November 2010: MAST received permission to operate as a 'membership organisation' from the Office of the Financial Regulator.
January 1st 2011: MAST commenced trading.
August 2011: MAST membership reaches 300.
1. Since January 1st we have caused a 40%-50% nationwide reduction in the cost of liability insurances for Irish market traders & operators.
2. We have made our insurers understand that the retail market business in Ireland is two-tiered with no real competition between the two strands.
3. We have negotiated a "community rate" with blanket insurance for rural farmers markets. This has allowed people to trade without the need to be individually insured.
4. Our main long-term goal is to encourage greater Local Authority support for markets & market traders for which we will need the help, support & expertise of WUWM.