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Al fresco dining in Dublin in July Photocall Ireland

July heatwave got us spending (a bit) more

Some of the biggest increases in retail sales were in clothing and footwear, and the bar trade.

A SURGE IN demand for flip-flops, sunglasses and tables in south-facing beer gardens helped drive an increase in retail sales in July.

The country enjoyed a lengthy heatwave for much of the month, and new figures out today show that some of the biggest increases in retail sales were in the categories of ‘clothing, footwear and textiles’ (up 5.3 per cent) and bars (up 2.8 per cent)

Overall, the volume of sales was up by 6.1 per cent over the month – but if the motor trade is excluded that figure drops to 1.3 per cent.  Motor sales experienced by far the biggest increase, 37.4 per cent, as the sector received a boost from the introduction of the new ’132′ reg plate system.

Reacting to the figures, ISME, the small and medium enterprises group, said the slight increase was ‘welcome’ but accused the Government of showing no real interest in the sector.

CEO Mark Fielding said: “They have allowed the rescued banks to hike up bank charges, condoned increases in local government rates and charges and ran away from upward only rents, while threatening the reintroduction of uneconomic wage setting mechanisms”.

Fielding called on the coalition to undertake a number of measures to help the sector, including action to tackle “unrealistic rents” and credit availability.

Séan Murphy of business group Chambers Ireland said the October date for this year’s Budget should help retailers.

“The earlier date for Budget 2014 should reduce the anxiety felt by many consumers in the run-up to the vital Christmas period.”

“This should allow retailers to capitalise on the positive trading period reflected in these figures.

Murphy called for the introduction of ‘free parking windows’ for town centres, whereby shoppers would be allowed to park for the first two hours without charge as part of a number of measures that could help shop owners.

Read: People spent more money than they usually would during the heatwave >

Video: Let’s take a moment to remember just how great the heatwave was >

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8 Comments
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    Mute Foxys van
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    Dec 27th 2013, 10:03 AM

    Why couldn’t she just fly over on her broom

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    Mute Fergal Reid
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    Dec 27th 2013, 10:05 AM

    Thatcher is an easy target for lazy commentary sometimes but that was brilliant!

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    Mute Common Chimpanzee
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    Dec 27th 2013, 10:10 AM

    As Christy puts it, “There were some great songs from that era”

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    Mute scaldbag
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    Dec 27th 2013, 10:14 AM

    They knew the value of money then, 20 years later on one minister spent 250’000 euro on up dating his Dail office

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    Mute Gary o Barry
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    Dec 27th 2013, 10:16 AM

    Thatcher would turn in her grave if she heard these jokes,
    No wait the lady’s not for turning.

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    Mute Common Chimpanzee
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    Dec 27th 2013, 10:16 AM

    That’s a lot of money to spend on a date… Hope this “office”/”woman” was worth it!!!

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    Mute Andrew Dagg
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    Dec 27th 2013, 10:46 AM

    For all you young people out there, the helicopter company was owned by Charlie Haughey’s son. So indirectly, the money was going to buy charvet shirts for that c@nt Charlie.
    At the same time he was telling us to tighten our belts.

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    Mute David Giles
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    Dec 27th 2013, 12:02 PM

    Andrew, you are of course correct. Charlie Haughey was in fact Taoiseach at the time so the Government ‘s chartering of helicopters from his son’s Irish Helicopters company was a clear conflict of interest. The civil servants were quite right and a little brave to question the cost.

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    Mute David Giles
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    Dec 27th 2013, 12:10 PM

    Andrew, we are wrong. Irish Helicopters was not owned by the Haugheys. Celtic Helicopters was the company founded by Charlie Haughey’s son Ciaran in 1985. It went into liquidation in 2012. Irish Helicopters is now owned by a UK company. Apologies all round.

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    Mute Andrew Dagg
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    Dec 27th 2013, 12:15 PM

    Mucho apologies..

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    Mute James Delaney
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    Dec 28th 2013, 8:19 AM

    Dont worry Andrew I’m sure many people jumped 2 the same conclusion inc. Myself. The ? Now is Who Owned Irish Helecopters. No details on Irish Historical Aviation Socieity site. You would swear d only aviation event in Ireland’s History occurred in Foynes. Is the Aviation Irish Historical Socieity Grant Aided by the State ? Is it located in Kinsealy ?

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    Mute Malachy Quinn
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    Dec 28th 2013, 12:11 PM

    It’s actually run by FF affiliated people including the Brennan’s of Galway, Kiely’s of Cloghrans & Kennedy’s of Wexford. Check out the IAA Board & senior positions.

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    Mute Paul Murphy
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    Jan 3rd 2014, 11:06 AM

    Charlies son Ciaran, owned Celtic Helicopters which at the time didn’t have machines with twin engines however Irish Helicopters which was partly owned by Aer Lingus did as they were involved in the support of the Kinsale gas field. The arguement about twin engine helos is still quite valid and our own Aer Corps only operate twin engime machines currently which ministers use with out thought of cost

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    Mute knowyourplace
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    Dec 27th 2013, 10:32 AM

    What a great woman, how she dealt with the slim fast terrorists was inspirational to all decent people.

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    Mute Foxys van
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    Dec 27th 2013, 10:39 AM

    This has to be Kenneth with a another new name

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    Mute Alan Scott
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    Dec 27th 2013, 10:59 AM

    Decent people hated her.

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    Mute knowyourplace
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    Dec 27th 2013, 11:23 AM

    Like who? Her reaction to the slim fast gang was excellent she is reported to have said if she had her way those evil terrorists would be even offered food to refuse

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    Mute Foxys van
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    Dec 27th 2013, 11:26 AM

    While the whole time turning a blind eye to the terror and erosion of civil rights of Catholics
    Yea classy lady

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    Mute Dwickedchicken
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    Dec 27th 2013, 1:09 PM

    You obviously don’t know your place.

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    Mute Alan Scott
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    Dec 27th 2013, 1:54 PM

    Were you a baby when this woman were in power ?

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    Mute James Delaney
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    Dec 28th 2013, 8:27 AM

    Yeah how she murdered British soldiers and navy personnel and people in Ireland and Argentina for her own self gratification. How she shown no compassion to her own people North of London. How she used her access to military and police resources to rob the hearts, self esteem and self respect, of her own citizens. No No No. NO COMPASSION, NO MERCY, NO WAY.

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    Mute Paul Murphy
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    Jan 3rd 2014, 11:11 AM

    The servicemen who fought will disagree with that point of view.

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    Mute Shawn Rahoon
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    Dec 27th 2013, 1:29 PM

    Ding Dong, the wicked witch is dead…. What a classic film :):):)

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    Mute Alan Scott
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    Dec 27th 2013, 10:46 AM

    Should have been given the use of a wheelbarrow or swim home

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    Mute Ian Mac Eochagáin
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    Dec 27th 2013, 11:27 AM

    She was probably horrified. She did, after all, pay for the ironing board in Downing Street herself.

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    Mute PaulM1878
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    Dec 27th 2013, 2:30 PM

    Didn’t Haughey’s Son own Irish Helicopters?

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    Mute Red Rooster
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    Dec 27th 2013, 3:18 PM

    Sean I think.

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    Mute Alan Scott
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    Dec 27th 2013, 3:50 PM

    Was it said at the time Haughey liked and got on well with her

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    Mute Red Rooster
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    Dec 27th 2013, 3:17 PM

    Wasn’t it Haughey’s son that owned Irish helicopters?

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    Mute Paul Murphy
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    Jan 3rd 2014, 11:09 AM

    Read the above.

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    Mute James Delaney
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    Dec 28th 2013, 8:43 AM

    What did Haughey say to Thatcher when he presented her with a silver teapot ?

    Ah go on, go on, go on !

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