MAGLink, January 2002

 

A monthly update from the Irish Motorcyclists Action Group.

The progress reported below in promoting and protecting motorcycling has been possible because of your support.

 

New Member Benefit: FREE entry to Farmyard Party in the UK..... 1

NOTE to Local Groups and Affiliated Clubs:........... 2

Cash for MAG Recruiters.... 2

Special deal for MAG members going to Donington Park in July.. 2

Campaign Updates....... 2

Bikers Are Voters...... 2

Insurance 2

DRL (Daytime Running Lights)..... 2

Direct Access.... 2

Road Safety/Metal Plates....... 3

Secure Motorcycle Parking.... 3

Local Group Update......... 3

New group in North Tipp/South Offaly....... 3

International Update......... 3

Motorcycle Emissions :  European Parliament adopts Lange Report: the way to Conciliation................... 3

Main Actions and Decisions 3

MAG Calendar...................... 4

Board meetings.. 4

National Council meetings (All local groups to attend)..... 4

2002 Annual Group Conference (AGC):..... 5

MAG Local Group meetings.. 5

MAG Events..... 5

Publication Deadlines 6

MAG Ireland's Events Calendar, 2002.......... 6

Overseas events...... 6

MAG Benefits 7

Member Benefits... 7

Affiliated Club Benefits... 7

Information Sheets & Reps Resource Kit (January 2002)........ 7

MAG Products...................... 8

MAG Advertising. 8

Shops...... 8

Discounts: 9

Clubs....... 9

MAG Contacts...................... 9

Board....... 9

National Council and Local MAG Group Contact Details..... 9

MAG Office................ 10

General News Items........... 10

Getting MAGLink and passing it on 10

Disclaimer.. 11

 

New Member Benefit: FREE entry to Farmyard Party in the UK

Responding to the call by the MAG UK National Committee, the Farmyard Party management today announced that they would grant free admission to members of FEMA organisations (which includes MAG Ireland) outside the UK. To be eligible riders must present a current passport from their country of origin with a matching membership card for a national FEMA member organisation such as MAG Ireland or MAG Belgium. They must also be riding a bike with a registration plate from their country of origin.

The Farmyard Party will be held at Duncombe Park near Helmsley, North Yorkshire, on 21st - 23rd June 2002.

For more details contact the MAG UK press office on +44 208 556 6495

NOTE to Local Groups and Affiliated Clubs:

Underwriting difficulties with Irish insurance are affecting the MAG Ireland events insurance benefit. Please contact the MAG office for the current details if you are planning to hold an event under MAG Public Liability cover in the near future. MAG Ireland is currently looking at the insurance market place and welcomes any recommendations from clubs or other groups.

Cash for MAG Recruiters

Bank  Standing orders are by far the easiest way for MAG members to pay their subscription. They are also much cheaper and quicker for the MAG office to process.  MAG is now passing these savings onto its members. As well as offering three months free membership for members who take out a standing order, MAG has decided to introduce a “fiver back” promotion - any MAG member who gets a friend to sign up for a standing order will get a fiver (€6.35) back in cash.

 

This means that if all the members of a club of twenty people decide to support MAG with bank standing orders and name their treasurer as recruiter then the club will receive one hundred pounds (128 Euro) from MAG.

 

Full details, conditions and bank standing order forms are available from the MAG office.

Special deal for MAG members going to Donington Park in July

 

MAG UK's done it again - all the excitement of the British Grand Prix plus two days of practice, live bands and party Friday and Saturday night, exclusive MAG campsite and bar all for an amazing £25 sterling and this offer is available to MAG UK and MAG Ireland members.

 

Donington Park 12th 13th & 14th July Ticket Hotline call 00 44 8701 696805 and quote your membership number. (MAG UK or MAG Ireland). Tickets £25 in advance only (closes June 30th - no ticket sales on gate) subject to a booking fee

 

Further details of this and other MAG events at http://mag-uk.org/events

 

Campaign Updates

Bikers Are Voters

The photoshoot for the Bikers Are Voters flyer/poster campaign has been completed. Many thanks to the volunteers.

Insurance

There has been contact with Carole Nash to confirm the sending out of refunds. Meetings have been scheduled with Carole Nash and with Hibernian and will include concerns raised by MAG members.

DRL (Daytime Running Lights)

A Private Member Bill in the Dail is seeking the compulsory use of Daytime Running Lights for all vehicles. Representations are being made to put MAG’s concerns across.

(Note: Compulsory use of running lights by all vehicles lessens any benefit gained by riders who choose to use daytime lights.)

Direct Access

The official complaint procedure regarding Ireland’s failure to implement the Direct Access option given in the 2nd EU Directive on Driver Licensing is to be pursued at European level by FEMA. At National Level, a MAG member is currently liaising with Gearoid O’Byrne in order to proceed in a test case challenging Ireland’s non-implementation of D.A. using Equality legislation.

Road Safety/Metal Plates

Preparatory work for the campaign for the use of safer alternatives to metal plates on roadworks is being done.

Secure Motorcycle Parking

Dublin Corporation, on foot of representations made by Jimmy Kenny on behalf of MAG Ireland have agreed to provide six new motorcycle/bicycle parking spaces.  These are to be of the Sheffield type. 

Local Group Update

New group in North Tipp/South Offaly.

MAG Tipperary North/South Offaly will be holding their first meeting in 'The Mill House', Birr Road, Roscrea on Thursday 21nd February. The plan is to have meetings every last Thursday in the month thereafter. Contact Keith Leaver at kleaver@gofree.indigo.ie for further details.

International Update

Motorcycle Emissions :
European Parliament adopts Lange Report: the way to Conciliation...

 

11th & 12th December 2001, EP Plenary Session, Strasbourg

The debate and second reading vote within the European Parliament (EP) on the proposal for further reductions of motorcycle emissions resulted in the endorsement of the Rapporteur's position. This means mandatory emission limits for 2006 on the basis of the Adapted European Car Test Cycle, provisions on durability and in-use compliance of fitted devices to meet original emission performances over time.

 

FEMA was present in Strasbourg. During the debate held the evening before the vote, the Rapporteur Bernd Lange underlined the main objective of his proposed amendments: making motorcycles as clean as

cars by 2006.

The European Commission expressed its general support for Lange's Report but still disagrees on setting mandatory 2006 limit values before a test cycle specific to motorcycles is finalised. Part of the results from the technical development of this World Motorcycle Test Cycle (WMTC) would be validated the following week, said Commissioner Erkii Liikanen.

 

FEMA thinks that established mandatory 2006 limits must not be distorted by any subsequent changes to the test cycles. These limits should be consistent with the objective of the proposal, therefore subject to correlation factors in order to avoid hidden reductions going beyond the original targets for motorcycle emissions.

 

The provisions on durability and in-use compliance contained in the proposal, seeking to control the conformity of original emission output of vehicles under normal conditions of use, are still very vague and require closer investigation. The European Commission will set up a working group in order to define the best practice to implement those measures. FEMA will be part of this group and make sure, if these provisions were to be implemented, that motorcyclists would not bear their costs.

 

The divergent positions of the European Parliament and the Council of Ministers will inevitably result in the proposal going through the conciliation procedure. Next Spring will then be a crucial time for this issue. FEMA is constantly undertaking actions to make sure that motorcyclists get a fair treatment.

http://fema.ridersrights.org

Main Actions and Decisions

 

Decisions and actions of the Board meeting of 9/1/2002 (summarised)

 

Direct Access - MAG Ireland, in conjunction with FEMA the European riders’ rights body, is to make a formal complaint to the EU Commission about the lack of Direct Access to unrestricted bikes in Ireland.

 

National Council Meeting - This is where representatives from MAG local groups around Ireland discuss matters affecting Irish motorcyclists and set MAG policy.  The next meeting of the NC has been arranged for the 9th of February in Banagher, Co. Offaly.

 

Events Insurance - The company which underwrote the MAG events insurance is not accepting renewals.  Insurance difficulties are currently affecting many organisations and businesses all over Ireland.  We have found a broker who arranges specialised cover for sports clubs, who is confident that cover can eventually be arranged, though the cost is likely to be high.  We will continue to seek affordable insurance for events because of the importance of insurance for local group activities and the rally scene.

 

Toll Roads - The MAG Board has agreed a campaign, in the run up to the election, against the many toll roads proposed under the national development programme.

 

Standing Order Promotion - Standing orders are the easiest way for MAG members to pay their subscription, and also cheaper and quicker for the MAG office to process.  As well as offering three months free for members who take out a standing order, the Board has decided to introduce a “fiver back” promotion - any MAG member who gets a friend to sign up for a standing order will get a fiver (€6.35) back in cash.  Details from the MAG office.

 

Metal Road Plates - Every motorcyclist is familiar with the hazard these create at road works.  The EU has set down rules which ban the use of metal plates which are hazardous - plates must be used as little as possible, be non-slip and installed properly so as not to create a risk for motorcycles.  MAG will be campaigning to have this implemented in Ireland as soon as possible.

 

Rallies and Shows - MAG plans to have a MAG Stand, selling products and memberships and offering advice, at several bike shows and rallies in 2002.  The more volunteers willing to help out, the more rallies and shows we can attend.

 

Events Calendar 2002 - A reminder to please forward details of your event, rally or show ASAP to the MAG office, for free inclusion in Roadrunner and the Maglink events calendar.

 

MAG Credit Card - The MAG Credit Card (issued by MBNA Bank) is now available - allowing members to benefit from special interest rates.  MBNA make a donation to MAG for each card taken out, and also contribute a percentage of the spending on each card.  So you can benefit motorcycling at no cost to yourself.  Contact the MAG Office for an application form.

 

Bikers Are Voters - The photoshoot for Bikers Are Voters took place on 20th January.  Many thanks to the MAG members who volunteered.  Our aim is to produce a leaflet to raise awareness among politicians, with election time approaching, of motorcycling issues and allow our voice to be heard.

 

 

(Minutes are summarised or omitted depending on resources, copy available to members from MAG office or from the MAGLink compiler)

 

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MAG Calendar

Board meetings

1st Wednesday every month, 7:30pm

National Council meetings (All local groups to attend)

 

February 9th 2002: Crank House Hostel, Bannagher, Co. Offaly

 

The next NC meeting will be held on Saturday the 9th of February 2002 at 1.30pm at the Crank House Hostel, Main Street, Banagher, Co. Offaly. For those who wish to stay over, accomodation available for the night in the hostel - phone Anne at 087-9145820 to book. The price is 11Euro for the night. As this is the first NC meerting of 2002, all NC representatives are requested to attend if at all possible or failing same to nominate someone else from the local group to attend in their behalf. Please confirm to the Office either way for numbers purposes.

2002 Annual Group Conference (AGC):

This is planned for the last weekend in October 2002, Abbey Court Hotel, Nenagh,Co. Tipperary

 

Watch the MAG website http://www.iol.ie/~maglink/ for directions and further details.

 

MAG Local Group meetings

MAG Cork: Every Tuesday at 8.30pm, Cruiscin Lan, Douglas Street

 

MAG Carlow: 3rd Monday of the month, Sherrif O'Hara's, Brown St.

 

MAG Donegal: 1st Monday of each month at 8pm, Road House Bar, Ballybofey

AGM February 9th

 

MAG Dublin: 1st Tuesday of each month 8.30pm Strawberry Hall, Lucan, 

(contact Jimmy Kenny, 01  4502330)

 

MAG Dublin: 3rd Tuesday of each month 8.30pm Four Provinces, Ranelagh,

(contact Mark Newman 086 847 2746. mnewman@tramway.ie)

 

MAG Kerry: 1st Tuesday of each month 9.00pm alternating between Flaherty’s in Ardfert,

Katie Nolan’s in Lissleton and the Golden Nugget in Killarney.

Ring Baerbel Ott to get the correct venue (087) 297 7992

 

MAG Kildare: Last Wednesday of the month, Grand Hotel, Newbridge.

 

MAG Limerick: Every 2nd Wednesday starting 9th January 2002 in Gus O'Driscolls pub Corbally.

23/01, 06/02, 20/02, 06/03, 20/03, 03/04, 17/04

AGM February 6th

 

MAG Tipperary North/South Offaly. First meeting on Feb 21 2002 and every last Thursday of the month at 'The Mill House', Birr Road, Roscrea on Thursday 21nd February.. Contact Keith Leaver at kleaver@gofree.indigo.ie for further details.

 

MAG Sligo: Contact Sligo rep (see below) for new venue details.

 

MAG Cavan, Galway, Kildare, Innishowen, Longford, Mayo, Westmeath

Venue changes. To be confirmed. Ring rep for correct details.

 

E&OE. Changes should be advised to the MAG office or Gearoid O’Byrne at 087-2607747, maglink@magireland.iol.ie

 

MAG Events

 

For further details of anything on the MAG calendar contact maglink@magireland.iol.ie

( or during office hours MAG Office at magsupport@magireland.iol.ie )

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Publication Deadlines

RoadRunner: February 15th, May 15th. August 15th, November 15th,

Letters and articles welcome, articles with pictures very welcome.

Send submissions to herb@iol.ie or to RoadRunner c/o MAG Office

 

MAGLink: Second Wednesday in the month.

 

MAG Ireland's Events Calendar, 2002

MAG Ireland encourages event organisers to support motorcycling by offering a discount of one euro to holders of current MAG membership cards at their events in 2002.

 

January 26,27th

Dundalk Motorcycle Show in the Dundalk Institute of Technology.

 

June 14th Ride to Work Day Contact MAG for details

 

June 15th

Chopper Club Ireland Custom and Classic Bike Show

At Master McGrath's Bar, Castlelyons, Co. Cork

Further details and pictures of past shows at www.chopper-club.com/ireland or email at ireland@chopperclub.org

 

August

August 16th/17th Stop the Rot, Venue to be announced. Contact MAG for details

 

September

Black Widows Ireland Annual Charity Bash

 

21 September 2002, The Plough, Curraglas, Co. Cork. http://www.blackwidowsireland.com

Discount for MAG members - with current membership card.

Contact Number 087 2269212 / 021 4823994

 

FOR FREE LISTING OF YOUR EVENT SEND IN DETAILS ASAP.

 

Overseas events

Welsh National Motorcycle Show

Due to the change in the 2002 bank holiday weekend the hugely successful Welsh National Motorcycle Show will now take place on the 31st May - 3rd June 2002 at the Royal Welsh Showground, Builth Wells, Mid Wales.

 

The Farmyard Party will be held at Duncombe Park near Helmsley, North Yorkshire, on 21st - 23rd June 2002.

For more details contact the MAG UK press office on 0208 556 6495

Free entry for MAG Ireland members

 

12th 13th & 14th July Donington Park, Special deal for MAG members, campsite, bands, practice  (for 25 pounds in advance). Ring +44 8701 696805 with your membership number.

 

FEMA festival : Koksijde Belgian Coast. weekend of 20/21/22 september 2002

 

 

 

All Events in italics have been notified by the Vintage & Veteran Committee.

The above information is correct to our knowledge and belief as we got to press but MAG Ireland cannot guarantee

its accuracy. 

Details of any additional /revised events should be advised to the MAG office or directly to maglink@magireland.iol.ie.

 

MAG UK events can be seen online at the MAG UK website http://www.mag-uk.org  .

BMF events http://www.bmf.co.uk

 

MAG Benefits

Member Benefits

* A nationwide organisation representing your interests as a rider

* RoadRunner Magazine

* BikeShop Discounts, Full list in RoadRunner or on website http://www.iol.ie/~maglink

* Motorcycle Insurance

* Local Groups - Social Activity and Local Representation

* Information Service, (Info sheets, MAGLink and advice)

* Products

* Training discounts

* Discounts on the entry fee to participating motorcyclist events

* Route Planning Service

* Discounts on VHI Health Insurance, Ferries, Accident Insurance and Breakdown Cover.

* MAG Credit Card

 

 

The discounts alone will save you much more than the membership fee every year.

Membership costs £20 per annum, with reductions for young riders, partners and for payment by standing order.

 

To join now ring the MAG Office on (01) 4530797. Credit cards accepted.

 

Affiliated Club Benefits

* Events Insurance
Public Liability Cover for your rally or event. Currently cover stands at under IR 60 for a one-off event of up to 5 days such as a rally. Please contact office for the information sheet on events insurance.

NOTE: Underwriting difficulties with Irish insurance are affecting the events insurance benefit. Please contact the MAG office for current details.

 

 

* Monthly MAG Events Calendar Update by Post

 

* Events Advertising
As an additional benefit to affiliated clubs only, MAG are offering substantial discounts to advertise their rally in Roadrunner. Roadrunner is Ireland's largest circulation motorcycle magazine and goes out to over 5000 Irish motorcyclists every quarter.  See below for details

 

Club affiliation costs € 25.40 per annum.

Information Sheets & Reps Resource Kit (January 2002)

MAG currently has information sheets on:

 

Accidents a Legal Perspective, Anti Theft, Member Benefits, Bike Promotion, Bike Rental, Discount Shops, Drink Driving, Driving Test, Events Insurance, FEMA, Group Riding, Importing a Bike,  IrishTouring, Licence Regulations, Long Distance Riding, MAG History, New Member, Ride Safely, Local Groups, European Lobbying. Training, Motorcycle Awareness, Type Approval, MAG Structure, What is MAG, Perception of Motorcycles as Unsafe, Consumer Rights for Motorcyclists

 

MAG’s Information Sheets can be found at the MAG website.

 

MAG also issues a computer CD which contains the reps handbooks, info sheets, local group report template and useful forms such as road hazard and membership. There's also a very wide selection of research and motorcycle promotion material useful when lobbying and for background information. Copy one from your local group or contact the MAG Office.

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MAG Products

ZIPPO lighters      = € 25.40   (Brass with MAG LOGO)

Hooded Sweatshirts  = 25.40 each (Black,Zipped,MAG logo)

Premium T- shirts   = 12.70 each (Black with MAG logo)

Nectectors          = 12.70 each (Red or Black tubular neckwarmers)

Baseball Caps       = 12.70 each (Black cloth, with MAG logo)

 

MAG Ireland Yellow Visibility Waistcoats = IR 12.00 each

 

MAG EIRE, RIDE FREE Patches     = 3.80 each

RIDE FREE Adhesive stickers     = 1.80 each

1999,2000, 2001 Members’ Metal Badges = 2.56 each

2002 Green Enamel badge          = 3.80 each

MAG embossed Leather Keyfob     =  2.56 each

 

BOOKS

Pass Your Advanced Driving Test = 12.70 each

Motorcycle Roadcraft            = 17.00 each

 

There is a Mail Order packing & postage charge of 3.80 on the Hooded Sweatshirts & of 1.28 on the waistcoats. All other items are including postage by ordinary post. These exclusive products are available from your local Group, direct from the MAG Office, or from our new MAG Products Outlet Shop, Kilkenny Camping & Water-sports Centre, U24 The Arcade, High Street, Kilkenny. Save postage by shopping locally.

 

Profits from the sale of MAG Products goes directly to campaigning for Riders Rights.

 

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MAG Advertising

Roadrunner is Ireland's largest circulation motorcycle magazine and is mailed directly to over 5000 Irish motorcyclists every quarter. If you want the Irish motorcycling world to know about something (your shop, your sale, your club, your product, your event,…) then advertising in RoadRunner is the way to tell them.

Shops

 

Single Colour Advertising Rates -

Full Page, Front Inner Cover                    481

Full Page, Rear Inner Cover                     481

Full Page, Back Cover                     500

TWO CENTRE PAGES                        709

Full Page (8" x 11.5")                     448.71

¾ Page (8" x 8")                                        337.17

½ Page (8" x 5.75")                                     224.36

¼ Page (3.75" x 5.75")                     112.82

1/8 Page (3.75" x 2.75")                        56.41

 

Discounts:

Two issues 10%, three issues 15%, four issues 20%

MAG Discount shops: additional 10% discount.

More than four issues, contact RoadRunner for special rates.

Clubs

 

* Events Advertising
As an additional benefit to affiliated clubs only, MAG are offering substantial discounts to advertise their rally in Roadrunner. The reduced rates for one issue are as follows:

Full Page                               253.95

Half Page B&W -                 126.97

Quarter Page B&W     63.49

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MAG Contacts

Board

(Composed of elected officers and responsible for the day to day running of MAG)

 

Eoin Kirwan: Chairman, IT Officer, Transport: 087 6166207  eoin@bikerider.com

Linda O’Loideoin: Treasurer, Member Queries/Consumer Issues

Jimmy Kenny: Product and Process Officer 01 4502330

Gearóid O Byrne: Local Groups Liaison geobyrne@indigo.ie

David French: European Liaison, Safety Officer +49 711 5590511 davidfrench@bikerider.com

Herb Finnegan: RoadRunner Liaison herb@iol.ie

 

National Council and Local MAG Group Contact Details

The National Council (NC) is composed of elected county representatives and responsible for the overall running of MAG. Unless a county position of "NC representative" is elected the county chairperson is on the NC.

 

MAG Carlow:

Ger FitzGibbons  087  6781688 sner@oceanfree.net

 

MAG Cavan      

Chair: Declan Brady     049  8640031

 

MAG Cork       

Chair: Ger Donnelly     087  2354820 donely@esatclear.ie

Treasurer: Martin O'Driscoll

Committee member: David Robinson

 

MAG Donegal    

Contact: Marty Boyle martyboyle@unison.ie

 

MAG Innishowen  (region within Donegal)

Chair: Andy Robinson   077 76 054

 

MAG Dublin     

Chair: Jimmy Kenny      01   4502330

 

MAG Galway     

Chair:John Brinn       093  24694 (JJ Finn 086 8182188)

 

MAG Kerry      

Chair: Baerbel Ott      087  2977992

 

MAG Kildare    

Chair: Joe Swords       086 8974259 joeswords@tattoos.com

Secretary: BJ Martin 086 4006279 thedok@cyberdude.com

Treasurer: Dave Browne 087 6523582

Information Officer Dave Keeley 087 2692180 davkee@esatclear.ie

Events Secretary: Ivor Hemmingway 086 8150410

Road Hazards Officer: Karen Kiely 086 8632444

 

MAG Limerick   

Chair: Keith McGlynn (keg_zl750@yahoo.co.uk) 086 8354059

NC Rep: Don Moloney (moz@iol.ie)

Treasurer: Keith McGlynn (keg_zl750@yahoo.co.uk) 086 8354059

Secretary: Karl Murphy (crashtestdummy@oceanfree.net)

PRO: Andy Jordan

 

MAG Mayo       

Chair: Robert Gibbons   094  22118   smartart@iol.ie

 

MAG Sligo      

Chair: Eoin Lappin      071  43758   e_lappin@hotmail.com

AGM: February

 

MAG Tipperary North/South Offaly. Keith Leaver at kleaver@gofree.indigo.ie

 

MAG Westmeath  

Chair: Greg Lennon      0902 72578

 

The remaining counties are currently not represented on the National Council. If you are interested in assisting please contact the MAG Office or the Local Group & Clubs Liaison Gearoid O’Byrne at 087-2607747, maglink@magireland.iol.ie

 

MAG Office

Karen Kiely:                National Campaign’s Officer and RoadRunner Editor- 086 8632444 karenkiely@eircom.net

Herb Finnegan:                 RoadRunner Editor - 087 6790908  herb@iol.ie

Liz Keane                     Office Assistant

 

1b Ring Terrace, Inchicore, Dublin 8. 

Tel: 01 453 0797  Fax: 01 453 3643

magsupport@magireland.iol.ie

 

Before ringing the MAG office please consider if it wouldn't be better ringing your MAG representative, the DOE Driver Testing Section, your local motorcycle dealer or the Yellow Pages first. The MAG Office will help with your queries where possible but doing so reduces the time available to administer MAG for everyone's benefit.

 

Website: http://www.iol.ie/~maglink

 

General News Items

Omitted due to lack of space.

Getting MAGLink and passing it on

To receive MAGLink every month by email (free) send a blank message to imag_info-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

 

It costs MAG almost 10 pounds a year of member's money to have someone on the postal list and that money can be better spent fighting for riders rights. If you can get MAGLink by email instead then please do so and tell us.

 

Please forward your copy of MAGLink to other motorcyclists and please print out a few copies to drop into your local dealer / pub / friends without email.

Disclaimer

MAGLink  is provided free of charge as a service to motorcycling.

MAG Ireland cannot accept any responsibility or liability for any errors or omissions

 

MAGLink January 2002,  compiled by David French (dfrench@s.netic.de)

© Copyright : MAG Ireland