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Irish Times
01-08-2025
- Business
- Irish Times
The Irish Times view on the August bank holiday: a weekend to rest easy
In 1924, the leader of the Irish Labour Party, Thomas Johnson, told the Dáil 'a man is easier in his mind when he is getting a holiday if he is getting his pay for the same day'. His remarks came during a debate on the Public Holidays Bill, repealing nineteenth century British legislation which also covered Ireland, relating to four bank holidays: 26th December, Easter Monday, Whit Monday and the first Monday in August. St Patrick's Day had been designated a bank holiday in 1903 by the Westminster parliament. The 1924 Act gave power to the government of the new Irish Free State 'to appoint any particular day to be observed as a bank holiday.' Johnson's plea was that 'workmen who are given a holiday by statute… shall have their day's pay for that holiday.' While that request was not acceded to then, further legislation in 1939 established workers' entitlement to paid leave, with six bank holidays legally established: Christmas Day, St Stephen's Day, St Patrick's Day, Easter Monday, Whit Monday and the first Monday in August. New Year's Day and the October holiday were added in the 1970s, while in 1993 the May holiday was introduced. The most recent public holiday was established in 2022, St Brigid's Day, which also marked the Celtic festival of Imbolc, traditionally acknowledging the commencement of Spring. It was the first Irish public holiday named after a woman. We use the terms bank holiday and public holiday interchangeably, but our laws refer only to public holidays. Collectively, these days arise from inheritance, independent statehood and our distinctive traditions; historically, there were rest and feast days, and celebrations marking seasons, harvests and saints. READ MORE Some may regard the plethora of public holidays, including this weekends August Bank Holiday, as indulgent. But with ten public holidays, Ireland falls below the EU annual average of twelve, and the Irish, working an average 39 hours a week, toil at a higher rate than the EU average of 37.8 hours, allowing workers benefiting from this weekend to be easy in their minds.
The Independent
24-02-2025
- Business
- The Independent
New Look to close 26 stores as it enters liquidation
About 350 jobs are expected to go across 26 stores as the Irish branch of fashion retailer New Look enters liquidation. Impacted staff were notified after the High Court in Ireland approved the appointment of provisional liquidators last Thursday. New Look said further engagement is planned over the coming days. The retailer is seeking to wind down its Irish operations following several years of 'sustained losses and challenging market conditions'. New Look employs a total of 347 people across its network in the Republic of Ireland. The company, which entered the Irish market in 2003, said a 30-day staff consultation process will commence over the coming days. However, a collective redundancy process impacting all employees in the Republic of Ireland is envisaged. The Irish Labour Party said urgent action to protect the workers is required from the company. The party's enterprise spokesman George Lawlor said: 'New Look Retailers Ireland Ltd must recognise the human impact of this decision and immediately engage with workers in a meaningful and constructive manner. 'Workers must be given clarity on redundancy terms or redeployment options. They cannot be left in limbo.' The company said it was focused on supporting its employees through the process. It also said the appointment of liquidators was not taken lightly. The company said its Irish operation has struggled for some years, impacted by a range of factors including 'supply-chain and in-market costs, and squeezed consumer spending'. It added: 'New Look has undergone changes to adapt to this market – including marketing initiatives, store adaptations and price range trials – however, following a strategic review of the Irish business, New Look Group concluded it was no longer viable to continue trading in Ireland.' The group says it will refocus investment on its UK business and its digital offering. A New Look spokesperson said: 'Due to the increasingly volatile trading conditions we needed to expedite our existing plans, which included conducting a review of our operations in the Republic of Ireland. 'Following this review, the group regrettably concluded it was no longer viable to continue trading here, so it has made the difficult but necessary decision to enter liquidation in this market.' New Look stores were temporarily closed before reopening on Sunday for a clearance sale. New Look collections will continue to be available through online retailers Asos and Very.
The Independent
20-02-2025
- Business
- The Independent
New Look ending Irish operations
The Irish branch of fashion retailer New Look is going into liquidation, with an expected loss of around 350 jobs across 26 store closures. The High Court in Ireland approved the appointment of provisional liquidators on Thursday as New Look seeks to wind down its Irish operations following several years of 'sustained losses and challenging market conditions'. Staff at the stores were notified following the High Court decision and New Look said further engagement is planned over the coming days. New Look employs a total of 347 people across its network in the Republic of Ireland. The company, which entered the Irish market in 2003, said a 30-day staff consultation process will commence over the coming days. However, a collective redundancy process impacting all employees in the Republic of Ireland is envisaged. The Irish Labour Party said urgent action to protect the workers is required from the company. The party's enterprise spokesman George Lawlor said: 'New Look Retailers Ireland Ltd must recognise the human impact of this decision and immediately engage with workers in a meaningful and constructive manner. 'Workers must be given clarity on redundancy terms or redeployment options. They cannot be left in limbo.' The company said it was focused on supporting its employees through the process. It also said the appointment of liquidators was not taken lightly. The company said its Irish operation has struggled for some years, impacted by a range of factors including 'supply-chain and in-market costs, and squeezed consumer spending'. It added: 'New Look has undergone changes to adapt to this market – including marketing initiatives, store adaptations and price range trials – however, following a strategic review of the Irish business, New Look Group concluded it was no longer viable to continue trading in Ireland.' The group will refocus investment on its UK business and its digital offering. A New Look spokesperson said: 'Due to the increasingly volatile trading conditions we needed to expedite our existing plans, which included conducting a review of our operations in the Republic of Ireland. 'Following this review, the group regrettably concluded it was no longer viable to continue trading here, so it has made the difficult but necessary decision to enter liquidation in this market.' New Look stores will be closed over the coming days, before reopening on February 23 for a clearance sale. New Look collections will continue to be available through online retailers Asos and Very.
