nature is entertained.
Mr Crowley also rightly stated that the Thurles and Environments development plan 2024 refers to the resisting of the Proliferation of Take-Aways and Betting Shops and further confirms that the traffic at the Clowngour and Lidl junction was already chronic with tail backs regularly beyond Turtulla Cross (N62), during school times. This proposed development would make this traffic congestion even worse again, with access for local residents adversely affected.
Irish Government Quote: “Ireland’s towns and villages are an important resource to protect and nurture. We want to ensure that they remain resilient locations with vibrant inclusive communities and a strong cultural and social fabric that deliver a good quality of life for future generations. We (the government) will support them through a strong commitment to ‘place-making’ so that any town centre environment is one in which people want to live, do business, visit and is ultimately successful”.
Resident Mr Shane Curran, in his submission, stated that Thurles is already well serviced by takeaway/fast food outlets. A fast-food drive-through restaurant in this residential area as suggested will generate noise, odour and litter, while causing a disturbance to nearby residents, particularly late at night. This type of development will attract late night usage increasing the potential for anti-social behaviour after the closure of local pubs and nightclubs.
A submission by Mr Frank Tuohy also reiterated the afore mentioned stated fears.
Mr Michael Corbett (through Ms Mary Lynch B.A .Dip. T.P.. MIPI) stated: (1) That the development is almost exclusively a car focused development, attracting customers away from the town centre, to an edge of town location development. (2) Same would provide no interaction or co-operation with existing retail businesses or other developments within the Liberty Square town centre area. (3) Indeed, it’s 24/7 operation would draw night-time users away from the town centre, thus distracting from such businesses in the centre that already amply support night time entertainment; sit down food facilities and other fast food/take-away services. (4) This planning application would lead to further dereliction and vacancy of existing town center properties.
Mr Corbett also, through his agent, stated rightly that he considers this application to be defective with respect to the public notices and believes that adequate notice has not been given to the public with regard to the 24/7 nature of the proposed operation.
A spokeswoman for McDonald’s said, “As a business, McDonald’s prides itself on being a good neighbour in the communities in which it operates, and we look forward to continuing to work with the council and local residents to mitigate any concerns raised.”
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