Ireland’s Economy is More Competitive
The Irish economy has become more competitive but faces many challenges before matching rival economies in a range of areas, according to the National Competitiveness Council’s annual “competitiveness scorecard”. Published today, the report is a detailed assessment of Ireland’s competitive position compared to peer economies using 127 indicators. The benchmarking report will be followed by […]
New Child Protection Measures
Child Protection: Minister for Justice Alan Shatter has said promised child protection measures are “very much on target”, with legislation to be published by the end of next month. Mr Shatter said moves to put the obligatory reporting of child abuse to gardaí, as well as the vetting of adults who work with children, on […]
European Bank Authority Considers Binding Rules on Bankers’ Pay
The European Banking Authority is considering legally binding rules on bankers’ pay and bonuses, the executive director of the EU-wide banking regulator said in Dublin yesterday. Adam Farkas said the authority may issue technical standards creating rules governing remuneration in banking, but this was unlikely before the end of the year. The European Banking Authority […]
Developer Granted Leave to Challenge Nama over Loans
Developer David Daly and his children have been granted leave by the High Court to challenge the demand by the National Asset Management Agency for them to repay €457 million they owe Allied Irish Banks. Daly, his daughter Joanne and son Paul, failed in a bid to obtain injunctions restraining the activities of AIB-appointed receiver […]
Fee to Increase in Courts Service
A range of new fees has been introduced by the Courts Service, following a demand from the Department of Finance for an increase in its fee income. The increases are across the board and range from 8.3 per cent to one increase, in the case of special licences for the licensed premises in an area, […]
Pension Fund Lost €3.7bn on Banks
Almost €4 billion from the National Pension Reserve Fund which was invested in Bank of Ireland and Allied Irish Bank last year has been written off, according to the annual report of the Comptroller and Auditor General. The report shows that up to the end of 2010, the NPRF invested €11.35 billion in Ireland’s two […]
Shatter Pledges Movement on Ratification of Human Rights Treaties in Ireland
The review of Ireland’s human rights is the country’s first assessment of its human rights record to assess where it stands and how to improve it. The United Nation’s Human Rights Council examines the status of these rights in each member country once every four years. The Irish Human Rights Committee recommended Ireland ratify four […]
Government Set to Inject up to €1bn into Credit Unions
The Government is prepared to pump up to €1 billion into the credit union sector to protect them against rising bad debts. Minister for Finance Michael Noonan told the Seanad yesterday that he was prepared to inject between €500 million and €1 billion into the sector. This will come from what remains of the €17.5 […]
Reduction in Bankruptcy Term to Five Years Begins
Provisions reducing the period of applying for discharge from bankruptcy from 12 to five years and providing for the automatic discharge of bankruptcy after 12 years have been begun by the Minister for Justice. Alan Shatter announced that the new measures, contained in the Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2011, came into force yesterday. Other, […]
Judges end Tradition of Wearing Wigs in Court
A centuries-old tradition, the Chief Justice, Mrs Justice Susan Denham, and most of her senior colleagues will sit in court without their wigs for the first time. The move to discontinue the practice, in place since the 17th century, follows a decision by the Superior Courts Rules Committee, made up of representatives of the judiciary, […]
