A year ago, Limerick became a Fairtrade city and Mayor Joe Leddin hosted a party to celebrate their birthday.

The event was attended by Cllr Gerry McLoughlin, rugby supporters and representatives from various local organisations.

A Fairtrade rugby ball, signed by members of the all-conquering Munster rugby team, was presented to Sister Rosetta Gray, who was one of the first people to promote the concept of Fairtrade in Limerick.

"The Fairtrade rugby ball was made in Pakistan, where over 30 per cent of the population is estimated to live below the poverty line, but the Fairtrade sports ball standard ensures that producers meet certain social, economic and environmental criteria and that workers receive at least the national minimum wage, that no child labour is involved in its production and that the health and safety of the workers is safeguarded,” said Mayor Leddin.

"In the past year, many activities have been undertaken by the Limerick Fairtrade City Steering group to ensure that Limerick maintains its fairtrade status and Limerick City Council has supported this initiative by erecting road signage at the city limits identifying our Fairtrade status”.

Dolores O’Meara, chairperson of Limerick Fairtrade Steering Group, said that Limerick people had embraced the concept

"The range of Fairtrade products available in the shop is increasing all the time, which means that people are asking for the Fairtrade option. I think people in general have a strong sense of fair play and they opt to spend their money in a way that benefits producers in developing countries”.

Information about Limerick Fairtrade City can be found on the City Council’s website at www.limerickcity.ie.