COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
Monday, October 10, 2011
QUESTION NO. 20
QUESTION: Councillor D. Looney
To ask the Manager if the county town, Tallaght, or any other area within South Dublin County has been involved with the Fair Trade Towns project, and to establish the requirements for a town or other area to become involved?
REPLY:
At the meeting of the Economic Development SPC (including Planning) on 14th September the following report was considered and discussed :
"Arising from the last SPC meeting the Nenagh Fairtrade organisation was contacted for any advice they might have regarding the pursuance of fair-trade status for Rathfarnham village.
In response Nenagh Fairtrade organisation offered the following practical advice:
- The need for a local steering group to promote fair-trade in the locality.
- Local retailers and café owners need to be approached at an early stage to ascertain their interest in selling or using fair-trade produce.
- A survey to be carried to identify what, if any, fairtrade produce is being currently sold in the area.
- If possible a ‘flagship’ outlet should be identified to act as a focal point for the initiative.
- Local media both traditional and electronic to be used to promote the imitative.
In general Nenagh Fairtrade organisation considered that the fairtrade website offered further practical advice and support which was useful for getting the initiative off the ground.
Arising from this advice it is suggested that the following approach may be taken by the SPC;
- Local interests investigate the setting up of a fairtrade steering group which would include- local retailers, local residents, local interest groups and local public representatives"
It was suggested that Ms A. Carroll, Business Sustainability Executive, South Dublin Chamber, and the Chamber would explore with SDCC the setting up of a Fair Trade town in the County. Following discussion it was proposed by Councillor Tuffy and seconded by Councillor Brophy that Rathfarnham village be nominated for Fair Trade status and this was agreed.