See that? It’s a Dublin City Gift Card. An iniative of the Dublin City Business Association and the Dublin City Business Improvement District. It’s been available for some time now and the aim of the card is very simple – helping retain and promote Dublin business.

If you’ve been out and about in the city you might see another initiative of the Dublin City BID in action – street ambassadors. This dedicated group of men and women provide directions and advice for visitors to the city throughout the year in all weathers. They also report on any litter or graffiti problems.

The street ambassadors and the gift card are just two of the ways organisations in Ireland are doing a good job helping promote Irish business and, ultimately, create jobs.

I stumbled on this thread on boards.ie where someone has discovered the Dublin Gift Cards can be used online as well. It’s the ultimate two finger salute to Irish business. “Hey, we’ll take the card intended to be spent in Dublin shops and spend it online instead.” The same types will whine and moan when their purchases from overseas get hit by customs coming in to the country.

I hope that the DCBA and Dublin City BID are getting accurate readings on where the money on those cards is spent. If it turns out a lot is being spent online, they should pull the plug on the whole thing.