Donie's all Ireland news BLOG Wednesday

Ireland’s tax revenues now 1.7% ahead of target

  

The Department of Finance has said tax revenues to end-August were just under 22.1 billion, some 365 million or 1.7 per cent ahead of target.

Tax revenues to end-August, at just under €22.1 billion, are €365 million (1.7 per cent) ahead of projected, according to figures published by the Department of Finance this afternoon.

The better-than-expected performance came despite the second consecutive monthly undershoot in revenues. In August, exchequer revenues stood at €1,761 million, more than 7 per cent below target.

The Department statement said the underlying voted expenditure position in the first eight months of the year is just over €200 million (1.1 per cent) above limits set in the budget. Total voted spending stood at €29.6 billion in the January-August period.

Of the 16 departmental budgets, 12 were within their budget limits for the year up to August.

“Overruns in the Social Protection and Health Vote Groups, which have been evident for much of the year, remain” the Department stated.

As has been the case over the year to date, spending overruns in some departments have been partially offset by much lower than anticipated capital spending which, thus far in the year, is one fifth below budget.

Exchequer debt servicing costs, at just under €4.8 billion, were €188 million (3.8 per cent) less than predicated by the Department in early February. However, in year-on-year terms exchequer debt servicing costs are up some €2.2 billion, with exceptional items explaining half of this increase.

The exchequer deficit at end-August was €11.3 billion. This is well down on the same period last year, largely owing to the very large bank recapitalisation costs incurred in mid-2011.

The Department does not publish a predicted deficit figure for each month, as its does with some individual components of the overall budget, making an assessment of the overall budgetary more difficult to assess.

Calls to Dublin rape crisis helpline up 18%

   

Dublin Rape Crisis Centre chief executive Ellen O’ Malley-Dunlop: said there is always a trained person at the end of the line to listen to callers.

The number of first-time callers to a national rape-crisis helpline increased by almost 20 per cent last year compared with 2010, new figures indicate.

The figures, contained in the annual report and statistics from the the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre published today, also show an increase in violence accompanying incidents of rape and sexual assault.

Almost one third of all cases of rape, sexual violence and childhood sexual abuse disclosed to DRCC counsellors last year included other types of violence, including physical violence, psychological abuse and threats to kill.

There were 11,839 counselling contacts to the centre last year, of which 3,988 were from people who were contacting for help for the first time. This compared with 3,282 in 2010, an 18 per cent rise.

There has also been a steady year-on-year increase in the number of people seeking counselling for childhood sexual abuse, by 20 per cent since 2003.

Dr Frances Gardiner, chairwoman of the centre, described the statistics in the report as “truly shocking”, while chief executive Ellen O’Malley Dunlop said easier access to pornography was among the reasons why “these heinous crimes” were “escalating”.

“We know from international research that the levels of violence escalate in societies during times of economic recession. We also know that the easy access to hard core pornography further fuels attitudes of objectification of both men and women and leads to unimaginable dehumanisation of both victims and perpetrators.”

She said hardcore pornography had a potentially “dangerous damaging effect on people’s health and lives…is addictive and can kill people’s souls”. She called for “decisive action” in this area.

Some 537 clients were seen in the centre’s counselling and psychotherapy service, of which 88.3 per cent were female and 11.7 per cent were male. Some 91 of the centre’s counselling clients reported the crimes to the gardaí, 52 per cent of them relating to a recent rape cases, 16.5 per cent to past rapes, 27.5 per cent to past childhood abuse cases and three per cent to recent childhood abuse.

An emerging change found in the figures of people reporting to gardaí was the increasing proportion (66.6 per cent) who had been raped or sexually assaulted by someone they knew, compared with 33.4 per cent who had been assaulted by a stranger. In past reports clients were more likely to report to gardaí if they had been raped or assaulted by a stranger.

Ms O’Malley-Dunlop said it was welcome that more people were reporting the crimes and seeking help.

There was however a “big gap between reporting the crimes and cases getting to court”. She said once cases got to court the conviction rates were high. “We need more cases to get to court,” she said.

Many studies underlined how people are more likely to report sex crimes if they are being emotionally and psychologically supported.

Statistics for 2011 also showed:

* 18 women became pregnant by rape, with seven opting to keep the child, four had a termination, three fostered the baby, three suffered a miscarriage and one was stillborn.

* 271 victims were accompanied by DRCC’s trained volunteers to the sexual assault treatment unit in the Rotunda hospital.

* Eight out of ten callers were women, almost 19 per cent men and 0.4 per cent – 36 people – transsexual/transgender.

* 52 per cent of calls related to adult sexual violence, including rape, sexual assault, sexual harassment and trafficking.

* 47 per cent had suffered childhood abuse.

* While 96 per cent of callers were Irish, the other 4 per cent came from 42 different nationalities

* 537 clients were seen for crisis counselling and psychotherapy, with more than half related to childhood sexual abuse.

* Of the 304 cases where the reporting status was known, just 30 per cent, 91 cases, were reported to gardaí, with two-thirds relating to adult rape or assault and a third childhood abuse. Of those, only seven cases were tried in court, resulting in four convictions or guilty pleas, and one acquittal. Two other outcomes are unknown.

The national 24-hour helpline is at 1800 77 88 88

Butterflies ‘now more endangered than lions and tigers’

Bumblebees, beetles and butterflies are at greater risk of extinction than lions and tigers, according to a global study by the Zoological Society of London.

   

The biggest study of invertebrates ever conducted found that one in five is at risk of dying out. This can affect humans by threatening crops and food supplies.

Prof Jonathan Baillie, the director of conservation at the Zoological Society, said insects, slugs and snails may not be as glamorous as lions or dolphins but are just as important to providing the food we eat and the countryside we love.

“These critters form the basis of many of the essential benefits that nature provides; earthworms recycle waste nutrients, coral reefs support a myriad of life forms and bees help pollinate crops,” he said. “If they disappear, humans could soon follow.”

In Britain, critically endangered invertebrates include species of bumblebee that keep the countryside full of flowers and freshwater pearl mussels that filter the water in our rivers. The society blamed pollution, loss of habitat and climate change for killing off invertebrates and urged the public to take action by demanding that food is farmed in a more sustainable way and growing insect-friendly plants in their garden.

Previous international studies have focused on groups of animals such as mammals and birds. As invertebrates make up 97 per cent of species, the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, the UN body in charge of ensuring that animals do not become extinct, asked the society to lead a new study. More than 12,000 species, from giant squid to midges, were studied around the world. There are 1.5 million known invertebrates, although eight million species are thought to exist even if not yet discovered.

Prof Baillie said scientists were shocked by the results. “We knew that roughly one fifth of vertebrates and plants were threatened with extinction, but it was not clear if this was representative of the small spineless creatures that make up the majority of life on the planet,” he said. “The initial findings in this report indicate that 20 per cent of all species may be threatened.”

The most threatened group are freshwater invertebrates because of the invasive signal crayfish from America. Dams and pollution from nitrates used in fertilisers on fields have also played a part.

Marine species, including foods such as shrimp, squid and crab, are most at risk of ocean acidification, which threatens shell-building molluscs and coral.

Insects on land are being driven out by human development such as cities and pollution caused by cars and factories. All species are in danger from further habitat loss caused by climate change.

Prof Baillie said that invertebrates help store carbon at the bottom of the ocean, filter water, decompose waste, pollinate important crops and are an essential part of the food “web”, ultimately feeding hundreds of millions of people.

Even pests have a place in the ecosystem, he said. “We ignore the loss of invertebrates at our peril, as they provide many of the ecosystem services from which humans benefit.”

Castlebar and Ballina in Mayo are among the top litter-free towns in Ireland’s league table

  
The county towns of Castlebar and the north Mayo capital of Ballina, have waged some of the best anti-litter campaigns in the country, according to a survey by Irish Business Against Litter (IBAL). 

Castlebar Town Councillor Eugene McCormack told The Mayo News last night that the news was ‘absolutely wonderful’.

“This is an endorsement of all the hard work by the different organisations, particularly the Tidy Towns committee, local businesses and of course the town council. They have all put great efforts into cleaning-up and enhancing the town. Some months ago we had a lot of visitors during the choral festival and we were delighted to receive much positive commentary about recent developments; the jewel in the crown is of course the works at Lough Lannagh.

The main street project has also greatly improved the atmosphere and quality of the town,” Cllr McCormack said.
He said monies were already ring-fenced for the next phase of developments at Lough Lannagh, which will see the extension of the walkway to Islandeady, subject to landholder approval.

A spokesman for An Taisce said: “Castlebar was very good in 2011 and gets its best result ever in the eleven years of IBAL Anti-Litter League in 2012.  Nine out of ten sites surveyed got the top litter grade.  It was one of four towns to achieve this excellent result.  What sets Castlebar and other top ranking towns apart is not just the lack of litter but the way in which the environment is presented and maintained.  Some neglected buildings on Ellison Street were the only blemish.”

Speaking  about Ballina, the spokesman said: “Ballina continues to get closer to the top – like Castlebar. This is Ballina’s best result since IBAL Anti-Litter League began 11 years ago.  Eight out of the ten sites surveyed got the top litter grade.  The train station and all four approach roads set a very high standard.

In the majority of the sites it wasn’t just the lack of litter but the overall presentation and maintenance of the sites, for example, St Oliver Plunkett School, St. Mary’s Secondary School and Amana residential estate.”
Dr Tom Kavanagh, IBAL’s chairman, congratulated both towns for coming fourth and ninth in the national survey, which rated the towns according to the criteria of: ‘Cleaner than European Norms’.

Established in 1996, IBAL is an alliance of companies committed to the belief that litter has an impact on economic development. It states that it is the job of local government to resolve litter problems by proactively enforcing the litter laws.
Cavan town came first in the league while Dublin Airport Environs was deemed a litter black-spot.

Communications Minister Pat Rabbitte vision on Ireland’s broadband future

   

 Pat Rabbitte, Ireland’s Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources

Ireland’s Communications Minister Pat Rabbitte talks about the new National Broadband Strategy, which aims to deliver high-speed broadband to homes and firms across the country by 2015. A realist, Rabbitte warns there is much work to be done to achieve these goals.

As I waited just outside the office door of Communications Minister Pat Rabbitte, TD, on Adelaide Road in Dublin last week, I had a few moments to thumb through some magazines and newspapers on the nearby coffee table. Among the publications was a hardcover book about Irish rock band U2 and as I leafed through the pages, transported for a moment back in time to a more innocent Ireland of the late 1970s, I noticed a passage about how the band was grateful for how Dublin gave them all the room they needed to prepare for the world before they eventually hit the world.

This made me smile because I fervently believe Ireland should be the kind of place that gives all creators, from technology start-ups to artists, musicians, writers and coders the room to create, fail, rehearse, fail again badly and then get it right for the global stage. I’m unsure if the Ireland of 2012 is that kind of place, but I know many people are trying.

As I shook Rabbitte’s hand I joke that I think U2 is still Ireland’s chief indigenous digital export. He replied that he thinks U2 frontman Bono should indeed be the nation’s digital ambassador.

We get down to business by discussing the goals presented in the National Broadband Strategy last week of half the country having 70Mbps broadband by 2015, followed by two tiers of at least 40Mbps to a further 20pc and a minimum of 30Mbps in every single premises.

KEEPING IT REAL

Rabbitte explained he was perplexed how in general media last week reported that those goals would be achieved by 2015 as a kind of deadline. “I’m not saying that. The plan that is laid out is over the lifetime of the Government. Only the top band will be implemented by 2015 [as guaranteed by the telco CEOs], the remaining two are going to take the lifetime of this Government to achieve.

“In the mid-band there will be improvement but in the bottom band the improvement will be as a result of spectrum auctions and depending on the telcos getting their act up and running.”

Rabbitte is clearly intent on managing expectations and communicates to me that just because these goals have been set out, not everything is cut and dried and the pitfalls and variables are many.

The other key variable he will get around to mentioning is State Aid support from the EU, which he regards warily as a labyrinthine process, before any tender can be awarded. Another variable that can no longer be tolerated is lack of support, but ample supply of bureaucratic red tape and roadblocks from within various State departments, agencies and bodies like local authorities.

To make his point he explained that the reason the strategy was not published in July but in late August instead was he made it his business to painstakingly get guarantees from other ministers and department heads that all efforts will be made to see this strategy is completed.

“We will commit to a capital programme and we will see something like 2,000 additional installations put in place. These may not necessarily be masts but antennae on existing public buildings. The industry was most interested in us addressing the barriers are currently there.”

Rabbitte said that since taking office he has been amazed at the difference between one local authority and another. “Sometimes we found that the local authorities whose members wrote to the minister complaining the loudest about poor quality broadband in their area were the very ones who made it impossible or prohibitive to get a trench dug across the road.”

A key aspect of the plan that hasn’t been given much attention is the subgroups that were established as part of the Next Generation Broadband Taskforce to work closely with city and county councils. “This involved a half a dozen city and county council managers who have an appreciation of what this could mean for their areas. We’ve had direct meetings with the Minister for Transport who has a significant say in areas such as dealing with the National Roads Authority.” He has also held direct meetings with the Department of Environment with regard to the planning process.

BROADBAND AND JOB CREATION

Rabbitte agrees with my assertion that there is going to be an intrinsic link between broadband and job creation. “If we are going to see the rollout of thousands of street cabinets, the telecom companies can’t be kept waiting forever.”

The Minister takes my point that as well as businesses trying to expand and generate exports, there are jobs currently available in Ireland for professionals, including people with children or who are semi-retired. If they could work from home via broadband, they can remain in employment, contribute to their communities and boost the local economy.

[Amazingly, as I write I receive an email from a lady who has been unable to take up a home working offer that would save her €90 a week in petrol and cut out several hours of commute weekly because she cannot be guaranteed at least 2Mbps to her home.]

“Many businesses’ employees need these connections to stay in employment, and if you’re serious about regional development and bringing jobs to an area you won’t get in the way of rolling out this infrastructure,” Rabbitte emphasised.

Rabbitte explained that as soon as the much-anticipated wireless spectrum auctions for 4G/LTE connectivity have taken place a mapping exercise will begin so the State can set about ensuring areas that need connectivity can be funded.

“I told the telco CEOs, and none of them demurred, that we wanted co-operation and we wanted them to deal with us upfront. There is no point telling us ‘I can supply that’ only for us to discover 18 months later they had no intention.”

Rabbitte says the Next Generation Broadband Taskforce exercise was worthwhile. “It may perhaps be naïve on my part, but I do actually think the quality and the duration of the engagement with industry which started out from a sceptical position on their part and as an opportunity to eye up competitors has proved a purpose. Both the department and the telecoms sector have a better assessment of each other and know the pitfalls and know where spoofing and exaggeration hasn’t worked in the past.”

BRINGING IRISH BUSINESSES INTO THE 21^ST CENTURY

I point out to Rabbitte that ordinary Irish businesses are missing out on a world of opportunity by not embracing the digital age and this, he points out, is the other side of the challenge he faces in making this infrastructure rollout happen.

Only 3.4pc of GDP in Ireland comes from the internet economy, compared with 7pc of GDP from the UK’s internet economy, according to Boston Consulting. Some €3bn is spent online every year by Irish consumers and 70pc of this flows out of the country to overseas websites. Less than 70pc of Irish firms have websites, and of these only 22pc are capable of conducting e-commerce transactions.

“To be honest I have been taken aback myself at the low priority that SMEs generally attach to this issue. Now, you can say that we’re in the middle of the worst recession and that they are busy trying to keep the wolves from the door and that broadband and e-commerce are a low priority. They have to pay the wages every week and have told us bluntly ‘you must be joking, I have something else to be doing – I have a website, sure isn’t that all right’.

“They are so busy just trying to stay alive and keep their people in jobs that the notion of interaction online and using it to sell goods or promote themselves is just not a priority.

“I’m looking at a few things and one of the things I might try and get [Finance Minister] Michael Noonan on board to do is possibly pilot some tax incentives for bringing firms forward in this area. In the current environment, Finance may not want to know but for a very small amount of money it would be interesting to see how it could work.”

I put it to Rabbitte that maybe schemes for college leavers to work in small firms and generate internal e-business strategies would be of benefit. “We found programmes like WebActivate to be a success and you’re right there are kids who have a passion for this and who would be an asset for any firm.”

In term of how the National Broadband Strategy will be paid for, he said it will be a combination of EU State Aid and his department’s own capital programme, including a share of the disposal of State assets, such as Bord Gáis Energy.

“NewEra are looking at other opportunities, such as access to the National Pension Reserve Fund and morphing the Strategic Investment Fund into more of a strategic investment bank.

“I said it to the Cabinet up front, it is not a big investment in terms of the potential economic return. It is reasonable we think that from the consultations and discussions we’ve had with the telcos that 50pc of the cost will be supported by the successful bidders.”

Rabbitte also revealed to me that last year he brought Google executive chairman Eric Schmidt before the Cabinet sub-committee. “I let him loose. He was very impressive and did have an effect.”

DOVETAILING WITH THE BROADBAND FOR SCHOOLS PROJECT

I ask him about the 650 schools that will get 100Mbps ‘industrial strength’ broadband in the next two years and point out that surely this could benefit the businesses and individuals local to those schools.

There are hurdles. He recalls how at the school in his native Claremorris, St Colmans, which was one of the first in Ireland to introduce iPads to classrooms, parents were willing to dig a trench to their local MAN (metropolitan area network) themselves because the Department of Education wouldn’t hear of it.

He also added he has been moved by the impact of 100Mbps at St Brid’s secondary school in Clondalkin near where he lives. “Not only are we seeing kids in 15 different classrooms tuned into lessons via broadband at the same time, it’s extraordinary, but we’re also dealing with another form of digital divide. The digital divide isn’t just a geographic thing; kids who were slow learners in maths, for example, are now finding maths fascinating and are tussling with problems. It really is a winner.

“The 13 western counties of Ireland will be connected to the Schools Broadband programme by October, this will bring us to 290 schools connected to 100Mbps by the middle of October. We then aim to do another 100 along the belts of west Dublin. We picked the schools along the western seaboard first because they had the poorest quality connectivity. It really is something to visit one of these schools and to see it working.”

Returning to the National Broadband Plan, and the mapping exercise that will happen in the wake of the forthcoming spectrum auctions, Rabbitte said that when the tenders are eventually awarded, telcos will be contractually obliged to meet minimum standards.

“If a telco wants to bid for this project we will keep them to meeting those standards. The top 50pc of locations in the country will be served by the industry and that will look after itself.

“But where it’s not commercially viable – be it the hills of Donegal or west Kerry – we’ll have to go in there. Otherwise people will be left behind and will miss out on the economic opportunities of this exciting age.

“The difficulties are to monitor and ensure that it is delivered. The public procurement process and the whole State Aid labyrinthine process is painstakingly slow. This is not just in Ireland but across all member States.

“We hope to shine a light on this issue during the period of the Irish presidency and we will also have presidency of the telecoms council from the end of January.”

Rabbitte comes across as a realist on the issue of broadband. He gets the economic imperative and the need for political will on the matter. But he is also willing to work painstakingly with every entity concerned to bring it all to fruition. And that, he warned, may take time.