Search Results for 'European Union'

As part of the this year’s Great Electric Drive, Research leader of the Unit for Social Software at Insight, (formerly DERI) John Breslin has received his BMWi3 electric car to begin his four month ecar trial. He is one of just 32 new ecar ambassadors chosen earlier this year, from 20,000 applicants across Ireland.

It was all about by-elections last weekend - two Dáil by-elections being watched closely with a view to gauging the mood music of the electorate; a Seanad by-election generating an inordinate amount of interest as the Government inflicted an unnecessary wound on itself; and two parliamentary by-elections in England which may yet prove to be of some interest this side of the Irish Sea.

By Colm Gannon

Following Ireland’s exit from the EU/IMF recovery programme and in the context of projected GDP growth of 4.7 per cent for 2014 and 3.9 per cent for 2015, Ministers Noonan and Howlin announced their budgetary measures for 2015 which have been set out below. More detail will be included in the Finance Bill to be published later this month.

Recent figures have shown that 21,399 people are on outpatient waiting lists in the Midland Regional Hospitals at Mullingar, Tullamore, and Portlaoise.

The Irish Centre for Human Rights (ICHR), NUI Galway, in close collaboration with project partner the Irish Council for Civil Liberties (ICCL), has won a major EU contract for Irish Law and Social Data Research and will become Ireland’s new national focal point for the European Union Fundamental Rights Agency (FRA). This is the first time that the prestigious FRANET-Ireland contract for data collection and research services on fundamental rights issues in Ireland has been awarded to an Irish University-led bid.

O’Beirn’s Pharmacy, Henry Street, Galway, has recently come under new management, and is introducing a number of price reductions. Prescription medicines at O’Beirn’s are now at similar prices to the UK and other EU countries.

Myanmar, formerly known as Burma, holds an array of as yet untapped opportunities for many Irish professionals. Among the early movers recognising this the Institute of Professional Auctioneers and Valuers (IPAV), which has just signed a memorandum of understanding with the EU Myanmar Centre (EUMC), a not-for-profit non-governmental organisation tasked with facilitating trade, commerce and investment between Myanmar and the 28 EU member states.

Mayo Fianna Fáil TD Dara Calleary says the Taoiseach must sideline the spin and honour the commitments he made about Ireland West Airport Knock.  Enda Kenny made a promise before the 2011 General Election that he would ‘do whatever he needed for Knock’ if he became Taoiseach. Deputy Calleary commented this week: “The time for talking is long gone and what we need to see from the Taoiseach is action, and a follow through on the commitments he gave to airport officials before he assumed office.  Ireland West Airport Knock needs a cash injection in the upcoming Budget in order to secure its survival and it is up to the Taoiseach and Minister Paschal Donohoe to deliver on pre-election promises. This airport proves its worth on a daily basis.  It employs over 100 people and has seen more than 700,000 passengers pass through its doors this year alone. It brings millions of euro into the local economy and its benefits are felt right across the west and north west. It is a vital part of the tourism infrastructure in the region and its future must be secured.”

The “blatant exploitation” of Irish farmers by the meat industry is “unacceptable” and must be eradicated, so that farmers will be paid a fairer price for their beef.