Compliments to "The Irish Independent reporter Anne-Marie Walsh" for this long overdue analysis of our 'hard pressed union leaders' who are only too happy to throw a spanner in any Government initiative to turn the economy and country around.
This is one of two groups I would want to see exposed - the second being the appointees to multiple state boards and quangos.
Union chief keeps top pay as teachers suffer
A HIGHLY paid teacher union leader who earns up to €158,000 a year has not taken a pay cut, although thousands of his members have had their salaries slashed.
The 15,800 rank-and-file teachers who are members of the Teachers Union of Ireland (TUI) have endured a 14pc pay cut in the past two years. But its general secretary Peter McMenamin's pay remains the same -- even though it is linked to a grade in the civil service that has also been hit by a pay cut. Mr McMenamin refused to comment last night on why he is still on the old pre-pay-cut salary level -- and refused to reveal exactly what he is paid. His union would only say that his pay scale ranges from €131,748 to €158,644.
The pay of officials in the teaching and lecturing unions is funded through subscriptions from members.These subscriptions are usually deducted from salaries at source, by the Department of Education and Skills.
The revelation about Mr McMenamin's pay comes as more than half the 23 public sector union leaders refused to disclose how much they were being paid. But it has emerged that none of the other senior TUI officials -- among the unions most resistant to public sector reforms outlined in the Croke Park Agreement -- have taken a pay cut.
In stark contrast, senior members of the INTO teaching union have taken a cut. INTO general secretary Sheila Nunan, whose pay is also based on the same assistant secretary grade as Mr McMenamin's, revealed she had taken a pay cut. However, her potential earnings remain around €153,885.
The TUI, which only recently backed the Croke Park deal, defended its decision not to cut the pay of officials at head office in the wake of the last Government's pension levy and pay cut.
The wages of more than 300,000 public servants were slashed by an average 14pc.
TUI president Bernie Ruane said: "Both TUI's annual congress last year and the union's executive committee decided that head office staff would not have their pay cut.
"The union opposes pay cuts for anybody and accordingly refused to make cuts to the salaries of its own staff."
The motion put forward by delegates at the TUI conference, which was defeated, called for pay cuts to ensure membership and employees of the union were "treated equally".
Many unions who would not reveal pay details have been most resistant to the Croke Park agreement, including university teacher union IFUT, which has still not backed the deal.
Teacher unions, including the TUI, only recently agreed to work extra hours that were due to commence at the start of the last school year.
Others, including the AHCPS, would not give pay figures and would only refer to the public sector pay grades their leaders' wages are linked to. General secretary of the Public Service Executive Union, Tom Geraghty, whose union represents 11,250 mid-ranking civil servants, said he regarded questions about his pay "intrusive prurience".
The Garda Representative Association said that its leader's salary was "personal information".
General secretary of the largest dedicated public sector union, IMPACT, Shay Cody, would not give details of his current pay but did reveal he had taken a pay cut. His spokesperson said his pay was no longer linked to the pay of the Cork county manager, which stood at €171,313 in 2009. He said Mr Cody had taken a voluntary pay cut and waived a portion of his salary on appointment, and also declined a public sector pay award.
Construction union BATU, which has up to 500 public sector members, said officials' pay had dropped by 40pc in the last two years but would not say what general secretary Paddy O'Shaughnessy's pay was.
However, other unions were more open about their leaders' wages.
They included SIPTU, where staff took a 5pc pay cut while national officers took a 10pc pay cut, bringing general president Jack O'Connor's basic pay down to €112,000 a year.
The survey also reveals huge discrepancies in what unions pay their leaders.
For example, the head of the small trade union, OPATSI, is paid around €45,000 -- less than a third of what some teachers' representatives get.
Jimmy Kelly, head of UNITE, which has 60,000 public and private sector members, earns €60,000 a year, while PDFORRA leader, Gerry Rooney, with 8,000 members, earns €96,000.
Meanwhile, employer body IBEC refused to give details of its director general Danny McCoy's pay.
http://www.independent.ie/national-news/union-chief-keeps-top-pay-as-teachers-suffer-2639341.html
Friday, May 6, 2011
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Sean Quinn - The Lies Continue
Sean Quinn is still clinging to the belief that he can somehow preserve the Quinn Group for the benefit of the Quinn family and very soon it will be the Irish public who are to blame for his woes.
Mr Quinn said he had, along with colleagues, spent the past year developing a proposal that was "economically sustainable and which would allow us to discharge fully all of our family’s obligations to the Irish taxpayer".
"During this process we consulted with and secured the support of some of the most respected and experienced individuals in Irish and UK business," Mr Quinn said.
He said the mistake the group had made was "an over-reliance on the Irish banking system and the many predictions for continued sustained growth in the Irish economy from some of the country’s leading financial services experts".
Its time everyone took off the 'rose tinted glasses' which show a billionaire playing cards with his close friends on a friday night for 50 cents a hand - how touching.
Lets get something straight:
Sean Quinn is part of a group of perhaps less than 50 individuals who brought this country to it's knees - this man is no hero for the average Irish citizen and rather than blaming economists etc for the Quinn Groups woes, perhaps he should ponder the fact that he gambled the Quinn Group, his familys future and the lives of his workers on a straight bet.
Quinns purchase of up to 20% of Anglo Irish Bank stocks and attempts to dispose of same en-masse was perhaps the trigger or catalyst which brought the already unsteady house of cards tumbling down.
Quinn must accept responsibility for a large share of the deductions every Irish taxpayers sees in his/her pay-packet at present. Quinn must accept his share of responsibility for the reduced government investment in Healthcare, Transport, Education etc over the next 10 years.
"Ireland needs enterprise and entrepreneurs more than ever at this time but mistakes in business should not result in a life sentence."
The "mistake" is understood to refer to the €3bn losses Mr Quinn suffered after a disastrous bet on Anglo's shares as the bank teetered towards nationalisation.
It was that move which gave Anglo the power to seize control of the Quinn empire, since the share capital of the Quinn Group was included in the security for the loan Mr Quinn took to bet on the shares. Mr Quinn described Anglo's move to send in a share receiver over the Quinn Group as "the greatest upset for me and my family in my entire business career".
Hints of the former FAS chief Roddy Molloy explaining of his entitlement to fly first class. Quinn needs to sit down and contemplate all those reposessed family homes, broken marriages, hungry children and even suicides which his greed provided the fuel for.
Quinn was part of this exclusive Bank-Business-Politico group of rats, he knew what he was doing and was not relying on newspaper pundits for his view of the economy going forward. The Quinn Group was earning plent of money, but enough was never enough for these turds - they wanted more, they wanted the kick-back, the brown envelope or the purchase of a bank through slight of hand - why werent those shares purchased outright - why CFD's.
Sean Quinn and Sean Fitzpatrick are the Chairman and CEO of the stinking club of thieves who destroyed Ireland.
Read more: http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/quinn-blames-experts-growth-predictions-151878.html#ixzz1JydDIqOx
Mr Quinn said he had, along with colleagues, spent the past year developing a proposal that was "economically sustainable and which would allow us to discharge fully all of our family’s obligations to the Irish taxpayer".
"During this process we consulted with and secured the support of some of the most respected and experienced individuals in Irish and UK business," Mr Quinn said.
He said the mistake the group had made was "an over-reliance on the Irish banking system and the many predictions for continued sustained growth in the Irish economy from some of the country’s leading financial services experts".
Its time everyone took off the 'rose tinted glasses' which show a billionaire playing cards with his close friends on a friday night for 50 cents a hand - how touching.
Lets get something straight:
Sean Quinn is part of a group of perhaps less than 50 individuals who brought this country to it's knees - this man is no hero for the average Irish citizen and rather than blaming economists etc for the Quinn Groups woes, perhaps he should ponder the fact that he gambled the Quinn Group, his familys future and the lives of his workers on a straight bet.
Quinns purchase of up to 20% of Anglo Irish Bank stocks and attempts to dispose of same en-masse was perhaps the trigger or catalyst which brought the already unsteady house of cards tumbling down.
Quinn must accept responsibility for a large share of the deductions every Irish taxpayers sees in his/her pay-packet at present. Quinn must accept his share of responsibility for the reduced government investment in Healthcare, Transport, Education etc over the next 10 years.
"Ireland needs enterprise and entrepreneurs more than ever at this time but mistakes in business should not result in a life sentence."
The "mistake" is understood to refer to the €3bn losses Mr Quinn suffered after a disastrous bet on Anglo's shares as the bank teetered towards nationalisation.
It was that move which gave Anglo the power to seize control of the Quinn empire, since the share capital of the Quinn Group was included in the security for the loan Mr Quinn took to bet on the shares. Mr Quinn described Anglo's move to send in a share receiver over the Quinn Group as "the greatest upset for me and my family in my entire business career".
Hints of the former FAS chief Roddy Molloy explaining of his entitlement to fly first class. Quinn needs to sit down and contemplate all those reposessed family homes, broken marriages, hungry children and even suicides which his greed provided the fuel for.
Quinn was part of this exclusive Bank-Business-Politico group of rats, he knew what he was doing and was not relying on newspaper pundits for his view of the economy going forward. The Quinn Group was earning plent of money, but enough was never enough for these turds - they wanted more, they wanted the kick-back, the brown envelope or the purchase of a bank through slight of hand - why werent those shares purchased outright - why CFD's.
Sean Quinn and Sean Fitzpatrick are the Chairman and CEO of the stinking club of thieves who destroyed Ireland.
Read more: http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/quinn-blames-experts-growth-predictions-151878.html#ixzz1JydDIqOx
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Iceland & Landsbanki Bank
One has to admire the 'balls' of the Icelandic public in deciding not only to burn bondholders, but to burn depositors also (in this instance the depositors have been reimbursed by both the UK and Dutch Governments).
Following a referendum the Icelandic public said 'no' to taking over the debt of a private bank, maintaining they have no legal obligation to do so.
Looking at the Irish situation, one has to wonder what our politicians are up to - there is no obligation on the Irish people to reimburse the 'gambling debts' of foreign institutions.
I dabble in the stock markets and have taken a punt on risky companies. Anyone with experience will have been there - these are high risk, high payout gambles on companies who are a one bet pony - their exploratory oil well will pump black or dry and the companies existence depends on this one roll of the dice.
Despite their 'high and mighty claims', the investors in the Irish financial institutions knew the risks, you don't put billions into a company without knowing a little about that company.
The German and French Governments have one single aim, that is to ensure their Financial Institutions (these very same investors) are not burned, thus taking billions out of their economies - do you think they really care about a 1% interest reduction - they could agree to this in a heartbeat.
The whole focus of the discussion has been deliberately moved to the Corporation Tax question and the Quid Pro Quo question to distract us from what and whom we are really bailing out.
It's time for Ireland to re-focus the argument onto the senior bond-holders and threaten a referendum if need be. The time for mucking about is over, your asking the staff of the racecourse to cover your bet as the bookies have gone bust and now you are demanding extra leverage - something has gone very wrong in these discussions.
As a parachute we need to open discussions with Beijing for 'working capital'.
It's time we got back into the driving seat and discussed the real Quid Pro Quo.
Following a referendum the Icelandic public said 'no' to taking over the debt of a private bank, maintaining they have no legal obligation to do so.
Looking at the Irish situation, one has to wonder what our politicians are up to - there is no obligation on the Irish people to reimburse the 'gambling debts' of foreign institutions.
I dabble in the stock markets and have taken a punt on risky companies. Anyone with experience will have been there - these are high risk, high payout gambles on companies who are a one bet pony - their exploratory oil well will pump black or dry and the companies existence depends on this one roll of the dice.
Despite their 'high and mighty claims', the investors in the Irish financial institutions knew the risks, you don't put billions into a company without knowing a little about that company.
The German and French Governments have one single aim, that is to ensure their Financial Institutions (these very same investors) are not burned, thus taking billions out of their economies - do you think they really care about a 1% interest reduction - they could agree to this in a heartbeat.
The whole focus of the discussion has been deliberately moved to the Corporation Tax question and the Quid Pro Quo question to distract us from what and whom we are really bailing out.
It's time for Ireland to re-focus the argument onto the senior bond-holders and threaten a referendum if need be. The time for mucking about is over, your asking the staff of the racecourse to cover your bet as the bookies have gone bust and now you are demanding extra leverage - something has gone very wrong in these discussions.
As a parachute we need to open discussions with Beijing for 'working capital'.
It's time we got back into the driving seat and discussed the real Quid Pro Quo.
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Extraordinary Rendition
Like most Irish citizens, I would find it more palatable accepting the medicine if those who had made us ill were not simply laughing at us.
The damage these people have done to this nation is far greater than the damage from petty crimes many of our prison population are guilty of.
Surely the accusations these individuals have leveled against them warrant a similar 'remand' policy as we saw with Madoff.
David Drumm is a prime example of someone who clearly suspects charges may stick and will fight us every inch of the way simply to avoid extradition from the USA.
I don't believe we should pay another cent on legal fees.
We know:
1. The US supports extraordinary rendition.
2. One of the Government planes can cross the Atlantic - Harney used it for a jolly.
3. Drumm believes he is safe in the US
The Irish Government should send in a 'snatch squad', grab Drumm and fly in the Government jet to retrieve him.
With careful planning it could easily be done.
Spike island should be re opened for the banking, developer and politicians who are found to be guilty of corruption.
The damage these people have done to this nation is far greater than the damage from petty crimes many of our prison population are guilty of.
Surely the accusations these individuals have leveled against them warrant a similar 'remand' policy as we saw with Madoff.
David Drumm is a prime example of someone who clearly suspects charges may stick and will fight us every inch of the way simply to avoid extradition from the USA.
I don't believe we should pay another cent on legal fees.
We know:
1. The US supports extraordinary rendition.
2. One of the Government planes can cross the Atlantic - Harney used it for a jolly.
3. Drumm believes he is safe in the US
The Irish Government should send in a 'snatch squad', grab Drumm and fly in the Government jet to retrieve him.
With careful planning it could easily be done.
Spike island should be re opened for the banking, developer and politicians who are found to be guilty of corruption.
Dear Enda.......
Why is Sean Fitzpatrick not behind bars? - Bernard Madoff was tried very quickly in the US.
Why are investigations into Anglo taking so long? - is there an attempt to drag it out in the hope we'll forget.
Were the actions of Sean Fitzpatrick, Sean Quinn and the Golden Circle legal? We are constantly being told by politicos that despite the shenannigans in Anglo, nothing illegal was done. Forgive my stupidity and basic knowledge of law, but huge director loans 'off the books' and hidden by inter-bank overnight loans must qualify for misleading the markets and investors, offering hundreds of millions in unsecured loans from the bank itself to hand-picked individuals to purchase another parties shares in the same institution must be illegal. Directors using a publicly listed bank as a personal piggy bank must be illegal, Bank Directors giving unsecured development loans and 'cutting themselves in on the deal' must be illegal.
Is it likely another Tribunal will be set up, cost millions and nobody be prosecuted? An Irish 'elites' solution to an Irish 'elites' problem.
Do you actually care or are you another politico on a personal power trip? Time will tell Enda whether you are capable and want to serve this country or whether you are simply on a personal power trip.
Is the Irish Public stupid? - I think we know ourselves we are very stupid.
Answers to the above would be a good start.
Why are investigations into Anglo taking so long? - is there an attempt to drag it out in the hope we'll forget.
Were the actions of Sean Fitzpatrick, Sean Quinn and the Golden Circle legal? We are constantly being told by politicos that despite the shenannigans in Anglo, nothing illegal was done. Forgive my stupidity and basic knowledge of law, but huge director loans 'off the books' and hidden by inter-bank overnight loans must qualify for misleading the markets and investors, offering hundreds of millions in unsecured loans from the bank itself to hand-picked individuals to purchase another parties shares in the same institution must be illegal. Directors using a publicly listed bank as a personal piggy bank must be illegal, Bank Directors giving unsecured development loans and 'cutting themselves in on the deal' must be illegal.
Is it likely another Tribunal will be set up, cost millions and nobody be prosecuted? An Irish 'elites' solution to an Irish 'elites' problem.
Do you actually care or are you another politico on a personal power trip? Time will tell Enda whether you are capable and want to serve this country or whether you are simply on a personal power trip.
Is the Irish Public stupid? - I think we know ourselves we are very stupid.
Answers to the above would be a good start.
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Beverly Flynn and the ultimate TV Licence fee
Perhaps I'm missing something - or are we seeing another typical 'whitewash' of the facts by the 'Irish System'
Beverley Flynn has announced tonight that she will not be contesting the next General Election. The decision by the Fianna Fáil TD has caused widespread surprise in Co Mayo. She is understood to be stepping down for family reasons.
Taoiseach Brian Cowen has said he wanted to thank Beverley Flynn for her commitment to politics and for her efforts on behalf of the Fianna Fáil Party. He added that Ms Flynn is a very able politician and she has represented the people of Mayo with undoubted tenacity and skill in her time in Dáil Éireann. Mr Cowen said that Beverley Flynn had been assiduous in her attention to the needs of her constituents and that her many supporters will be sorry to see her leave representative politics, while respecting her decision.
Meanwhile, the Minister of State for Labour Affairs, Dara Calleary, has paid tribute to his constituency colleague.Dara Calleary said: 'Beverley has worked hard on behalf of the people of Mayo since she was first elected to Dáil Éireann in 1997
Tuesday June 19 2007
INDEPENDENT TD Beverley Flynn was yesterday accused of "embarking on a litigious frolic" which is "nakedly in her own interest".
The claim came as it emerged that the Mayo TD, one of four Independents supporting Bertie Ahern's new Government, had offered a €590,000 settlement to RTE - a fraction of the €2.8m she owes the broadcaster after her failed libel action.
Ms Flynn yesterday launched her constitutional challenge to the law which stops a court-declared bankrupt from being a member of the Dail.
There has been speculation recently Ms Flynn could be named as a junior minister during the lifetime of the 30th Dail, but the Taoiseach said at the weekend that she has "issues" to resolve.
RTE's lawyer yesterday told the court that Ms Flynn has not paid a "red cent" of the €2.8m legal costs she owes the national broadcaster. Cian Ferriter BL said not a cent had come forward to satisfy the debt to RTE, the costs which arise from Ms Flynn's failed libel action against the station and its chief news correspondent Charlie Bird in 2001. The total due to RTE, counsel said, amounted to €2.825m plus interest accruing at €500 per day.
An offer of €590,000, was made after the service of a bankruptcy petition by RTE, Mr Ferriter said. That amount, he said, was 20pc of the debt owed and RTE was not prepared to accept that. Counsel said RTE felt that Beverley Flynn was not doing all she can to discharge the debt.
Last week, he said her solicitors had written to the RTE solicitors and suggested that the bankruptcy proceedings be adjourned "in the national interest" pending the constitutional challenge. 'She has not paid a red cent of the costs order. RTE has had to take this action to have the debt discharged'
Figures released to Fine Gael TD Jim O’Keeffe in a parliamentary question show:
*54 people went to jail in 2008 for not paying their TV licence.
*This compared to 32 people in 2007, a rise of almost 70%.
*220 people have been imprisoned for the offence over the past five years.
"This is crazy, from every point of view, from the individual’s point of view and the Exchequer’s," said Mr O’Keeffe.
"It’s wrong, from my point of view, to put people in prison because they are poor.
"It’s crazy for the exchequer. The TV licence is e160. It costs e2,000 a week to put them in jail."
Supplying Mr O’Keeffe with the information, Justice Minister Dermot Ahern said: "I can advise the deputy that the number of such persons held in custody are held for very short periods of time and comprise a tiny fraction of the overall prisoner population.
"To illustrate this point, figures relating to 16 February 2009 indicate that there was only one person in custody for non-payment of fines in relation to not having a television licence."
Beverley Flynn has announced tonight that she will not be contesting the next General Election. The decision by the Fianna Fáil TD has caused widespread surprise in Co Mayo. She is understood to be stepping down for family reasons.
Taoiseach Brian Cowen has said he wanted to thank Beverley Flynn for her commitment to politics and for her efforts on behalf of the Fianna Fáil Party. He added that Ms Flynn is a very able politician and she has represented the people of Mayo with undoubted tenacity and skill in her time in Dáil Éireann. Mr Cowen said that Beverley Flynn had been assiduous in her attention to the needs of her constituents and that her many supporters will be sorry to see her leave representative politics, while respecting her decision.
Meanwhile, the Minister of State for Labour Affairs, Dara Calleary, has paid tribute to his constituency colleague.Dara Calleary said: 'Beverley has worked hard on behalf of the people of Mayo since she was first elected to Dáil Éireann in 1997
Tuesday June 19 2007
INDEPENDENT TD Beverley Flynn was yesterday accused of "embarking on a litigious frolic" which is "nakedly in her own interest".
The claim came as it emerged that the Mayo TD, one of four Independents supporting Bertie Ahern's new Government, had offered a €590,000 settlement to RTE - a fraction of the €2.8m she owes the broadcaster after her failed libel action.
Ms Flynn yesterday launched her constitutional challenge to the law which stops a court-declared bankrupt from being a member of the Dail.
There has been speculation recently Ms Flynn could be named as a junior minister during the lifetime of the 30th Dail, but the Taoiseach said at the weekend that she has "issues" to resolve.
RTE's lawyer yesterday told the court that Ms Flynn has not paid a "red cent" of the €2.8m legal costs she owes the national broadcaster. Cian Ferriter BL said not a cent had come forward to satisfy the debt to RTE, the costs which arise from Ms Flynn's failed libel action against the station and its chief news correspondent Charlie Bird in 2001. The total due to RTE, counsel said, amounted to €2.825m plus interest accruing at €500 per day.
An offer of €590,000, was made after the service of a bankruptcy petition by RTE, Mr Ferriter said. That amount, he said, was 20pc of the debt owed and RTE was not prepared to accept that. Counsel said RTE felt that Beverley Flynn was not doing all she can to discharge the debt.
Last week, he said her solicitors had written to the RTE solicitors and suggested that the bankruptcy proceedings be adjourned "in the national interest" pending the constitutional challenge. 'She has not paid a red cent of the costs order. RTE has had to take this action to have the debt discharged'
Figures released to Fine Gael TD Jim O’Keeffe in a parliamentary question show:
*54 people went to jail in 2008 for not paying their TV licence.
*This compared to 32 people in 2007, a rise of almost 70%.
*220 people have been imprisoned for the offence over the past five years.
"This is crazy, from every point of view, from the individual’s point of view and the Exchequer’s," said Mr O’Keeffe.
"It’s wrong, from my point of view, to put people in prison because they are poor.
"It’s crazy for the exchequer. The TV licence is e160. It costs e2,000 a week to put them in jail."
Supplying Mr O’Keeffe with the information, Justice Minister Dermot Ahern said: "I can advise the deputy that the number of such persons held in custody are held for very short periods of time and comprise a tiny fraction of the overall prisoner population.
"To illustrate this point, figures relating to 16 February 2009 indicate that there was only one person in custody for non-payment of fines in relation to not having a television licence."
Monday, September 13, 2010
WTF
Private companies have won contracts worth more than €182m to run asylum accommodation centres, - an Irish Independent investigation reveals ( www.independent.ie )
Figures obtained under freedom of information rules reveal for the first time the size of the contracts awarded to individual companies. It has also emerged that at least two businesses involved in providing asylum services have made political donations to Fianna Fail. The Department of Justice has refused to reveal how much contractors were paid over the past two years, claiming the information is commercially sensitive. However, records released from 2002 to the end of 2007 reveal how 28 companies and individual businesspeople each won contracts worth over €1m to run accommodation centres.
While contractors must meet the cost of all services provided, including staffing, management and housekeeping, out of the contract amount, Companies Office records show that most businesses involved have made handsome profits from the ventures.
The revelations come just weeks after a Department of Justice value-for-money report found that state-owned accommodation was costing the taxpayer less per person than privately owned operations. The report also found that there was restricted competition between private contractors and that recent increases negotiated in the cost of some contracts were too high. Changes proposed in a new immigration bill are expected to see the amount of state funds paid to private operators fall as officials aim to speed up the asylum process.
The largest beneficiary of asylum centre contracts revealed in the records was Dundalk-based firm East Coast Catering Ireland, which won contracts worth €47.5m. Most of the cash was for running the Balseskin Reception Centre at St Margaret's in Co Dublin. It is the main reception centre for newly arrived asylum seekers in the State and has been used to house up to 420 people at a time. Its directors are Dundalk businessmen Denis Williams and Brian Byrne and Canada-based duo Patrick O'Callaghan and Richard Sheppard. The most recent accounts filed for the company show after-tax profits of €1.3m for 2006. The same year dividends of €1.1m were paid to shareholders.
The second biggest contract winner was Millstreet Equestrian Services Ltd, a company owned by well-known entrepreneur Noel C Duggan. Mr Duggan rose to national prominence when his Green Glens Arena in Millstreet, Co Cork, hosted the Eurovision Song Contest in 1993. He also gave evidence at the Mahon Tribunal, where he testified to making a £5,000 donation to Fianna Fail in 1994. According to the Department of Justice records, his company won contracts worth €15.9m for asylum centre accommodation in Mallow, Co Cork, Carrick-on-Suir, Co Tipperary, and Killarney, Co Kerry. He also runs the Millstreet Accommodation Centre in Co Cork. The company made post-tax profits of €325,000 in 2008 and €272,500 the previous year. The figures do not differentiate between profits made by the company's asylum services and their equestrian activities.
Foxfield Inns Ltd, a company run by Galway hoteliers Kevin, Sheila and Mary Flannery, won contracts worth almost €15.2m to run an asylum centre with a capacity of 230 in Salthill.
The records did not include figures for the asylum centre in Mosney, Co Meath, which has a contract to house 650 people.
Figures obtained under freedom of information rules reveal for the first time the size of the contracts awarded to individual companies. It has also emerged that at least two businesses involved in providing asylum services have made political donations to Fianna Fail. The Department of Justice has refused to reveal how much contractors were paid over the past two years, claiming the information is commercially sensitive. However, records released from 2002 to the end of 2007 reveal how 28 companies and individual businesspeople each won contracts worth over €1m to run accommodation centres.
While contractors must meet the cost of all services provided, including staffing, management and housekeeping, out of the contract amount, Companies Office records show that most businesses involved have made handsome profits from the ventures.
The revelations come just weeks after a Department of Justice value-for-money report found that state-owned accommodation was costing the taxpayer less per person than privately owned operations. The report also found that there was restricted competition between private contractors and that recent increases negotiated in the cost of some contracts were too high. Changes proposed in a new immigration bill are expected to see the amount of state funds paid to private operators fall as officials aim to speed up the asylum process.
The largest beneficiary of asylum centre contracts revealed in the records was Dundalk-based firm East Coast Catering Ireland, which won contracts worth €47.5m. Most of the cash was for running the Balseskin Reception Centre at St Margaret's in Co Dublin. It is the main reception centre for newly arrived asylum seekers in the State and has been used to house up to 420 people at a time. Its directors are Dundalk businessmen Denis Williams and Brian Byrne and Canada-based duo Patrick O'Callaghan and Richard Sheppard. The most recent accounts filed for the company show after-tax profits of €1.3m for 2006. The same year dividends of €1.1m were paid to shareholders.
The second biggest contract winner was Millstreet Equestrian Services Ltd, a company owned by well-known entrepreneur Noel C Duggan. Mr Duggan rose to national prominence when his Green Glens Arena in Millstreet, Co Cork, hosted the Eurovision Song Contest in 1993. He also gave evidence at the Mahon Tribunal, where he testified to making a £5,000 donation to Fianna Fail in 1994. According to the Department of Justice records, his company won contracts worth €15.9m for asylum centre accommodation in Mallow, Co Cork, Carrick-on-Suir, Co Tipperary, and Killarney, Co Kerry. He also runs the Millstreet Accommodation Centre in Co Cork. The company made post-tax profits of €325,000 in 2008 and €272,500 the previous year. The figures do not differentiate between profits made by the company's asylum services and their equestrian activities.
Foxfield Inns Ltd, a company run by Galway hoteliers Kevin, Sheila and Mary Flannery, won contracts worth almost €15.2m to run an asylum centre with a capacity of 230 in Salthill.
The records did not include figures for the asylum centre in Mosney, Co Meath, which has a contract to house 650 people.
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