Via The Advertising Standards Authority of Ireland (ASAI)

The radio ad:

“At Ben Dunne gyms we won’t be beaten when it comes to price and quality. One month’s membership is available from €22.95. Yes, one month’s membership only €22.95. So join a Ben Dunne Gym today for €22.95 and get one month’s membership. It includes free classes, a full range of cv and weights plus a lot more. So log on to Ben Dunne gyms today and join for only €22.95. Terms and conditions apply.”

The complaint:

The complainant considered that the radio advertisement was misleading as it did not make any reference to a joining fee that applied to monthly memberships. The complainant had noted the reference to terms and conditions applying in the advertisement, however, he considered that the advertisement should have specifically mentioned that a joining fee applied.

Ben Dunne Gym response:

The advertisers stated that the advertisement had stated that membership was available “from €22.95 per month” and that it had stated that terms and conditions applied. They said that there were several terms related to the membership and it was not possible for them to include them all in a 20 or 30 second advertisement. They also said that the advertisement had referred listeners to their website where they had clearly stated their prices and the joining fee was made clear there as they are an online business.

Conclusion:

The [ASAI] Complaints Committee noted that in order to avail of a monthly membership, a joining fee was applicable. The Committee noted that the advertisement had referred to terms and conditions applying. Whilst being cognisant of the limits of radio advertising, the Committee considered that a joining fee was a major condition that should have been specifically referenced in the advertising…

Action required:

The Complaints Committee told Ben Dunne Gyms to ensure that future similar advertisements included a reference to the required joining fee…

Ben Dunne Gyms (ASAI)

Thanks Jack Jones

The Immigrant Council of Ireland tweetz:

This week the abhorrent language & experiences of racism have again made the headlines. But hear this: a family just called us as they want to invite a family living in direct provision to share Christmas in their home – sharing culture a great way to #EndRacism #FridayFeeling

Immigrant Council of Ireland

Behold: an extremely well preserved Mk.1 1964 Shelby 289 Cobra roadster – lighter and more refined than the (Mk.III) 427.

Originally bought new by architect and racing driver Henry Hartwell Hester for $6,700 (the modern of about $54,000/€47,500).

Currently accepting considerably higher bids at Sothebys.

uncrate

Magdalene Laundries.

An eight-minute performance last Saturday by members of Kidkast Theatre School & Agency, aged between 7 and 16.

At a Showchoir Ireland event in The O’Reilly Theatre, Belvedere College, Dublin.

Concept, direction and choreography by Tracey Martin; vocals and staging by Sarah Louisa Nolan.

Previously: Escape From The Magdalene Laundry

“It’s Like As If They’re Calling Us Liars”

‘I, As Taoiseach…Deeply Regret And Apologise Unreservedly To All Those Women’

Kidkast

Thanks Sarah-Louise Nolan


Scenes from The Guardian Of The Temple – an open air interpretation of the myth of Ariadne performed earlier this month by French creative company La Machine in which two fifteen metre tall kinetic sculptures – a Minotaur and a giant spider – roamed the streets of Toulouse.

colossal

From a new Eurobarometer poll

The results of a new Eurobarometer poll on Democracy and Elections have been published, after fieldwork was carried out in September.

It found:

Almost 9 in 10 (87%) Irish people, 3rd highest in the EU, want online social networks and other Internet platforms to disclose the amount of money they receive from political parties and campaign groups as well as the support they themselves provide to these political parties and campaign groups. The EU average was 80%, highest in Greece at 90% and lowest in Lithuania at 67%.

86% of Irish people, 5th highest in the EU, want online social networks to disclose what content and publications are online advertisements and who is paying for them. The EU average is 81%, highest in Greece at 92% and lowest in Lithuania at 70%.

84% of Irish people consider that the rules traditional media have to observe during the pre-election period should also apply to online social networks, Internet platforms and the actors using them. The EU average was 76%.

83% of Irish people are in favour of introducing for online social networks the same strict silence period that is required for other media. The EU average was 74%.

The results of the Eurobarometer poll can be downloaded here

Paul Condron tweetz:

These be crazy times over there across the Atlantic Sea #MiniMalarkey #PressFreedom

Meanwhile…

White House defends doctored Trump-Acosta clip used to justify reporter’s ban (The Guardian)

Carlow Weather tweetz:

Sherkin Island gusting to 93kmh in the past hour as low system approaches Southwest. Fastnet Lighthouse has hit 112kmh (offshore and elevated). Heavy rain and strong winds expected across the country today with Yellow weather warnings in operation.

Meanwhile…

Sigh.

Previously: Incoming

National Gallery of Ireland tweetz:

This auction catalogue for the sale of art for the ‘benefit of prisoners of war of Irish regiments and Belgian refugees’ is held in our Irish Art Archives. The auction was held by Bennett & Son auctioneers, 6 Upper Ormond Quay, in 1915.

Further to this…

Alison Begas tweetz:

My Grandmother arrived in Ireland in Oct 1914, one of about 2,500 Belgian refugees to come here. Her home city, #Mechelen, had been largely destroyed by the Germans. She was welcomed compassionately here, and this [above] is resonating with me.

ECB chief Mario Draghi (front centre) addressing a joint Oireachtas committee yesterday

Last night

With an average interest rate of 3.15% compared to a Euro zone average rate of 1.77%…

…Mario Draghi, head of the European Central Bank – addressing the Oireachtas Finance Committee – described the lending market here as being in a ‘monopoly or quasi-monopoly situation’.

Meanwhile…

…The ECB chief also rejected suggestions that the bank presses member state lenders to dispose of non-performing loans in fire sales.

He was responding to Sinn Fein’s Finance spokesman Pearse Doherty who asked if the ECB was pressuring banks to sell NPLs onto vulture funds.

Mr Draghi said the ECB didn’t have a preference as to how the banks reduce their problem loan levels. He said they have to examine the details of all proposals, including, as Mr Doherty suggested, a NAMA-type arrangement for the purchase of NPLs from the banks.

Mr Doherty said the high level of non-performing loans here was a legacy of the refusal of the ECB to allow the government to burn bondholders, which cost the Irish people dearly.

Mr Draghi said he did not want to engage in a reconstruction of the past.

Too little competition in ‘monopoly or quasi-monopoly’ mortgage market – Draghi (RTÉ)

Yesterday: Draghi Into The Light

Broadsheet.ie