FTMTA AGM, Skillnet and seminar

Next Tuesday, 29 April will be a busy day for FTMTA members as the Association hosts its Annual General Meeting, combined with the launch of the FTMTA Skillnet and the staging of the first FTMTA Skillnet seminar. All members are invited to the day at the Association's new Training Centre in Toughers Business Park, Newhall, Naas, Co Kildare, where an interesting and busy day is anticipated.

The day will open at 12 noon with the FTMTA Annual General Meeting which will provide an update of the Association's activities for the past year. The meeting will hear a report on the progress of the training centre, as well as an update on the financial position of the Association following the establishment of the Training Centre.

FTMTA President, Eamonn Tinney, has requested a big turnout of members for the day, in supporting the Association's activities and to get information on the important issues relating to tractor development, braking and the law.

Skillnet launch

FTMTA Skillnet, the training division of FTMTA established with the help of funding from the Department of Trade, Enterprise and Employment, will be officially launched next Tuesday, immediately after the FTMTA Annual General Meeting at 1pm.

The official launch will be conducted by John O'Mahony, GAA football manager for Mayo, who has a history of training team success behind and is now also a TD for Mayo. O'Mahony will bring his enthusiasm for training to the event with what promises to be an interesting presentation.

The official launch of the FTMTA Skillnet will include a lunch for members at which Mr John O'Mahony will be the keynote speaker.

Tractor braking

The busy day for FTMTA members will be completed with a special tractor braking seminar being hosted by FTMTA Skillnet. The information seminar will provide an update on tractor development, look at current legislation on tractor use on the road and provide information on tractor brake testing for member firms.

This seminar will run from 2.15pm to 3.30pm and will include speakers Dermot Forristal of Teagasc, Michael Moroney of FTMTA and John Apczynski of Brakesafe, the tractor brake testing suppliers. The seminar is open to representatives of FTMTA member firms.

IFA standstill

Many FTMTA member firms supported the IFA Mandelson standstill last Thursday and closed their premises for a period in the middle of the day. FTMTA President, Eamonn Tinney of Eamonn Tinney & Sons Farm Machinery, Drumnahoe, Letterkenny, Co Donegal was among those who closed for the IFA standstill.

"As a service industry to farming, we must support the IFA initiatives which protect the livelihood of our important customers,'' said Eamonn Tinney.

New Vicon dealer for the North East

Carrolls Engineering Works Ltd of Funshog, Ardee, Co Louth has been appointed as distributor for the Vicon range of machinery in the North East. Carrolls are agents for the Massey Ferguson tractor range in the North East and the company is also an agent for Abbey, Amazone, Cashels, Fleming, Krone, Malone, McHale, Overum, Quicke, Rau and YES machinery.

Jamie Carroll said that he is very pleased with the appointment, as Vicon machinery is very robust and extremely keenly priced.