Thread by @SlatedIreland

A little thread for you all of a Sunday.

Once again I have woken up to numerous messages from fellow makers, panicked that the Christmas season is still not here.

Asking who they could contact for support.

And there is the problem, we have no one.

@LeoVaradkar

On paper we do, but let me explain how they work.

Huge PR campaign launched, costing lots of 💰 ( oh and that's your money, taxpayers money), that's good you say.

No.

The #shoplocal campaign does not boost the profile of makers. It boosts the profile of the CEO.

I happened to mention this on launch day, I did not tag the CEO or DCCOI.

I politely suggested that the campaign was wasted money and that press interviews etc should be lined up for makers and not the people who run DCCOI.

It is meant to boost our revenues.

Technically as a member, I am their client.

What do we all do with an unhappy customer, we pick up the phone.

But no I was simply blocked by the CEO.

This week will see another press launch, for the RDS craft fair.

Another opportunity for the powers the powers that be to pop on a guna and wax lyrical.

No one will mention the colossal cost of the stands, the hours making, the stock bought and the obscene opening hours.

That the makers will be exhausted and when they finally recover and take out a calculator, they will discover they have barely made a wage.

But still this will be supported by the dress wearing ones.

Maybe it's time for an audit of an organisation that is publicly funded and is not fit for purpose.

It's nearly December, their PR machine should be lining up interviews, product placement in Gift guides.

They are not.

@geraldnash @alankellylabour @AodhanORiordain

There is no interaction with makers, no consultation.

Just people who have never worked in the industry making decisions.

The #madelocal campaign has no viability.

How it's meant to work, they send makers leaflets, we are meant put them in with our orders.

Orders that we secured ourselves and then we are meant to promote the powers that be with the leaflet.

Now really.

Government Deps should be encouraged to gift products from Irish makers.

Instead of generic tat being handed to visiting dignitaries.

As an Island we have extraordinary talent, talent that is not be being nurtured.

Yet an organisation is being paid a fortune to do just that.

I guarantee this thread garners no reaction from a politician or a staff member from DCCOI.

@DeptCulturelRL @DeptEnterprise @PresidentIRL

Incase any of them want to prove me wrong I shall tag my local TDs @josephamadigan @cathmartingreen @nealerichmond.

Feel free to tag yours.

@elizaja71705453 thanks a mill.

@JoBW @Aunty_Hen thanks for the RT girls.

I am getting so many private replies from makers, but on the whole they are too frightened to publicly say anything.

Says it all really.

@TheGreenApron_ @redzercork thanks for the RT.

@maevemcg @BallymakennyF thanks for the RT girls.

@debhruin @SiobhanMoloney1 thanks you lovely people 😘

@EatDrinkRunFun thanks Rory.

@Mike____kelly thanks for the RT Mike.

@PatByrned thanks Pat 😊

@Margot_114 thanks Margot 😊

@Marymarron2 thanks for the RT Mary 🙏

@damhnait thanks so much for the RT ❤

@MannionKK thanks for the RT 🙂

@mdr_ias thanks for the RT 🙂

@WhiskeyCat1324 thanks John 😊

@consreddan thanks Connie 😊

@Worldlinklwg thanks so much for the RT

@gardenngather thanks Margaret 😊

@HazelKLarkin thanks Hazel 😊.

@CatDelaney9 thanks so much for the RT.

@mac_fionn Thanks so much for the RT.

@GHollandPhoto thanks Ger.

@janerya78447112 thanks Jane.

@RosaleenMcCabe thanks for the RT Rosaleen

@dubscouse thanks for the RT Eamonn.

@curlymo_99 thanks Maura.

@dalkeygirl2 thanks Una.

@tinytimewithyas Thanks so much for the RT

@TheManorSqare thanks Emer.

@jools1671 thanks Neil 😊

@ShaneBy54629790 thanks for the RT Shane 🙏

@DigiCharityLab thanks so much for the RT.