Shop Local, Buy Irish...... kinda...

Buford T Justice

Was watching the news on RTE at 9 last night and there was a piece about the low supplies of grit and salt, and how the councils are struggling.

Someone from the RSA was on saying that they can't source grit from the UK as they are using theirs, but we can get it from Mainland Europe, so they are working on that.

Cut to a roughneck in an Orange jumpsuit in a quarry outside dublin somwhere in front of a mountain of grit saying 'We have any amount of grit here, all they need to do is come and buy it'

Don't you just love the fact that there are supplies of it in the country, but the government is more concerned with sourcing it internationally. Talk about supporting your local economy............

Can't post a link as I can't access the RTE I player at work...

Princess Consuela Bananahammock

Ah, but it might be the wrong kind of grit. You know, too gritty... out Govt doesn't like gritty...

Besides, it's probably cheaper to ship it in...

Buford T Justice

Ikky Poo2 wrote: »

Besides, it's probably cheaper to ship it in...

Perhaps, but the Mantra from the govt has been shop local and support the economy, even if it is more expensive. They should be leading by example

Princess Consuela Bananahammock

Fingers McGee wrote: »

Perhaps, but the Mantra from the govt has been shop local and support the economy, even if it is more expensive. They should be leading by example

When did the government ever lead by example?!

Blowfish

Grit as in ground down rock/sand is not that great. It sits on top of ice, giving a tiny bit more grip but not much else. If it then snows again on top of the grit, it'll just freeze again.

What the government are looking to source is salt as it actually melts the ice and lowers the freezing point so that if it snows again it doesn't freeze nearly as quickly.

ednwireland

Fingers McGee wrote: »

Cut to a roughneck in an Orange jumpsuit in a quarry outside dublin somwhere in front of a mountain of grit saying 'We have any amount of grit here, all they need to do is come and buy it'

cracked me up as well "yes we got loads of it as he standing in front of this mountain"

anyway we are gritting our own roads up here with anything we can get our hands on have been for 2 weeks theres sand soil gravel rocks anything to give you a grip on the hills (in a 2wd with no snow tyres) anything works better than nothing (although our roads will be trashed come the thaw prob about april i reckon)

mathie

Ikky Poo2 wrote: »

When did the government ever lead by example?!

Harney. Pie Eating Champion since records began.

RoadKillTs

Was reading about this yesterday. Dublin Co Co would not accept FREE GRIT from quarries!! wtf?

prendy

Blowfish wrote: »

Grit as in ground down rock/sand is not that great. It sits on top of ice, giving a tiny bit more grip but not much else. If it then snows again on top of the grit, it'll just freeze again.

What the government are looking to source is salt as it actually melts the ice and lowers the freezing point so that if it snows again it doesn't freeze nearly as quickly.

exactly, sand doesnt do anything except improve grip and only for a short period of time as vehicles move sand about. it would do for footpaths though.

The Govt needs salt for the main roads as it actually melts the ice and helps prevent freezing.

pickarooney

Are they waiting on scientists to come up with a synthetic alternative - True Grit?

they can't source grit from the UK as they are using theirs

I hear Mike Leigh has earmarked about 75% of it for his upcoming film. Much of the rest is on back order for Slick Rick who, when album sales fell was told to 'grit your teeth and get on with it'.

Atavan-Halen

But this grit was from the (Shannon, I think) riverbed so Mr. Orange-suited Quarryman said it has a high amount of salt in it.

spank_inferno

It was a face palming moment alright.

RTE: "country running out of grit"
cuts to man standing in front of mountain of grit asking "come and get it baby!"
RTE continues: "as grit supplies run out......"

Good job Mr RTE editor.