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2019 Sinn Féin Calls For ESB To Consumer Spending In April Rises
At Slowest Rate Since January 2018
15th, Take Responsibility For There was a modest rise in consumer spending in April

May when compared to growth in recent months.
Expenditure across all payment types was up year-on-year
| Broadband Plan by 1.2% last month, according to Visa’s Irish Consumer
EXAMINER the same month last year which was the biggest rise in five
Spending Index, produced by IHS Markit
However, spending grew in March by 2.7% compared to

months.
eCommerce expenditure saw the slowest expansion in April
IRISH (2.2%) since January 2018.
The sharpest increase was in Household Goods, where
expenditure was up 8.5% year-on-year.
Other sectors that performed well in April were Food &
Beverages (5.7%), which posted a rise for the first time in three
months. This was helped in part by the good weather and the
lack of a Good Friday alcohol ban for the second year in a row.
Increases in expenditure were also recorded in Hotels,
Restaurants & Bars (5.5%), Transport & Communication
(0.8%) and Health & Education (0.2%.)
On the other hand, spending was down in Clothing &
Footwear (4.7%), Recreation & Culture (0.4%) and
Miscellaneous Goods & Services (3.6%.)
Philip Konopik, Ireland Country Manager, Visa said: “There
was some seasonal cheer in April thanks to spells of good
inn Féin will move a would do it differently. would like an agency set up weather and Easter, which benefited a number of categories
Dáil motion calling on Now Sinn Féin will put within the ESB to deliver the such as Household Goods and Food & Beverages.
Sthe ESB to be appoint- down a Dáil motion calling plan and now will have to "The overall level of growth, however, was modest and cer-
ed to deliver the National for the ESB to be appointed either back the Sinn Féin tain categories such as Clothing & Footwear remain chal-
Broadband Plan. to deliver the contract. motion going against the gov- lenged. There is little to suggest that the sluggish start to the
The party says the plan The government has said ernment or row back on his year, which only saw a 0.8% year-on-year rise in consumer
will not deliver high-speed this would run afoul of state previous idea. spending in the first quarter, is over and the current level of
broadband to everyone who aid rules and a new procure- It means the row over the expansion is looking to be the weakest since we started the
needs it. ment process is needed. way forward for the broad- Index in late 2014.” C
Both Sinn Féin and Fianna But this motion is more band plan will continue into
Fáil have hit out at the designed to put pressure on next week, as the local and Ford Ireland Downsizing Poses
National Broadband Plan say- Fianna Fáil. European elections loom. Risk To Cork jobs
ing it is flawed and they Micheál Martin has said he Social Housing builds will
not be affected by the Ford Ireland are downsizing their operations in Cork with
Donegal’s Sliabh Liag Gets increased cost of the National 31 jobs at risk.
The car manufacturer is restructuring its European opera-
€5m Investment to Help Boost Broadband Plan, according to tions due to lack of profits.
the Housing Minister.
In Ireland, Ford employs 31 people mainly in the sales and
Tourism Eoghan Murphy says the marketing sector.
A Donegal beauty spot has been treated to a €5m investment money for housing is ring- The firm said: “We confirm we have entered formal consul-
as part of an effort to further boost Ireland as an outdoor tourism fenced and won’t be touched. tation regarding a proposal to further align our market repre-
It comes amid concerns
destination. from the Department of sentation in the UK and Ireland, to reduce costs, improve prof-
Sliabh Liag, on the Wild Atlantic Way, encompasses coastline Public Expenditure that some itability and create a more customer-centric business.
cliffs of almost 2,000 feet high and currently attracts in excess of projects would have to be “This follows similar clustering actions made in other select
160,000 visitors each year. delayed in order to fund the markets in which Ford operates.”
The €4.95m development project has seen the creation of a broadband plan. Business journalist Vincent Wall said: “All that means is that
transportation hub and visitor centre, as well as road improve- Minister Murphy says that jobs are going to go.” C
ments and 2.5km of new mountain paths. won’t be the case for housing.
The final section of the project was officially opened on “Well it’s not an either/or Adare Manor Named As AA Hotel of the Year
Wednesday by Education Minister and local TD Joe McHugh as because we have a ringfence Adare Manor in Co. Limerick has been named AA Hotel of
well as Seamus O Domhnaill, Cathaoirleach of Donegal County budget for Rebuilding Ireland the Year for 2019.
Council. of over €6bn and the chal- Castlewood House in Dingle in Co. Kerry has received the
Mr McHugh said: “There’s no match for a place like Sliabh lenges we face in delivering Guest Accommodation of the year award.
Liag, sitting right on the edge of Donegal’s Gaeltacht. more housing more quickly Other winners include Restaurant of the year at The Earl of
“We have a huge opportunity to grow the spectacular loca- isn’t about money,” he said. Thomond, Dromoland Castle, Co. Clare and Seafield Hotel in
tion to become a major flagship tourism project for the county. “It’s about making sure Gorey, Co. Wexford, which picked up the Courtesy and Care
award.
“I would like to acknowledge the commitment of all the back- that we’re building the hous- General Manager of Adare Manor, Paul Heery, said it is a big
ers of this project and all those in Donegal County Council, es in the right places, that achievement to celebrate.
we’re getting the right mix of
Fáilte Ireland and Special EU Programs Body who saw the development and that we’re Mr Heery said: “It’s really down to the guest experience and
potential in this iconic site.” thinking about things like cli- having wonderful guest experience and keeping the team moti-
Mr O’Domhnaill said he believes the developments will cre- mate change into the future vated and sharing the success with them now, we received it
ate jobs locally and stimulate local investment. as we build and make sure today at the hotel.
“This is about delivering quality tourism development by that we’re building in the “There is great excitement and people are really proud of
enhancing a sustainable tourism product and raising awareness right places. receiving these because it always comes down to the people, the
worldwide of the brand that is available here in Donegal,” he “It’s also about capacity in employees.
said. C the construction sector.” C “The employees are what make Adare Manor.” C