On Monday 17th November 2008 at 11.00am in the Mansion House, Dawson Street, Dublin 2, the Lord Mayor Eibhlin Byrne will host an information session on “Fairtrade Christmas”. Various retailers including Amnesty International and Oxfam hope to encourage the citizens of Dublin to choose Fairtrade products as a gift this Christmas.
The Lord Mayor Eibhlin Byrne said, “In February 2008 Dublin joined Rome and Edinburgh as an accredited “Fairtrade Capital City”. Dublin’s citizens are still showing their commitment to this principle by purchasing Fairtrade products from over 120 retailers throughout this city.”
“People in Ireland spent on average €1,400 during Christmas 2007 - that was one of the highest per capita spends in Europe” said Peter Gaynor, Executive Director of FAIRTRADE MARK IRELAND. ”There is a huge range of FAIRTRADE Mark products available now in Ireland - all kinds of goodies that many people will be buying anyway and we hope more people will spend a little time when they are making their shopping lists and add many more FAIRTRADE Mark products to them. Fairtrade grew by over 100% last year in Ireland and, even with the economy slowing down, Fairtrade sales so far this year have increased by about 40% - we don’t have to compromise on taste, quality or price to give people in developing countries a better deal.'
Dublin was awarded “Fairtrade Capital City” Status in February 2008 by FAIRTRADE MARK Ireland just two years after Dublin City Council signed a resolution to support Fairtrade. A leaflet outlining various retailers, and Christmas markets which supply Fairtrade gifts and hampers will be available from Dublin City Council libraries and various city centre outlets.
“‘This year consumers have a vast range of Fairtrade goods to choose from and when you buy Fairtrade this Christmas you will be happy to know that you are contributing to a better life for the families of poor producers around the world,” said Councillor Eric Byrne, Chairperson of the Dublin City Fairtrade Steering Group.
ENDS
For further information please contact:
Ciaran Mahony, Office for Integration, T: (01) 2225395
Or
Dublin City Council Press Office, T: (01) 2222170/086 8150010
Notes To The Editor
FAIRTRADE Mark products now available in Ireland!
You can now find products carrying the FAIRTRADE Mark in supermarkets, locals stores, in cafés, bars, restaurants, health food, Fair Trade shops & online.
The following is a list of all the products now available in Ireland:
Coffee, tea, herbal teas, chocolate, cocoa, sugar, bananas, grapes, pineapples, mangoes, avocados, citrus & other fresh fruits, dried fruit, oranges, juices, biscuits, cakes & snacks, honey, jam & preserves, chutneys & sauces, rice, herbs & spices, seeds, nuts & nut oil, wines, beer, confectionery, muesli, cereal bars, ice cream, flowers, sports balls, products made from Fairtrade Certified cotton including; sheets & towels, clothes, cloth toys and cotton wool.
For the festive season the following FAIRTRADE Mark Products are also available:
Christmas Hampers, Chocolate Advent Calendars, Christmas Cakes, Chocolate Christmas treats, Footballs, Jeans, Bags, socks, selection of clothing… and much more!
Some places to Buy FAIRTRADE Mark Products in Dublin!
SHOPS!
Accessorize see www.accessorize.co.uk for store locations
Amnesty International Shop*
Their Flagship shop on fleet St, Dublin 2 is currently being renovated...their Fairtrade range is available at Dublin Food Co-Op, 12 Newmarket, Dublin 8. Ph: 01 863 8300 web: www.amnesty.ie
Boots* see www.boots.com for store locations
Centra see www.centra.ie for store locations
Cultivate Centre*
15 -19 Essex St, Temple Bar, Dublin 8
Ph: 01 6746396 web: www.sustainable.ie
Debenhams see www.debenhams.com for store locations
Dunnes Stores See www.dunnesstores.ie for store locations
Jack Jones see www.jackjones.com for store locations
Lidl see www.lidl.ie for store locations
Marks & Spencer See www.marksandspencer.com for store locations
Monsoon see www.monsoon.co.uk for store locations
Oxfam Fair Trade Shop*
54 South king St, Dublin 2
Ph: 01 6710308 web: www.oxfamireland.org
Spar see www.spar.ie for store locations
Superquinn see www.superquinn.ie for store locations
Supervalu see www.supervalu.ie for store locations
Topshop see www.topshop.com for store locations
Tesco's see www.tesco.ie for store locations
Trocaire Resource Centre
12 Cathedral St, Dublin 1. Ph: 01 8743875 web: www.trocaire.org
Also available in specialist/healthfood stores and in most retail outlets.
MARKETS!
The Natural Food Market
St Andrews Resource Centre, Pearse Street, Dublin 2. Saturdays (9:30am—3:30pm) Ph: 01 6771930 www.supernatural.ie
Docklands Christmas Market*
Amnesty International Stall George’s Dock, IFSC
12th—23rd Dec (12:00pm—8:00pm) Ph: 01 8638311 www.amnesty.ie
* Fairtrade Hampers available
What is Fairtrade
Fairtrade ensures a better deal for Third World producers of products such as tea, coffee, cocoa, bananas and sugar. ‘
Fairtrade Mark Ireland’ is a member of ‘Fairtrade Labelling Organisations International’, aiming to increase the awareness of Fairtrade and subsequently supply and promote an increasingly number of Fairtrade products throughout businesses in Ireland.
To become a Fairtrade City six goals must be reached:
- A local Fairtrade steering group is convened to ensure continued commitment to its Fairtrade Town status.
- The Town council passes a resolution supporting Fairtrade, and agrees to serve Fairtrade coffee and tea at its meetings, in its offices and canteens.
- A range of FAIRTRADE Mark products [at least two] are available in the Town’s shops, and served in 64 local cafes/ catering outlets. Catering outlets should serve 100% Fairtrade Mark coffee. Tea, cocoa and sugar are welcome additions. 120 Retail stockists should include supermarkets, as well as health and whole food shops.
- FAIRTRADE Mark products are used by a flagship business as well as 12 other local businesses and organisations. This should include schools, churches, large offices and local voluntary groups.
- The group attract media coverage and popular support for the campaign.