Stopping the Flow of Irish Money to the North

Dummy

I am baffled - the Minister is talking about saving €100M here and €187M there, but what was there in that Budget to would put a stop to the flow of Irish money flowing into Northern Ireland every week?

What incentive is there to encourage the Irish shopper to shop in an Irish shop? Instead there is added incentive to go North or to shop on the internet.

How much money do we would need to loose to the North, how many more Irish jobs do we need to loose before the Government realise that money leaving the State is much worse than the cost of a Job Seekers Allowance or Childcare Supplement?

We need to re-evaluate the two economies that exist on our small island - one of which will continue to thrive on our money. Anyone that goes to shop there, I say well done - follow that bargain.

Would a reduction in the VAT rates have done anything? Are the Irish retailers mature enough to pass on reductions in VAT to the consumer? Would revenue to the Exchequer increase with an increase in motor sales from a VRT reduction?

Instead of Irish shoppers going outside the State to get that bargain, let's learn from the experience and change the market into one where the shoppers coming flocking to our state.

Yes I have loads of questions that the Government should be asking and providing a solution for. Not me !!:mad:

K4t

Many, lots of retailers are still ripping consumers off. I have no sympathy for them. I applaude people who are going North to shop.

There will be more going up north now and I don't blame them.

super_furry

Think they should have at least undone the last VAT raise from the previous budget.

Rented Mule

The other issue that no one seems to be speaking about is the fact that all of this money being taken out in increases taxes/levies is also being directly taken out of the economy. This is money that people cannot spend.

How is this supposed to stimulate the economy ?

FF has has shot themselves in both feet again.

Jamie-b

I have lost to date about 300 a month after today. I am going to the north for the first time this weekend and I intend to buy enough stuff to offset this!

omahaid

Well it's pretty much the case now that we (my family and I) are down so much money that we will struggle to pay everything. As such, my duty to provide for my family means that I will have to shop up north on a regular basis now.

bobbbb

I feel the need to save what Lenihan took off me. To save some of this i'll be taking some trips up North

Jimbo

super_furry wrote: »

Think they should have at least undone the last VAT raise from the previous budget.

It's difficult to change tax rates in the middle of a tax year.

That's why we didn't see PAYE or PRSI increases

anonymous_joe

Every penny a person spends up North costs our economy dearly. Which means it costs the spender money.

It's impossible to justify on a macro scale, but at the end of the day, everyone can justify it to themselves at an individual level.

Kristopherus

Dummy wrote: »

I am baffled - the Minister is talking about saving €100M here and €187M there, but what was there in that Budget to would put a stop to the flow of Irish money flowing into Northern Ireland every week?

What incentive is there to encourage the Irish shopper to shop in an Irish shop? Instead there is added incentive to go North or to shop on the internet.

How much money do we would need to loose to the North, how many more Irish jobs do we need to loose before the Government realise that money leaving the State is much worse than the cost of a Job Seekers Allowance or Childcare Supplement?

We need to re-evaluate the two economies that exist on our small island - one of which will continue to thrive on our money. Anyone that goes to shop there, I say well done - follow that bargain.

Would a reduction in the VAT rates have done anything? Are the Irish retailers mature enough to pass on reductions in VAT to the consumer? Would revenue to the Exchequer increase with an increase in motor sales from a VRT reduction?

Instead of Irish shoppers going outside the State to get that bargain, let's learn from the experience and change the market into one where the shoppers coming flocking to our state.

Yes I have loads of questions that the Government should be asking and providing a solution for. Not me !!:mad:

I think its because the Dept of Finance are betting on the U.K. upping their rate to 19%

dimejinky99

People going up north is a rotten symptom of this situation we've been handed. If you want our economy to recover, you'll spend your money here and forget about the north.

Buy Irish. Keep the money here and do our bit, however small, to get back on the rails.

Idealistic but fact.

hairyprincess

only for the north i would hardly be able to feed and clothe my family. and the sad fact of the matter is lots more people will be heading to the north after what Lenihan and co. did to our children today.
A certain uk chain (childrens shop) which was in bother a few months ago is now charging the sterling price, in the republic
People who are unemployed or on reduced hours now have the time to make the journey and shop around for the bargains.
Maybe we should just go back to the mainland seeing as we are paying the queens taxes :eek:

Rented Mule

Rented Mule wrote: »

The other issue that no one seems to be speaking about is the fact that all of this money being taken out in increases taxes/levies is also being directly taken out of the economy. This is money that people cannot spend.

How is this supposed to stimulate the economy ?

FF has has shot themselves in both feet again.

That's just it, take money from the people now for a so called "quick fix" but in the long term you will see a big decrease in revenue.

VAT needed to come down badly, why they didn't is beyond me. There is nothing in this budget to stimulate the economy, instead they have made things worse and we will now see more people going north, tightening their belts and more unemployment.

This government don't have a clue and are completely out of touch with reality.

ronkmonster

Jimbo wrote: »

It's difficult to change tax rates in the middle of a tax year.

That's why we didn't see PAYE or PRSI increases

They changed the VAT in the middle of a tax year last year (not really the middle, just the last month)

How hard would it be to do the same thing but lower it instead

Jah Luff

dimejinky99 wrote: »

People going up north is a rotten symptom of this situation we've been handed. If you want our economy to recover, you'll spend your money here and forget about the north.

Buy Irish. Keep the money here and do our bit, however small, to get back on the rails.

Idealistic but fact.

How can I afford to shop here if i was strugging to surive on 200 a week now its 100 a week? wtf am i supposed to buy now with my -100 euro? I hope this goverment burns to the floor.

bobbbb

anonymous_joe wrote: »

Every penny a person spends up North costs our economy dearly. Which means it costs the spender money.

It's impossible to justify on a macro scale, but at the end of the day, everyone can justify it to themselves at an individual level.

Whats left in my pocket will justify it.

**** it, i think im going to start thinking about going abroad for good now too.

johnnyskeleton

Arguably it is every citizen's patriotic duty to shop in northern ireland, the uk or wherever they can get cheaper goods. Otherwise we will never regain competitiveness. Unless people shop around our country is going nowhere fast.

gurramok

dimejinky99 wrote: »

People going up north is a rotten symptom of this situation we've been handed. If you want our economy to recover, you'll spend your money here and forget about the north.

Buy Irish. Keep the money here and do our bit, however small, to get back on the rails.

Idealistic but fact.

Give us the money to afford the high prices here then. We cannot spend money we do not have in the first place.

skybus

Was up the North recently myself. First time going up for shopping purposes and more out of curiosity. I would say 9 out of every 10 cars attempting to park in Sainsbury's in Newry were Southern Reg cars. Did the equivalent of our weekly shop with a little more. A comparison when I came home showed a saving of at least 80 euros. Take 15 at most out for petrol and the saving is 65 euros for a few hours out. Bear in mind it's practically a free for all in the supermarket where patience is certainly required. From where I was standing it looked like most were regulars as they seemed well used to the carnage. Personally I shall be going again.

johnnyskeleton

johnnyskeleton wrote: »

Arguably it is every citizen's patriotic duty to shop in northern ireland, the uk or wherever they can get cheaper goods. Otherwise we will never regain competitiveness. Unless people shop around our country is going nowhere fast.

It's not going anywhere fast with this government.

All the crying they done before and after Xmas about the people being unpatriotic and shopping up north, and yet again they've now sent even more to go up north. When are they going to cop on and realise they need to cut prices, taxes and VAT :mad:

OPENROAD

dimejinky99 wrote: »

Idealistic but fact.

And not realistic,much smaller world now, with the net we can buy from anywhere

jimmycrackcorm

ronkmonster wrote: »

They changed the VAT in the middle of a tax year last year (not really the middle, just the last month)

How hard would it be to do the same thing but lower it instead

VAT is easy to change - it's a simple rate change in a retail ppoint of sale system. Paye etc is much more difficult as it involves bands allowances etc.

bobbbb

johnnyskeleton wrote: »

Arguably it is every citizen's patriotic duty to shop in northern ireland, the uk or wherever they can get cheaper goods. Otherwise we will never regain competitiveness. Unless people shop around our country is going nowhere fast.

I agree. Its because of all those people going North the last 6 months that shops are starting to cop on in Dublin. The more people that go North the more the rip-off shops cop on.

CamperMan

I was amazed, I was in both Sligo and Eniskillen today, Sligo was deserted, Eniskillen was like a Christmas eve rush hour, packed out, the shopping centre was very busy, it took over 30 mins just to get over the bridge and park up at Tesco!!

gurramok

Ah balls Camperman. On a weekday like Tuesday, Ennisk been packed is really an eyeopener.
It does be usually packed non-Newry style on weekends but from your post its gonna be Newry style from now on everyday.

As a poster says above, this budget is encouraging more to go up..

CamperMan

gurramok wrote: »

Ah balls Camperman. On a weekday like Tuesday, Ennisk been packed is really an eyeopener.
It does be usually packed non-Newry style on weekends but from your post its gonna be Newry style from now on everyday.

As a poster says above, this budget is encouraging more to go up..

Seriously, it was jammed, and what really is a shame is the way Sligo is going in decline with major shops closing and this government won't do a thing to stop this decline!

delta_bravo

Jah Luff wrote: »

How can I afford to shop here if i was strugging to surive on 200 a week now its 100 a week? wtf am i supposed to buy now with my -100 euro? I hope this goverment burns to the floor.

So youre under 20? I completely support this move. It stops school leavers going straight on the dole and not bothering to look for a job. I dont know your situation but it was the proper thing to do.

handsomecake

im going up the north next tuesday. been saving for the trip. im getting
furniture in ikea
ipod touch 32 gb
50 inch tv
region free sony dvd player
onkyo amp in richersounds
pioneer car radio
nintendo wii
sony vaio laptop with all the best trimmings.
dog food/toiletries for the year.
i dont drink or smoke myself but my friends are giving me a list.
staying the night in a hotel with herself too.

borrowed my dads opel combi van for the trip.
ireland are not getting a cent of it.
whats worse is the missus will prob take up half the van with ****e of her own.
**** lenihan

CamperMan

we buy all our food in the south and electrical goods, clothing, books, magazines, DVDs, CD's etc. in the north

delta_bravo

handsomecake wrote: »

im going up the north next tuesday. been saving for the trip. im getting
furniture in ikea
ipod touch 32 gb
50 inch tv
region free sony dvd player
onkyo amp in richersounds
pioneer car radio
nintendo wii
sony vaio laptop with all the best trimmings.
dog food/toiletries for the year.
i dont drink or smoke myself but my friends are giving me a list.
staying the night in a hotel with herself too.

borrowed my dads opel combi van for the trip.
ireland are not getting a cent of it.
whats worse is the missus will prob take up half the van with ****e of her own.
**** lenihan

My heart bleeds, the recession is really effecting you.

gurramok

delta_bravo wrote: »

My heart bleeds, the recession is really effecting you.

Well, the bloke probably has had his yearly pay reduced by €2000->€5000 pa depending on earnings since Sept on tax, he is just getting it back by going north.

handsomecake

delta_bravo wrote: »

My heart bleeds, the recession is really effecting you.

am i to apologise for studying hard and getting a good well payed job. ill be happy if i want to be. for the record im 24 and dont own a house. i rent. its the clowns who got mortgages in the states and defaulted etc who caused this.why should i pay 2000 for a tv here if i can get it for 1400 in the north. i owe lenihan nothing. he taxes my income handsomely and has increased that today also.
your comment is nothing other then begrudgery.
as i said i SAVED up for this trip. am i not allowed furnish myself with lavish goods

Jah Luff

handsomecake wrote: »

im going up the north next tuesday. been saving for the trip. im getting
furniture in ikea
ipod touch 32 gb
50 inch tv
region free sony dvd player
onkyo amp in richersounds
pioneer car radio
nintendo wii
sony vaio laptop with all the best trimmings.
dog food/toiletries for the year.
i dont drink or smoke myself but my friends are giving me a list.
staying the night in a hotel with herself too.

borrowed my dads opel combi van for the trip.
ireland are not getting a cent of it.
whats worse is the missus will prob take up half the van with ****e of her own.
**** lenihan

Good man.

Steviemak

Its all well and good going up north but people must realise that jobs are being lost as a direct result of this. I understand people's reactions but money seeping out of this economy we eventually effect every single person.

I even know a person who works in Superquinn who shop up north and then are really worried about their job being lost. She can't seem to add two and two together.

OPENROAD

Steviemak wrote: »

Its all well and good going up north but people must realise that jobs are being lost as a direct result of this. I understand people's reactions but money seeping out of this economy we eventually effect every single person.

I even know a person who works in Superquinn who shop up north and then are really worried about their job being lost. She can't seem to add two and two together.

In that case we MUST make ourselves competitve, you can't blame people for shopping around.

As it is their is a great deal of uncertainty of what will happen in December, as areult people will continue to find the best price and/or just won't buy non-essential items.

BroomBurner

Steviemak wrote: »

Its all well and good going up north but people must realise that jobs are being lost as a direct result of this. I understand people's reactions but money seeping out of this economy we eventually effect every single person.

I even know a person who works in Superquinn who shop up north and then are really worried about their job being lost. She can't seem to add two and two together.

People with less money will look for the cheapest option. Simple as. Also, seeing as we're living in a democracy with legislation on anti-competitiveness governing us, what do you want the Irish people to do?

meathstevie

If Superquinn, Dunnes, Supervalue, Tesco etc would give a fig about their customers they'd offer value for money instead of treating us like chickens to be plucked... . Multinational retailers can reap all the benefits of globalisation so when it's our turn to take back a wee bit please don't go crying unpatriotic...it's not like Enniskillen, Armagh, Newry, Derry etc are at the far side of the moon.

Carlow52

Jimbo wrote: »

It's difficult to change tax rates in the middle of a tax year.

That's why we didn't see PAYE or PRSI increases

VAT is different from PAYE due to the allowances and exemptions

VAT changes are simple

johnnyboy4711

WE SHOULD SHOP AROUND!!!Well we are doing it!
j

hairyprincess

The people are voting with their feet lads.............

Our man in Havana

Shopping in Northern Ireland will now be used by more and more people. Adsa must be delighted with the budget.
FF have shot themselves in both feet.

BroomBurner

Bond-007 wrote: »

Shopping in Northern Ireland will now be used by more and more people. Adsa must be delighted with the budget.
FF have shot themselves in both feet.

Sainsbury's openly admitted that their Newry store is the biggest seller of alcohol and baby products out of all their stores UK wide.

On the back of that, one way of getting back people to shop more here would have been to reduce VAT rates. They could also do something momentous and vastly reduced (or cut altogher) VAT on sanitary products, including baby goods.

dresden8

dimejinky99 wrote: »

People going up north is a rotten symptom of this situation we've been handed. If you want our economy to recover, you'll spend your money here and forget about the north.

Buy Irish. Keep the money here and do our bit, however small, to get back on the rails.

Idealistic but fact.

I buy Irish in Newry. Support the peace process!

Idealistic but fact.

dresden8

You have to remember the last time the government cut VAT the thieving b@st@rd retailers pocketed the money and when the government put the VAT back up the thieving b@st@rd retailers passed the increase on.

IBEC and ISME can go fnck themselves. I won't fund a campaign aimed at cutting my pay.

dizzywizlw

I dare not anger the Invisible Hand of the market by being irrational and opposed to competition, I'm very serious about this, we can't try to mess with market conditions otherwise it won't correct itself and we'll be fecked,
In order to help Ireland we must shop up north so as to force producers to change their price to match what the cosumers are willing to pay. This is no longer an oligopoly (producers control price) its an oligopsony (WE influence price), that how the market works and to HMV, Woodies and others who charged almost double the sterling price, paybacks a bitch!.
:cool:

Example:
iphone in dublin €569
iphone in Banbridge €434

DublinWriter

Dummy wrote: »

Yes I have loads of questions that the Government should be asking and providing a solution for. Not me !!:mad:

Boo hoo. I, for one, will be stress testing the back axel of my car this coming Saturday on a Newry run. Cigarettes will be high(er) on the list.

O'Coonassa

DublinWriter wrote: »

Boo hoo. I, for one, will be stress testing the back axel of my car this coming Saturday on a Newry run. Cigarettes will be high(er) on the list.

The smokes are half the price online mate if you're looking to save money

ciscokidder

I admit to shopping in Newry occasionally in the last year, however after today feck it, It is going to be a commute. My income has swan dived so something has to give. Every penny I spend in Dublin is one regretted IMO.

sanj2408

Went up North yesterday. Im unemployed and my partner has recently taken a pay cut. I bought enough food to last me about 6 weeks apart from fresh food like bread and milk. I got an iron which cost me half the price it would here and I saved loads on nappies and baby milk. I got a buggy very cheap as well and filled the car with petrol.
(Box of Aptamil in Sainsburys: £7.98, price down here €13.99)
I have absolutely no feelings of guilt whatsoever its about time we were charged fair prices on these things and it seems the only way to get it is by scaring the shops into lowering their prices by going up the north.
Hopefully they will cop on soon and these trips we make up north won't go on for too long.
Considering the majority of the deficit in the governments income is from a lack of VAT and excise duties, you'd think they would have done more to stimulate these incomes.

lionela

A few traffic disruptions on the road north ie. 3 and 4 hour delays would soon put a damper on motorists travelling up north to shop.

How about vehicle checks ,ins,tax ,tyres ,nct, no. of passengers carried
drivers licence etc

Spoilsport:D