Sligo County Council employees praised for embracing the Irish language
This initiative reflects the local authority's dedication to fostering a bilingual working environment and improving service delivery through the use of Irish.
The certificates were presented at a special event held in the Council Chamber, County Hall, was attended by staff, the Cathaoirleach and members of the executive of Sligo County Council.
Speaking at the presentation ceremony, outgoing Cathaoirleach, Cllr Declan Bree said
'Sligo County Council is acutely aware of its responsibilities to the Official Languages legislation and has taken many steps in ensuring compliance with its obligations by employing an Oifigeach Gaeilge, increasing its spend on Irish language advertising and funding Irish courses for staff, like this one.'
This initiative is part of a broader programme to promote the use of Irish in the workplace and in public services, in line with national language policy.
'By 2030, the Official Languages Act 2021 provides that at least 20% of new recruits to public service bodies should be competent in the Irish Language.'
Praising the successful staff members at the conclusion of the awards ceremony, Councillor Bree said: 'Today is about recognising your progress, your perseverance and your passion.
'Whether you've mastered an modh coinníollach or you're still getting to grips with a response to 'an bhfuil tú go maith?', you are part of a movement — a community of learners who are breathing new life into our national language'.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Examiner
28 minutes ago
- Irish Examiner
Trump's tariff threat reignites union push in Ireland's billion-euro pharma sector
As negotiations between the European Commission and the US conclude after almost 90 days of talks, an agreement has been deemed 'absolutely essential' to ensure a level of certainty for Irish exporters reliant on the US market. Among them is Ireland's mammoth pharmaceutical sector, a cornerstone of the national economy, which, since US President Donald Trump's 'Liberation Day' announcement, has remained stuck in the cross-hairs of his global tariff onslaught. Ireland is one of the largest pharmaceutical exporters in the world due to the several large US firms operating here, with their earnings contributing significantly to the Exchequer's corporation tax receipts. While initially excluded from punitive measures, the booming industry now faces renewed scrutiny from Mr Trump, which, in his view, has flourished at America's expense. After calling out Ireland specifically for benefiting from US companies, Mr Trump last month said tariffs on pharmaceuticals would come 'very soon,' which would help bring multinationals back to America. Historically, Ireland's pharmaceutical sector has been defined by stable demand and high-paying salaries, particularly within the industry's epicentre in Cork, which hosts pharma giants Merck, AbbVie, Gilead Sciences, Pfizer, Johnson and Johnson, Thermo Fischer Scientific, Eli Lilly and GE Healthcare, among others. The concentration of these firms has made Ireland's southern region the wealthiest area in the European Union (EU), recording the largest GDP per capita in 2022, according to Eurostat. Despite this economic strength, collective bargaining in the sector has remained relatively limited. However, with rising uncertainty and looming tariff fears, momentum for unionisation is growing. 'We saw a sharp spike in union membership following Trump's 'Liberation Day' announcement,' says Siptu Manufacturing Divisional Organiser Neil McGowan. The trade union currently counts some 13,500 members from the pharmaceutical industry, the majority of whom are based in Cork. 'There's a lot of uncertainty in the air at the moment. I think Liberation Day made a lot of workers sit up and think, 'Are we really ready for what could happen?' Mr McGowan told the Irish Examiner. However, unionisation efforts have presented mixed results, he said, with some companies refusing to recognise or interact with Siptu when addressing worker disputes. 'It can be incredibly frustrating at times. We have members who want us there, who want to bargain collectively, and their company refuses to acknowledge us,' Mr McGowan said. But the fight doesn't stop there. Last month, trade union members at the Kinsale branch of US pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly welcomed a Labour Court recommendation urging their employer to allow for collective representation by Siptu during workplace disputes. Union members at the Kinsale branch of US pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly welcomed a Labour Court recommendation urging their employer to allow for collective representation by Siptu during workplace disputes. '[Eli] Lilly staff are on a journey for recognition, but senior management doesn't want to acknowledge us,' says Siptu sector organiser, Andrea Cleere. 'It has been denying our members the right to be supported by the union in individual workplaces, which is contrary Workplace Relations Commission's Code of Practice." But as Ms Cleere points out, Labour Court findings are reliant on the company choosing to acknowledge them. 'This is the problem with Ireland's weak voluntarist model of industrial relations. 'It allows companies to flout the Labour Court whenever it sides with workers seeking their basic human right to bargain collectively.' In May, workers at the Cork branch of pharmaceutical giant AbbVie served a notice of industrial action after the company refused to engage with employees' chosen trade union. Ms Cleere says AbbVie opted not to acknowledge the union despite workers securing two Labour Court recommendations urging the employer to recognise Siptu for collective bargaining purposes. "Numerous attempts to resolve issues of pay and union recognition through negotiations were refused by management,' Ms Cleere told the Irish Examiner. 'Companies simply don't need to do anything, meaning circumstances are always stacked against the worker.' 'Employee rights can be so easily forgotten. We pump money into big firms through the IDA or Enterprise Ireland without any requirement that they take care of their workers.' An AbbVie pharmaceutical manufacturing facility in Sligo. In May, workers at the Cork branch of pharmaceutical giant AbbVie served a notice of industrial action after the company refused to engage with employees' chosen trade union. In a statement to the Irish Examiner, Eli Lilly said: "Lilly does not comment on specific employee relations matters. "Our direct employee engagement model promotes open communication and teamwork, creating an inclusive work environment where all voices are heard. We prioritise transparency and mutual respect, empowering our employees to contribute to our mission." AbbVie did not respond when contacted for comment. While layoffs in the pharmaceutical sector remain unlikely, Mr McGowan says worker concerns extend far beyond just job cuts. 'Pay is always a significant issue, but more than anything, people just want to have their say. Oftentimes, large multinationals operating in Ireland have decisions made by their foreign headquarters, which can be very frustrating for those here on the ground. 'Irish pharma remains particularly exposed to Trump's tariff threats, as do these workers. They deserve to have a voice.' But as the organiser notes, sometimes not having a union recognised is the least of their concerns. 'Union-busting is extremely prevalent in the pharmaceutical industry and happens on nearly every site. 'We have outside meetings where members fear being followed by senior management. We've heard cases of staff being guilt-tripped and being made to feel like they're damaging the company's reputation. 'Life at work can be made very difficult for union members. From bogus disciplinary measures to exclusion, people often pay the price for being part of a union. We've even seen cases of people being paid off by their company for taking part in union activity.' At around 35%, trade union coverage in Ireland is notably weak in a European context, falling far below the EU average of around 60%. Despite implementing an EU Directive last year requiring an action plan to raise coverage to over 80%, Ms Cleere says the Government has done the 'bare minimum' to increase the strength of trade unions. The EU Directive of Adequate Minimum Wages calls on the governments of EU Member States to draw up an action plan to increase collective bargaining coverage in their economies to over 80%. Countries below the mandated 80% figure will be asked to provide a framework to further enable conditions for collective bargaining as well as establish an action plan to promote collective bargaining and increase coverage rates. Although the directive does not set a specific deadline for the adoption of the action plan, the European Commission has urged member states with a collective bargaining coverage below 80% to establish them by the end of 2025 'at the latest'. Approached by the Irish Examiner, a spokesperson for the Department of Enterprise said the Government was committed to publishing the action plan by the end of 2025. 'A public consultation on the possible content of the action plan was held by the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment recently.' 'The outcome of the consultation process will help guide the Department in finalising the proposals, both legislative and administrative, which may be considered for inclusion in the action plan,' the spokesperson concluded. But as Ms Cleere argues, bold measures are needed to bring Ireland's coverage rate to the EU requirement. 'If the Government is serious about increasing coverage, companies need to be penalised if they refuse to recognise unions.' 'We've seen time and time again that unionised companies are more productive than their non-unionised counterparts. 'It is in the pharma industry's best interest to do this, it's just a shame it can't see that on its own.'
Irish Examiner
28 minutes ago
- Irish Examiner
Antiques: Nine American gold eagle $10 coins make €10,000 in Dublin
ALL that glitters is not gold is an aphorism that collectors need to be aware of always, especially now. In these uncertain times, there is nothing remotely uncertain about the strong demand for a precious metal that is a long-term hedge against inflation and falling values. Always a safe haven for money in a stormy climate gold — headed by a group of nine American gold eagle ten-dollar 'Indian Head' coins from 1926 — made up no fewer than eight of the top 10 lots at the James Adam Jewellery Box sale in Dublin on June 24. They were the top lot of the auction and made €10,000 at hammer. A collection of 26 gold half-sovereigns made €7,500, a group of 12 gold sovereigns made €6,500, 23 Victorian half-sovereigns made €6,000 and other gold coins in the top 10 made hammer prices of €6,000, €5,500 and €5,000. Where all that leaves everything else on the auction market in Ireland right now is an open question. All sorts of collectibles are selling well, Irish art continues to be a mainstay, demand for antique furniture remains pretty much in the doldrums and demand across the board can best be described as variable. A 1913 centrepiece by West and Son with Celtic Revival detailing at Sheppards. House sales are always a draw. Sheppard's will offer contents from a classic Victorian house at 6 Royal Terrace in the leafy suburbs of Dun Laoghaire on July 15 and 16. There will be much interest in the collection of lawyer Philip Murphy, a partner at McCann FitzGerald, who died last year. His father, JT Murphy, served as a Labour Party TD for West Cork from 1923 until his sudden death in 1949, at which point he had been Minister for Local Government in the John A Costello government. Philip Murphy and his late wife Constance were collectors of everything from Killarney ware and antique clocks to silver, Arts and Crafts carpets and oriental art. Among the prime lots in the sale are: an 18th-century Irish ebonised bracket clock by Graydon, Dublin (€4,000-€6,000), a Donegal runner by CFA Voysey (€3,000-€6,000), a Guangxu lime-glazed bowl (€3,000-€6,000), a pair of Ottoman flintlock pistols (€2,000-€3,000), a West and Son Irish silver Celtic Revival centrepiece from 1913 (€2,000-€3,000), a Killarney games box (€1,400-€1,800), two Killarney writing boxes and a Killarney ware box, each estimated at €800-€1,200, and a 19th-century marine chronometer by Thomas Roberts, Liverpool (€4,000-€6,000). Art by Mark O'Neill, Graham Knuttel, Markey Robinson, Louis le Brocquy and John Butler Yeats will feature at Aidan Foley's auction at 6pm on July 7 and 8. This is a sale of art, antique furniture, garden statuary and collectibles, offering everything from a Georgian oak coffer and a Killarney wood trinket box to Victorian games, tea and dining tables and Oriental rugs and runners. A Warming Glow by Mark O'Neill at Aidan Foley's auction. A double-weight Vienna wall clock in walnut is estimated at just €200-€400, as is an 18th-century oval dropleaf dining table and a Victorian parquetry inlaid side table. Tribal art is always of interest, and a large carved African mask is estimated at just €60-€100. Choices range from a coromandel wood games box ((€60-€80) and a vintage Babycham dish for nibbles (€40-€80) to a pair of large blue and white platters (€200-€300) and a Tiffany style table lamp (€200-€250). The auction is on view in Doneraile on July 5, 6 and 7. Should you decide to go in search of gold, you will find it at the Matthews sale in Kells on Sunday and Monday. Lot 538 is a US Liberty double eagle 1903 gold 20-dollar coin (€1,500-€2,500). A selection of the jewellery on offer at Matthews in Kells. A Queen Elizabeth II gold sovereign is estimated at €400-€700, and a 1905 half-sovereign is estimated at €200-€300. The top lot is an art deco diamond-link bracelet mounted in platinum (€20,000-€30,000), and the sale offers a wide selection of desirable pieces. Read More Online sales of affordable art reflect current global trends
The Irish Sun
2 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
‘Very difficult time' – Irish restaurant announces shock closure in ‘difficult' decision as business ‘no longer viable'
A POPULAR Irish restaurant has announced its shock closure, leaving fans devastated. The Old Market Bar and Restaurant in Bandon, Co 2 The Old Market Bar and Restaurant in Bandon, Co Cork has announced its shock closure Credit: Facebook The popular The owners put the closure down due to ongoing roadworks in Bandon that put a "massive strain" on their business. Located on the 6 Market St, Gully, Bandon, Co Cork, The Old Market Bar first opened on November 8, 2024. It became popular among the locals with its safe, inclusive space and unique dishes. Read more in Money In a post on They wrote: "With a lot of hard conversations over the past two weeks, we have decided that it's not possible to reopening The Old Market. "We would just like to say a huge thank you to our amazing staff and customers. "It's been a pleasure getting to know you all, we've had lots of belly laughs and have met friends to last a lifetime in our time Bandon." Most read in Money They continued: "Unfortunately it just didn't go the way we planned. "With all the road works happening it put a massive stain on us and our business is no longer viable. Beloved high street chain with 24 Irish locations confirms Dublin city centre store closing down in 10 days in huge blow This is a very difficult time for Bandon and all its traders, so please everyone support your local shops and businesses. "Who knows what the future holds, hopefully our paths will cross again." The couple formerly ran O'Connor's Seafood Café and Seafood Restaurant before taking over The Old Market Tavern Bar on Market Street in October last year. Last month, they announced that the popular restaurant would close briefly for refurbishments. But weeks later, they decided to close their doors for good. 2 It became popular among the locals with its safe, inclusive space and unique dishes Credit: Trip Advisor
