Search Results for 'National Asset Management Agency'

THE National Assets Management Agency has secured court orders enabling it to move against UK assets of Galway-native developer brothers Raymond and Daniel Grehan as part of its efforts to recover unpaid loans of more than €300 million.

A local councillor has come up with a novel idea to address the growing housing list in the Kilkenny area.

Ireland’s largest retail industry trade body has expressed its support of the Government’s plans to abolish upward only rent review clauses. Retail Excellence Ireland (REI) claims more than 40,000 jobs are at risk in the retail sector unless the system is removed. Currently, rent prices can only increase or remain the same under review, regardless of decreases in market rates. Since rental retail rates increased by 240% between 2000 and 2007, compared to a 30% increment in consumer prices, REI claims businesses are not paying a fair market rate. As it stands, Ireland is one of just a handful of countries who still employ the system, with the remaining jurisdictions employing a market-based approach.

The GAA is a fine example of an organisation not afraid of change; not afraid to invest in a world class stadium; brave to modify some of their historical tenets to reflect a changed world. The club and county structure provide a fantastic means to relay back to HQ what is happening on the ground. If rules of the game need to be changed, after proposals, discussion and a vote, they are changed, the sport no less engaging. Politics should pay heed.

The issue of the amount of money owed by central Government to Mayo County Council for works carried out by the council was raised again this week at the monthly meeting of Mayo County Council. Cllr Eugene Lavin brought up the issue asking Peter Duggan, head of finance for Mayo County Council, how much money was owed and how much the council had to pay in relation to interest charges on loans that it has had to take out to cover the debt.

After the coming general election we will hopefully elect a new Government with a new focus, new energies and hopefully more ability.Those elected must immediately make many difficult, contentious and unpopular decisions. They must not shirk their responsibilities. We can all see the results of Bertie Ahern’s cowardly self serving keep everybody on-side at all costs. We are now paying a heavy price for his cowardice and greed. Amongst other things I believe the new Government must implement the following;

A Prime Time Investigates programme on property developers, which was aired this week, received the highest audience figures since the inception of the award-winning series in 2003. Prime Time Investigates – Carry On Regardless by reporter Rita O’Reilly and producer Bill Malone looked at leading NAMA developers who risked billions in the boom.

As Chairman of the Irish Hotels Federation in Mayo and General Manager of the McWilliam Park Hotel in Claremorris, Fergal Ryan represents the county and its 40-plus hotels at a national level, attending monthly meetings with other representatives from around Ireland.

For some time now we have been fed a peculiar line of spin from our Government, and in particular from Brian Lenihan. Last December he told us that the economy turned a corner. At the time I debated this issue live on RTE Radio 1 with Dr Sean Barrett of TCD. I believed then, as I know now, that no corner had been turned. It was patently obvious to everybody in the real world who was struggling to make ends meet that this was untrue. Messrs Lenihan and Cowen obviously inhabit a different world to you and me. A world of generous salaries, limitless expenses, and munificent perks conveyed for little effort with no expectation of results.

David Mc McWilliams delivered an inspirational and hard-hitting speech at the launch of the Town of Books Festival in Graiguenamanagh last weekend.