A new charter aimed at reducing food waste has been signed by five of the country’s biggest retailers. Click here for the Department of Communications, Climate Action & Environment press release.

We want to hear from members who have been leading the way in reducing plastic waste. Call us on 01-2887584 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with your views.

RGDATA Director General Tara Buckley raised independent retailers' concerns about unsustainable increases in shop insurance premiums and insurance companies settling claims without contacting shop owners at a meeting organised by Insurance Ireland. RGDATA asked for a full report back from Insurance Ireland on all the issues raised at the meeting.

RGDATA Director General Tara Buckley will make a presentation to the Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment concerning the Waste Reduction Bill 2017 tomorrow Wednesday 17th January.

Thank you to everyone who has completed the 2 Minute Survey on insurance costs we circulated. We have had a very good response but have extended the deadline to midnight tonight, Tuesday 16th January. This is in order to allow absolutely everyone who has concerns about their insurance costs to have their voice heard. The link to the survey is as follows:

https://interviewing.nfieldmr.com/Interviews/YjPis/GLKkW1Vr5efRtTAgrphI

The Low Pay Commission is now taking submissions regarding the appropriate rate of the National Minimum Wage for its 2019 report and recommendations to Government.

Click here for further information on the consultation process.

The closing date for submissions is 9 February 2018,  RGDATA will make a submission on behalf of independent retailers.

"Aldi should comply with Ireland's Retail Planning Guidelines instead of moaning about people legitimately objecting as it regularly flaunts the Government's planning strategy to deliver sustainable retail development and vibrant towns and villages," RGDATA Director General Tara Buckley stated in response to this Irish Times Report.

"RGDATA campaigned for the introduction of Retail Planning Guidelines and we make no apologies for seeking to ensure that they are adhered to," says Tara Buckley, Director General RGDATA.  "The Guidelines are there to promote sustainable retail development, competition, choice, and vibrant towns and villages. There are too many towns in Ireland that are suffering as a result of unsuitable, unsustainable, out of town, edge of town and greenfield site retail developments when there are many vacant sites and empty shops, banks and other buildings in the town centre. We must prioritise these sites before permitting out of town, stand alone shops."

The Public Health Alcohol Bill has been published and is expected to come before the Dail to be passed into law before the end of  January. The Bill includes the revised amendments on Structural Separation and the change from one year to two years before the new regulations impacting on mixed traders come into place. Click here to read the Bill

Please take two minutes to complete the survey.  As many respondents as possible are needed as the information this survey will provide is critical to launch the campaign. Please submit by this Friday, 12th January. Click here for the survey.