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THE INTRODUCTION of the local property tax in Ireland has been identified as one of the reasons for falling sales at the supermarket giant Tesco.
In figures released this morning the company has reported a fall in like-for-like sales in Ireland by three per cent in the 13 weeks to the end of May when petrol sales are excluded.
This compares to a fall of 1.4 per cent fall in like-for-like sales in the fourth quarter of last year.
Tesco says that consumers in its international markets – including Ireland – continue to face challenging conditions and are exercising caution in their spending.
It cites external pressures such as the introduction of the local property tax on residential properties in Ireland as a reason for the “significant reduction in consumer sentiment and spending” in this country.
Conditions in the company’s main market in the UK – where like-for-like sales fell by 1 per cent when petrol and VAT are excluded – “remain challenging”.
Tesco also reported that since January it has carried out 1,500 tests on its own-brand meat ranges, identifying four frozen beef products contaminated by equine DNA.
These were withdrawn, reformulated and reintroduced, with a new supplier.
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I was a Norris supporter until his dismal performance on The Late Late show. The man showed he has some serious issues with his stance on underage sex and also got caught out on several lies. He can not be allowed become president as he will disgrace Ireland.
Hear hear. He dodged every tough question on the late late, choosing to roll out the buffoon persona.
If anyone is really considering voting for Norris read his letter to the Israeli courts first. Arrogant conceited pompous git.
Norris cannot win the election. Not possible. These polls are rubbish and for the most part are fraudulently conspired. Fact.
u mad?
wow…… someone is in a state of denial
Irish Pride, hmmm is that fear I see behind your comments.?? :)
Fear of positive change, fear of an educated man, fear of "the gays"??
Norris is by far the most suited person for the job and it’s clearly evident from all historical and current polls that have included him that he is the peoples choice.
The choice will represent the votes of forward thinking open minded people of Ireland, clearly you are not one of them.
Is there something wrong with you?
Irish pride – the art of making Eire stand upright…
wake up and smell the coffee! Norris for president!
No Barry, not afraid of positive change, intelligent candidates, nor homosexuals. My brother is gay and my son is gay. Your insinuation is borderline insulting and rude. I do have a problem with Norris though which has nothing to do with his sexual orientation. I think he cares more about the nuance of joyce’s Ulysses than he does about public policy. I think he tries too hard to be perceived as an academic. I think he makes a fine local politician but lacks the gravitas I would want to see in our President.
@Irish pride. In fairness you need to read up on the job of president. It’s nothing to do with public policy so your argument is flawed.
Ok then, Irish Pride. So it’s “fact” that these polls are fraudulently conspired, eh? where’s the proof?
@Irish Pride, do you have the slightest idea of what the role of president is ?
@Darren – now you’re being silly. I didn’t say anything about public policy. Time for you to go to bed little boy.
@Conor – I might even know more than you do what the role of President is. I went to a school where such things are taught to those attaining advanced degrees in political science.
@Irish pride, emm ya you did mention public policy. You said “I think he cares more about the nuance of joyce’s Ulysses than he does about public policy. “
I had no idea there were do many children on this website. Taking things out of context is juvenile, and conflating comments with each other and with respect to issues at hand show me that not only am I dealing with a group of fanatical Norris supporters but also a group of poorly educated citizens. Might I seriously suggest taking a course in debate sonar least there is logic in your arguments. It all makes sense now. I can see why so many on this site worship Norris. He is everything you aspire to be. Good luck!
Stop feeding the troll…
Irish Pride is correct – Norris cannot win the election. He is completely incorrect when he says the polls are rubbish and fraudulently conspired.
Norris cannot win because all the drama and chaos surrounding him and his campaign have made him into an even more polarising figure than Martin McGuinness – not my opinion, but the deeper results of the Red C Poll. McGuinness takes 16% out 1st prefs, but only 8% of first prefs – not unexpected, as if you’re not voting #1 for McGuinness, you’re probably not giving him a vote at all… But Norris fares even worse, taking 21% of first prefs but only 6% of second prefs. I wouldn’t have thought it was possible for Norris to be more polarising than McGuinness but it seems to be the case…
Irish Pride is a little troll alright and half ‘baked’ to boot!
Small minded idiot.
Not a Norris fan at all but he is more than qualified for the job. For me, I personally would pick another candidate but it is utterly disgusting to say that Norris is not up for the job because of his sexuality.
Norris is a tarnished man and is therefore like others not suitable to be the Irish Peoples President !
jason,crawl back under your rock and stay there.
Why has Jason not a right to ask a question …. Should every one who says anything bad about Norris go hide under a rock ….. Real people power me arse
Colin – Given that David Norris has topped every poll, lots of people seem to know exactly why they would vote for him.
Because they think he is cool. Look at who they voted for in the elections. Need I say more.
@Jason – ever hear of latent homosexuality? Twat.
Why would anybody vote for that sneering idiot Norris, I would vote for Dana before I would vote for that pompous ass.
You call Norris an idiot but yet you’d vote for Dana……clearly Norris is not the idiot here.
Colin Ahearn, your now calling Norris a rapist a very much factually incorrect statement, you are yet again confirming what I set in my first reply to you.
Have you lot no lives?
Senator Norris should be described as "Independent" with an asterisk. "Sunday Independent" would be more like it, or maybe "Sindo/RTE".
Can someone tell me why Norris is getting a vote??? To me he is as guilty as the catholic church in the way he handled himself by abusing his position of authority in trying to his buddy off the hook.. People have slated the catholic church.. But not Norris as much.why not?? He is just as guilty as them!
Niall,
So writing a letter of clemency is the the same as the rape of juveniles? I think not.. I’m not saying Norris is perfect but to equate what he has done to the abuse of cildren by priests is wrong
Jason
Thats quite a claim that 21% of people ‘support’ paedophilia. you know this for sure yeah?
He is but his supporters can’t see that …. They can’t see that what he did was very wrong ….. Beware of the Norris brigade
The catholic church was complicit in the concealment of sexual abuse against children and in the frustrating of judicial inquiries into said crimes. David Norris’ “crimes” don’t even compare.
The lack of knowledge surrounding his intervention in Ezra’s case baffles me. The “clemency” he sought was merely to bring his punishment in line with what it would have been were it a man and a woman rather than two men, and even the judge agreed it was too harsh a sentence. He did not try to “get him off the hook”.
Why would anyone vote for man who has sat on his arse in the Seanad fir 10 years trousering a fortune and doing fuck all?
I totally agree, what has he ever done for Ireland. Nothing…he has done more for his beloved rapist boyfriend than he has done for the Irish. Take him off the ballot.
Jason the brevity of your assertions astounds all comprehension. Your a complete ignoramus and bigot. Policy making as with life itself is hardly ever black or white but rather all manner of grey.
Plane and simple he will always be known for trying to get Ezra away with rape ……
What are you talking about? He never tried to get him "away with rape"
Anyways im getting sick of the pro Norris and anti Norris BS thats flying around here these days.
Take it youre pro norris jason?
What differance does it make what i am. You like someone, vote for them. If not, dont.
They all have dirt on them if you dig deep enough, the difference is Norris was an independent going against the big parties.
Norris is a walking headache …
No one said Norris raped any one but he did write a letter …. A letter that
Should never have been written .,, he has proven that he is no better then Bertie and the rest of them using his public office for personal gain …
Am did gay mitchel not do the same thing for a man who committed a double murder?
Norris asked that his former partner be treated the same way a man who had sex with an underage girl be treated. He never asked that the man be set free. How hard is that for you to grasp.
@ Andrew, well I think it is… Rape is rape in any form of context when it comes to minors.. The Law decides that.. Norris doesn’t.so when he decides to look for clemency for actions of others he has to be viewed similar.. We in Ireland have made a stance on a big problem in Ireland surrounding the catholic church.and we are still trying to get to the truth.. Why put someone on the stage who is carrying baggage of a similar nature??
@Niall,
Norris has not broken any law that I know of in relation to this? Nor has he raped anyone?. Also as far as I know Norris has expressed his horror at the crime of his former partner. I dont think comparison with the cathiolic church is fair either, the scale of the abuse and the attempted cover up is frightening in the case of that particular organisation. Also the polls suggest that Norris has a great deal of suppport. Do you have a problem with this? By the way I am not a Norris supporter but we need to be fair here.
@Jason
Too much gargle me thinks
Can someone tell me why they believe Davis Norris is better qualified to be President of this country than Michael D Higgins?
Some People for some reason thinks David Norris is some sort of Demi god …..can’t understand why they want him
Both have their good points and would make excellent presidents. But that one Davis ,she done herself no favours by not releasing county councils to nominate another potential candidate. I think she has a fear of Norris getting nominated.
Maybe the fact that David Norris spearheaded a landmark case in Irish law regarding gay rights, a somewhat progressive move, whereas Higgins is just a twee little poet who is going for it because he looks the part and could do with the retirement cash.
You obviously know little about Higgins and his somewhat progressive influence regarding section 31,the Irish film industry,TG4 etc. Your opinion on poetry is yours to hold as is mine on Joyce but you really should try to look beyond the gay rights activism of David Norris, which i commend by the way.
Your point on retirement cash is not worthy of a response to be honest.
It will be a battle of the transfers between Higgins and Davis in the end – Norris and McGuinness will slide when it comes to second preferences.
Serious question. How will senator Norris be received in countries where homosexuality is outlawed. I’m assuming he won’t be granted entrance. And how will this effect his ability to preform his duties?
Ian, what countries are you referring to, I dont think a trip to Iran will be the first thing on the agenda?
I don’t mean to say that I think he will be partaking in intercourse whilst away on diplomatic envoy’s and nor do I care. But it is not a legitimate question to ask that perhaps certain countries will refuse to deal with him purely because of his sexual orientation?
Can’t imaging him ever being let into a Muslim country or israel …. But don’t say that to the Norris brigade ..
The current Prime Minister of Iceland is homosexual, and in an active long-term relationship with her partner. That position is an Executive Office unlike the Irish Presidency. If the Icelandic people believe that it is valid that anyone within their society can aspire to, and attain that high office, then I think most Irish people would similar have few reservations, if any, about a celibate or sexually active homosexual challenging and then successfully winning the Irish Presidency.
Gary Power, You do Israel a gross injustice.It most certainly wouldn’t exclude the Senator because of his sexual orientation-in stark contrast to the surrounding countries. In my opinion Israel would be well justified in shutting the door to him because of his outrageous slurs against the country but being an open democracy it probably would put up with him.
Israel is actually quite a welcoming place for gay men & women, which is ironic because Palestine isn’t & yet I recently spied Labour LGBT at a pro-Palestine rally…
Talk about Vladimir Putin, the Irish media always try to tell us who to vote for in every kind of election.
@Jason Fitzgerald.U are A joy to behold. Opinions inherited from daddy, mammy and the church. Never questioned. Never seen through. And taken on like they are your own. Steadfast and strong am I amongst my inherited opinions. Where am I amongst them. Lost in time. Longing to be right because the fear of being wrong drives every word. Jason Jason sure you keep the chat rooms alive with your great opinions. The fear is wonderful. But it’s all included. If Jesus came back the Catholics would be first in line to crucify him. So much would their outrage and disappointment. My kids will grow up in a country with a new President who happens to like men. Big swing dicky but beautiful for them for they will not even think twice about it. For them it will be of no consequence. Only the big people have such strong opinions to hold onto. Only the big people like Jason.
Most countries out-law the act rather than the descriptive term by which people assert their sexual orientation. Foreign trips hardly go beyond a few days. I know that most heterosexual people believe that gay people get a lot of action, I think most gay people can resist the temptation of the flesh for a couple of days. But if it goes beyond a week I’d have my doubts. You know what we gays are like.
The absolute and utter facts are that if Norris was not gay, there would not be all of this publicity about him. The anti Norris brigade come on here and forget to use the word ‘Statutory’. And would you not in all honesty do everything in your power to help someone you loved no matter what. If you were to really investigate Norris’s career you would see that he has always put the child first. The fundamentalist jihad Catholics come out in arms over Norris and yet they defend their utterly corrupt prada wearing pedophile ring with all the vigour they can muster. And they do it with absolute conviction and certainty for nothing gives you more strength than having God on your side. Life does not care for creed or sex. But those with beliefs to defend do. The Fundamentalist catholic are a new breed of catholic. They appear almost humble and yet behind it is utter conceit for all that do not share their path. They prefer utterly to condemn. I don’t actually care too much for Norris but the extraordinary wave to hang him and quarter him by The Fundamentalist Catholics will give him a real chance.
Sorry rape is rape in my eyes
There’s always one who’ll play the “gay card”. Always.
Norris seems to have written six more letters asking for clemency for his former partner Ezra Nawi one to the prime minster of israel at the time, so thats 7 letters that we know of seeking clemency for a convicted child rapist. 7 in just one case, what else is out there, if the polls are correct and he gets elected then we will have 7 years of this kind of crap coming out, rumour and counter rumour, its not good for Irelands reputataion abroad..
On this site people say Ezra was a child rapist and others say he was not . What was he official convicted of ? because 50% of the time I am seeing David Norris’s name and rapist in the same reply. At this stage I am waiting for Norris to be accused of rape. It’s just getting confusing.
Just read on politics boards that the times have a story about it today. seemingly he wrote to benjy netenYahoo! and other Israeli officials, as well as Robbinson, who was presidnt at the time. ex campaign manager said that those lettets contained more details about Norris’ attitude to sexual encounters. editor of times tweeted last night that it would be a big night for norris tonight. I think there is a story brewing. I must clarify though, I didnt see times yet today myself.
and by the way, if he was to be elected on only 21% of the vote (the gay/paedo/confused-female vote), then that doesn’t represent the democratic will of the people. In fact its a farce. It says 79% voted agionst the president-elect. Forget the worries about democracy of nominations and support, herein lies the real democratic deficit, and this is what should be altered before it is too late.
In fact, my suggestion for proper democracy, is that if the two leading votes were taken, another vote is put to the people, and the winner is then elected; ie. if Davis/Higgins/McGuinness gets 18%, Norris 21%, they should then go head to head. I bet the same 79% would still vote against Norris.
I’m not a Norris supporter but your comments on here could persuade me otherwise. It’s sad to see that closed minded homophobes still exist in this day and age.
Oh really am I that influential that I can influence your vote? Well, anyway, as I speak the voice of reason, I only expect reasonable people to hear me.
So you can tell from one comment that I am unreasonable? Please! Your comments on here tonight have been disgusting. I’m a catholic too and I’m almost ashamed to be described in the same breath as people who express opinions like yours.
@Elizabeth, I can tell you are unreasonable in as far as you think I’m unreasonable, or closed-minded ‘homophobe’. Everyone who is not homo is considered homophopic. For your information, I am not afraid of these people.
And where have my comments been disgusting? that I think that true democracy isn’t in favour of Norris? or that I think Norris is abhorrent in his plea for ‘some’ paedophilia? or where I agree on the death penalty for paedophiles?
or am I so closed-minded that I cannot tolerate that children should remain children?
Dear so-called voice of reason. Please give up the binge drinking. Thank you.
Excellent post- pompous, long winded, homophobic, all the good things. Well done.
Jaysus, even by the standards of thejournal, that’s some post.
PS don’y knock confused females. There’s a lot to be said for them at 1:45 of a sunday morning as the lights come up.
I don’t know how he will be received, but I’m pretty certain that far more bad than good would come out of his election, if not downright embarrassment.
Even besides his stance on paedophilia, he cannot be taken seriously as a president. He wouldn’t know where to start. Don’t be fooled by the affected voice of someone from Ballymun (I kid you not)
lol Alan; it seems anyone who doesn’t ‘think’ like them is small-minded? LMAO
@John It sounds like you where felt-up by Reverend Billy Graham. By that I mean, a very regressive and anally-retentive synopsis expounded by rather unsavoury ‘lead me to the true light’ pastors. Those days are long gone mate. They where meet with a tsunami of progressive liberal effort in the nineteen sixties. You and your ‘never give an inch’ brigade have been consigned to the fringes of commentary in most liberal societies, and for the very specific and rather simple reason that most people just wanna get along.
To be fair, the poll doesn’t look right. was it was taken in Dublin alone, or was it sampled across the nation?. the ill feeling for norris is very strong in the west for example. he is a very divisive candidate.. you either love him or dispise him. no middle ground. that is why the poll is showing a transfer toxicity to norris. lastly if any more letters emerge, such as the one his staff allegedly resigned over, not the one that did emerge, the sea will change drastically. Norris second at best simply because of the transfers.
The established belief that David Norris will be unable to attract sufficient second, third, fourth, and another preference votes before the actually Campaign proper has begun, I think is somewhat presumptuous. Why at this stage pollsters’ have been asked to reflect it in their polling is a degree baffling. Of course it’s important to give the greatest possible, lay of the land, as to where the candidates stand at present, but I think it’s far to early to believe that there won’t be an enormous amount of flux over the weeks ahead. And more so the case given the number of candidates declared and the possible final tally of seven candidates by the close of Wednesday. There are to many unpredictable factors that may emerge or may not for that matter. But my guess is that it will be very fluid and open to considerable alteration over the period ahead. As an old Chinese proverb states, ‘may you live in interesting times’. These ought to be among the most interesting in Irish Presidential history.
You’re right in that there’s the potential for flux – with Mary Davis the most likely beneficiary (if she can up her game). A lot of people’s minds are made up about Norris – ditto mcguinness – which he is why he will perform poorly on transfers….
Quick question. I read somewhere that some TD’s/senators have given Norris the nod after he gave reassures that he has nothing else to hide. So my question is. What happens if he gets the nod. it’s election day and a huge story breaks bout him that’s terrible. Can they withdrawn or is it too late.
Yeah the same applied to the signatories of the Treaty. I’m sure the British had a condition in there, that if it became known that the military proficiency of the I.R.A. was less than they thought at the time of signing, then they’d be back across the Irish Sea. I think it’s somewhat final when you sign on the dotted line, otherwise you really don’t have a leg to stand on, that would include all Oireachtas nominated candidates as well. If anything where to come up about Michael D Higgins dubious standing within the Labour Party, and it where discovered that he had maintain his subscription to the Fianna Fail Newsletter, and had an up to date membership card, then his supposed nomination by Labour deputies would be in doubt, in that very unlikely scenario. The signatories are final and ought to be.
@Jason Yeah that’s a fairly sufficient reply of yours there. I mean I get your name wrong and far from ignoring it, and chalking it up to my over-exuberance in typing out my initial comment, you decide to make that your complete response. Substance appears not to be your strong suit. Like all pious and pompous conservatives you choose shallow subliminal points, over indepth forensic analysis.
Jason, I fully support your following of the bible. Put to death he who lies with another man…..hmmmm
Right so I’m going to have to follow the part that says I can kill those that work on a Sunday…….I tell you it’s going to be a total blood bath tomorrow!
But then it’s only right I blindly follow thd bible just like you……….
:)
@IanConway. Most countries out-law the act rather than the descriptive term by which people assert their sexual orientation. Foreign trips hardly go beyond a few days. I know that most heterosexual people believe that gay people get a lot of action, I think most gay people can resist the temptation of the flesh for a couple of days. But if it goes beyond a week I’d have my doubts. You know what we gays are like.
Yeah, I’m always somewhat bemused that all the commotion that swirls around the election of a Pope. Not just the theatre of, ‘O is it white or black smoke’. Or commentators dissecting every word spoken in the days beforehand by gallivanting Cardinals. No it’s not that that bemuses me. It’s the very chapel that the deliberations take place in that interests me. And most particularly that fresco on the ceiling by Michelangelo. They the Cardinals are deliberating away day after day, jostling for position, trying to get their guy in. And all the while this scene is in full flow beneath that painting. And I get to thinking. Surly as Michelangelo was feverishly working away day and night, pondering and altering his designs, all in the company of a squad of his apprentices. Chosen by him for their talents and devotion to his school of art. And also chosen for other reasons, youthful, athletic and beauty. And my thinking comes into it’s own at these times. I think to myself, I’m sure there where days as they worked effortlessly for the aggrandisement of God and Church, they were overcome by the flow and intensity of their endeavours, and taking a little time out atop the scaffold, their minds wander to more human desires and emotions. I think of the enormous dedication and time it took to produce those works, and it stymies me to think that Michelangelo’s well documented extra-curricular activities never rose over that entire period. Obviously I think not. So when you once more look at the scene in the Sistine Chapel take a fresh look and ponder. And think aloud, O the Hypocrisy of it all.
in-depth forensic analysis? hahahaha…. I really am so sick of this presidential turd campaign but you want me to dissect it with a magnifying glass? please…. as for adequate response – your points are illegitimate and don’t warrant one. I’m a good catholic – you can keep your Billy Grahams. And by the way, homosexuality IS an abomination. I’m not sure I’m so devout that I would do what Leviticus says: put to death any man that lies with another, but when it comes to paedophilia, I’m sure I could be persuaded.
@Jason: Alright, now I’m convinced you’re a plant from the Norris campaign…
There’s simply no way you’re a real person.
Most of Senator Norris’s team, by definition amongst his strongest supporters , as well as most of his Oireachtas backers abandoned him when the Nawi letter came out. Senator Norris himself withdrew from the contest because of it-my recollection is that he said he hadn’t shown sufficient or any empathy for the victim (having read the letter I am not so sure the Senator really saw or sees the boy as a "victim"- if anything he seems to see Nawi in that role).He gained high praise for the perceived dignity of his departure. None of the above has changed one whit yet all of a sudden and largely courtesy of the media, the man is back, portraying himself (and being portrayed by others) as a "Comeback Kid". The lack of empathy for the victim is forgotten about. He seems now to explain his withdrawal on people knocking incessantly on his door. So was he just making up the bit about lack of empathy or has he changed his mind about it’s significance? That’s an either/or question.
In my opinion the reality is that Senator Norris has an enormous ego and is consumed with ambition to be elected to the Presidency. I don’t trust him to have disclosed all skeletons in his closet. He has already failed that test at least once. I believe that there is a serious risk that in the event of his election something will emerge that will repel a large portion of the citizenry, and will lead to calls for his resignation-perhaps even coming from the Government. I believe he would resist those calls. His self-regard wouldn’t allow him to do otherwise. And there we would have a self-inflicted Constitutional crisis at a time when we least need it. This type of scenario would sell no end of newspapers but it would be a disaster for the Country.(I think election of McGuinness would carry similar risks, albeit for different reasons).
In the meantime I also think that in the above scenario enormous damage could be done to his agenda and by extension to his supporters who share that agenda (I don’t).
Wow! I’m not voting for Norris if he gets the nod but as I said…..wow!
Has anyone every met anyone who was surveyed by the Red Sea Poll???
No.
Danyl, a 43 year old man has sex with a 15 year old child. Norris writes a pompous arrogant bullshit letter to get his boyfriend off the hook. Then he hints that he has no Jutes with this age gap and that he would have welcomed the advances of an older man when he was young.
This controversy will taint the post of president if he is elected, on that basis along he should not stand.
For the record, I think all the candidates are shite.
@Jack-Ass wow that is a really intelligent reply from you…. when stuck for words, you might as well keep it simple, eh? Simpleton.
The whole selection process is undemocratic and has really been exposed this year. Shame on all concerned.
have your say