THE CONFERENCE heard presentations from speakers who offer services to the industry.
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Financial consultant Ken Fennel provided tips on avoiding financial danger:"Look for the early warning signs—keep a close eye on non-essential overheads." In the event of a customer getting into financial problems it is important to act quickly: "Meet the debtor and aim for a negotiated settlement," he said. "Remember bad debts can be written off against tax and VAT" Aideen Keenan from the GermanIrish Chamber of Commerce outlined the possible cost savings from switching to biofuel, which is commonly processed from rapeseed.
A pilot scheme provides a 75% grant for a small number of operators to convert their vehicles to biofuel. So tar 30 LGVs are involved and Keenan reckons their operators will recover their costs in six to eight weeks.
n Keenan
"You can put rapeseed on your salad and you can put it in your truck, although it won't do the same job!" she said.
Tony Keims from Peninsula offered advice on the increasingly complex world of health and safety and employment legislation.A good manager needs an understanding of employee rights; a knowledge of future law and changes; and a knowledge of contract policies and procedures,he advised, warning that there are now nine grounds for discrimination:Remember, every job interview is potentially discriminatory because you pick one person and not the other."
David Hughes front sponsor (J., outlined a government-backed scheme allowing IRHA members to buy Blackberry Pearls at €70 a unit instead of the normal €.350: "These will enable you to apply for a Dublin LGV permit in 60 seconds:.