Isme survey points to increased satisfaction with Irish Government
SURVEY SUGGESTS BUSINESS COSTS AND GOVERNMENT’S DEALINGS WITH BANKS REMAIN CONCERNS
THE TAOISEACH ENDA KENNY AHEAD OF THE COUNCIL OF STATE, MEETING TO CONSIDER LEGISLATION REFORMING THE ASYLUM APPLICATION SYSTEM, AT ARAS AN UACHTARAIN.
A new survey by Isme, the Irish Small and Medium Enterprises Association, reveals overall satisfaction with the Government’s performance is at its highest level since the survey commenced in 2012.
However, the group’s latest Government Satisfaction Survey also suggests relatively high business costs and the Government’s dealings with the banks remain the chief sources of concern within the business community here.
Isme’s survey, which was based on the responses of 956 SMEs in the third week of December, showed overall satisfaction with the Coalition jumped nine points from +2 to +11, with the larger enterprises submitting the most positive satisfaction ratings.
The survey asks respondents four specific questions on the Government’s performance in dealing with jobs, banking, business costs and its handling of the economy, from which an overall performance metric is derived.
There was a large increase in the satisfaction rating association with the Government’s handling of the jobs situation, with the rating rising from +9 to +22, the highest score on record.
“This reflects the slow but steady decline in numbers on the live register and the positive press announcements,” the survey noted.
SMEs also expressed satisfaction with the Government’s handling of the economy with sub-index jumping to +18 with Irish economy forecast to grow by up to 7 per cent this year, the highest rate in Europe.
The worst performing indicator was business costs, which fell to -52 from -47, and which continues to be the highest rated reason for dissatisfaction with the current administration.
The association is concerned that Ireland is rapidly losing its competitive edge and we have continuously called on Government to conduct a review of all business costs to bring them into line with our main export competitors,” it said.
“Business costs must be reduced and Government must focus on this area if we are to regain our competitiveness,” Isme boss Mark Fielding said
Approval of the Government’s handling of the banking sector also deteriorated slightly.
The survey noted that while SME access to finance has improved, an increase in loan application declines had been recorded in recent months.
Mr Fielding said: “External factors continue to assist the economy and the growth rate reflects this. Favourable exchange rate with and growth in our major export countries and low oil prices have given us a boost as we come out of the recession.”
“While we can benefit from these factors, they are completely outside of our control. The factors within our control, business costs and access to finance, need much more work by Government and, if not addressed, will cause untold damage as the economic cycle unfolds”.
26 locations where refugees will be housed in Ireland now revealed
IRELAND WILL ACCEPT 4,000 REFUGEES OVER THE NEXT TWO YEARS.
The Government has identified 26 sites where it will house thousands of incoming refugees, Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald confirmed.
In a bid to tackle the European Union’s mounting migrant crisis, earlier this year Ireland agreed to accept 4,0000 refugees over the next two years.
Now Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald has identified the two dozen locations where these individuals will be housed.
The Irish Times reports that the sites are in Killarney, Kilkenny, Carlow, Cavan, Monaghan, Carrickmacross, Carrick-on-Shannon, Roscommon, Sligo, Ballina, Castlebar, Ennis, Limerick, Cork, Tralee, Thurles, Portlaoise, Tullamore, Waterford, Naas, Arklow and Mullingar.
There are also sites in the four Dublin local authorities’ areas.
“What we want to see all over the country is everyone playing their part. We have got offers of help from all over the country except one or two counties, ” the Minister said.
Speaking to the newspaper, she outlined how refugees will stay in an initial reception centre for up to 10 weeks before moving to their permanent homes.
Ms Fitzgerald said 90 parcels of land were identified as potential sites but only 26 were deemed “suitable” by the department.
On the standard of accommodation to be offered to refugees, she added: “There is a standard here. Some countries are building tented villages and using school gymnasiums but they are dealing with thousands.”
So far 129 refugees have arrived here this year from Lebanon and Jordan, with a further 62 from Syria due to arrive in the next seven days.
Figures from the Department of Justice show that 3,064 asylum applications were received in the first 10 months of 2015 – an increase of 140% increase on 2014.
‘Pleural effusion’ A fluid that builds up in the chest, but lung can recover after it is drained
THE CONDITION IS KNOWN MEDICALLY AS ‘PLEURAL EFFUSION’, WHICH CAN RESULT IN SHORTNESS OF BREATH OR CHEST PAIN
Michael Noonan underwent a medical procedure to treat fluid building up in the chest after being diagnosed with the condition two weeks before Christmas.
Dr Nina Byrnes told the Irish Independent that the condition is known medically as ‘pleural effusion’, which can result in shortness of breath or chest pain.
The condition can often be treated with antibiotics but may also require drainage or a medical procedure to ensure that it does not flare up in future.
While the relatively common condition can be brought about by a range of ailments, it can be treated quickly and successfully.
Mr Noonan has already indicated his intention to return to work on January 5, adding that he looks forward to contesting the election.
Dr Byrnes explained: “Fluid on the lung is medically known as a pleural effusion. The space between the chest cavity and the lung is known as the pleural space. When excess fluid builds up here, a pleural effusion occurs. This can cause chest pain and shortness of breath and limits the function of the lung.”
Following treatment, the lung can fully recover.
Dr Byrnes added: “An infection can cause (pleural effusion) to occur. Antibiotics may clear the infection but the fluid may also require drainage in a hospital.
“In order to prevent further fluid building up, a material called a sclerosant may be injected into the space. This causes inflammation of the lining of the chest wall, making it stick together, thus making it difficult for fluid to gather again. Once the fluid and infection are gone, the lung can recover.”
Almost 25% of Irish electricity demand is now supplied through wind
REPORT ON ENERGY MARKET SUGGESTS WIND ENERGY IS PLAYING AN EVER MORE IMPORTANT ROLE
WIND TURBINES AT MONAINCHA WIND FARM ROSCREA.
Nearly a quarter Ireland’s electricity demand is now being supplied through wind energy, according to a report from Vayu, the Irish gas and electricity supplier backed by global mining giant Glencore.
The company’s latest report on the wholesale energy market here indicates just over 23% of the State’s total electricity demand in 2015 came from wind.
Wind generation reached a peak of 2,514 megawatts (MW) on January 7th when it accounted for over 48% of demand at the time.
Ireland’s 2020 renewable energy targets commit the State to sourcing 40% of its electricity from renewable sources, such as wind.
Vayu’s energy analyst Gillian Lawler said: “Wind energy is playing an ever more important role in meeting Ireland’s electricity demand, helping to drive down prices and reduce the country’s dependence on more expensive sources of energy.”
Vayu’s report indicates the average wholesale price of electricity in the Irish market was 9.4% lower in 2015.
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The decline was attributed to strong wind generation and lower prices for gas, which is the main energy source used to generate electricity in Ireland.
The company said an increase in peak demand is likely to be a factor in determining prices in 2016 with the economy forecast to grow by over 4 per cent next year.
However, improving efficiencies in energy generation and usage mean that proportionately less energy is required as the economy grows, it said, while noting higher demand would be somewhat offset by higher integration of renewables on the grid.
Vayu’s report showed the cost of buying natural gas on the wholesale market dropped significantly toward the end of the year, with Irish wholesale prices down 23.2% in the fourth quarter on the same period last year.
The report said “surging gas supplies and suppressed demand” kept prices on a downward trend in 2015 despite temporary upward shifts linked to tensions in Ukraine and concerns over North Sea supply. This has had a marked impact on energy costs for Irish businesses purchasing gas on the wholesale market, Vayu noted.
For 2015 as a whole, wholesale gas prices here are down 4.7% on 2014 and down 18% compared with the average price recorded over the last three years.
Ms Lawler said exceptionally mild temperatures across Europe meant that gas demand for this time of year had fallen to lows not seen in 10 years, despite gas having overtaken coal as the fuel of choice for the power generation sector.
This was being compounded by increased gas supplies including an abundance of shipments of LNG (liquefied natural gas), she said, which accounted for approximately 15% of the gas supply mix in 2015.
Vayu’s report also noted that the Corrib gas field off the coast of Mayo was expected to commence supplying the Irish network early next year. Currently the State imports 93 per cent of its gas requirements from the UK. However, during days of low demand, such as the summer months, Corrib is projected to meet the full gas demand of the country.
The gas field is expected to meet approximately 56% of forecasted annual demand in its first year of production, Vayu said.
Fossil hunters flock to Jurassic coast after cliff fall
Bad weather washed part of the cliff in Charmouth, Dorset, into the sea, attracting scores of enthusiasts in search of souvenirs
Ammonite fossils found by Lizzie Hingle (above left & extreme right).
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A landslide on a Dorset beach has attracted dozens of fossil hunters in search of relics.
Some 200 enthusiasts combed the bea.ch in the village of Charmouth, on the Jurassic Coast, collecting scores of ammonite fossils.
The majority are said to have picked up ammonites, extinct sea molluscs prized for their intricate spiral shells, which measure from 2cm to 2ft and were washed out of the mud and shale by the sea.
Fossil hunters search the beach after the landslide at the Jurassic cliffs at Charmouth in Dorset Photo:
More than 320ft or 1,000 tons of cliff fell down a week before Christmas and the crowds of souvenir-hunters have increased as word has spread.
“It’s the biggest fall I’ve seen down here for years, if not the biggest.”
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Most of the ammonites being found range between a fraction of an inch and five or six inches
Tony Gill, who runs Charmouth Fossil Shop, said: “We’ve been here about 20 years and we have not seen anything on this scale before. Everyone is managing to find one.
“It’s the biggest fall I’ve seen down here for years, if not the biggest. But finding a big fossil is like one in a thousand.”
Mr Gill said it would take years before the larger blocks of mud and shale were eroded by the sea.
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Walkers have been warned not to climb the cliff as it is still unstable.
Fossil hunters have also been warned to wear appropriate footwear and check the weather forecast before setting out.
Joanne Groenenberg, from the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, said: “With recent significant rainfall, some cliffs and cliff edges have become crumbly and unstable.”
They are also asked to notify the Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre of significant finds.
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