• Ireland pays its Disadvantaged Areas (DAS) and Single Farm (SPS) payments earlier than most EU Member States and the 2011 payments are well in advance of 2010.
• To date €185m has been paid in DAS to 84,000 farmers – this is €51m ahead of the 2010 position. To date 84% of applicants have been paid in full and 100,000 farmers will be paid in 2011.
• The first possible legal date for the transmission of the Single Payment is 16th October under EU rules (the payment window is October 2011 to June 2012). As of today, a minimum of 102,000 farmers have been €496m in the first instalment – there are 20,000 farmers awaiting payment. A further half a billion euros will be paid when the second instalment is due in the week beginning 1st December.
• The Department of Agriculture will have paid SPS/DAS (€1,500 million) in full to 99% of applicants by end of December – the month when most Member States only start their payments.
Update on AEOS , REPS and TAMS
• Agri-environmental Options Scheme AEOS 1); There are about 8,500 participants in the scheme which was introduced following the termination of the Rural Environment Protection Scheme (REPS). Approximately €2.5m representing the first instalment (75%) in respect of year 1 has issued to just approx 3,500 participants. All other participants will receive the first instalment payment or will have been notified of issues to be resolved by the end of this month. Payment of the second instalment of 25% will also issue shortly.
Payment in respect of year 2 will commence in early December. About 6,000 participants in the scheme have committed to undertake capital investments as part of their agri-environment options but many have not yet submitted the necessary documentary evidence required to indicate that the work has been carried out.
AEOS 2; approvals have issued to 6,350 new applicants to participate in the scheme with an effective starting date of 1 September. The remaining 450 applications involve queries which are still being examined and farmers will either be admitted or informed they are ineligible in the coming weeks.
REPS 4; There are 30,359 participants in REPS 4. Apart from the 589 cases which have outstanding queries which are being resolved with those concerned on an on-going basis, all participants have received the first instalment payment (75%) in respect of 2010 and almost 28,000 have received the second instalment (25%). Most of these payments issued either at the end of 2010 or early this year. Payment of the outstanding second instalment will issue later this month to the remaining 2,300 participants who incurred a penalty in 2010. Preparations are also more advanced than at this stage in 2010 to issue REPS 4 payments due in respect of 2011. These payments will commence at the end of November once all the necessary checks have been completed.
• Targeted Agricultural Measures Schemes (TAMS); These schemes promote on-farm investment in pig, poultry, sheep and dairy enterprises and in rainwater harvesting. The issuing of approvals is well advanced for all schemes. All outstanding approvals will issue in the next 3 weeks. The schemes are currently suspended for new applicants pending the outcome of the Comprehensive Expenditure Review and the 2012 Estimates process.
Thursday, November 03, 2011
CONSULTATION PROCESS ON NEW HUMAN RIGHTS AND EQUALITY BODY
The Working Group on the establishment of the new, enhanced Human Rights and Equality Commission is seeking input and ideas from civil society, members of the public and those interested in the future of human rights and equality in Ireland, on key questions arising from their Terms of Reference. This consultation process will help to inform the Working Group’s consideration of the functions, features and priorities of the new Human Rights and Equality Commission.
The Working Group was appointed by the Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence, Alan Shatter T.D., on 6 October and has met twice to date.
The key questions the Working Group is consulting on are:
a. What do people want the new body to do?
b. What features and functions does it need to do these things?
c. How should it be structured and what working methods should it use to achieve the above?
It is intended that the new Commission will be in place by the end of February 2012. As the Working Group has such a short timeframe for their work, the closing date for submissions is Wednesday 23 November 2011 at 5.30pm.
Contributions should not exceed 1,500 words and may be emailed to info@upr.ie.
Further information is available from the Working Group’s Secretariat, Department of Justice and Equality, Floor 2, Bishop’s Square, Redmond’s Hill, Dublin 2.
Details of the membership of the Working Group and its Terms of Reference are as follows:
Michael Whelan (Chair)
Michael Farrell Irish Human Rights Commission
Tom O Higgins Irish Human Rights Commission
Helen O Neill Irish Human Rights Commission
Lia O Hegarty Irish Human Rights Commission
Peter White Equality Authority
Kieran Rose Equality Authority
Ellen Mongan Equality Authority
Betty O Leary Equality Authority
Diarmuid Cole Department of Justice & Equality
Tom Cooney Special Adviser to Minister Shatter
Terms of Reference for the Working Group on the new Human Rights and Equality Commission (HREC)
The Government has decided that setting up a new, integrated and independent Human Rights and Equality Commission (HREC) is the most effective way of achieving the shared aim of bringing about a culture of respect for human rights and equality. The HREC will retain the statutory powers and duties of the existing bodies, for example, the power to examine legislative proposals.
The purpose of this group is:
1. To identify best practice in each organisation and the structure and process through which the HREC can ensure respect for human rights, equality, diversity and the freedom and dignity of the individual and the practices in each organisation, if any, that require change and the recommended changes.
2. To identify the functions and areas of work of the existing bodies to be merged; what new functions should be added and the functions, if any, that should cease.
3. To outline how the existing bodies consult with service users; the actions, if any, to be taken to broaden the base of service users; how such processes have fed into the work planning of each organisation and to recommend how these arrangements can be improved for the purposes of the HREC.
4. To advise on what new methods the HREC might employ in carrying out its functions of providing information, education and so forth in the light of the experience gained by both organisations, bearing in mind the overall economic position and the costs of campaigns run to date.
5. To examine the existing internal structures of both bodies and identify what changes are necessary in the HREC.
6. To recommend the best location for the HREC.
7. To advise on the best staffing arrangements bearing in mind:
· the Paris Principles;
· the need to ensure continuity of staff service;
· the need to ensure that the skills available to the Commission are appropriate and sufficiently flexible for the Commission to respond to new challenges while at the same time providing career development opportunities for staff.
· the overall current economic position and the limited resources of Government.
8. To advise on what would be the best practice for the HREC in devising specific objectives and what performance indicators should be used to measure the attainment of the objectives.
9. To advise on the best approaches or means to achieving change - for example making greater use of codes of practice or of strategic cases to achieve changes. Is there a view on which might achieve the greater outcome. Court cases tend to involve the State in one way or another. Would greater use of codes of practice be effective in wider society?
10. To advise on the best form of enquiry powers, and, in particular, to consider whether adopting the model used for Cloyne might be more effective than the current enquiry power.
The Working Group was appointed by the Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence, Alan Shatter T.D., on 6 October and has met twice to date.
The key questions the Working Group is consulting on are:
a. What do people want the new body to do?
b. What features and functions does it need to do these things?
c. How should it be structured and what working methods should it use to achieve the above?
It is intended that the new Commission will be in place by the end of February 2012. As the Working Group has such a short timeframe for their work, the closing date for submissions is Wednesday 23 November 2011 at 5.30pm.
Contributions should not exceed 1,500 words and may be emailed to info@upr.ie.
Further information is available from the Working Group’s Secretariat, Department of Justice and Equality, Floor 2, Bishop’s Square, Redmond’s Hill, Dublin 2.
Details of the membership of the Working Group and its Terms of Reference are as follows:
Michael Whelan (Chair)
Michael Farrell Irish Human Rights Commission
Tom O Higgins Irish Human Rights Commission
Helen O Neill Irish Human Rights Commission
Lia O Hegarty Irish Human Rights Commission
Peter White Equality Authority
Kieran Rose Equality Authority
Ellen Mongan Equality Authority
Betty O Leary Equality Authority
Diarmuid Cole Department of Justice & Equality
Tom Cooney Special Adviser to Minister Shatter
Terms of Reference for the Working Group on the new Human Rights and Equality Commission (HREC)
The Government has decided that setting up a new, integrated and independent Human Rights and Equality Commission (HREC) is the most effective way of achieving the shared aim of bringing about a culture of respect for human rights and equality. The HREC will retain the statutory powers and duties of the existing bodies, for example, the power to examine legislative proposals.
The purpose of this group is:
1. To identify best practice in each organisation and the structure and process through which the HREC can ensure respect for human rights, equality, diversity and the freedom and dignity of the individual and the practices in each organisation, if any, that require change and the recommended changes.
2. To identify the functions and areas of work of the existing bodies to be merged; what new functions should be added and the functions, if any, that should cease.
3. To outline how the existing bodies consult with service users; the actions, if any, to be taken to broaden the base of service users; how such processes have fed into the work planning of each organisation and to recommend how these arrangements can be improved for the purposes of the HREC.
4. To advise on what new methods the HREC might employ in carrying out its functions of providing information, education and so forth in the light of the experience gained by both organisations, bearing in mind the overall economic position and the costs of campaigns run to date.
5. To examine the existing internal structures of both bodies and identify what changes are necessary in the HREC.
6. To recommend the best location for the HREC.
7. To advise on the best staffing arrangements bearing in mind:
· the Paris Principles;
· the need to ensure continuity of staff service;
· the need to ensure that the skills available to the Commission are appropriate and sufficiently flexible for the Commission to respond to new challenges while at the same time providing career development opportunities for staff.
· the overall current economic position and the limited resources of Government.
8. To advise on what would be the best practice for the HREC in devising specific objectives and what performance indicators should be used to measure the attainment of the objectives.
9. To advise on the best approaches or means to achieving change - for example making greater use of codes of practice or of strategic cases to achieve changes. Is there a view on which might achieve the greater outcome. Court cases tend to involve the State in one way or another. Would greater use of codes of practice be effective in wider society?
10. To advise on the best form of enquiry powers, and, in particular, to consider whether adopting the model used for Cloyne might be more effective than the current enquiry power.
Wednesday, November 02, 2011
GOVERNMENT BEGINNING TO DELIVER RESULTS FOR THE STATE
An article from today's Irish Times by An Taoiseach, Enda Kenny, on progress the Government is making in restoring confidence to the Irish economy, getting our people back to work and making the bailout deal work for us
GOVERNMENT BEGINNING TO DELIVER RESULTS FOR THE STATE
OPINION: The Republic cannot follow Greece into default on debts as this course of action would be disastrous for our embryonic recovery, writes ENDA KENNY
THIS GOVERNMENT’S strategy of working to improve the bailout deal in order to get the country working again after almost four years of recession is starting to produce a return. The economy started to grow again in the first half of the year; the public finances and unemployment have stabilised and deposits are now returning to Irish banks.
While we have a long way to go, we have made a decent start and are now on the right track.
The deal agreed by EU leaders last Thursday morning is another step in the right direction. It is intended to avert a banking crisis and another recession in our biggest European trading partners, thus allowing our export-led recovery to continue.
Moreover, the expansion in resources available to the euro zone bailout fund underpins the renewed commitment of fellow euro zone members to continue to support countries such as the Republic that are pursuing sustainable economic policies.
Some have argued that this State should use the restructuring of Greece’s debt as an opportunity to repudiate the deal with our partners and to renege on our own debts.
Such a course of action would be disastrous for our recovery. By cutting ourselves off from further international loans, we would have to close this year’s €16 billion Government deficit immediately rather than over a number of years. This would plunge the economy back into recession and impose a degree of social hardship beyond anything experienced so far.
Given our vastly better economic circumstances compared with Greece, default would mark us out as a country that “won’t” rather than “can’t” pay our debts, killing off foreign direct investment and resulting in even higher borrowing costs for the State and Irish businesses that would strangle recovery and lower living standards for a generation.
It is empathy and solidarity, not envy, that I feel for our fellow EU citizens in Greece. As part of the deal, they are being forced to sell €50 billion of state assets, cut monthly pensions above €1,000 by 20 per cent, cut tax-free income thresholds from €12,000 to €5,000 and suspend 30,000 civil servants on partial pay.
On top of this, they face another 10 years of austerity and troika surveillance. While it is not surprising that a deal of this nature is being put to a referendum by the Greek government, who could possibly want this for the Republic?
The Irish Government’s strategy is growth, not default. We will not unilaterally repudiate the agreement with our partners, but will instead continue to improve its terms to make it more affordable and jobs-friendly. Our ambition is to be the first euro zone country to restore market confidence and emerge successfully from a bailout.
It is this strategy that has already seen us change the terms of the deal we inherited from the previous government in order to:
Secure €7 billion in private sector contributions to the cost of recapitalising our banks, including over €5 billion from burden sharing with junior bondholders;
Finance 5,000 national internship places and cut the rate of PRSI on low-paid jobs and the rate of VAT on tourism services in May;
Reduce the interest cost of the bailout loans in July by almost €10 billion;
Change the measures in the upcoming budget to minimise any negative impact on incomes and jobs.
Part of the existing agreement with our external partners is not to allow any Irish bank, including Anglo Irish Bank, default on its debts to bondholders for fear of paralysing wider European financial markets. I share the Irish public’s dismay at the cost and unfairness of this policy and the delay it caused to the State’s recovery.
But the unfortunate truth is that the vast majority of Anglo’s debts were paid off under the previous government. Of Anglo’s €97 billion in liabilities in September 2008 when the previous government offered it a blanket guarantee, €3.3 billion in unsecured private debts now remain, including the €700 million due for repayment today.
This horse has well and truly bolted.
In the absence of support from our external partners, potential gains to Irish taxpayers from forcing the bank to default on these bonds, while not insignificant, do not justify the enormous risks from such a course of action. Allowing Anglo to default would create doubt over the future of the €110 billion in funding being made available by the European Central Bank and the Irish Central Bank to Irish banks at a low interest rate and could mean a renewed flight of funds and even tighter credit conditions for potential Irish job creators.
This Government is working every day to undo the painful legacy of the calamitous banking policies pursued by the previous administration. From the wreckage of the banking system that we inherited last March we have carved out two pillar banks – AIB and Bank of Ireland – as engines of economic recovery. We will close Anglo Irish Bank at the earliest opportunity. We have not put a single cent of taxpayer money into this bank on top of what was already legally committed by the previous government. We have merged its loan recovery operations with Irish Nationwide and are aggressively cutting costs. Only last week we completed the sale of a large chunk of its $9.2 billion in US assets.
Moreover, the additional flexibilities and resources now available to the euro zone’s bailout fund offer us the chance to negotiate more improvements in our bailout on top of what we have already achieved, including more help with funding our banks. This is something my Government will pursue with determination over the coming months.
GOVERNMENT BEGINNING TO DELIVER RESULTS FOR THE STATE
OPINION: The Republic cannot follow Greece into default on debts as this course of action would be disastrous for our embryonic recovery, writes ENDA KENNY
THIS GOVERNMENT’S strategy of working to improve the bailout deal in order to get the country working again after almost four years of recession is starting to produce a return. The economy started to grow again in the first half of the year; the public finances and unemployment have stabilised and deposits are now returning to Irish banks.
While we have a long way to go, we have made a decent start and are now on the right track.
The deal agreed by EU leaders last Thursday morning is another step in the right direction. It is intended to avert a banking crisis and another recession in our biggest European trading partners, thus allowing our export-led recovery to continue.
Moreover, the expansion in resources available to the euro zone bailout fund underpins the renewed commitment of fellow euro zone members to continue to support countries such as the Republic that are pursuing sustainable economic policies.
Some have argued that this State should use the restructuring of Greece’s debt as an opportunity to repudiate the deal with our partners and to renege on our own debts.
Such a course of action would be disastrous for our recovery. By cutting ourselves off from further international loans, we would have to close this year’s €16 billion Government deficit immediately rather than over a number of years. This would plunge the economy back into recession and impose a degree of social hardship beyond anything experienced so far.
Given our vastly better economic circumstances compared with Greece, default would mark us out as a country that “won’t” rather than “can’t” pay our debts, killing off foreign direct investment and resulting in even higher borrowing costs for the State and Irish businesses that would strangle recovery and lower living standards for a generation.
It is empathy and solidarity, not envy, that I feel for our fellow EU citizens in Greece. As part of the deal, they are being forced to sell €50 billion of state assets, cut monthly pensions above €1,000 by 20 per cent, cut tax-free income thresholds from €12,000 to €5,000 and suspend 30,000 civil servants on partial pay.
On top of this, they face another 10 years of austerity and troika surveillance. While it is not surprising that a deal of this nature is being put to a referendum by the Greek government, who could possibly want this for the Republic?
The Irish Government’s strategy is growth, not default. We will not unilaterally repudiate the agreement with our partners, but will instead continue to improve its terms to make it more affordable and jobs-friendly. Our ambition is to be the first euro zone country to restore market confidence and emerge successfully from a bailout.
It is this strategy that has already seen us change the terms of the deal we inherited from the previous government in order to:
Secure €7 billion in private sector contributions to the cost of recapitalising our banks, including over €5 billion from burden sharing with junior bondholders;
Finance 5,000 national internship places and cut the rate of PRSI on low-paid jobs and the rate of VAT on tourism services in May;
Reduce the interest cost of the bailout loans in July by almost €10 billion;
Change the measures in the upcoming budget to minimise any negative impact on incomes and jobs.
Part of the existing agreement with our external partners is not to allow any Irish bank, including Anglo Irish Bank, default on its debts to bondholders for fear of paralysing wider European financial markets. I share the Irish public’s dismay at the cost and unfairness of this policy and the delay it caused to the State’s recovery.
But the unfortunate truth is that the vast majority of Anglo’s debts were paid off under the previous government. Of Anglo’s €97 billion in liabilities in September 2008 when the previous government offered it a blanket guarantee, €3.3 billion in unsecured private debts now remain, including the €700 million due for repayment today.
This horse has well and truly bolted.
In the absence of support from our external partners, potential gains to Irish taxpayers from forcing the bank to default on these bonds, while not insignificant, do not justify the enormous risks from such a course of action. Allowing Anglo to default would create doubt over the future of the €110 billion in funding being made available by the European Central Bank and the Irish Central Bank to Irish banks at a low interest rate and could mean a renewed flight of funds and even tighter credit conditions for potential Irish job creators.
This Government is working every day to undo the painful legacy of the calamitous banking policies pursued by the previous administration. From the wreckage of the banking system that we inherited last March we have carved out two pillar banks – AIB and Bank of Ireland – as engines of economic recovery. We will close Anglo Irish Bank at the earliest opportunity. We have not put a single cent of taxpayer money into this bank on top of what was already legally committed by the previous government. We have merged its loan recovery operations with Irish Nationwide and are aggressively cutting costs. Only last week we completed the sale of a large chunk of its $9.2 billion in US assets.
Moreover, the additional flexibilities and resources now available to the euro zone’s bailout fund offer us the chance to negotiate more improvements in our bailout on top of what we have already achieved, including more help with funding our banks. This is something my Government will pursue with determination over the coming months.
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Bruton launches new €10million International Start-Up Fund to draw overseas entrepreneurs to Ireland
The Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Richard Bruton TD, today [Thursday] launched a €10million International Start-Up Fund, aimed at encouraging overseas entrepreneurs to locate start-up businesses in Ireland:
· The fund will be administered by Enterprise Ireland and will be open to company promoters anywhere in the world, but will be targeted particularly at the Irish diaspora, international expatriates, the “New Diaspora” (people from overseas who have previously worked or studied in Ireland), as well as serial and mobile entrepreneurs
· Key geographical targets will include North America, UK, Europe and Australia
· Key target sectors include Internet, Games, Cloud Computing, Medtech and Financial Services sectors
· The fund will target investor-ready projects seeking between €200,000 and €500,000
· Funding will be in the form of an equity stake taken by the State in the company
To support the marketing of the fund overseas Enterprise Ireland will be appointing a number of high profile successful Irish entrepreneurs to act as International Start Up Ambassadors. Dylan Collins, one of the most experienced Internet entrepreneurs in Europe, is one of the first to accept the role of fund Ambassador.
Announcing the fund, Minister Bruton said:
“This Government’s ambition is not only to turn the country around and get employment growing again, but to once again create a dynamic economy that is the envy of the world and has over two million people at work.
“This will not be easy, but one key strand of our new industrial strategy will be to create a genuine indigenous engine of growth. As I have said before, our ambition must not only be to attract the next Google or Microsoft to Ireland, but we must also seek to grow the next Google or Microsoft in Ireland. Indigenous companies provide proportionally more than three times more benefit to the Irish economy than multinational companies.
“Today’s announcement is a direct intervention by government to create more start-up companies here. Across the world, many of the start-up companies which go on to succeed and create jobs are driven by people within a small class of mobile, innovative, serial entrepreneurs. What the Irish Government is saying very clearly today to the international technology community gathered in Dublin is – come and start your company in Ireland, we are open for business, and we will support you”.
“There is no reason why Ireland should not be a global centre for international start-ups. We already have a growing number of mobile start-ups locating here, and with strong Government supports, a business-friendly environment, a deep pool of skills as well as all the benefits that come with a base of multinational companies that is the envy of the world”.
Commenting on the new initiative Frank Ryan, Enterprise Ireland Chief Executive said:
‘Stimulating the flow of new High Potential Start-Ups and supporting their growth are fundamental building blocks in Enterprise Ireland’s strategy for economic growth and job creation. We want mobile entrepreneurs to locate their businesses in Ireland and to see Enterprise Ireland as their dedicated partner.
‘The addition of the €10m fund provides a core offering around which the rest of our overseas entrepreneurship marketing and promotion efforts will be centred. The attraction of overseas entrepreneurs to Ireland is an important opportunity to expand our start up activity and they will significantly add to the diversity and skill-base of the Irish start up community’.
Dylan Collins, Irish serial entrepreneur who has established highly successful companies in various countries, said:
“I am delighted to be the first international ambassador for this start up fund. It’s an excellent way to build on Ireland’s position as one of the leading startup hubs in Europe. If you’re in a startup anywhere in the world which has international ambition, you need to come and talk to us right now”.
Louis Ravenet, a serial US entrepreneur who earlier this year set up his company 2PaperDolls in Ireland, commented on what motivated him to move his business to Ireland:
“Ireland has a number of advantages for an early-stage business - it’s efficient, highly networked, co-operative and it is extremely refreshing that there isn’t a ‘hold cards close to the chest’ attitude here. 2PaperDolls is growing and we have found skilled software developers in good supply in the Irish market. And from a cost perspective, Ireland is a great place to do business - you have the low corporate tax rate and it’s inexpensive compared to other world-class capital cities for office space, housing, schools and getting around”.
To find out more about the International Start Up Fund and Ireland as a location for your business visit: www.startinireland.com
To apply for the fund contact:
Start in Ireland Enquiry Desk, Tel: +353 1 7272140, startinireland@enterprise-ireland.com
· The fund will be administered by Enterprise Ireland and will be open to company promoters anywhere in the world, but will be targeted particularly at the Irish diaspora, international expatriates, the “New Diaspora” (people from overseas who have previously worked or studied in Ireland), as well as serial and mobile entrepreneurs
· Key geographical targets will include North America, UK, Europe and Australia
· Key target sectors include Internet, Games, Cloud Computing, Medtech and Financial Services sectors
· The fund will target investor-ready projects seeking between €200,000 and €500,000
· Funding will be in the form of an equity stake taken by the State in the company
To support the marketing of the fund overseas Enterprise Ireland will be appointing a number of high profile successful Irish entrepreneurs to act as International Start Up Ambassadors. Dylan Collins, one of the most experienced Internet entrepreneurs in Europe, is one of the first to accept the role of fund Ambassador.
Announcing the fund, Minister Bruton said:
“This Government’s ambition is not only to turn the country around and get employment growing again, but to once again create a dynamic economy that is the envy of the world and has over two million people at work.
“This will not be easy, but one key strand of our new industrial strategy will be to create a genuine indigenous engine of growth. As I have said before, our ambition must not only be to attract the next Google or Microsoft to Ireland, but we must also seek to grow the next Google or Microsoft in Ireland. Indigenous companies provide proportionally more than three times more benefit to the Irish economy than multinational companies.
“Today’s announcement is a direct intervention by government to create more start-up companies here. Across the world, many of the start-up companies which go on to succeed and create jobs are driven by people within a small class of mobile, innovative, serial entrepreneurs. What the Irish Government is saying very clearly today to the international technology community gathered in Dublin is – come and start your company in Ireland, we are open for business, and we will support you”.
“There is no reason why Ireland should not be a global centre for international start-ups. We already have a growing number of mobile start-ups locating here, and with strong Government supports, a business-friendly environment, a deep pool of skills as well as all the benefits that come with a base of multinational companies that is the envy of the world”.
Commenting on the new initiative Frank Ryan, Enterprise Ireland Chief Executive said:
‘Stimulating the flow of new High Potential Start-Ups and supporting their growth are fundamental building blocks in Enterprise Ireland’s strategy for economic growth and job creation. We want mobile entrepreneurs to locate their businesses in Ireland and to see Enterprise Ireland as their dedicated partner.
‘The addition of the €10m fund provides a core offering around which the rest of our overseas entrepreneurship marketing and promotion efforts will be centred. The attraction of overseas entrepreneurs to Ireland is an important opportunity to expand our start up activity and they will significantly add to the diversity and skill-base of the Irish start up community’.
Dylan Collins, Irish serial entrepreneur who has established highly successful companies in various countries, said:
“I am delighted to be the first international ambassador for this start up fund. It’s an excellent way to build on Ireland’s position as one of the leading startup hubs in Europe. If you’re in a startup anywhere in the world which has international ambition, you need to come and talk to us right now”.
Louis Ravenet, a serial US entrepreneur who earlier this year set up his company 2PaperDolls in Ireland, commented on what motivated him to move his business to Ireland:
“Ireland has a number of advantages for an early-stage business - it’s efficient, highly networked, co-operative and it is extremely refreshing that there isn’t a ‘hold cards close to the chest’ attitude here. 2PaperDolls is growing and we have found skilled software developers in good supply in the Irish market. And from a cost perspective, Ireland is a great place to do business - you have the low corporate tax rate and it’s inexpensive compared to other world-class capital cities for office space, housing, schools and getting around”.
To find out more about the International Start Up Fund and Ireland as a location for your business visit: www.startinireland.com
To apply for the fund contact:
Start in Ireland Enquiry Desk, Tel: +353 1 7272140, startinireland@enterprise-ireland.com
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
30th Amendment to the Constitution
This Thursday, October 27th, when the nation will choose a new President, you will also be asked to vote on two important referenda which would change the wording of our Constitution.
You will be asked whether or not you feel the Irish parliament should be given stronger powers to investigate matters of public importance. This will put a new system in place that is quicker and much more cost-effective than the lengthy tribunals that we have seen drag on for years in the past.
In 2002, a Supreme Court judgement in the Abbeylara Case found that there was legal doubt regarding the power of the Oireachtas – that is the Dáil and the Seanad - to carry out inquiries. The Government believes this must be addressed to ensure accountability in public life, which has been seriously lacking in recent times.
If passed, the 30th Amendment to the Constitution (Houses of the Oireachtas Inquiries) Bill, 2011, will strengthen our democracy so that inquiries in the public interest can be carried out in our national parliament. These sort of investigative powers are already the norm in other parliaments across the world.
It will provide a transparent and effective alternative which will mean that those responsible for failures which have cost the public dearly can be held properly to account.
I firmly believe that those who have failed the public dearly should be held to account. A system of stronger Oireachtas investigation would provide a transparent and effective alternative to tribunals. Fine Gael wants to strengthen the power of parliament to act on behalf of the people to secure accountability in our society in areas where significant systemic failures have taken place. A ‘Yes’ vote will ensure that this happens.
Inquiries will be fairly conducted, clearly defined and carried out in a cost-efficient way and any attempt to harm the constitutional rights and liberties of the individual, as has been suggested by some, will be rigorously safeguarded against. Under the proposed new system, fair procedures must be abided.
This referendum will not to serve the Government of the day or any one particular party-political agenda. In the spirit of the current Committee system, it will provide for a cross-party parliamentary system of inquiry which will ensure that matters of general public importance that come to light can be subjected to full investigation and rigorous inquiry. We want a system whereby costs are reduced and all parties work together to investigate key issues affecting the people of Ireland.
I believe that for too long people who have let this country down have not been held accountable for their actions. A ‘Yes’ vote on the 27th will ensure that we can get to the bottom of the issues closest to people’s hearts and build a more open, transparent and inclusive society for all. Through the banking crisis and our economic demise, spending scandals in the public service and the arrival of the IMF, many people rightly felt that questions have gone unanswered. We now have a chance to get answers to these questions.
You will be asked whether or not you feel the Irish parliament should be given stronger powers to investigate matters of public importance. This will put a new system in place that is quicker and much more cost-effective than the lengthy tribunals that we have seen drag on for years in the past.
In 2002, a Supreme Court judgement in the Abbeylara Case found that there was legal doubt regarding the power of the Oireachtas – that is the Dáil and the Seanad - to carry out inquiries. The Government believes this must be addressed to ensure accountability in public life, which has been seriously lacking in recent times.
If passed, the 30th Amendment to the Constitution (Houses of the Oireachtas Inquiries) Bill, 2011, will strengthen our democracy so that inquiries in the public interest can be carried out in our national parliament. These sort of investigative powers are already the norm in other parliaments across the world.
It will provide a transparent and effective alternative which will mean that those responsible for failures which have cost the public dearly can be held properly to account.
I firmly believe that those who have failed the public dearly should be held to account. A system of stronger Oireachtas investigation would provide a transparent and effective alternative to tribunals. Fine Gael wants to strengthen the power of parliament to act on behalf of the people to secure accountability in our society in areas where significant systemic failures have taken place. A ‘Yes’ vote will ensure that this happens.
Inquiries will be fairly conducted, clearly defined and carried out in a cost-efficient way and any attempt to harm the constitutional rights and liberties of the individual, as has been suggested by some, will be rigorously safeguarded against. Under the proposed new system, fair procedures must be abided.
This referendum will not to serve the Government of the day or any one particular party-political agenda. In the spirit of the current Committee system, it will provide for a cross-party parliamentary system of inquiry which will ensure that matters of general public importance that come to light can be subjected to full investigation and rigorous inquiry. We want a system whereby costs are reduced and all parties work together to investigate key issues affecting the people of Ireland.
I believe that for too long people who have let this country down have not been held accountable for their actions. A ‘Yes’ vote on the 27th will ensure that we can get to the bottom of the issues closest to people’s hearts and build a more open, transparent and inclusive society for all. Through the banking crisis and our economic demise, spending scandals in the public service and the arrival of the IMF, many people rightly felt that questions have gone unanswered. We now have a chance to get answers to these questions.
Monday, October 24, 2011
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Friday, October 21, 2011
Doherty Criticises Banks for Indignation over Possibility of Regulation
Meath East TD, Regina Doherty has this week criticised those within the banking sector who have hit out at the statement made by Financial Regulator, Matthew Elderfield, late last week.
In the wake of the request by the Financial Regulator for banks to cease raising interest rates on customers’ variable rate mortgages and the threatened action if they fail to comply with this request, members of the banking sector have come out to say that it would be unfair to impose such policy and restrictions on them.
Deputy Regina Doherty is incredulous “When, in their eyes, is the right time to regulate their sector? It seems to me that the banking sector believe themselves above regulation.”
The Deputy goes further to say “People in this country are paying for banking mistakes of the past. We are paying for the reckless lending and irresponsibility of those who acted without thought from 2003 onwards.”
“The audacity of those from within the sector who have gone on public record to state that the banks need to ‘recoup their losses’ and that regulating interest rates would limit this amazes me. They are no longer in a position to dictate to policy makers or people of this country. It is time that responsibility was accepted and they realise that changes need to be made. They owe the people of Ireland, who have bailed them out, that much.”
In the wake of the request by the Financial Regulator for banks to cease raising interest rates on customers’ variable rate mortgages and the threatened action if they fail to comply with this request, members of the banking sector have come out to say that it would be unfair to impose such policy and restrictions on them.
Deputy Regina Doherty is incredulous “When, in their eyes, is the right time to regulate their sector? It seems to me that the banking sector believe themselves above regulation.”
The Deputy goes further to say “People in this country are paying for banking mistakes of the past. We are paying for the reckless lending and irresponsibility of those who acted without thought from 2003 onwards.”
“The audacity of those from within the sector who have gone on public record to state that the banks need to ‘recoup their losses’ and that regulating interest rates would limit this amazes me. They are no longer in a position to dictate to policy makers or people of this country. It is time that responsibility was accepted and they realise that changes need to be made. They owe the people of Ireland, who have bailed them out, that much.”
Tourism is doing its part to aid our recovery
Deputy Regina Doherty, TD for Meath East believes that tourism is doing its part to aid Ireland’s recovery. This statement comes as today with the publication of CSO figures on overseas travel from the period January 2011 to August 2011.
Deputy Doherty says “these figures show an increase of 11% in the number of visitor to Ireland in comparison to this time in 2010. 4.5million people visited Ireland within the first eight months of this year, this is huge, it is the biggest growth within the industry since 2007.”
Deputy Doherty points out that “We have had a fantastic year in terms of tourist ‘attractions’. Nationally we had President Obama’s visit and the Visit by the Queen. But locally, in County Meath, as well as having our heritage sites which the OPW allowed free access to the first Wednesday of every month over the summer period, we had our own tourism attractions, like the Solhiem Cup in Kileen Castle.
“The reduction of VAT rates for restaurants etc. to 9%, the halving of employer PRSI for those on modest wages and the introduction of the tourist visa waiver are just a few initiatives by Government which added to the success of the tourism industry so far this year.”
“I am excited for the future plans announced by the Minister for Tourism and Sport, Leo Varadkar TD at the Global Irish Forum, to launch a year-long national arts and event programme for 2013-The Gathering. I hope that this too will have the same positive effect of the last number of months. I also very much look forward to seeing what we as residents of Meath can contribute to this year-long festival which is hoped will attract and additional 300,000 visitors.”
Deputy Doherty says “these figures show an increase of 11% in the number of visitor to Ireland in comparison to this time in 2010. 4.5million people visited Ireland within the first eight months of this year, this is huge, it is the biggest growth within the industry since 2007.”
Deputy Doherty points out that “We have had a fantastic year in terms of tourist ‘attractions’. Nationally we had President Obama’s visit and the Visit by the Queen. But locally, in County Meath, as well as having our heritage sites which the OPW allowed free access to the first Wednesday of every month over the summer period, we had our own tourism attractions, like the Solhiem Cup in Kileen Castle.
“The reduction of VAT rates for restaurants etc. to 9%, the halving of employer PRSI for those on modest wages and the introduction of the tourist visa waiver are just a few initiatives by Government which added to the success of the tourism industry so far this year.”
“I am excited for the future plans announced by the Minister for Tourism and Sport, Leo Varadkar TD at the Global Irish Forum, to launch a year-long national arts and event programme for 2013-The Gathering. I hope that this too will have the same positive effect of the last number of months. I also very much look forward to seeing what we as residents of Meath can contribute to this year-long festival which is hoped will attract and additional 300,000 visitors.”
Doherty Welcomes Government Plans to Tackle Alcohol Misuse
Deputy Regina Doherty TD welcomes the announcement made this week by Minster Roisín Shorthall, that the Government will be developing a National Substance Misuse Strategy to incorporate drugs and alcohol over the coming months. This announcement by Government was made at the opening of the National Advisory Committee on Drugs seminar where the impact on children of parental misuse of drugs and alcohol was discussed.
Deputy Doherty very much welcomes the move to tackle the abuse and over consumption of alcohol in Ireland.
“The issues of the misuse and abuse of alcohol is huge in this country. We need to fundamentally change the way in which we see alcohol in order to educate future generations. The reduced sale price and the ready availability of alcohol contribute greatly to the abuse which exists in this country.”
“I 100% believe that there needs to be stricter regulation on the sale and consumption of alcohol. Alcohol is a drug, and should be treated as such. If we continue down the path of this misuse, it will cost us dearly in the future in terms of our health, the health of our children. Already we have seen that roughly one in eleven children in Ireland live with a parent who had alcohol problems.”
“As a member of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children, I very much look forward to the meeting next week where there will be a discussion on Alcohol Marketing from the Youth addiction perspective led by Tabor Lodge and Fellowship House. I am determined, as a member of the internal and external health committees to work hard in order to tackle these issues head-on.”
Deputy Doherty very much welcomes the move to tackle the abuse and over consumption of alcohol in Ireland.
“The issues of the misuse and abuse of alcohol is huge in this country. We need to fundamentally change the way in which we see alcohol in order to educate future generations. The reduced sale price and the ready availability of alcohol contribute greatly to the abuse which exists in this country.”
“I 100% believe that there needs to be stricter regulation on the sale and consumption of alcohol. Alcohol is a drug, and should be treated as such. If we continue down the path of this misuse, it will cost us dearly in the future in terms of our health, the health of our children. Already we have seen that roughly one in eleven children in Ireland live with a parent who had alcohol problems.”
“As a member of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children, I very much look forward to the meeting next week where there will be a discussion on Alcohol Marketing from the Youth addiction perspective led by Tabor Lodge and Fellowship House. I am determined, as a member of the internal and external health committees to work hard in order to tackle these issues head-on.”
Doherty Welcomes Eirgrid Road Improvements in Advance of the Winter Months
Meath East Deputy, Regina Doherty TD, warmly welcomes news from Eirgrid that repairs will be carried out on roads in the Dunshauglin District in advance of the winter months.
“This news, from Eirgrid comes as somewhat of a surprise but welcome one” says Doherty.
“Originally, the agreement with Eirgrid was that repairs and resurfacing would be carried out when all works on the East West Interconnector project were completed in the area. It has since been realised that many sections of road in the Dushaughlin District are in such bad state that it would be counterproductive and dangerous to leave them in this state for the winter months.”
Repairs will be carried out in various locations along the Eirgrid route which include Elgarstown, Ballymore, Lagore Little & Flemmingtown and are due to be commence out immediately.
“I am pleased that Eirgrid have realised that these repairs are necessary and that road users and residents alike will have peace of mind when driving on them during the winter months.”
“This news, from Eirgrid comes as somewhat of a surprise but welcome one” says Doherty.
“Originally, the agreement with Eirgrid was that repairs and resurfacing would be carried out when all works on the East West Interconnector project were completed in the area. It has since been realised that many sections of road in the Dushaughlin District are in such bad state that it would be counterproductive and dangerous to leave them in this state for the winter months.”
Repairs will be carried out in various locations along the Eirgrid route which include Elgarstown, Ballymore, Lagore Little & Flemmingtown and are due to be commence out immediately.
“I am pleased that Eirgrid have realised that these repairs are necessary and that road users and residents alike will have peace of mind when driving on them during the winter months.”
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