Irish Owned Companies

ojewriej

Every couple of weeks we get a fax in the office, advertising services of some company - don't remember the name. It says something like:

"Did you know, that 90% of mineral water on the Irish market is supplied by the British owned companies? DOESN'T TASTE SO GOOD ANYMORE, DOES IT? Our company is 100% Irish owned and we can catter to all your water needs"

This is a quite extreme (to put it nicely) example of something I was wondering about. You do see quite a lot of signs saying "100% Irish owned" or "Proud to be Irish", something to this effect, on vans, advertisements, or packaging.

The question is - does it matter to you? Woud that influence you decision of hiring a contractor/buying the product?

I'm not Irish, so my opinion doesn't really count on this, but back home we have this program "Poland Now". Companies can apply to be allowed to use ithe "Poland Now" logo on their products, but to get it, apart from being 100% polish owned, they have to fullfill certain (quite high) quality requirements, and treat their employees right. So the sign on the package would influence my decision, but for quality reasons rather than ownership.

I'm not sure if you have anything like that here, usually this information is just written somewhere by the owners.

So does it matter?

biko

I'd probably choose an Irish product over a non-Irish one, hoping it'll benefit the country somehow rather than some fat cats over in Germany, UK or US.
Hard to know these days since Nestle owns fecking everything.

wiredup

The Irish economy is pretty fragile so buying from an Irish company benefits us all. Its certainly something I try to do if possible.
Having said that, a lot of companies over here have their head in the sand and need to be much more competitive with the rest of Europe.

But yes, people really need to buy Irish where possible otherwise things are going to go tits up.

GhostInTheRuins

I suppose I try to buy Irish products over others, I don't really think about it that often. But this is a bit over the top imo:

ojewriej wrote: »

DOESN'T TASTE SO GOOD ANYMORE, DOES IT?

Intothesea

'Guaranteed Irish' is the equivalent here:

http://www.guaranteedirish.ie/why.html

I think it's worth the extra cash, given that
you can trust the quality statement.

Princess Consuela Bananahammock

ojewriej wrote: »

Every couple of weeks we get a fax in the office, advertising services of some company - don't remember the name. It says something like:
"Did you know, that 90% of mineral water on the Irish market is supplied by the British owned companies? DOESN'T TASTE SO GOOD ANYMORE, DOES IT? Our company is 100% Irish owned and we can catter to all your water needs"

QUOTE]

if I saw somethign like that on a package I'd make a point of buying foreign.

prendy

if products are similar then i go for Irish owned. i think it has to benefit the country in some way!

whiskeyman

The whole Guaranteed Irish campaign only seemed to have recognition during the recession.
Back then, you really felt you were helping the economy and your familys jobs (if they had them?) by buying Irish. Those were the days of huge job cuts and lay offs.
With the Celtic Tiger and all the disposable income, we don't seem to care anymore. In fact, we are spending more and more on foreign goods to try and be like our US and UK cousins. Just look at clothing...
With the way things seem to be going, will we soon be reverting back to a bigger 'buy irish' drive?

ojewriej

Intothesea wrote: »

'Guaranteed Irish' is the equivalent here:

http://www.guaranteedirish.ie/why.html

I think it's worth the extra cash, given that
you can trust the quality statement.

Never seen it before to be honest, how popular is it?
I agree, quality is worth extra cash.


@ ikkypoo and ghost - I agree, that's very extreme, but that's what made me think that apparently it's a very important issue for some people, and I want to find out how important and is there many people like that.

Mena

I was thinking about this just yesterday when I popped into Tesco's with the OH. There were shelves and shelves of items displaying "Product of Kildare" or something similar and I was wondering, does this make any difference? A bit more localsed than the larger question posed by the OP but it had me thinking anyway.

Personally it does not matter to me either way, I buy the product I want/like/am used to instead of looking for or chosing from something produced locally.

Not being Irish though perhaps, in this example, it colours my decision. Back home I'd activly avoid anything that said produced locally

Dyr

Most of guaranteed irish companies are probably staffed by fordiners these days anway

Having said that, i do prefer the clean, refreshing taste of irish owned mineral water.


:pac:<Tastes like...freedom

Dinter

I would definitely buy Irish meat but I'd trust it more than imported meat.

This would extend to asking country of origin when I'm in restaurants etc.

As for anything else I'm not fussy.

Rb

Well if they're spelling "Cater" "Catter" they could probably do with a bit more English in them.

ojewriej

rb_ie wrote: »

Well if they're spelling "Cater" "Catter" they could probably do with a bit more English in them.

That's probably my mistake. But we do get faxes from the company who wants to pulp our sensitive documents for "piece of our mind".

Water filter companies are famous for their scams.
I would really question that factoid.

I aim to buy Irish groceries, because we have high standards of production particlarly with meat and dairy. I think it is important that we support this industry, it would sicken me to live in a country where free range beef was a premium product.

You raise an interesting point about companied treating their staff well.....If I knew about it that would be a consideration for me.

There was a great documentary on the effect of EU expansion on the frming community in a small vilage in poland last night Ojewriej.....did you see it?

Rb

ojewriej wrote: »

That's probably my mistake. But we do get faxes from the company who wants to pulp our sensitive documents for "piece of our mind".

Lol.

monkeyfudge

ojewriej wrote: »

"Did you know, that 90% of mineral water on the Irish market is supplied by the British owned companies? DOESN'T TASTE SO GOOD ANYMORE, DOES IT?

Oh great... now whenever I have a drink of water all I'll be able to taste is the blood of hundreds of years of brutal occupation. Thanks for that...

ojewriej

Moonbaby wrote: »

You raise an interesting point about companied treating their staff well.....If I knew about it that would be a consideration for me.

It was particularly important few years ago, when the unemployment was high, and mistreating of employees was very common. The attitude was "if you don't like it, there is 10 people whou would love to do your job". Which was true. Personaly I experienced waiting 6 months to get paid, working on short contracts without any benefits, even though in reality I was a full time employee, unpaid overtime. But there were people who had it much worse - in one of the supermarkets women were forced to work in nappies, so they wouldn't be taking toilet breaks. Things changed now from what i'm told, now employers have trouble finding people to work for them.

But back then, id did make me buy products with "Poland Now" logo.

Moonbaby wrote: »

There was a great documentary on the effect of EU expansion on the frming community in a small vilage in poland last night Ojewriej.....did you see it?

No, missed it.

djpbarry

ojewriej wrote: »

The question is - does it matter to you? Woud that influence you decision of hiring a contractor/buying the product?

Irish versus non-Irish wouldn't really influence my decision, but I do think it makes sense, from an environmental point of view, to produce things locally where possible.

biko wrote: »

Hard to know these days since Nestle owns fecking everything.

Dinter wrote: »

I would definitely buy Irish meat but I'd trust it more than imported meat.

This would extend to asking country of origin when I'm in restaurants etc.

Wow. Just out of curiosity, would you ask where the veg comes from too? If you have a beer with your meal, have you considered where that comes from?

I'm not having go, apologies if it seems I am. Just genuinely curious why you're so fussy when it comes to meat, but nothing else?

ojewriej

ojewriej wrote: »

But there were people who had it much worse - in one of the supermarkets women were forced to work in nappies, so they wouldn't be taking toilet breaks.

:eek: See this is where the beauty of having a begrudging nature becomes apparent.
I can't imagine anyone ever getting away with that in Ireland.

djpbarry

djpbarry wrote: »

Wow. Just out of curiosity, would you ask where the veg comes from too? If you have a beer with your meal, have you considered where that comes from?

I'm not having go, apologies if it seems I am. Just genuinely curious why you're so fussy when it comes to meat, but nothing else?

Because we are lucky enough to have higher standards in our meat industry in this country.
That should be protected.

ojewriej

Moonbaby wrote: »

I can't imagine anyone ever getting away with that in Ireland.

I can't either. That's why it wouldn't be that important here. It's more patriotic/environmental reasons I think.

ScumLord

I buy Irish when possible. Irish products tend to be high quality.

djpbarry wrote:

Wow. Just out of curiosity, would you ask where the veg comes from too? If you have a beer with your meal, have you considered where that comes from?

Most beer sold in Ireland is made in Ireland, that's one area where we need to ensure supply is maintained. I'd say restaurants would get their veg locally too if they want it fresh.

Terry

I want a t-shirt with this logo.

ojewriej

Terry wrote: »

I want a t-shirt with this logo.

So it is important for you that the product you buy is Irish made?

Or is it just T'Shirts?

Mena

Moonbaby wrote: »

Because we are lucky enough to have higher standards in our meat industry in this country.
That should be protected.

Higher than?

Terry

Terry wrote: »

I want a t-shirt with this logo.

I thought the cosmos already did this for you?

Dinter

djpbarry wrote: »

Wow. Just out of curiosity, would you ask where the veg comes from too? If you have a beer with your meal, have you considered where that comes from?

Nope just meat.

Irish meat standards are considered to be quite high.

To be honest I never cared and then over the past couple of years I've been watching documentaries that investigated the meat trade in England and after all the stuff about CJD etc just decided to eat Irish.

Anyway, 99.9% of places I've been claim to serve Irish meat only. (could all be lying though)

Just thought it was safer. Still I'm very easily influenced by advertising and have just picked it up somewhere that Irish meat is better!

John Mason

i tend to buy irish where possible we need to support our own industries and learn to be self-sufficent. i have seen the damage that reliance on another country can do. Take Jamaica for instance. They have no local enterprise except for bananas and coffee. All their products from shampoo to cars to orange juice comes from america. America have put certain sanctions on Jamaica , "if you dont do this, we will stop trading with you" type thing. Obvsiouly, this is a very simple version of what is happening.

Jamaica now a have a simliar campaign to what ireland had in the eighties, "buy jamaican for a brighter future".

It is unbelievable to think, that this country who produce some of the best coffee in the world have higher sales of Nescaf then Blue Mountain.

I would love to see the Buy Irish Campaign being pushed again.

Bendihorse

Everything (ok, maybe slight exageration ) in Tesco comes in on the back of a lorry through the UK. I know people who work in top level management in Tesco who have verified this and also some of the people that drive the trucks that import the stuff.

In order to be able to brand products as 'irish', the product need only have gone through some form of process in this country, be that something as simple as the package put on the product in this country. Beef thats packaged as 'irish' may have only been 'packed' in ireland but grown and produced and slaughtered elsewhere.

Guaranteed Irish brand is different, i always look out for it and try to avoid buying in Tesco, ok they provide jobs in ireland at the front end, but revenue and profits go back to the UK, and the produce they are selling is 95% sourced outside Ireland, even if the packaging and labels would suggest otherwise. I try to shop in supervalue, superquinn and the likes, at least they are irish owned.

If you want to stop the economy flagging, people should take it upon themselves to try and do something about it and make a concerted effort (Within reason obviously) to 'buy irish'.

djpbarry

Terry wrote: »

I want a t-shirt with this logo.

Consider it done.

Dinter wrote: »

Irish meat standards are considered to be quite high.
...
Just thought it was safer. Still I'm very easily influenced by advertising and have just picked it up somewhere that Irish meat is better!

Fair enough. I don't eat very much meat myself, so I was just curious.

Bendihorse wrote: »

I try to shop in supervalue, superquinn and the likes, at least they are irish owned.

You're probably better off buying in local butchers and green grocers, although they are admittedly more difficult to find these days. I'm fortunate in that there are quite a few near where I work - tend to be quite a bit cheaper than supermarkets and much better quality too. Also, no unnecessary packaging on everything, like ****ing plastic-wrapped bananas!

tricky D

Fax spam costs you money. More here:
http://boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=53206861

faceman

I buy irish where possible, except when the price isnt justified.

Bendihorse

djpbarry wrote: »

Consider it done.
Fair enough. I don't eat very much meat myself, so I was just curious.
You're probably better off buying in local butchers and green grocers, although they are admittedly more difficult to find these days. I'm fortunate in that there are quite a few near where I work - tend to be quite a bit cheaper than supermarkets and much better quality too. Also, no unnecessary packaging on everything, like ****ing plastic-wrapped bananas!

I do try and buy at local store/green grocer/butcher where i can, but they all open at 9 when i start work and close at 6 same time as i finish, its a pain.

Here here about wrapping on products, its bordering on ridiculous all the shrink wrapping, plastic trays and cardboard that you have to dispose of after doing a big shop, always makes me despair a little bit, especially after they convinced most people to stop using plastic carrier bags, kinda feels like its defeating the purpose.

Bendihorse

faceman wrote: »

I buy irish where possible, except when the price isnt justified.

In general you have to pay more for products that aren't mass produced, generally, nothing that is produced in ireland would fall into the mass produced bracket.

I buy irish unless the product isn't available in reland. E.g. certain types of fruit or ingredients for dinners that are not authentically irish like indian or malaysian foods.

Also be aware that supermarkets will only pay farmers the value of produce as it stands in the european/worldwide markets, the supermarket whack on an extra levee to the consumer for the privilage of buying Irish, the irish farmers dont get anything extra.

Same goes for organic produce, the farmers get a fraction more for the produce but its the supermarkets that make the big cut, hence the reason that organic produce is more expensive.

I would happly pay extra to a trader on a market stall as i know the money is going directly to the producer, not to tesco ireland, and in turn tesco uk.

meathstevie

Little note about Tesco : how come if it's all imported from the UK that I know at least two vegetable producers in North Dublin who supply Tesco's on a regular basis and that at least one lad I know in Meath and one in Cavan supplies some of their beef ? Agreed, they also import a lot of stuff like tomatos from Spain and Holland, same with peppers etc etc.. . But such is life, people don't live on spuds, cabbage, carrots, onions and corned beef and bacon alone anymore.


When it comes to meat I'd definitly check whether it has been EU grown and slaughtered for the simple reason that minimum hygiene, rearing and production standards are identical all over the EU. In order to be able to freely export carcasses have to have an EEC stamp put on them. Slaughtering and processing facilities can only get these when they adhere to strict standards and if the goods are subjected to random quality checks by independent assesors ( for example Dept. of Agriculture vets and hygiene specialists ). The checks include sampling for prohibited antibiotics, hormonal growth promotors, diseases and infections, bse etc etc.

Bendihorse

meathstevie wrote: »

Little note about Tesco : how come if it's all imported from the UK that I know at least two vegetable producers in North Dublin who supply Tesco's on a regular basis and that at least one lad I know in Meath and one in Cavan supplies some of their beef ? Agreed, they also import a lot of stuff like tomatos from Spain and Holland, same with peppers etc etc.. . But such is life, people don't live on spuds, cabbage, carrots, onions and corned beef and bacon alone anymore.

Yes, a token amount will be bought from producers within the island. Im not including produce like exotic fruit and veg that cant be grown or produced in ireland obviously.

Im not saying i boycott tesco or never set foot in it, far from it in fact. If i need something after 8 (which happens often) and tesco is the only thing open ill have no hesitation in going in there, but i have to admit everytime im handing over money at the till i do have a fleeting thought that im not supporting local producers or the irish economy.

meathstevie

Bendihorse, don't get me wrong. I do agree with your point of view.

To give you an example : a friend of mine is a cattle and sheep farmer. In real terms they're getting less for their animals as they did in the 1980's. The real cost of food to the consumer is significantly higher than it was in the 1980's so where's the money gone ? For sure not in the pockets of minimum wage warehouse and supermarket staff ?

djpbarry

ScumLord wrote: »

Most beer sold in Ireland is made in Ireland...

Indeed it is, but how many beer-drinkers actually know what they're drinking?