If the volcano in Iceland recently combined with the rising hunger for organic food as we learn more about how unhealthy processed food is - just watch - http://www.foodincmovie.com/. We need to be more sustainable as a country, Eat Local, Live Well. The concept is simple. Using many of the now vacant large premises that are available in a township - the most central to the community that has a large carpark open a community shop. Inside the shop you have a butcher, baker, fishmonger, fresh fruit and vegetables all provided from suppliers of the local area - they are all open shops and share a central till system and staff so that people work in different areas of the business. By bringing all the suppliers to one destination they share on operating costs thus making it more cost effective to operate which in turn would make them more competitive. Within a short distance of the shop large plots of land (in different locations) is where the vegetables and fruits are grow - all seas More...

If we were cut off from overseas for any length of time, what would we be eating? Any island needs to be ready for isolation - ask the former lighthousemen. Even in England, they had to cultivate gardens and public spaces for growing food during the war because imported food was in short supply. Nutrition became a major challenge. We should develop national self-sufficiency in the range and quantity of food we grow. We can make inexpensive good food grow right in our cities and towns without loads of money … and lots of us have more time than money right now. Healthy Food can be grown in any available space: the back garden, townhouse balconies, classroom windowsills, a communal vegetable patch for apartments. Growing our own healthy food gets us used to what local fresh food can and should be, then widespread demand for quality leads suppliers to produce quality (organic) food at affordable prices. And when visitors who come to Ireland experience the quality of our food, they More...

Growing vegetables and a return to food production at a local level could be encouraged and supported. This would create jobs and markets, reduce imports and keep money in the local economy. The West Cork region has already established and proven its way in this regard. By establishing a national movement would revitalise this historical industry. This could be accomplished by a number of initiatives: utilising unused public and private land, initial provision of seed and introductory skills, encouraging community involvement and proper provision of a town centre weather-proof market area. The products could be sold at these local markets, other businesses could grow and participate e.g. artisan butcher shops, bakers and abbatoirs. The local authorities and NAMA could provide access to land for interested parties in both rural and urban areas.

EXPANSION AND PROMOTION OF FARMERS AND PRODUCERS MARKETS. I believe we should greatly expand the network of farmers and producers markets in Ireland. By doing we can get to know our own community and value what we produce. With a simple model and a helpful central guidance, I believe local initiative will take this idea a very long way. It can help cement jobs in farming, create jobs in tourism and help make Ireland a more competitive destination for foreign investment. It can help make Ireland a greener, healthier and more prosperous place to live long into the future.

Jobs in Agriculture through social welfare. Farmers needs cheap workers. Social welfare payments put to good use by unemployed people working for there payments

I couldn’t believe it until I actual seen it fish being dumped at sea. I taught when fisherman reached their quota that the fish they caught & put back to the sea were alive fish but their not their dead. Can this fish not be brought to port and given to meals on wheels!

Ireland is reknowned the world over for producing high quality, local and unique food produce. It is through pioneering entrepreneurship that farmers markets have been regenerated around the country in the past few years. These markets have given small local producers an outlet for their creative products, many of which are locally made, unique to a region, organic, suitable for diabetics etc. We have here a productive opportunity for growth in Ireland and beyond. We have knowledge & experience, the resources, entrepreneurship & spirit. The market has become more discerning. Customers want the option of healthy, home made (really home made), unique, organic, locally produced and they want to support their local communities. My idea: 1. Brand the concept of the "Irish Farmers Market", under this have an unmbrella of products which can be sold in Ireland or exported into the food retail arena in Europe or further afield, under this umbrella brand - creative marketing abroad & support f More...

This is a two part proposal which when combined I feel could bring prosperity to Ireland. It could also be used in separate parts by using the industry on its own or a different industry with a similar plan. Part one is as follows. The Dutch are one of the biggest exporters of flowers in the world. They have built up this industry over centuries. Their climate is ideal for such production. However a huge proportion of Holland’s flowers are now produced in polytunnels. This negates the need for particular climatic conditions. Although the tradition of flower growing began as a result of certain climatic conditions, its no longer a factor and Holland continues to expand in this industry. Ireland has an enormous amount of unused land space. Polytunnels are relatively inexpensive. Ireland currently imports almost all of its flowers. The proposal is that a huge amount of Polytunnels be set up on currently cheap land by Government. A small fraction should be used by employing permanent ex More...

All available data shows that our battle to prevent the upcoming obesity crisis is failing spectacularly. It’s a huge task and the funding for this area has been disproportionately small relative to its significance in both human and financial terms. At least 2,000 premature deaths a year in Ireland are being attributed to obesity, and the cost to the State is estimated at €4 billion per year. And if we didn’t deal with it when we had the money to, then it’s highly unlikely that we’ll borrow now to fund the necessary measures. The fairest and most efficient way to kick start a sufficiently strong long-term flow of finance is to levy a tax on confectionery and fizzy drinks. Start at the most shameful end of the problem: childhood obesity. A project manager will be appointed to each school and co-ordinate and support the transition to healthy eating - that is, train existing catering staff, perhaps assist in appointing new staff, co-ordinate the involvement of a nutritionist in More...

To set up shops in the large cities in Britain and other countries with Irish diaspora which would sell only Irish made goods They should be popular with Irish looking for a taste of home.The product might be limited but Irish producers would have an opportunity to increase their range of goods thus helping to reduce in Ireland.