Business Limerick Magazine 01/10 by Business Limerick

January 2010 ` 3.50

Inside: • Ireland to Move into Growth 2010 • E1 Million offer for Market’s Field • The Future of Business is Green

Mike Finn - Straight Talking Actor, Writer and Poet

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........................................................................................ BL | EDITORIAL & CONTENTS

FROM THE EDITOR

January 2010

CONTENTS 04 12 16 19

BL COVER STORY Mike Finn - Straight Talking Actor, Writer and Poet BL NEWS Ocean energy research is vital

BL GALLERY Out and About with BL

BL GALLERY 2 Crescent Comprehensive Dinner Dance

Business Limerick

BL NEWS UL Foundation invests in new venture fund BL PROPERTY 'Dubai Buy Bank' Fund Launched BL TRIBUTE Denis Leonard - A true Citizen of Limerick BL RUGBY The Mighty Men of Munster

Editor Frank Collins frank@businesslimerick.ie Mobile: 086 245 1153

FOR BUSINESS LEADERS

Photography Keith Wiseman

Advertising Manager Marguerite Finnan mags@businesslimerick.ie Mobile: 087 245 1153

Photographic Contributors Press 22 Kieran Clancy - PicSure Dave Gaynor Michael Cowhey Brendan Gleeson

Advertising Sales Padraig Walshe padraig@businesslimerick.ie Mobile: 083 404 9234

Contributors Mal Keaveney Mick Galwey Kevin Meaney

Business Journalists David Raleigh

Published by Business Limerick Publications Ltd.

Graphic Design George Fitzgerald Ross Lynch

Directors Frank Collins Marguerite Finnan

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Business Limerick Magazine is published monthly by Business Limerick Publications Limited. © 2008 Business Limerick. All Rights Reserved. The information contained in the magazine is believed to be accurate and authorative, however it is not intended to substitute for legal, accounting, tax or other professional advice. Statements and opinions expressed herein are not necessarily those of Business Limerick. No responsibility can be assumed for any unsolicited materials and submission is construed as permission to publish without any further correspondence and the fee payable (if any) at our usual rates. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without the prior written permission of the publishers.

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We say goodbye to the noughties and welcome a new decade and a new year 2010. The last year has been probably the most traumatic of the decade and the most important since the formation of the State, with the ‘bottoming out’ of Ireland’s property and financial markets, and the shredding of over 160,000 jobs. Our challenge for the 2010 is to create 160,000 new jobs, a daunting task that won’t be achieved in the immediate future, but a task where the foundation must be laid now to achieve this goal. The Government’s 517million investment in the ‘green economy’ must be seen as a step in the right direction, as they have identified that investment in sustainable energy and our broadband infrastructure as key areas in creating high volume jobs. The green economy is showing realistic forecast for the creation of 80,000 jobs in the next decade.

Patrons

Business Limerick Magazine is a full participating member of the Press Council of Ireland and supports the Office of the Press Ombudsman. This scheme in addition to defending the freedom of the press, offers readers a quick, fair and free method of dealing with complaints that they may have in relation to articles that appear on our pages. To contact the Office of the Press Ombudsman go to: www.pressombudsman.ie or www.presscouncil.ie.

Business Limerick

2010 - A Turning Point

New year 2010, marks a turning point in our economy’s collapse and a note of optimism is creeping back into the workplace. The belief that our economy has settled at an all time low and that it is now ready to make an adjustment upwards towards recovery I believe is optimistic and plausible. The new year gives us an opportunity to reflect on the year past and examine our achievements. One such achievement would be continuation of our businesses in such a turbulent economic environment and the expectation of ‘good things to come’ in maintaining that business to an achievable level of growth in the coming year. We all make new years resolutions that we struggle to implement as we enter the new year. In our businesses, let’s make realistic resolutions and goals that we can stand over and move forward. In 2010, let’s not just hope and wish, but let’s do something positive about it at this critical juncture in Ireland’s economic history. Happy New Year and wishing you and your business success in 2010 and in the upcoming decade.

Frank Collins Editor frank@businesslimerick.ie

Mike Finn - Straight Talking Actor, Writer and Poet Top left: Aidan Crowe in The Revenger’s Tragedy Centre left: Myles Breen in Language Unbecoming of a Lady Bottom Left: Ellis Island

Mike Finn is, among other things, angry. Angry that the ‘powers that be’ in Limerick City haven’t yet started to communicate and work with those in the cultural and art world as they would do with, say for instance, the business sector. The multi-talented theatre founder, playwright, actor, writer, poet, street entertainer, and former “lazy photographer”, says it’s time 4

for him to stop playing the ‘PC card’ and start straight talking. “Everyone form all sectors is constantly giving out about the ‘doughnut effect’ in Limerick City. If shops are moving out of the City Centre then why not replace them with theatre’s, cultural businesses, somewhere to attract a tourist into the city rather than away from it. I read recently that 25% of commercial property in the city centre is not occupied. So it begs the question that if there are ‘arty farty’ people like myself who have ideas to put on plays etc and attract people into the city

then why not work with us,” Mike adds. It’s a point that’s hard to argue with, not just because Mike talks at such a fast pace, but more so, it’s a point well made. The Thomondgate native is unflinching in his delivery that those charged with responsibility for running the City’s economy should start utilising the art world if ‘they’ want to start generating some cash from city centre spenders. “I’m fearless now. I’ve been pre-disastered,” Mike exclaims, explaining how he

and the theatre company he co-founded (Island Theatre Company) was presented with a Mid-West Arts, Media and Culture Award in 2008 from the then Minister for Arts, Martin Cullen. The irony was as Mike accepted the award from Minster Cullen-the Island Theatre Company was going bust because of a lack of funding from Minister Cullen’s Department. It was no surprise Finn let the Minster know what he thought of the situation as he picked up his award. “It was hurtful. A bunch of us, including myself, Liam O’Brien, Myles Breen and Mike Burke, were smarting about it for a while and whinging into our drinks but then we decided to charter our energy into something new”. That ‘something new’ turned out to be the aptly titled ‘Bottom Dog’ theatre company, which is run by Messer’s Finn, Breen, O’Brien and Burke. “We’re celebrating our first year in business, which is great and we’ve been very busy. We have done five different shows and received really good reviews all over the country. We’ve been lucky with funding too last year (2009)-the Unfringed Festival in Limerick supported us as did the Limerick theatre hub.” While hoping the curtain doesn’t come down on all this hard work and success in 2010, Mike explains he’s confident that won’t happen, as last year’s Christmas Budget didn’t quite hit the Arts as hard as the sector expected. “The Budget was not as hard on the Arts as the McCarthy Report if it was implemented-it wanted to scrap the Department of Arts altogether. In the Budget itself there were cuts of 6% to the Arts but it wasn’t as bad as we thought it might have been.” As an encore, so to speak, Mike follows through on an earlier point he made about the Arts helping the economy locally. “People are becoming more and more aware of the culture tourist”, according to Mike, and Limerick will ignore this at its own peril. “At the Farmleigh conference it was heard how the first encounter people have with

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Pat Shortt as Christy Ball in the RTE piloted show Inside the Crystal Ball, written by Mike Finn

this country is our culture. Whether it’s a Managing Director from Texas who’s looking to relocate his business to Ireland or wherever, he needs to know that, besides his plan to move here being economically viable, there must be an awareness for the surrounding culture of the place too.” In other words, Mike feels strongly that our culture is our wealth in many respects, whether that means some American fatcat businessman “looking at ‘My Left Foot’ on the big screen or going to see an Irish play on Broadway”-that association with Ireland must be as strong when that ‘fatcat’ lands here, or else it’s all a waste. Despite a lack of forthright thinking among Limerick City’s ‘power’s that be’ and the Art world, Mike Finn feels a turning of the tide, which should favour of all interested parties. Having lived in Limerick most of his life, Mike has achieved many successes on a local, national and international stage. But he always seems to revert back this

hometown and like most proud at the heart of everything he does. “I’ve managed to make a living here and from popping over to England and America from time to time but I always seem to come back to Limerick. Pigtown (an award winning Mike Finn play) was shown off Broadway. I’ and others in Limerick have refused to say ‘No’ to ‘the powers that be’. Bottom Dog has just had a great year and there are more visions and plans for 2010. The problem, as with everything in the Arts is, funding.” Money is at the heart of most business ventures and Mike Finn and his fellow actors, playwrights and backroom stageteams are no different to the businessmen who walk up and down the streets of the Treaty City with mobile phones stuck to their ears waiting for the next signs of the long-awaited economic shoots to spring. “The Bottom Dog management team,

promote Limerick writing, which we do through readings and workshops of poetry, non-fiction and publications. It’s run on a voluntary basis but like everything else, we need time and money. We have received Council grant aid and private funding too.” One major bugbear of Mike’s that has also dumbfounded many other people in Limerick, including City Councillors, and natives alike, is the state of deceased writer Kate O’Brien’s former house on Mulgrave Street. The house has enormous historical and cultural importance for Limerick-the writer is remembered during a writer’s weekend here every year and she is also remembered in Spain every year, however the house on Mulgrave Street has been savaged by fire and vandalism.

Bottom Dog theatre company management team. Mike Finn, Myles Breen, Mike Burke, Liam O’Brien.

have all had to go and do their own thing to keep the money coming in, as well as constantly looking for funding for different projects. Liam O’Brien (formerly of Emmerdale) is touring abroad with a Rat Pack production; Myles Breen has written a very emotional and beautiful one man show called ‘Language Unbecoming A Lady’, produced by Bottom Dog, which has received standing ovations; and I’ve been very busy doing television and panto and plays.” It’s a lot of work indeed for the three Limerick acting entrepreneurs, who have forged careers at home and elsewhere. As well as writing a the hit show, Pigtown, Mike Finn has written and directed other acclaimed works such as The Quiet Moment (2002) (read in London, March 2006), Shock and Awe (2003), Ellis Island (2003 staged in America) and the Limerick gangster play ‘The Revenger’s Tragedy’. He also accepted a distinguished invitation from the University of Iowa to be the college’s International Writer in residence and he was took part in the Burdines Distinguished Visiting Artist initiative at the University of South Florida. Most of his plays have been staged in the Belltable Arts Centre, Limerick, The University Concert Hall, Limerick, as well as 6

on tour throughout Ireland, but as Mike admits, theatre in Limerick City has been lacking for some time. “I’m looking forward to the Belltable renovations, when they happen. I like the warehouse space we (Bottom Dog) are using on Cecil Street too, as an alternative venue. Don’t get me wrong, I have a great affection for the Belltable, but I’m not sure it is a great theatre for the city (going forward into the future). You’d have to wonder why there is a continued investment in it though because it’s shape is so long and slim and narrow. I love it but it grieves and annoys me that when I tour different parts of the country there are brand new theatres all over the country.” Mike adds that the Millennium Theatre in Limerick Institute of Technology is a great venue but its located outside of Limerick City and the UL Concert Hall is more suited to listening to orchestra’s and not plays. In May 2008, Mike became a founding member of the Limerick Writers’ Centreanother Limerick business venture that is focussed on encouraging writers in Limerick. “I was asked to help set it up and it is still in its embryonic stages. It’s basically to

“Ultimately we’d (Limerick Writer’s Centre) love to have a space. We’ve marked Kate O’Brien’s former home. She’s better commemorated in Spain than she is here. ‘They’ will probably put up a statue to her at some stage, but I’m not a fan of statues. We’d be happy if the ‘powers that be’ turned it into a library or reading rooms or something like that,” adds Mike. The self-titled ‘sodacake’ from Thomondgate has made it big in the world of television, writing the hit RTE show, Killinascully with former Island Theatre company actor, Pat Shortt. It’s hoped two new shows, which were piloted on RTE over Christmas 2008 will be taking on for two more television series, subject to that word again… funding. “The first programme, which piloted at Christmas was called ‘Mattie’, which features Pat Shortt as a country Garda who gets moved to the city. The other programme is called ‘Inside the Crystal Ball’, which features Pat as a community radio disc jockey. I hope they take over from Killinascully, which has now finished.” You can catch Mike and Myles Breen whipping up further storms of controversy in the modern update of Aladdin, which Mike has injected with some smart one-liners about NAMA, the Floods and Thierry Henry. Produced by Richie Ryan of CentreStage, it runs until January 12 at the Millennium Theatre.

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Shannon Development chief joins Shannon Airport Authority board believes that a successful and viable Shannon Airport is essential for the future economic development of this region and the entire Western corridor”.

Limerick Hall of Fame Calendar 2010

Dr Cunnane continued “Shannon Development and Shannon Airport have enjoyed a close working relationship for many years. Earlier this year, our two companies signed a joint marketing agreement and are now working closer than ever on marketing initiatives to get the best possible return for Shannon Airport and the West of Ireland”.

Dr Vincent Cunnane

Dr Vincent Cunnane, Chief Executive, Shannon Development, has been appointed to the Board of Shannon Airport Authority by Minister for Transport, Noel Dempsey TD. Ms Olivia Loughnane, Mid West Task Force Manager, Shannon Development, has also been reappointed by Minister Dempsey to the Board of Shannon Airport Authority.

The Hall of Fame Portrait Collection, gifted by Dr. Thomas Ryan RHA to Limerick Civic Trust, features in the Trust’s 2010 Calendar. Luminaries from Limerick Political, Cultural and Sporting life including Jim Kemmy, Catherine Hayes, John Hunt Jr., Sean Keating, Mick Mackey and Sr. Joan Bowles to name a few, are all featured in a quality calendar printed in sepia tones.

Commenting on his appointment, Dr Cunnane said “I am delighted to be joining my Shannon Development colleague, Ms Olivia Loughnane, on the Board of Shannon Airport Authority, and I look forward to working with the new Chairman of the Airport Authority, Mr Brian O’Connell, and the other members of the Board, to develop and promote Shannon International Airport as a critical international gateway for industry and tourism in the West of Ireland”.

The calendar represents the last professional project carried out by Limerick Civic Trust Director, Denis Leonard RIP. Mary Phelan, Limerick & Seal Swimming Club with Geraldine Ahern presenting E3,700 raised during a week of activities at St Enda’s Sports Centre for Special Olympics 2010.

Dr Cunnane said “As the Regional Development Agency and Regional Tourism Authority, Shannon Development strongly

The Limerick Civic Trust Hall of Fame calendar is available through O’Mahony’s Bookshop and from Limerick Civic Trust outlets for €12.50

Limerick’s Professional Eyecare & Hearing Aids Specialist Specsavers is located at: Cruises Street, Limerick. Tel: 061 312 811 www.businesslimerick.ie

Crescent Shopping Centre, Dooradoyle, Limerick. Tel: 061 302 120 7

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National Music Day

National Music Day is a day long celebration of music throughout Ireland, coordinated by Music Network. In this inaugural year, there will be hundreds of free live music events across all genres/types of music in towns and villages all over the country as well as two flagship events in Dublin and Limerick that will showcase music of the highest quality. In recognition of the influence that music has in our lives, everyone is invited to join in this celebration: from buskers to brass bands to Bartók, and everything in between. If you have an idea for a live music event, we want to hear about it. Events will take place in bandstands, workplaces, shopping areas, streets, as well as traditional music venues throughout the country. To find out more contact Music Network on 01 6719429 or email capitalscheme@musicnetwork.ie

Give the Gift of Life this Christmas Global health care company Abbott, in partnership with the Irish Kidney Association, is asking the Irish public to ‘Give the Gift of Life’ this Christmas by carrying a donor card. The organ donor awareness drive aims to encourage people to begin to think, talk and ultimately make the personal decision to carry a donor card. Organ donor cards can be obtained by phoning the Irish Kidney Association on LoCall 1890 543639, by visiting the Irish Kidney Association website at www.ika.ie, by free texting the word DONOR to 50050, or by asking at your local pharmacy/medical centre. 8

Essilor short story award A father’s embarrassment in not being able to ride a bike; a child’s pleading to go for a cycle with his Dad; ‘proper’ bike lessons on Dublin’s Sandymount Strand on a cold windy day; the ‘unassailable, mammoth depth of love’ between father and child, all woven into a short story using gripping dialogue, have earned Dublin copywriter, Henrietta McKervey, the inaugural Essilor Short-Story Award. Her overall prize, valued in excess of €1,000, includes a pair of Varilux glasses, €300, a weekend writing workshop at the Killaloe Hedge School of Writing, with overnight accommodation at the Lakeside Hotel in Killaloe. Initiated in September to make the 50th anniversary of the Varilux lens, and with a total prize fund

of €2,000, Limerick-based Essilor challenged Irish-based writers to create a short story about seeing something for the first time – with the eye, the mind, the imagination or the spirit…or all combined. Seventy writers from all corners of Ireland answered the call; fifteen equallyskilled compositions were shortlisted – three emerged as winners: Dublin-based McKervey, the overall winner; Dublin-born but Kildare-based Niamh Mac Sweeney runner-up; and Longford-based Eimear McGuinness, writing under the pen name of Gloria Hunter, in third place. Limerick authors, Angela Dunne from Lisnagry and Brian McNulty from Corbally were shortlisted and highly commended.

Photographer wins prestigious European award 2009 is proving to be a landmark year for Lisnagry based photographer, Peter O’Donnell. Last Sunday Peter was informed that he has been awarded the prestigious Qualified European Photographer (Q.E.P.) Award in Landscape Photography from the Federation of European Photographers (F.E.P.) This European qualification (Q.E.P.) is based on a long established system of qualification for professional photographers. All candidates submit a panel of 12 images to an international jury in Brussels, which are judged in conditions of anonymity and under strict professional conditions. To date, the F.E.P. has

conferred this truly international qualification on just 293 photographers across the European member states. The Q.E.P label is given in various specialisations such as Wedding, Portrait, Landscape, Reportage, Architecture, Advertising, Illustration, etc. Peter is the first Irish photographer to be awarded a Q.E.P. award for Landscape Photography and the eighteenth to receive the award since its establishment in 1999. Peter’s photography features locations around the Comeragh, Knockmealdown and Galty Mountains. The full panel can be viewed on his website www. thewidereye.com/awards.html

Friends of St. Gabriel’s fundraiser a success The luxurious surroundings of the Savoy Hotel lounge provided the perfect ambience for a hugely enjoyable morning of fashion served up with coffee, delicate sandwiches and mouth watering pastries organised by the Friends of St.Gabriel’s Ladies committee, to raise funds for St.Gabriel’s Hydrotherapy pool. Eves of Roches Street ensured the models were dressed in stylish winter wear collection which included a display of leather from the Leather Store and beautiful acces-

sories by Joli in Catherine Street gave that touch of glamour for day or evening wear to the outfits. Generous spot prizes from local businesses included vouchers for away weekends, meals and offers from retailers all helped to make this a very enjoyable fundraising morning. Joan McGowan, (Staff Solutions) and Brian Moore, (Referral Institute, Life Coaching) were wonderful compares and created an interesting dimension to the event.

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Tough But Fair

Appointment

Limerick Chamber has said that the budget announced by the Minister for Finance was the most important budget our Country has ever faced. The Chamber believes it was a very tough but fair budget. It will help to boost confidence and stimulate our economy and the decisions made yesterday will determine how quickly we will get out of this recession and back on the road to recovery. Chamber President Harry Fehily said, the Government has now bravely implemented cuts in the public sector, which have have already hit the private sector in the past 12 months. The foundations are now set for a recovery. We have passed the Lisbon Referendum sending a message that we want to be at the heart of Europe. Yesterday’s cuts will improve competitiveness. NAMA has been passed which will improve liquidity and recapitalise our banks. The worldwide economy is recovering. Our recovery will now depend on quickly

Thelma Wijngaard Senior Management Consultant, bras.ie

Harry Fehily

developing our indigenous export and smart economy and the challenge facing the Government is to support and stimulate that initiative. I call on the Public Sector Unions to reflect on the crossroads the country finds itself at and exercise restraint in the interests of achieving the recovery we all strive for.

€1 million Offered for Market’s Field The new backer of Limericks soccer team, Galtee Fuels’ Pat O’Sullivan has offered Bord nag Con €1million for the Market’s Field. The offer if successful will see Limerick’s Senior Soccer team make a welcome return to this historic venue.

‘On The Nail’ Reading @ The Locke Bar The monthly ‘On The Nail’ literary reading takes place Thursday 14th Jan 2010 at 8.00pm in The Locke Bar, George’s Quay, Limerick. Organised by The Limerick Writers’ Centre this popular monthly reading and open-mic continues to attract audiences with a mix of poetry, prose and music. This months programme starts with the

launch of Revival Poetry Journal No.14. Local, national and international poets are included and a number of them will read from the journal on the night. The special guest reader is poet John W Sexton who will launch and read from his new collection Petit Mal (Revival Press) during the evening. There is free admission and free finger food for everyone attending.

November Sports Personality of The Month Award Peter Clohessy’s Sports Personality of the Month Award for November 2009 has been presented to Connie Finnan. Connie, a Limerick man has had a very successful year, most recently winning the Sky Bet Round Robin in Kilkenny beating 40 of the country’s top throwers. Connie made the quarter finals of the World Masters earlier this year and www.businesslimerick.ie

also won the Ireland National Championships and the Limerick Championships and he made it to the semi final of the WDF World Cup in 2009. It has been a busy and very successful year for Connie and we wish him even more success for 2010. Connie is a regular player on Monday nights in Peter Clohessy’s Bar Darts leagues, all are welcome to play.

Thelma Wijngaard has been appointed Senior Management Consultant with nationwide management consultancy firm bras.ie. The firm provides practical and professional management support to the hotel, retail and hospitality sectors and Thelma will head up the hospitality and hotel division. Originally from Limerick, Thelma has over 20-years management experience in the Irish hotel and International tourism industry that includes management roles in some of the leading hotels in Ireland and the UK including The Choice Hotel Group, the Radisson SAS Group and the Lynch Hotel Group. Thelma will be based in Limerick but is also involved with the development of the business nationwide through the bras.ie Dublin, Cork and Galway offices. Thelma is settled permanently in the Limerick area with a young family and has a keen interest in music and travel.

New vaccine for meningitis Meningitis Research Foundation welcomes the European Commission’s approval for Wyeth’s new 13-valent pneumococcal vaccine for children from 6 weeks to 5 years of age. Currently, there is a vaccine in use that successfully protects against seven major strains of pneumococcal bacteria that were responsible for 70-80% of severe pneumococcal disease in young children before pneumococcal vaccination was introduced in Ireland. This new vaccine will protect against a further six strains of pneumococ9

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‘Keep lines of communication open’ ‘Keeping the lines of communication open with financial institutions and trade creditors is key for businesses experiencing financial difficulties in the current economic downturn’, according to Complete Financial Management, a new financial management company based in Limerick. Joe Hughes, Managing Director of Complete Financial Management believes that SMEs need to take action now to deal with debt and cash flow problems. Said Hughes “Whilst many businesses are taking steps to improve their situation, often it’s not enough. This can be due to the fact that they don’t know what to do and are fearful of the consequences of engaging with their banks and creditors. We are advising customers to communicate with all their stakeholders, including banks and creditors to put proper cash flow management structures in place.” According to Hughes, all businesses can benefit from improved financial management processes, particularly in the current climate. He continued, “The production of accurate and timely financial information can greatly aid the communications process with financial institutions and trade creditors alike. We recommend that all businesses produce monthly or quarterly management accounts. Indeed banks are now looking for current, up to date financial information from customers and I be-

lieve that in the long-term this is good for businesses.” Founded by Joe Hughes FCCA and Barry O’Sullivan FCA , Complete Financial Management is offering companies in the SME sector a complete financial management solution including Outsourced Accounting Services, Management Accounting, Cost Control, Business Planning and Budgeting. Joe Hughes has worked as a Financial Controller in the MidWest Region for many years. Barry O’Sullivan, who is from Limerick, continues to manage his own accountancy practice in Limerick City and he has also previously worked in a number of service finance positions. The decision to set up Complete Financial Management arose as both founders felt that there was a real need for an affordable, personal financial management service for companies in the SME sector in the MidWest. Many companies set out with a great idea, often focusing on the sales or operational side of the business and overlooking the importance of the financial management aspect which is crucial to the success of the venture. Despite the gloomy economic climate, Complete Financial Management has ambitious plans for 2010. The Company plans to expand into the Dublin market early next year and it also plans to launch an online accounting platform which will facilitate

Joe Hughes and Barry O’Sullivan of Complete Financial Management.

real-time collaboration between Complete Financial Management and its client base. For further information, contact enquiries@completefm.ie or tel: 0818 333680.

Limerick On Ice 2009 Limerick On Ice is back in full swing to highlight of the Mid-West’s festive calendar! Everyone is welcome to enjoy the magic of Christmas with Limerick On Ice in Arthur’s Quay Park, Limerick until Saturday, January 10th 2010. This is the sixth year that the Mid-West has an ice rink in place for and it’s set to be the best yet with lots of new additions and specials including: A special Skate School! Learn how to skate with a special skate school on Sundays between 10am-11am (for children aged 12 years and under) and between 11am-12 noon for adults. A Late Skate! Every night from 8-10pm you get two hours of skating for the price of one. There’s even a live DJ playing the best of chart music on Saturday nights! Special prices-tickets from €8! Call our booking line now on 061-400200 or log 10

onto www.limerickonice.com for full details of group, company and school specials! Young Skaters! There will be special double blade skates for young skaters to assist them with their balance as they glide around the rink. As well as the new look outside, the cool theme continues with the Ice Cafe inside. Why not avail of some steaming hot teas and coffees to warm yourself up while watching all the action on the rink? Futureama Productions, Ireland’s largest ice-rink operator are delighted to bring Limerick on Ice to the Mid-West for the sixth year running. “Last year the ice rink had a positive knock on effect on the whole region and people

come from as far as Donegal and Sligo to skate,” said Fran O’Donnell, managing director. “We’ve been inundated with calls from many different groups already for this year’s event so we’re advising people to book early on 061-400200. There’s huge interest in the Skate School which is a perfect place to learn to skate if you have never skated before or want to brush up your skills,” he added. Up to 200 people can be on the ice at one time and the only stipulation is that young skaters must be over three foot high. Open 7 days 10am-10pm. Tickets for a one hour session cost €15 for children and €17 for adults. Log on to www.limerickonice.com or for all queries please contact 061-400200 www.businesslimerick.ie

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Two Limerick stores win Off-Licence and Wine Store of the Year Awards The 7th annual Irish Distillers Pernod Ricard & Centra Off-Licence and Wine Store of the Year Awards took place in the Old Jameson Distillery, Smithfield on November 19th 2009. Centra Raheen won the award for Off-Licence of the Year in the Provincial Supermarket & Community Market Category, while Centra Foynes won the award for Wine Store of the Year in the Community Convenience & City Centre Convenience Category. These prestigious awards give individual Centra stores from all over Ireland the opportunity to take part, with over 170 stores participating this year. Following rigorous judging by an independent judging panel, 22 stores were chosen as finalists. The overall winners of each category are invited on a wine education trip to Concha Y Toro vineyards in Chile.

The evening, hosted by Irish Distillers Pernod Ricard, opened with an Irish Distillers portfolio drinks reception followed by a Black Tie dinner. The awards were attended by over 90 guests including representatives from Musgrave Retail Partners Ireland and Centra Retailers. Guests on the night were welcomed by Patrick Magee, Business Unit Director of Irish Distillers Pernod Ricard, followed by a welcome from Brendan Macken, Category Manager, Musgrave Retail Partners Ireland, who paid tribute to Irish Distillers for their involvement and support. Following the awards ceremony Master Distiller Barry Crockett hosted a Jameson 18 Year Old limited Reserve tasting. Guests were then entertained by one of Ireland’s most learned and whitty characters – Senator David Norris.

Centra Foynes - Winner of the Wine Store of the Year Award -Community Convenience & City Centre Convenience Category at the 2009 / 2010 Irish Distillers Pernod Ricard & Centra Off-Licence and Wine Store of the Year Awards. From left to right: Patrick Magee, Julie Reidy, Kevin Reidy and Brendan Macken.

Contact us at Flowers Forever Raheen Roundabout, Raheen, Limerick Tel/Fax: 061 307123 Email: flowers4ever@eircom.net Web: www.flowersforever.ie

Centra Raheen – Winner of the Off-Licence of the Year Award - Provincial Supermarket & Community Market Category at the 2009 / 2010 Irish Distillers Pernod Ricard & Centra Off-Licence and Wine Store of the Year Awards. From left to right: Patrick Magee, Tom Ryan, Brenda Ryan, Brendan Macken. www.businesslimerick.ie

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Ocean energy research is vital Ireland should exploit its available wind resource and concentrate research efforts on the development of ocean energy where it could derive competitive advantage and become a niche player, according to a new report by the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Climate Change and Energy Security. Without immediate action, the level of dependence on natural gas that could result from present policies would be unsustainable, the report Meeting Ireland’s Electricity Needs Post-2020 concluded. It advocates large-scale financial support for ocean energy research, access to grid infrastructure and, specifically, reform of the foreshore licensing regime. Chairman of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Climate Change and Energy Security, Seán Barrett, TD, said: “The Committee will draft concrete proposals for the provision of public support for the development of ocean energy, by way of direct funding, taxbased incentives, additional R&D support, and feed-in tariffs to ensure that it is a viable power generation option by 2020.” The report follows an extensive public consultation process on meeting our future electricity needs, recognising that the longterm goal is to decarbonise the electricity system in ways that would be compatible

with Ireland’s overarching sustainable development needs and policy. In total, the Committee received thirty-one submissions from a wide variety of groups and individuals. Other actions outlined in the report are: * The Committee has also pledged to draw up an action list of reforms to speed up and streamline planning for strategic energy projects. * Some portion of the proceeds of purchasing emission permits and the yield from a carbon tax should be used to development and deploy technologies that could make a material difference to energy, environment and industrial development in Ireland. * The Government should formally include provision for the National Efficiency Action Plan targets within the forthcoming Climate Change Bill and require the Government to account to the Oireachtas for annual delivery on the targets. * While the overwhelming view of respondents was that neither Carbon Capture and Storage and nuclear energy were ready for deployment in Ireland, the Committee will ensure that it receives a regular update on the progress of those and other technologies and that the Committee’s attention is drawn to any action that needs to be under-

Sean Barrett TD

taken for their possible deployment post2020. Deputy Barrett concluded: “Given the recent experience of natural gas volatility, its impact on competitiveness in Ireland, and the ongoing need to de-carbonise electricity supply in the longer term, there will be a requirement for informed strategic decision-making in relation to the role of gas and other low carbon energy sources in electricity supply post-2020.” “In this report, the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Climate Change and Energy Security has formulated a range of actions which it has committed itself to implementing. We hope that these steps will put Ireland on a firm path to meeting its electricity needs post-2020 in a sustainable, secure and competitive manner.”

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Sports legends get signed-up Sports legends Keith Wood, Packie Bonner and Peter Clohessy have signed up to become Ireland’s first Sports Ambassadors. The new Programme, the first of its kind in Ireland, was launched last night (Tuesday 24th November ’09) in Limerick in a bid to grow the number of sports events in the Shannon Region. The Sports Ambassadors programme has been devised jointly by Shannon Development and the Shannon Region Conference and Sports Bureau, to increase the Shannon Region’s share of the lucrative national and international sports tourism market. They are asking people from the Shannon Region Counties of Limerick, Clare, Tipperary and South Offaly, involved in sporting activities at any level to become a sports ambassador. Representatives from all Shannon Region’s sporting bodies were invited to the launch and information evening at the Daghda Church in John’s Square, Limerick, which was addressed by Dr. Vincent Cunnane, Chief Executive, Shannon Development and Karen Brosnahan, Business Development Manager, Shannon Region Conference and Sports Bureau, and David Mahedy from the University of Limerick Sports Arena. Explaining the reason behind the initiative Dr. Vincent Cunnane, Chief Executive, Shannon Development said, “Sports tourism in the Shannon Region is worth an estimated €60 million annually to the economy benefiting a range of businesses from the ac-

commodation sector, transport services, pubs, and restaurants, right through to visitor attractions, sports facilities, and the retail trade. Limerick and the Shannon Region is already recognised internationally as a top destination for sports events, securing such high profile events over the years as the World Medical Games, the World Vintage Rugby Sevens, the World Cross Country Championships and the national and International Corporate Games. We believe this latest initiative will capitalise on this key strength and is capable of delivering a bigger share of this lucrative market to the Shannon Region.” Among those who attended the launch event were two former Irish rugby internationals, and Shannon Region home grown rugby personalities, Keith Woods, and Peter Clohessy, and also Packie Bonner who, with the Mayor of Limerick Cllr Kevin Kiely, were first to sign up to become Shannon Region Sports Ambassadors. To assist people who know of an upcoming event, the Shannon Region Conference and Sports Programme will provide a free service to help people pitch for events. The bureau provides a free venue finding service and offers support for site visits to the region to view prospective sporting venues, and accommodation. They also provide case building and bid assistance. For further information visit www.conferenceandsportsbureau.com or contact Karen Brosnahan Tel:061-710267 mail: Karen@conferenceandsportsbureau.com

Major civic building project opens in Kilmallock Limerick County Council opened its new 6 million euro Area Office and Regional Library in Kilmallock recently. Áras Mainchin Seoighe, which is one of the largest ever-civic building projects to be undertaken in the County, features 1000 sq.m of Area Office accommodation and a full-time library. The development is complemented by 540sq.m of Court facilities for the Court Services of Ireland. The main function of the Kilmallock Area Office is to administer work programmes such as road maintenance and improvements, housing grants, and water, customer and planning services to the Kilmallock Electoral Area. The facility will also host Committee meetings of Kilmallock Electoral Area Councillors. The geographical area covered by the Area Office and Regional Library extends from Ballylanders on the eastern side to Ballyagran on the West of the Kilmallock Electoral Area. It includes towns and villages such as Colmanswell, Bruree, Kilfinane, Knocklong, Galbally, Ardpatrick and Glenbrohane. The library features an impressive range of bookstock with over 20,000 new titles and a comprehensive audiovisual collection, which includes books on CD and MP3 formats, the first music lending collection in Co Limerick, and a DVD film collection. The Library also provides an extensive language learning collection covering all the major language groups, while a suite of Internet PCs and a WIFI network facilitates information provision and research. The civic building project has been funded by Limerick County Council, the Courts Services of Ireland, and the Department of the Environment, Heritage & Local Government.

Rugby legends Keith Wood and Peter Clohessy are pictured here at the launch of the new Shannon Region Sports Ambassadors Programme, which took place in the Limerick last night (Tuesday 24th November ’09) www.businesslimerick.ie

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New Broadcast SIMI Release November Figures Network on The Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI) today released the official figures for new cars registered in November Trial in Paris 2009 which at 520 are down 19.3% A new network, demonstrating the broadcast of TV and radio services to phones, other hand-held devices and cars, across Paris and the surrounding areas is now open. Solaris Mobile and its partners in this collaboration, Alcatel-Lucent and TowerCast, have built a hybrid network based on complementary satellite and cellular mobile technology. The network will be trialled through next year, before a possible extension across the rest of France, and into other European countries. The collaboration sees Solaris Mobile providing satellite capacity and frequency rights; Alcatel-Lucent is providing transmission equipment, and TowerCast is providing its terrestrial broadcasting sites in, and around, Paris. The resulting ‘hybrid network’ will combine the instant coverage of satellite with the deep network capabilities of cellular mobile systems. This is the first such network to be deployed within Europe and it is designed to be the first step towards the launch of commercial services. Such networks, operating across the whole of the EU, in frequency bands adjacent to the existing 3G mobile bands around 2GHz, will open up new opportunities to deliver next generation broadband and broadcast services to people on the move. Video, data down-loads and ubiquitous voice services delivered to people’s phones, or cars, will soon match the range currently available only with fixed line services in their offices or homes. This hybrid network was enabled after the European Commission and the 27 EC member States authorised Solaris Mobile to operate services in 2 x 15 MHz blocks of S-Band spectrum across Europe in May 2009.

on November 2008 (644). The year to date figure, at 57,151 is down 60.8% on the figure to end of November 2008 (151,426). Commenting on the November figures, Alan Nolan, Director General said, “Although the month to date sales figure at 19% down on last year may appear less than previously quoted figures, the reality is that November last year was already down by 54% on the previous year’s new car sales. In November ’08, the downward spiral of new car sales had already well and truly taken hold and November 2009 is down further on that level.” Just 644 new cars were registered in November ’09, down from 1,461 in November ’08 and this brings the total for the year to date to 57,156 new cars registered, a fall of 62.2% on the year to date figure for end of November 2008. Nolan continued, “As it gets closer to year end, we look back on a year that has seen more than 70 garage closures and the loss of more than 11,000 jobs. 6 businesses in the Industry closed in November alone. The recent closure of the highly respected and long established EP Mooney dealership group has highlighted the need for some urgent stimulus for car sales. Looking ahead to next year, with no pick up in the economy projected, we are looking at an industry which could lose half its remaining workforce. The introduction of a Scrappage Scheme in next week’s Budget is imperative for the survival of the Irish Motor Industry and the protection of the 35,000 remaining jobs.” SIMI Press Officer, Suzanne Sheridan added, “We have been communicating the crucial importance of a Scrappage Scheme and its benefits for months now. It’s clear cut . The Government could gain additional VAT & VRT revenues in the region of €5,000 per scrappage scheme car sold, which represents the amount per head of population that the Government has had to borrow this year. Selling even one third of new cars that were sold during the last Scrappage Scheme will generate an additional €100 million for the Government.”

Alan Nolan, SIMI

Imported Used Car registrations for October, at 2,950, were down 24.5% on the November 2008 (3,908), and for the year to date (Jan to November) at 48,596, imported used cars are 20.1% down on the same period last year (60,834). Light Commercial Vehicle registrations for November 2009 (307) are down 38.1% on the same period last year (496), the year to date figure at 9,102 is 69.5% down on the first eleven months of last year (29,864). Heavy Vehicle registrations are down 41.18% (40) compared to November 2008 (68) while they are down 69.5% (1,066) for the year to date compared to the same period in 2008 (3,495).

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The future of business is green

Presidential praise for Limerick Arts Offices

The upcoming generation - including students and new members of our workforce - will be crucial in creating a smarter, greener economy, which takes into account the challenge of climate change. That’s according to the British Council, which recently hosted an event to support young innovators to reach their business potential. Almost 30 young innovators from all over Europe converged in Dublin to present their business ideas to a panel of enterprise and environment experts at a ‘green dragons’ den’ event which was one of the features of a 3-day programme of activities – with the theme of ‘Business in a Low Carbon Economy’ – organised by the British Council, as part of its Challenge Europe Project. During the event, a range of groundbreaking green enterprise projects were presented to a prestigious panel comprising Laura Turkington, Foundation Manager, Vodafone; Joe Harford, Chairperson of the Irish High Level Action Group on the Green Economy; Carmel O’Connor, Head of Corporate Responsibility, BT and Tim Macartney, CEO, Embercombe (UK). The Challenge Europe advocates, who hail from Ireland, Northern Ireland, Sweden, Greece, Denmark, Czech Republic, Norway, Finland, Slovenia, Turkey and Great Britain will travel on in a ‘learning bus’ to Cloughjordan Eco Village in Tipperary, where they will examine how business can be sustained in a low carbon community. This trip will help them gain further knowledge about sustainable habitats and give them an opportunity to share ideas in how business can play a part in reducing greenhouse gasses.

Arts Officers from throughout Ireland meeting with with President Mary McAleese. Limerick County Arts Officer Joan MacKernan is pictured front right.

President Mary McAleese has praised Limerick City and County Arts Offices for enhancing public appreciation of and access to the arts. Addressing the Association of Local Authority Arts Officers’ (ALAAO) annual conference in Dublin recently, the President said that the work of local authority Arts Officers had helped enhance the “unique universal reach and appeal of Irish arts and culture”. Addressing conference delegates, President McAleese said: “The world of arts is woven so tightly into everyday Irish life that it would be easy to take it for granted but on this day and in this company I want to thank you for all you do to keep Ireland curious about the arts and confident in the arts, for making them the opposite of elitist and for bringing the opportunity to participate in and enjoy the arts into the lives of all our citizens.” In acknowledging the work of Arts Officers, the President commended the role of City and County Councils, adding: “Each City and County Council plays a frontline role in cultivating an embedded arts culture and in creating access to the arts. Arts Officers are the hands and heads of that work. Your investment is what helps to give us a healthy, vibrant and resilient civic society.”

speech, Joan Mac Kernan, County Arts Officer, Limerick County Council, stated: “‘For all of us who work in the arts at local and national level, the President’s words and sentiments inspire and impress with her feel and understanding of what the arts mean and can mean for our society.” “I think the President has brought a new and much needed energy to this debate and highlighted the really positive role that the arts play in the lives of people. She has enthused and reignited the passion and commitment that is at the heart of the work of local authority arts offices”, added Ms. Mac Kernan. Speaking about the President’s visit, Rosaleen Molloy, out-going Chairperson of the ALAAO, commented, “The Association was privileged to have had President McAleese as our guest of honour for our 2009 conference. Local Authorities are central players in leading the development of the arts in Ireland and in just under 25 years since the appointment of Ireland’s first Arts Officer, the bourgeoning of the arts across the country has been one of the most significant and successful measures integrated into local government in recent times.” For further information on the Limerick County Arts Office, contact Joan Mac Kernan, Arts Officer, Limerick County Council on 061 496498 or arts@limerickcoco.ie

Commenting on President McAleese’s www.businesslimerick.ie

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Gallery

Pictured at the annual Sage Gala Dinner, Ian Cumiskey (owner) and Michael O’Callaghan of DB Computers Limerick, receive the Sage Business Partners of the Year award for 2009 from Sage Ireland M.D. Liam Mullaney. The American Ambassador to Ireland, His Excellency Mr Daniel Rooney made a presentation to Cllr David Naughton, Cathaoirleach of Limerick County Council, during his courtesy visit to Limerick County Hall, Dooradoyle on Friday 11 December 2009. Also pictured is Ambassador Rooney’s wife Patricia.

Book Launch - Garrett Bonner, Peter Clohessy and Brendan Shine.

James Coonan, Manager, Arts for Peace Foundation, Peter Clohessy, Jordan Treck Challenge Leader for the Arts for Peace Foundation, Elizabeth Garrahy, Arts for Peace Foundation and Jeremy Perrin, Jordan Trek Coordinator planning their route to the ancient city of Petra, one of the seven wonders of the world and a destination for the Jordan Trek Challenge taking place in April 2010.

Joe Coffey, Pat Silke, cyclist, Carol Byrnes, Milford Hospice Friends Association, Clem Melleney, cyclist and Paschal Finn at the Woodfield House to present a checque to Milford Hospice for 1600 Euro’s raised from a recent charity cycle to Knock.

Deputy Mayor of Limerick, Michael Hourigan, Gabrielle Wallace O’Donnell, Chairperson, Limerick Civic Trust with Thomas Ryan, Artist for the Limerick Civic Trust, Hall of Fame, Calendar 2010 in the Bishop’s Palace

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Michael and Sinead Hennessy admiring the craftsmanship at the opening of an exhibition celebrating the Jewellery of goldsmith Rudolf Heltzel, titled The Devil is in the Detail which is on display in the Hunt Museum, Limerick until the 23rd of December.

Tery Clancy, Marie O’Connor and Monica Clancy admiring the craftsmanship at the opening of an exhibition celebrating the Jewellery of goldsmith Rudolf Heltzel, titled The Devil is in the Detail which is on display in the Hunt Museum, Limerick until the 23rd of December.

Rudolf Heltzel, goldsmith, Laura Magahy, Chair, Crafts Council of Ireland, Rodger Downer, Hunt Museum and Dr Hugh Macguire, Director Hunt Museum at the opening of an exhibition celebrating the Jewellery of Rudolf Heltzel titled The Devil is in the Detail on display in the Hunt Museum, Limerick until the 23rd of December.

Russell Ferris, Manager Limerick Racecourse with local trainers Andrew McNamara & Michael Hourigan and Nessa Harney & Criodhna Mulvihill Spin FM in AuBars, Thomas Street, Limerick the launch of the Guinness Christmas Festival of Racing 2009 with takes place in Greenmount Park from the 26th to 29th of December.

Russell Ferris, Manager Limerick Racecourse with Brendan Ryan, Diageo and Ray Sheehan, Sales Manager, Diageo in AuBars, Thomas Street, Limerick the launch of the Guinness Christmas Festival of Racing 2009 with takes place in Greenmount Park from the 26th to 29th of December.

Eugene Browne, Special Olympics, Fergus Quinlivan, Secretary, Limerick Thomond Rotary Club and Tony Brazil, President, Limerick Shannon Rotary Club at the Christmas Rememberance Tree on the junction of Bedford Row and O’Connell Street last Tuesday.

Gerard Dillon, Vision Plus Consulting Limited with clients Neal Kelly, Director Thomond Asset Managment and Colm O’Brien, Managing Director, Carambola Kidz.

Gerard Dillon,Cora Bluett and Brian Meehan Directors Vision Plus Consulting Limited.

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Noel Hogan, President, Nuala Toner, Lady President, Noreen Kinevane, Lady Captain and Pat Butler, Captain, Adare Manor Golf Club in the clubhouse for the Club’s 2009 Dinner Dance.

Noreen Kinevane, Lady Captain and Pat Butler, Captain, Adare Manor Golf Club in the clubhouse for the Club’s 2009 Dinner Dance.

Nuala Toner, Lady President and Noel Hogan, President Adare Manor Golf Club in the clubhouse for the Club’s 2009 Dinner Dance.

Kay Mahony, Suzanne Leonard and Kate Sheehan pictured at a coffee morning and fashion show in aid of St Gabriels School Centre which took place at the Savoy Hotel, Limerick.

Adrienne Purcell and Anne Molloy pictured at a coffee morning and fashion show in aid of St Gabriels School Centre which took place at the Savoy Hotel, Limerick.

Julie Lynch, Jean O’Donnell and Deirdre Harbison pictured at a coffee morning and fashion show in aid of St Gabriels School Centre which took place at the Savoy Hotel, Limerick.

Yvonne O’Riordan, Monica Burke and Deirdre O’Brien pictured at a coffee morning and fashion show in aid of St Gabriels School Centre which took place at the Savoy Hotel, Limerick.

Sheila Howley, Caroline Harrington, Jackie Clien and Teresa Dundon pictured at a coffee morning and fashion show in aid of St Gabriels School Centre which took place at the Savoy Hotel, Limerick.

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Ed and Sue Hansen with Gerraldine and Dermot Morris at the Crescent Comprehensive Dinner Dance held in the Strand Hotel to celebrate the Schools 150 anniversary. Eoghan and Catherine Prendergast at the Crescent Comprehensive Dinner Dance held in the Strand Hotel to celebrate the Schools 150 anniversary.

Dr Margie Kissane and Fiona McDermott at the Crescent Comprehensive Dinner Dance held in the Strand Hotel to celebrate the Schools 150 anniversary.

Emly & Patrick Clarke, Mary & John Lyons, Regina Long and Tom Dee at the Crescent Comprehensive Dinner Dance held in the Strand Hotel to celebrate the Schools 150 anniversary.

Ger Power, Dearbhla Depior, Marie Keary Scanlon, susan & Richie Ryan at the Crescent Comprehensive Dinner Dance held in the Strand Hotel to celebrate the Schools 150 anniversary. Rosemarie Cassdly, Diane Cowpar and Finnola O’Donnell at the Crescent Comprehensive Dinner Dance held in the Strand Hotel to celebrate the Schools 150 anniversary.

Mary & Liam O’Hora with Tim & Lil Glynn at the Crescent Comprehensive Dinner Dance held in the Strand Hotel to celebrate the Schools 150 anniversary. www.businesslimerick.ie

Timmy Duggan, Michael McGrath,Therese O’Donoghue, Jack Quilligan and Elaine Barr at the Crescent Comprehensive Dinner Dance held in the Strand Hotel to celebrate the Schools 150 anniversary. 19

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Carbon Tax is Step in the Right Direction ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) welcomes the Government’s efforts to tackle carbon emissions with the introduction of the carbon tax in the budget. Brian McEnery, President of ACCA Ireland and Corporate Finance Partner with Horwath Bastow Charleton in Limerick warns against viewing such environmental taxes as a panacea. “Shifting to environmental taxation cannot both solve the environmental crisis and raise significant income via taxation in the long-term. This is because a system aimed at reducing what it is taxing, if successful, will destroy its own tax base.” “Greenhouse gas emissions are a global problem so global coordination is vital. Setting the Irish carbon tax level (€15 per tonne of carbon) close to the current level of the EU emissions trading scheme appears to make sense. Linking to international prices will limit the incentive for businesses based in Ireland shifting location to avoid paying the carbon tax.”

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Brian McEnery

“Environmental taxation is only successful if the government is fully committed to creating beneficial environmental results with at least a large proportion of the revenue gained from it. Using carbon tax revenues to help boost energy efficiency, alleviate fuel poverty and support rural transport will help garner some public support. However, full details on the ring-fencing of carbon tax to support environmental initiatives will only be available when the Finance Bill is published.”

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Tourism Ireland Wins Prestigious Golden Spider Award Tourism Ireland, the organisation responsible for marketing the island of Ireland overseas, has scooped the top prize for ‘Best Use of Film’ at the prestigious internet awards, the Golden Spiders. Tourism Ireland won this award for its online video project, GO, a series of short films featuring real characters from around the island of Ireland who introduce their local area and take viewers and potential holidaymakers on a tour of their favourite ‘hidden gems’. Earlier this year, Tourism Ireland launched a nationwide search for people whose infectious enthusiasm for their favourite part of the island would help sell the destination to potential visitors across the world. The resulting series of ten short films was posted on Yahoo, YouTube, Facebook, WAYN and on Tourism Ireland’s suite of 41 websites, discoverireland.com, giving potential visitors an insight into the real experience of a holiday on the island of Ireland. The online films have certainly proved a big hit; they have been translated into five European languages and have already been viewed by over half a million people worldwide. In research carried out by Tourism Ireland, two-thirds of people who had viewed the promotional movies said they were more likely to visit the island of Ireland as a result. Accepting the award, Mark Henry, Tourism Ireland’s Director of Central Market-

Accepting the Golden Spider award for Tourism Ireland’s online film project GO from Alan Devlin, Webfactory (third from left) are Bernie O’Driscoll, Brian Harte, Sarah Fitzpatrick, Brian Twomey and Mark Henry, Tourism Ireland.

ing, said: “We are delighted that our online video project GO has been singled out for this recognition. Tourism Ireland is constantly looking at innovative and engaging ways of reaching potential holidaymakers across the world and is increasingly using ‘new’ media to do so. This campaign harnessed the diverse range of digital media, including social media, online editorial content, user generated content, online direct marketing, banner advertising and a global media partnership with Yahoo. “A big thank you to all of our local heroes for doing their bit to promote tourism to the island of Ireland during this difficult year. It is their sheer passion for their localities that makes these videos resonate so well with potential visitors”, Henry added.

Tourism Ireland fought off keen competition in this category from other entrants including IDA Ireland, Coors Light and TV3. The GO films are an integral part of Tourism Ireland’s global advertising campaign, Go Where Ireland Takes You. They bring to life the spontaneous and engaging nature of a holiday on the island of Ireland, which are core themes of the ad campaign. The annual Golden Spider awards honour individuals and organisations from around the island of Ireland for their outstanding achievements online and celebrate the successes of the Irish internet and digital media. This is the second Golden Spider award for Tourism Ireland – in 2005 the organisation collected the award for ‘Innovation of the Year’.

Free telephone systems to Irish start-ups Irish owned telecommunications company Advanced Telephone Systems (ATS) are offering startup companies, expanding young companies and non profit organisations the chance to avail of free telephone systems, handsets and voicemail systems. The only cost to organisations who avail of this offer would be the small installation fee per system which will vary depending on the size of the site. The systems on offer have been used once before for a short period of time by a previous customer. ATS maintained the systems during this time and since taking them back have done a check on them and are satisfied that they are of 22

the highest quality. Customers availing of the free systems can be guaranteed the usual high level of customer care which is always provided by ATS. ATS is a wholly owned Irish company specialising in the provision of cutting edge telecommunications solutions to companies nationwide Speaking about their offer of free telephone systems, Wendy Riordan, Operations Manager, Advanced Telephone Systems, said: “I am firmly of the view that indigenous start up companies will play a critical role in driving Ireland’s future economic success and I believe any support we can give them in these difficult economic times will reap rewards in the

future. We are delighted to be able to offer these telephone systems for free to young Irish companies and non-profit organisations.” In its sixteen year lifespan ATS has developed from a traditional telephone system reseller to providing the latest technologies in the industry, including VOIP systems, wireless LANS & mobility solutions. If you would like one of these telephone systems, call Wendy Riordan in Advanced Telephone Systems (01) 207 9500 or email wendyr@ats.ie. For further information log onto www.ats.ie.

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KICK-START 2010 Limerick City Enterprise Board is offering a Series of three afternoon Seminars - free of charge to businesses who wish to kick-start 2010. Weds 13th January Title: The Attitude Factor Presenter: Padraic O’Maille Time: 2-6pm Weds 20th January Title: Time Managment Presenter: Fergal O’Connor Time: 2-6pm Weds 27th January Title: Action Plan 2010 Presenter: Catherine Goodman Time: 2-6pm Venue: Clarion Hotel More info: www.limceb.ie Booking Essential Numbers Limited

Supporting Small Business in Limerick

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Christmas Message from Mayor of Shannon “2009 has been a very difficult year for Shannon and the surrounding region, in terms of employment and wider economic issues. With the support of Shannon Town Council and other Regional Agencies, I have no doubt that the strong entrepreneurial spirit of Shannon’s highly skilled workforce will create new opportunities for employment in 2010 and, in turn, assist the town in consolidating its position as an attractive location for direct inward investment. In line with the Christmas message of peace, generosity and goodwill, a series of charity fundraising events will take place early in the New Year. These events will replace the Mayor’s Christmas Ball, which was cancelled this year in light of current economic conditions. I wish to express my gratitude to the staff of Shannon Town Council and Clare County Council for the wonderful work they carried out on behalf of the public in 2009. Special mention should also be made of the emergency services who provided an important service to the people of Shannon during 2009. The recent opening of a new oratory in the town centre is a symbol of hope for all of us all this Christmas and looking ahead to 2010. On behalf of my fellow Shannon Town Councillors and myself, I wish you all a happy and peaceful Christmas and prosperous New Year. Nollaig Shona agus Athbhliain faoi Mhaise Daoibh”. Cllr. Sean McLoughlin, Mayor of Shannon

UL Foundation invests in new venture fund

Pictured at the launch of the `26m Bank of Ireland Seed and Early Stage Equity Fund is (from L-R) Frank Ryan, CEO of Enterprise Ireland, the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Mary Coughlan, T.D., Niall Olden, Managing Partner Kernel Capital, Richie Boucher, Group Chief Executive, Bank of Ireland and Professor Don Barry, President, University of Limerick

The University of Limerick Foundation has forged a strategic partnership with one of Ireland’s largest venture capital funds, Kernel Capital, along with Bank of Ireland and Enterprise Ireland to create a new venture fund that will help Irish universities leverage commercial success from their transformational research ideas and intellectual property. The €26m Bank of Ireland Seed and Early Stage Equity Fund supported by Enterprise Ireland and the University of Limerick Foundation will invest in start-up and early stage companies, with a focus on high potential university spin-offs and export-orientated start-up companies that operate in the technology (including green technology), food and financial services sectors. David Cronin, CEO of the University of Limerick Foundation said, “a key challenge is translating research concepts into successful new products and services that will spark new growth and job-creation opportunities and the Bank of Ireland Seed and Early Stage Equity Fund will greatly facilitate this. We are proud to partner with our industry partners – Enterprise Ireland, Bank of Ireland and Kernel Capital - on this initiative which underscores the University of Limerick’s commitment to ensure that Ireland maintains its reputation as a worldclass hub for transformational technology and scientific excellence.” Established in 1989, the University of Limerick Foundation is the official fundraising body of the University of Limerick engaged

in fundraising for the University from private individuals, institutions and business. Over 20 years, it has provided substantial investment funds to stimulate education, research and development initiatives that are important for the economic and social development of Ireland, and, in particular the Limerick region. Niall Olden of Kernel Capital, managers of the fund said, “to succeed in the current climate, Ireland Plc needs to compete through its universities and colleges as well as through traditional businesses. The IP held in universities across Ireland is a viable asset that must be realised if we’re to retain our competitive edge as a nation and fuel new economic growth. The significance of this fund is that it addresses a gap in the market for €500,000 and below, providing enough capital and creative management expertise to incentivise universities to increase the economic impact of their research base.” Richie Boucher, Group Chief Executive of the Bank of Ireland said, “university research commercialisation is a hugely promising area that has the potential to spur Ireland’s economic recovery and growth. This Fund demonstrates our commitment and support to early stage companies and campus spin offs with significant growth prospects.” Those who wish to apply for funding from the Bank of Ireland Seed and Early Stage Equity Fund should download submission proposals from www.kernelcapital.ie www.businesslimerick.ie

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LCEB - “ We have to get back to basics” Limerick City Enterprise Board held a very successful Xmas Networking Event at the Strand Hotel recently. Entitled “Bah Humbug” it featured a mini drama with a seasonal appearance of Scrooge. Attendees participated in facilitated round table discussions, which focused on moving your business into and through 2010. Some of the topics discussed included the following: “We have the resources and the skills to manage our way out of this and stay in business next year & beyond”. When asked “ How is this statement true for you and your business?” Answers included ‘Positive Mental attitude, Accumulated experience, Belief in our work.’ The discussion on “ We have to get back to basics” included suggestions such as ‘Looking at a customer with a view to what they want rather than what we think they

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want, Cutting costs and overheads – cutting unnecessary expenses, Reinventing services through innovation and listening to clients, Being reliable – being there when you say you will be there, Undercutting is not of benefit – what is of benefit is value for money’ When asked “ What successes / wins did you and your business have in 2009?”Answers included ‘New clients added, Held position in business, Learning new things, more helpful business climate’ On the topic of “I have done it before, I can do it again”. How is this true for you and your business?” Suggestions were ‘Surviving the recession, Learning from mistakes, Staying focused and positive, Crisis equals opportunity, Perseverance, Cost Management. Looking at “new skills and training needed to drive your business through 2010 and beyond” some of the answers suggested were ‘Networking,

Client focus, trusting your instincts, Courage to change, Creativity Down-skilling, Making opportunities, Become greener, Commitment, Focus, Perseverance’ And finally on the question of “What opportunities does the downturn present for you and your Business? Answers included ‘ Made people more human, Working together – Synergy 2+2 = 7, Better opportunity for small business, Manage business better – lower costs, Small business more important now for banks, legal and accountants.’ Limerick City Enterprise Board are planning a number of key events to address the issues raised including a series of FREE Seminars in January entitled “Kick Start Your Business “ and also a number of key Networking Events for 2010. For further information check www.limceb.ie

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S TA R R I N G

DAM E MYLES BR EEN AS

W I D O W T WA N K Y

BL | NEWS

Shannon Chamber President cautiously welcomes Budget 2010 “A turtle only makes progress when he sticks out his head, but then he is at his most vulnerable,” commented Ian Barrett addressing Shannon Chamber’s annual post-budget breakfast meeting last Thursday. “The strides being taken through the budget to regain control of the national finances, which in turn send a strong message to the international markets that we are serious about addressing our financial problems, will help reduce the Irish borrowing risk premium. Progress will be slow however,” he added. Mr Barrett welcomed many elements of the budget, including: measures aimed at re-training the unemployed and the incentives being provided to employers to take people off the live register; the modest measures being introduced to help the retail sector and to stimulate the automobile and tourism sectors; the retention of the 12.5% corporate tax rate; and the acknowledgment by the Government that Ireland has lost its competitiveness, with an acceptance that ongoing measures must be taken to restore it, including an increased focus on efficiencies in the public sector. Budget 2010 went some way to address-

Grant Thornton’s Sharon Waldron, Leslie Barrett and Eamonn Murphy, at Shannon Chamber’s Budget 2010 breakfast briefing, with Helen Downes, chief executive, Shannon Chamber. This annual event is sponsored by Grant Thornton.

ing Shannon Chamber’s pre-budget call for: measures to protect existing jobs, including the control of inflation, especially inflation driven from within Ireland; the promotion of entrepreneurship; a reduction in public sector day-to-day spending as opposed to major tax increases; no reduction in the delivery of public services; continued progression in addressing infrastructural deficits; a move to restore the country’s competitiveness; and that Ireland capital-

ises on its natural resources to maximise the accruing benefits in terms of wind and wave energy. “Time will tell if Budget 2010 will have the lasting impact intended. 2009 was one of the toughest years for Chamber members in recent times. While the measures introduced may have a slow impact, they must have a permanent and progressive one for businesses to survive,” added Mr Barrett.

Hygiene Standards are Deeply Unsatisfactory In response to the HIQA Hygiene Report on the Midwestern Regional Hospital, the HSE acknowledges that hygiene standards in the Hospital as reported by HIQA, are deeply unsatisfactory and will be addressed as a matter of urgency. The HSE highlighted the value of working with HIQA to ensure that when problems arise an action plan to address these is agreed and implemented as soon as possible, which will ultimately improve patient experiences of healthcare services in Ireland. The HSE accepts fully the findings in the Report published today and take the issues raised by HIQA extremely seriously. The HSE has immediately put in place a plan to address each of the issues raised by HIQA in its report. This includes initiating a Deep Clean (specialist cleaning process) of the entire Hospital which began earlier today and maintenance works at the Hospital in26

cluding regrouting and repainting areas in need of repair; ensuring that all cleaning products are properly stored; alcohol gel dispensers are appropriately maintained; mattresses replaced where damaged and appropriate segregation of staff food storage and patient food storage. “Balancing the demands of service delivery in a very busy environment while ensuring the highest hygiene standards is a priority for the HSE and we are truly disappointed that these standards are not being met in the Midwestern Regional Hospital. We have initiated an immediate review as to why agreed standards have not been maintained and are committed to ensuring that the facilities at the Hospital meet the highest hygiene standards as soon as possible”, said John Hennessy, Hospital Network Manager, HSE Mid West Region.

He continued; “In addition we have, with immediate effect, initiated a new system of monitoring hygiene standards on an ongoing basis in the Hospital. We are committed to ensuring that this new monitoring process will involve external advice and regular spot checks on the hospital. We will be working hard towards ensuring a much better result in the Hospital in the next HIQA audit.” www.businesslimerick.ie

January 2010

DTZ Provide a Full Range of Services DTZ Sherry FitzGerald is Ireland’s largest firm of property advisors with offices in Dublin, Cork, Limerick and Galway and an associated office in Belfast. The company forms part of DTZ, the leading global real estate services company providing a full range of services on a local, regional and global level across all sectors of the real estate market. DTZ Sherry FitzGerald is majority owned by the Sherry FitzGerald Group, which additionally comprises Sherry FitzGerald Residential, Sherry FitzGerald New Homes, Sherry FitzGerald Mortgages, Sherry FitzGerald Countrywide franchise network and Marsh & Parsons (UK Residential). DTZ Sherry FitzGerald, Henry Street, Limerick. The company provides property and related advice to property owners, occupiers, investors, developers and public sector bodies. Their objective is to add value and deliver results to match client’s best expectations. DTZ is a leading name in all the world’s major business centres, with 12,500 people operating from 150 cities in 45 countries.

Dublin Based Property Company launched €10m “Dubai Buy Back” Fund Dublin based property firm, Deluxe Properties have today announced the launch of a €10m fund, backed by Middle Eastern, British, Indian and Russian investors to buy back properties from Irish investors in Dubai. This is the latest fund launched by Deluxe Properties which has already bought in excess of €65m residential and commercial property in Dubai from Irish investors over the last four years. According to Maria Fearon, Managing Director of Deluxe Properties, a company which has been selling property in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and other parts of the Middle East for eight years now, “prices being considered by the new fund will not be as strong as those offered through our previous funds. Only ‘sought after’ locations are being looked at and only properties which are offered between 30-50% below the original price will be considered. For information on the Deluxe Properties Buy Back Fund contact 01 631 9268 or email shelley@deluxeproperties.ie www.businesslimerick.ie

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BL | NEWS

Award For Limerick Rowing Coach A rowing coach has been named as the first winner of the ‘Contribution to Sports Award’ at a ceremony in Limerick County Hall, Dooradoyle. The award scheme, which honours the memory of the late mountaineer Gerard McDonnell from Kilcornan, recognises contributions and achievements in sport by volunteers, participants and administrators throughout County Limerick. The initiative has been developed by the County Limerick Local Sports Partnership (LSP), in conjunction with the Irish Sports Council and Limerick County Development Board. Mr. Joe Cunningham, who has been coaching at Castleconnell Boat Club for eight years, was selected ahead of nominees from a range of sporting clubs and organisations throughout County Limerick. Joe is credited with introducing Adaptive Rowing to the Boat Club and has trained rowers to win medals at European and World Indoor Rowing Championships. Club members also won Bronze at the World Cup in 2009 and are now in training to qualify for the Paralympics in 2012. Former Munster and Ireland ruby star Anthony Foley presented the County Limerick man with a special commemorative award in recognition of his contribution to sport. He also received overnight accommodation together with spa treat-

Anthony Foley and JJ McDonnell presenting the Gerard McDonnell, Contribution to Sport Award 2009 to Joe Cunningham (overall winner) from Castleconnell Boat Club , Castleconnel, Co. Limerick, in the presence of Cllr David Naughton, Cathaoirleach of Limerick County Council (DG)

ment, sponsored by Woodlands House Hotel and Spa in Adare. Other award nominees included DJ O’Sullivan of Feenagh/Kilmeedy Bord na nÓg – winner of the ‘Administrator’ award; Ursula Fahy, Springfield Basketball Club – winner of the ‘Coach/Administrator’ award; Corona Ryan, Garryspillane GAA Club; Mick Macro, Askeaton Swimming Club; Tom O’Connell, Pallaskenry GAA Club; Michael O’Donoghue, Limerick Primary Schools GAA; Sean Cagney, Granagh/Ballingarry Camogie Club; Geraldine McMahon, Pallaskenry GAA Club; Gerard O’Dowd, Pallaskenry GAA Club; Agnes O’Dowd, Kildimo/Pallaskenry Community Games; Michael Shiels, Limerick County Cycling

Club; Ann Fitzgibbon, Feenagh/Kilmeedy Community Games; Joe Chawke, West Limerick Athletic Club; and Mike Murphy, Kilmallock Camogie Club. LSP Coordinator Phelim Macken said that the aim of the competition was to award a County Limerick-based local volunteer / participant / administrator, who in their outstanding efforts and persistence had made an excellent contribution to sport at a local level. For further information on the ‘Contribution to Sport Award’ email infosports@limerickcoco.ie or telephone 061-496463 / 061-496428.

Bras supporting Limerick In business, its best to stand out from the crowd and by naming their consultancy firm bras.ie, what’s exactly what Will Mallard and Niall Murphy had in mind when they set up to offer management advice to the hotel, retail and hospitality sectors. With offices in Galway, Dublin and Cork, the nationwide management consultancy firm has expanded their business with a Limerick base for operations after the recent opening of their Dooradoyle office. Two positions have already been filled in the Limerick base, with a further six positions expected to be advertised in 2010. Senior Management Consultant and Limerick native Thelma Wijngaard will head up the hospitality and hotel division. With 30

over 20-years management experience in the Irish hotel and International tourism industry including management roles in some of the leading hotels in Ireland and the UK including The Choice Hotel Group, the Radisson SAS Group and the Lynch Hotel Group, Thelma will be based in Limerick but is also charged with the development of the business nationwide in the firm’s other regional offices. Among the services offered are effective revenue and yield management, sales, marketing and advertising advice including effective media and PR, stock and cost control and food and beverage GP analysis including HACCP implementation and much more. For more information or a free consulta-

tion, check out www.bras.ie or call Thelma Wijngaard on (086) 0237337.

Will Mallard and Niall Murphy

www.businesslimerick.ie

............................................................................................................................... BL | FINANCE

YEAR END – TAX RELIEFS With the tax year end 31st December 2009 fast approaching individuals and corporate’s may wish to focus on the key areas of interest to them in order to achieve tax savings. Tax Reliefs There are a number of reliefs which individuals and corporate’s should consider prior to the year end in order to obtain relief for the tax year 2009 for individuals or for accounting periods ending 31st December 2009 for companies. These include for individuals; • The Business Expansion Scheme (BES). • Film Relief. • Interest on Loans to purchase shares in/or lend to a company. For Companies • Patent Royalties. • Employer Pension Contributions • Interest on Loans used to purchase shares in/or lend to other companies The Business Expansion Scheme (BES) The Business Expansion Scheme (BES) is a tax incentive scheme that provides tax relief for investment in certain corporate trades. The scheme allows an individual investor to obtain income tax relief on investments up to a maximum of €150,000 per annum in each tax year up to 2013. Relief is available at the investor’s marginal rate of income tax. An investor who cannot obtain relief on all his/her investment in a tax year, either because his/her investment exceeds the maximum of €150,000 or his/her income in that year is insufficient to absorb all of the relief, can carry forward the unrelieved amount to the following tax years up to and including 2013 subject to the annual limits. In order to qualify, investments must be made in qualifying companies engaged in certain manufacturing; service; tourism; R&D; plant cultivation activities; in the construction and leasing of advance factories; or, in certain music recording activities. Investments may be made directly in a qualifying company or via a designated fund.

Film Relief The Scheme was introduced to promote the Irish film industry, by encouraging investment in Irish made films which make a significant contribution to the national economy and Exchequer. A qualifying investor is an individual or corporate who is not connected with the film production company. Tax relief on 100% of their investment is available to individual investors and to corporate investors. Individual investors can invest up to €50,000 under the scheme in any year of assessment. An investor who cannot obtain relief on all his/ her investment in a year of assessment because his/her investment exceeds the maximum of €50,000 or his/her income in that year is insufficient to absorb all of the relief, can carry forward the excess relief to following tax years up to and including 2012, subject to the relevant limits. A corporate investor and any connected companies can invest up to €10,160,000 in any 12 month period. The tax relief allowed in a tax year may be restricted further in the event that an individual is subject to the high earner restriction. Furthermore BES relief/Film relief are not deductible in computing the income levy or PRSI/Health Contributions for individuals. Interest on Loan’s to Purchase Shares in a company Section 248 Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 provides relief for individuals in respect of interest on money borrowed to: • Purchase ordinary shares in a trading company, or • A company the business of which consists wholly or mainly of holding stocks, shares or securities in such a company. • To lend money to such a company, or • To pay off another loan which was applied to acquire ordinary shares or lend to a company. Unrestricted relief is available in respect of interest on a loan obtained for any of the purposes set out above provided certain conditions are fulfilled in relation to the company in which the loan was invested or with a company connected with that

company. Those conditions are: 1. The individual must have a material interest in the company i.e. ability to control directly or indirectly more than 5% of the ordinary share capital of the company or a connected company being a trading company, rental company or holding company. 2. From the time of application of the loan to the time the interest is paid the individual must have worked for the greater part of your time in the actual management or conduct of the business of the company or a connected company. 3. Any capital repayments received from the company have been used to reduce the individual’s initial borrowing. Restrictions do apply on monies borrowed that are invested in Irish rental companies. Company’s year end planning A limited company wishing to claim tax relief for the following expenses should ensure that the relevant payments are made prior to 31st December 2009 in order to ensure entitlement to tax relief. • • •

Patent Royalties. Employer Pension Contributions. Interest on Loans used to purchase shares in/or lend to other companies

Accruals for such payments are not deductible in computing a company’s corporation tax liability and must be added back for tax calculation purposes. A tax deduction is allowed in the accounting year in which the payment is made. Capital Gains Tax Filing and Payment deadlines - reminder The payment dates for Capital Gains Tax (CGT) for 2009 are as follows: Date of Disposal 01/01/2009 – 30/11/2009 Due 15 December 2009 Date of Disposal 01/12/2009 – 31/12/2009 Due 31 January 2010

CGT CGT

The rate of capital gains tax increased from 20% to 25% with effect from 7th April 2009.

BDO Simpson Xavier are Ireland’s leading advisers to entrepreneurs and owner managed businesses. Paul Nestor is Partner in the Taxation Department of BDO Simpson Xavier, Limerick. He can be contacted on 061 414455 or pnestor@bdo-sx.ie BDO Simpson Xavier will not accept any responsibility for loss or damage arising to any person as a result of refraining from acting as a result of the information contained in this article. Professional advice should always be sought before acting upon any matter covered in this article.

Paul Nestor www.businesslimerick.ie

BL | NEWS

30Mb Fibre Power Broadband in Limerick Chorus ntl (a UPC company) has announced it is introducing an ultrafast 30Mb Fibre Power broadband service from January 4th 2010 to consumers in the Mid West Region of Ireland. As a result of this new development, three new broadband speeds will be introduced, 30Mb, 15Mb, 5Mb. Chorus ntl is providing a future proof infrastructure, based on innovative technology and deployed across its next generation fibre optic network. According to Gartner within the next 3- 5 years 30% of broadband will be 25Mb or greater. The latest company figures released for 30th September, 2009 (Q3/09) reported that 572,000 homes across Chorus ntl footprint are now fibre power broadband enabled. Broadband customers stand at 134,900, reflecting a year on year growth of over 44%. Over one third of all Irish homes are now upgraded and Chorus ntl will continue to extend this reach further during 2010 through an additional €90 million investment. Chorus ntl delivers broadband in five main cities Dublin, Galway, Waterford, Limerick, Cork and 14 regional towns.

Mark Coan, Marketing & Sales Director of Chorus ntl unveils the new 30Mb broadband service with a little help from models Georgia Salpa and Sara Kavanagh.

• 4 x 550 TVL 3.5mm - 9mm varifocal lens, IP66 IR camers • 1 x 17” Monitor • Install, Labour and Commissioning • Finance Packages Available

www.businesslimerick.ie

BL | CIVIC TRUST

Denis Leonard – a true citizen of Limerick By Hiram Wood A true citizen of our city has passed away. Denis Leonard, founder and full time Director of Limerick Civic Trust sadly died on November 29th 2009 after a short illness. He is survived by his wife Deirdre, daughters Sarah, Rachel and Kate along with granddaughters Katie and Zoe. Denis’ life was one that demands notice, a life that exemplified kindness, a life that inspired emulation; he was living proof of just how fine a person can be. Our sorrow is lessened only slightly with the comforting thought that we had the privilege to know and work with him. Denis’ fine qualities were inherited from his mother and father. Those of you that called into the shop on O’Connell Street and talked and listened to his father understand where that gentleness, kindness and professional attitude comes from. He learned trust and leadership and many other good qualities from both of them. In one word Denis Leonard was a man who gave, a man who led. From small beginnings in the early 80’ he built up Limerick Civic Trust to be the most important such organisation on these islands at a time when concern for the environment including historical buildings was low on the agenda. That is on the rare occasion when they made the agenda. Denis was blessed at this time to have the great support of his wife Deirdre and of his brothers and in later times Rachel, Sarah and Kate, a support that sustained him up to the end of his life. At this time there were many organisations looking for support and to many people Limerick Civic Trust appeared as just another such organisation. However Denis did not look for money to enable him to start developments, his motto was to do something first so he rolled up his sleeves, got out the cutters and spades and cleaned up graveyards and derelict sites and then looked for public support. Denis made Limerick Civic Trust into a new kind of organisation that led by directly undertaking conservation projects in key hiswww.businesslimerick.ie

Limerick Civic Trust in such a way that he exemplified rather than defined leadership. He never gave the staff a project that he didn’t pursue with equal fervour, time and energy. The staff were as devoted to Denis as he was to them.

Denis Leonard RIP

toric areas of the city instead of merely acting as a pressure group. Denis was able to garner donations, sponsorships and membership contributions from the private sector, which enabled the Trust to get matching Government and EU grants. Architects, Accountants, Solicitors and experts in restoration and conservation have and continue to give their services free to Limerick Civic Trust. The reason why this happened is because everyone knew that Denis could be trusted and had no hidden agendas, his only concern was for the betterment of the city and its inhabitants. Denis was a good persuader, now other people have used stronger words to describe Denis’s methods of raising funds but lets just say all these descriptions are derivatives of the word coax!. Fundraising was and is key to the survival of the organisation and ensures that Denis’ motto for Limerick Civic Trust “Improvement of our environment by positive action” is achieved. Persistence was another of Denis’s traits. Once he had a project in mind it was impossible to divert him from the right course of action. Denis was a man who led - a short statement but long on meaning. He led

If you visit St. Paul’s Cathedral, London and climb to the whispering gallery you will see an inscription on a thin strip of black marble circling the wall referring to Sir Christopher Wren, it reads “si monumentum requiris, circumspice “ (“if you seek his monument look around you”). The same can be said of Denis Leonard, you cannot walk down a street in this city without seeing Denis’ handprint there. He could walk down any street and pick out features that should be enhanced on certain buildings that most people would not see. His sight was excellent because he could see a potential donor at 200 paces and many a citizen was, let’s say encouraged to help the Trust in different ways. Some time ago when having a coffee with Denis I asked him what project he was most proud of and considered the most important. Without hesitation he instanced the area of human development and all that implies socially. During the lifetime of the Trust over 1,000 people have been given the opportunity to work on various schemes, the chance to participate in adult literacy services and to further their education in many areas, several hundred have worked on folklore and local history, others in the writing and publication of books. In the final analysis people and their welfare was the most important thing to Denis. He loved the people he worked with and in return they loved him. Limerick Civic Trust will cherish his memory. While good men die their contributions do not. Hiram Wood, past Chairman & a member of the Executive of Limerick Civic Trust. 33

BL | NEWS

Employees put their hearts into walking Over 3,500 employees in 30 of Ireland’s largest organisations walked over 800 million steps and raised over €9,500 for the Irish Heart Foundation, as part of the month-long Smarter Travel Workplaces Pedometer Challenge 2009. The Challenge was organised by the National Transport Authority in partnership with the Irish Heart Foundation and was designed to encourage participants to take 10,000 steps a day in a fun workplace event. Over 3,500 employees from companies including eircom, Dell, RTE and Microsoft took part in the challenge which saw those walking regularly on the commute to work increase by 15%. Ann Scanlon, Health Promotion Officer with the Irish Heart Foundation said: “By counting steps each day, it makes it easy to see how active you are on a daily basis. The good news is that being active for as little as 30 minutes five days a week reduces the risk of heart disease and stroke. From an employer’s point of view, it also increases productivity in the workplace.”

are twice as likely to have a heart attack as those who are active. The company benefits through less illness, reduced absenteeism, improved quality of work, more positive attitudes toward work and better productivity.”

According to the Irish Heart Foundation, encouraging employees to be more active not only improves their health, but it also makes good business sense. Ms Scanlon added: “People who are inactive

The Power Walkers and the Erne Wanderers teams from the ESB garnered the top two spots on the overall League Table at the end of the month. Hot on their heels in third place was the Travellers Team from Dublin City Council. One lucky walker in the top ten teams, Charlene Tully from the Mater Hospital Team the Sweaty Bettys, won a draw for a place on the Irish Heart Foundation’s overseas walk in Santiago de Compostela in May 2010. To support the Irish Heart Foundation (IHF), participants could choose to purchase their pedometer at the end of the challenge with over €2 from each pedometer sale going to the charity. The IHF received over €9,500 from the challenge, as well as sponsorship from individual participants.

Employment measures badly needed ISME, the Irish Small & Medium Enterprises Association, has called on the Government to focus its energies on saving jobs, by supporting businesses to maintain employment. Initiatives are urgently required to stop the haemorrhage of job losses, confirmed by the latest Quarterly National Household Survey. The Association outlined that unless real action is taken, the level of job losses will increase dramatically, particularly in the New Year.

been piecemeal and inept, with the much lauded Employment Subsidy Scheme only available to less than 1% of all businesses. The reality is that those micro businesses that need the supports, are being excluded from availing of the scheme. The Government is abandoning these businesses and admitting that they and the individuals they employ are not worth saving”.

The Quarterly National Household survey, the official recording of the labour force, confirmed that there were 280,000 people unemployed at the end of September, an increase of 15,000 on the previous quarter and 120,400 in a year.

“With NAMA and the Budget now out of the way the Government needs to focus on saving the wider economy by making a concerted effort to address the collapsing labour market, instead of announcing over hyped initiatives that, in their current guise, have an extremely limited success rate”, continued Fielding.

According to ISME Chief Executive Mark Fielding, “From an SME perspective, a further increase in unemployment over the next number of months is on the cards as businesses struggle desperately to stay afloat and maintain employment. The Government’s response to date has

“What is required is an overall employment strategy that will tackle the negative factors that are impacting on the business sector. The key part of this strategy should involve addressing the core issues of concern to business, in particular improving our competitive environment. This

Mark Fielding

should include addressing rising costs, including local charges, tackling the cost of employment through the PRSI scheme, and forcing the banks to start lending to viable small businesses. The Employment Subsidy Scheme also needs to be extended to cover companies with less than 10 employees, if it is to have any impact on stopping the rot of job losses. Failure to act decisively now will leave a legacy of unemployment for years to come,” concluded Fielding. www.businesslimerick.ie

BL | NEWS

The overall thrust of the budget is welcome The Budgetary package fell a touch shy of the planned €4bn, with the Minister arriving at a headline figure of €4bn by combining pre-Budget savings on Live Register costs of over €200 million with a combination of measures in the Budget itself of about €3.8bn. The Budget represents the fifth initiative, a process which began in the summer of 2008 with some spending pullbacks at that stage followed by the October Budget in that year. Then in January of this year the Department of Finance unveiled a further update on the fiscal strategy, in turn followed by the public sector pension levy a month later and the Emergency or Supplementary Budget in April. This series of measures summed to a whopping €8bn in terms of the impact on the 2009 fiscal position. Had the Minister not taken these steps, the 2009 deficit would have been of the order of 17% rather than the 11.7% which now looks likely, bad and all as that is. We also regard this budget as broadly a development to be welcomed. It is very welcome indeed that the overwhelming focus of the €3.8bn savings was on the spending side. The €1bn cut in the capital spend had been well-leaked. While such spending can and does provide valuable stimulus to a seriously under-heating economy, the significant decline in the capital requirements of an economy operating so far below trend, combined with large-scale declines in tender prices in the construction sector, makes this decision a reasonable one in the circumstances. Turning the taps off on capital spending is a straightforward task as it is difficult to achieve large savings in the typically much more sensitive arena of day-to-day expenditure. The €1bn reduction in the public sector pay bill was in fact a bit lower than the €1.3bn which had been flagged but has nonetheless generated much anger in union circles. However, prevailing pay differentials between public and private sectors and the severe adjustment being borne by exposed sectors of the economy (total employment across the economy is down over 8% over the past year, while it is actually up some 3% in government-linked sectors) provide ample justification for this move. Like the capital programme, the cutbacks www.businesslimerick.ie

(of €760 million) in social welfare had been well-signalled. Cutting unemployment benefits and child benefit is never going to be popular even if the changes in the former will at the margin help improve incentives to work. The Minister’s intention had been to improve the fairness of the child benefit system by either making it taxable or means-testing it. While it won’t provide much comfort to those affected, the fact that there has been a 6.7% fall in the Consumer Price Index over the past year or so (and a 3.4 fall in the HICP – European Harmonised - measure of prices, which excludes mortgage interest costs) does help to cushion the blow of such initiatives, as the impact in real-terms is correspondingly mitigated. The Minister managed to achieve total savings of around €1bn in general spending, about 40% of which comes from Health. The introduction of a prescription charge of 50 cent per item under the medical card scheme is a visible move in this regard. On the tax side, it was very welcome indeed that the Minister stuck to his guidance and refrained from adding further to the income tax burden having targeted this area aggressively in previous Budgets, especially in April. The fear of a removal of the PRSI ceiling thus proved misplaced as it turns out, though there was a further restriction of relief for very high income earners. The inevitable carbon tax materialised. Headlines here included an extra 4.2 and 4.9cents on the price of a

litre of petrol and diesel respectively, with the total yield from this area at €250million for next year. This gave the Minister scope for reductions in the reversal of the previous 0.5% hike in the VAT rate which goes back down to 21% with effect from January. Excise duties on alcohol were also lowered and should help stem the tide of cash crossing the border. The car lobby will be pleased with a car scrappage scheme. The overall thrust of the budget is welcome. The overall emphasis on reducing spending rather than adding further to the burden of income taxation is very much the appropriate one. It is certainly the case that Budget 2010 distributes an awful lot of pain but the reality is that the scale of the problem is still huge. The Dept of Finance estimates that about three-quarters of the near 12% of GDP deficit for this year and next is ‘structural’ in nature. The outline of the plan involves a further €3 billion of cuts in next year’s budget, with a further €5bn or so in the subsequent three years. This does represent a considerable improvement – of around 3 billion euros on a cumulative basis - compared to what the April Budget had envisaged. It seems that the Dept has been able to find material savings in areas including capital spending, the Live Register, debt servicing costs and higher non-tax revenue including from the charges to the Banks under the Guarantee scheme. The planned correction is now to take place out to 2014 rather than 2013 also helps in the lowering of the required annual adjustments. The deficit will be down to the much more manageable level of 2.9% in 2014, bringing us back to within the limits set by the Stability and Growth Pact. How the economy evolves will have a major bearing on the trajectory of our deficit and debt profile in the years ahead. The Minister envisages a contraction in GDP on average next year of 1.25% (roughly in line with the prevailing consensus) but has a punchy enough set of growth forecasts thereafter, with an average rate of GDP growth in the 20112014 period of over 4%. It might have been more prudent for him to plan on the basis of something a bit more conservative (our own working assumption is for growth around 3.5% in those years). There will still be a need for further consolidation in the years ahead. 35

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BL | NEWS

Work Underway on New Fire Station

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Attending the signing of the contracts for the new Kilmallock Fire Station were from left; County Manager Ned Gleeson, Susan Fitzgibbon Director of M Fitzgibbon Builders, Carmel Kirby, Chief Fire Officer, Limerick County Council, Cllr David Naughton, Cathaoirleach of Limerick County Council and Martin Fitzgibbon, Director of M Fitzgibbon Builders

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Limerick County Council today signed a €1.3m contract with M. Fitzgibbon (Builders) Ltd to construct a new Fire Station in Kilmallock. The contract involves the provision of a three-bay Fire Station with ancillary areas and a 13m-high drill training tower on a green field site at the junction of the Bruff and Bruree Roads, adjacent to Kilmallock Business Park. Construction work commenced earlier this month and is expected to be completed in autumn 2010. The contract is being funded by the Fire Services and Emergency Planning Section of the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government which is providing 1.6m euro for all costs, including Construction Costs and Design Fees. The contract signing ceremony at Limerick County Hall was attended by the Limerick County Manager, Chairman of Limerick County Council, Chief Fire Officer for County Limerick, Kilmallock Fire Station Officer and Substation Officer, members of the Kilmallock Area Committee, and representatives of the successful contractor and the Design Team, which comprises Gilroy McMahon Architects, Mulcahy McDonagh Quantity Surveyors, Muir Associates Structural Engineering Consultant, and Varming Mech and Elec Consulting Engineering. Carmel Kirby, Chief Fire Officer, Limerick County Fire and Rescue Service said the new station would enhance the Service’s capability to deal with fire incidents in Kilmallock and its environs. Ms. Kirby confirmed that four fire fighters were recruited in Kilmallock in 2009, which are in addition to the existing eight locally based fire fighters. Limerick County Fire and Rescue Service is currently made up of 10 Senior Fire Officers, 1 Wholetime Brigade Mechanic and 72 Retained Firefighters in six stations throughout Limerick, including Kilmallock, Foynes, Newcastle West, Abbeyfeale, Rathkeale and Cappamore. The Service also provides financial support to its counterpart service in Limerick City, to provide fire cover to the city environs in County Limerick. The Service fleet consists of 30 vehicles, including 12 Class B Fire Appliances, 4 Water Tankers, 1 Emergency Tender, 1 Aerial Rescue Vehicle and 3 Four-Wheel Drives. The Service also possesses 3 Spare Class B appliances and six additional support vehicles. The Service this year retained the quality management standard ISO 9001:2008, which is subject to an external audit each year. www.businesslimerick.ie

BL | NEWS

Budget 2010 policy seeks to do energy refit for every Irish building The inclusion in the Irish Government’s Budget for 2010 of the ‘Save as You Pay’ green financing model has been hailed as a visionary decision by the campaigner who introduced the idea. “Save as You Pay (SAYP) could enable us to energy upgrade virtually every building in Ireland over the next decade, so it is exactly the sort of policy that could help lift us out of recession,” said Jeff Colley, Editor of green building magazine Construct Ireland. SAYP will enable cash-strapped homeowners and businesses to pay for energy saving measures through fixed repayments on their energy bills over several years. According to Mr. Colley: “We introduced the idea of paying for energy upgrade work through utility bills over the summer because many people do not have access to savings or credit to get the work done. It was a question of right policy, right place, right time.”

Colley’s campaigning efforts resulted in SAYP being included in the renewed Programme for Government and the Institute of European Affairs Greenprint for a National Energy Efficiency Retrofit Programme. He noted: “We have been blown away by the level of public demand for this approach”. 80 per cent of Irish homeowners responding to a Construct Ireland/Amárach Research survey in August said they would be interested in paying for energy upgrade work through their utility bills. 58 per cent of homeowners said they did not have enough money saved to upgrade their home. “If the majority of Irish homeowners can’t access the money to pay for energy upgrade work, a grant alone will be of limited use,” Colley said. “Even with a grant covering 30 per cent of the cost of a typical upgrade, we have to help people to find the remainder, be it through payments on their energy bills or by adding it

Jeff Colley, editor, Construct Ireland

to their mortgage”, stated Mr. Colley. The response from utilities has already been encouraging, with Bord Gáis announcing plans in October to introduce a major energy efficiency home services initiative in 2010, which will offer homeowners a full-scale energy efficiency service with a range of separate products and services through an on-bill finance. “Save as You Pay can become a major driver in Ireland’s economic recovery,” said Colley. “It will create jobs, reduce our 6bn euro energy import bill, dramatically cut our carbon emissions, and enable all Irish people to have comfortable, healthy homes”, concluded Mr. Colley.

Wishing all our customers a very Happy New Year

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Corrigan cooks ‘renal’ for patients in Limerick. OTS Communications Limerick is delighted with the success of its recent collaboration with Celebrity Chef Richard Corrigan on behalf of Fresenius Medical Care (Ireland) Ltd The live cookery demonstration delivered by Mr Corrigan, entitled “Corrigan Cooks Renal” was developed for dialysis patients from Limerick, Waterford, and Kilkenny Fresenius Medical Care Clinics, as well as dialysis patients from HSE South East, Mid West and Dublin North. The ‘Corrigan Cooks Renal’ evening took place last month, with the bonus prize of dinner cooked by Chef Corrigan in his Dublin restaurant going to Limerick patient Anthony Costelloe. Pictured here is Chef Richard Corrigan and David Coyle President of Fresenius Medical Care (Ireland) Ltd.

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BL | NEWS

Ireland to Move into Growth in 2010 Ireland’s dramatic economic decline has now ended, with the economy expected to return to weak growth in 2010 according to the “National Irish Bank Economic Commentary - Winter 2009”. While some sectors will see quarter-on-quarter growth in 2010, notably exports and consumer spending, construction and the public sector will continue to contract. The ending of the recession is most clearly evident in the stabilisation in the labour market witnessed since August. According to the report’s author, National Irish Bank’s Chief Economist Ronnie O’Toole, “Unemployment has not risen over the last few months, while income tax revenues have been stronger than expected. This shows that job losses are running at a far lower level, and that people are increasingly going into full time education or retiring early rather than signing onto the dole. The reemergence of a modest level of net emigration hasn’t played a big role in containing the rise in unemployment.” Export demand will fuel growth in 2010 The one positive aspect, of an otherwise dire recession, from an Irish perspective

has been the performance of exports. With the global economy now showing good signs of recovery, export growth will reach 4%. Economies are benefiting from the support of increased Government spending and a low interest rate environment. However the recovery is not yet a self sustaining one and the rate of recovery will moderate in the second half of the year. This fall in prices seen in 2009 should improve Ireland’s export competitiveness; particularly in very cost sensitive areas such as tourism and food. Prices falling, though Ireland remains expensive Among European countries, Ireland is leading the deflation process. Annual HICP inflation has now fallen to -2.8%, while prices in the rest of the Eurozone are up 0.6% year-on-year. Only Portugal comes close to Ireland in terms of the scale at which prices are falling, recording a drop of 1.6%. This process is if anything intensifying, with Irish prices likely to post another year of falling prices in 2010. Despite the fall in prices, Ireland remains an expensive country for consumers. Domestic prices

increased rapidly in the years from 19982002 when Ireland was experiencing dramatic export growth. Budget Verdict: A Credible, Proportionate Response Budget 2010 represents a very credible step towards meeting the stated goal of reducing the General Government Deficit to below 3% of GDP in 2013. However, borrowing will still be high in 2010 despite the cuts, and Ireland remains susceptible to shifts in international sentiment such as those caused by the recent deterioration in Greece’s fiscal position. Interest Rates The ECB is likely to start increasing interest rates next August. By this stage, the European economic recovery is expected to have taken a firm hold with a clear upturn in the labour market. By next summer, money supply will have been growing briskly for some time. Current interest rates are running at historical lows, and the ECB fears that retaining interest rates at these low level for too long risks creating new asset bubbles.

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BL | NEWS

The Salt House Bar & Restaurant Launches in Style Officially opening its doors to the people of Limerick last night, the Salt House Bar & Restaurant provided a night to remember in its premises on George’s Quay, Limerick. This new venture for Pat O’Sullivan, Masterchefs Hospitality and Café Noir, saw the elite of Limerick turn up for this exclusive launch night, where they were treated to a fantastic array of food, drinks, and flamethrowing displays. In attendance on the night were over 200

people from Limerick and beyond to celebrate the opening. Acknowledging the positive contribution that Pat O’Sullivan is providing to the Limerick economy and wishing him the best of luck was Mayor of Limerick, Cllr Kevin Kiely. Also in attendance on the night were Celia Holman Lee and her husband Gerry, with a number of their stylish models from the Holman Lee Agency adding to the event. Robert Butler, founder and chairman of the Robert Butler Group, was also spotted

Attending the opening of The Salt House bar and restaurant in George’s Quay, Limerick were Pat O’Sullivan, proprietor, The Salt House (seated second from left); Mayor of Limerick Cllr Kevin Kiely (seated centre) photographed with the staff back row from left: Leah, Padraig, Dave, Jennifer, Caroline and Niamh. Front row from left: Nick, Dnis and Monica.

Attending the opening of The Salt House bar and restaurant in George’s Quay, Limerick were Becky Costello, Miss Limerck 2009, Keith O’Sullivan and Olivia Stapleton.

Attending the opening of The Salt House bar and restaurant in George’s Quay, Limerick were Eoghan and Catherine Prendergast, Shannon Development and Frank Collins, Limerick Business magazine.

enjoying the night’s activities. The Salt House Bar & Restaurant is situated 8-9 George’s Quay, Limerick. Open just in time for Christmas, there is a huge selection on offer, with a choice of three menus – the Early Bird, the a la carte menu and also the specially devised Christmas menu. To view these fabulous menus, visit www.thesalthouse.ie or call 061-411511 to book your table now.

Attending the opening of The Salt House bar and restaurant in George’s Quay, Limerick were Celia Holman Lee, Robert Butler and Anne O’Halloran.

Attending the opening of The Salt House bar and restaurant in George’s Quay, Limerick were John and Helena Cantwell, Thomond Park.

Attending the opening of The Salt House bar and restaurant in George’s Quay, Limerick were Richard Nash, Gretta Pond and Owen O Hea.

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BL | CHAMBER

Aer Arann Boss Speaks at Limerick Chamber Christmas Business Lunch The Limerick Chamber Annual Christmas Business Lunch, sponsored by Bank of Scotland (Ireland), took place on Friday the 11th December with guest speaker Padraig O’ Ceidigh of Aer Arann.

indigenous companies is what is needed to get us out of this recession and will be essential to generating wealth and jobs in the next few years. It is critical that we focus on growing companies of scale that are export led and globally competitive. I am delighted to welcome a speaker of the calibre of Padraig O’ Ceidigh. Padraig is a true entrepreneur and he epitomises all that is positive about business in this country.”

This year’s event focused on the theme of the importance of entrepreneurship and developing indigeneous industry, and with representatives from over 200 local businesses in attendance the event was a great success. “I would also like to thank Bank of Scotland (Ireland) for once again kindly sponsoring Limerick Chamber President, Harry Fehily our Christmas lunch. In these difficult times speaking at the lunch said: “Growing small we are keenly aware that sponsorship budg-

ets are getting smaller and smaller so we are particularly grateful for their support.” Commenting on this year’s event, Michael O’Connor, Regional Director for Bank of Scotland (Ireland) in Limerick, added: “At Bank of Scotland (Ireland) we are proud to support the Limerick Chamber. At a time when Irish businesses are under significant pressure, it is essential that owners have a network of support and advice. Now more than ever, it is vital that businesses show prudence and planning and demonstrate strong management skills in the year ahead.”

Harry Fehily - Limerick Chamber President, Padraig O’Ceidigh- Aer Arann, Maria Kelly- Limerick Chamber CEO, Michael O’Connor- Bank of Scotland(Ireland) Sponsor

Colm Tucker - Bank Of Scotland (Ireland), Elaine Ryan- Corporate Catering Services, Tom Neenan- Bank Of Scotland (Ireland)

Michael O’Connor- Bank Of Scotland (Ireland) – Sponsor,Maria Gilsenan- Melior Management, Kristan Schnittger- Kings Shoes, Maria Gorman Skelly -Limerick Strand Hotel.

Colm O Brian- Carambolakidz, Karl Daly- Karl Daly Pension Investments, Brian Cooney - Sila Consultancy, David Burke- Platform Web, Nick Whittome - NTES.

Tom Shanahan & Louise O’Hara - Radission SAS Hotel & Spa

Pat Kearney - Rooney Auctioneers, Maura McMahon-Limerick Chamber, Gordon Kearney - Rooney Auctioneers

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BL | NEWS

Smart Telecom exits examinership Smart Telecom (“Smart”), an Irish provider of voice, data and media communications services, recently announced that the Irish High Court (the “Court”) has approved a range of proposals which will enable Smart to exit the Examinership process as a viable member of the Digiweb Group. Smart will continue to provide telecommunications services to Irish residential, business and public sector customers. The effective date of the exit was Friday, 11 December 2009. Smart entered the Examinership process on 31 August, 2009 in order to restructure its balance sheet and to secure a strategic investment. The proposals approved by the Court include a restructuring of Smart’s balance sheet and the acquisition of the entire business and residential customer base and assets of Smart by Digiweb, the national telecommunications and managed services provider. The transaction brings together two

EBITDA positive businesses with annual revenue approaching €40 million and over 150 employees. The enlarged Digiweb Group becomes the leading, independent Irish telecommunications company and significantly enhances the scale and scope of the combined Digiweb-Smart service offering. Smart Telecom employees will move during December to Digiweb’s Blanchardstown head office. Brendan Hunt, CFO, Smart Telecom said: “We are delighted to have achieved this restructuring combined with an investment from Digiweb which has resulted in our successful exit from Examinership. Smart emerges with a substantially stronger balance sheet and operating profile. The business will be EBITDA positive and profitable and has no debt maturities for a number of years. The prospect of combining our existing business with Digiweb is exciting and we look forward to the opportunities this presents. We would like to thank all of our

Digiweb managing director, Colm Piercy

employees, suppliers and customers who have remained dedicated and supportive of the Company during this process. Colm Piercy, CEO, Digiweb: “We welcome the Smart employees to our team and, together with them, look forward to extending our combined market leading services to a growing customer base across each of the residential, corporate and Government sectors of the market.”

Cleaning for good health – otherwise it’s sick, sick, sick! With the advent of the Swine Flu Pandemic, MRSA, C Diff and all the other health threats being dealt with as we speak, the importance of good hygiene, and effective cleaning has never been more apparent. For organizations, big or small, whether a hospital or an office, the importance of keeping the workforce healthy has a direct impact on controlling costs, production levels, overtime and stress levels. In addition, the pressure on the doctors, hospitals and health professionals is reduced when the number of people getting sick is reduced. Green cleaning, in conjunction with good hygiene habits, is the perfect solution for any workplace or institution. The products are varied enough to cover all routine cleaning jobs. The disinfectants are proven to kill a wide range of bacteria, viruses and germs, including H1N1. These chemicals contain no dyes, strong odours or perfumes, no VOC’s, are ex42

tremely economical to use, and are designed to improve the Indoor Air Quality where they are used, so that persons with respiratory problems are not adversely affected by the cleaning activities taking place. In times where increased cleaning activity is required to prevent the spread of germs, this could become a problem for some individuals. We stock a full range of effective cleaning

chemicals, Green Solutions, janitorial supplies and toiletries. Save money and time using Spartan Cleaning & Maintenance Solutions. We also provide a full range of cleaning services to all industries. Ask your contract cleaner to use Spartan Green Solutions, ask us for a quote for cleaning, or purchase Cleaning Solutions on 061 400 626 or 087 914 056 www.businesslimerick.ie

BL | FINANCE

Horwath Bastow Charleton

The Examinership Process By BrianMcEnery

2009 has certainly been a year of the Examiner. For those unfamiliar with the Examinership process the 1990 Companies Act, as amended, allows companies to seek Court protection from their creditors to allow them devise and launch a rescue plan. A company is awarded High Court protection from the moment the Examinership petition is presented in the Central Office of the High Court. Once protection is granted the examiner has up to 70 days (this can be extended to 100 days) to present a plan to service the company and deal with creditors. This leads invariably to a substantial write down of creditor balances. New capital, and frequently additional management resources, are introduced to strengthen the company.

utilised more into the future. It allows for a minority of creditors (25%) to be crammed down if the ¾ majority of creditors approve a scheme of arrangement. This can avoid the necessity of going for Court protection. Informal schemes of arrangement, share much of their methodology with Court-approved Examinerships. One of the most high profile cases in 2009 was the Liam Carroll group of companies and their failure to secure Court protection in the form of Examinership. On reflection this was a little surprising but not completely so. The scale of the group was such that it seemed implausible that it would collapse however the Carroll Group is now crumbling and a number of companies have receivers appointed. There are a few important lessons to be learned from the Carroll Group’s demise, as follows:

At least one class of creditors must approve the scheme of arrangement. The High Court Justice can then - if they so wish - make it binding on the creditors. The company is lifted out of Examinership and resumes normal trading. 1. It’s the old Joseph Kennedy phrase – “it’s time to get out of the market when you are There were 60 Examinerships for the period receiving tips from the shoeshine boy.” Not to the 1st December this year. This com- easily done when it appears so easy to make pares to 62 for the full 12 months of 2008 money, but there is a ring of truth in it. Propand 30 for 2007. erty development was rampant and it drove land prices to ridiculous levels. Total Examinership By Year 2. Don’t use your auditor to prepare the Independent Accountants Report (IAR). The 70 Court places a lot of weight on the IAR and 60 50 it appears it would prefer if it came from 40 somebody other than the auditor. 30 3. Do ensure the Independent Accountant 2007 2008 2009 20 10 expresses his own opinion about the prospects of survival and ensure he does not rely While, by definition, there are no records on the opinion of other experts e.g. estate kept of the number of informal schemes of agents. It is similar to ISA 620 “Using the arrangement, I have seen a number of these work of an Auditor’s Expert” this ISA states being completed, particularly for smaller that although you may retain the services of companies that cannot afford the Examiner- an expert, it ultimately is the responsibility ship process. Informal Schemes of Arrange- of the auditor to express their opinion. ment are undertaken without protection of 4. Despite the pressure of time, do ensure the Court and are more suitable to smaller the Independent Accountant is convinced of companies unable to sustain the cost of the commercial viability of the business if seeking formal Court protection. A rela- reasonable obstacles can be overcome. He tively unknown and unutilized section of the should include details of any conditions that Companies Act 1963 is Section 279 which need to be overcome as part of the Examindeals with informal schemes of arrangement ership process in his report. These need to and I believe this is a provision which will be be plausible. www.businesslimerick.ie

5. Ensure the IAR is thorough and well thought out. Our High Court Judiciary are experienced enough to spot ill-prepared reports and will reject them where appropriate. 6. Where possible try to have fixed chargeholder approval and support in advance of the presentation of the petition. 7. Finally, it is vital to be able to show adequate working capital for the period of the Examinership and indeed strong evidence of the ability to secure recapitalisation capital when the company exits from Court protection. The status of Examinership is jealously protected by the High Court and it is appropriate that it should not be abused. Hence it is vital that business owners - and their advisors - understand how to make the best use of the Examinership process. In conclusion the Examinership process is one which offers viable companies a real opportunity to address trading issues and carefully implement a restructuring strategy. However the High Court is not to be fooled and will not grant protection lightly so any petitions placed before it need to be rigorous with detailed cash flow projections, an executable strategy and submitted by a reputable independent professional. For smaller companies, informal schemes of arrangement are the way to go.

BrianMcEnery

BL | NEWS

‘Between the Three Bridges’ Launched By PJ Taylor Limerick author, PJ Taylor transformed the site of his former childhood home on Upper Carey’s Road, to replicate what it would have looked like during his childhood in the 1950s, as a publicity stunt as he launched his first published book ‘Between the Three Bridges’. PJ Taylor recently launched his book, which recounts his childhood memories on Limerick’s city south side, at the Imperial Bar, Upper Carey’s Road.

to open a chemist shop on O’Connell Street, which is now Whelan’s Cameras, in 1958. “On one or two occasions Mr Whelan gave my father the loan of a silent movie film projector at Christmas time. This of course this caused great excitement in our house and also Upper Carey’s Road. Queues of neighbours would wait outside our front door while twenty or more would arrive into our very small kitchen to watch ‘Mr Magoo’, ‘Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves’ and ‘Round Six of ‘Rocky Maciano’ knocking out the ‘Black Bomber’ Joe Louis.

The childhood memoirs of life on Upper Carey’s Road begins with PJ’s mother “going to confession on the third week of No- Also featured in the much-anticipated book vember 1947 at the Franciscan Church is well-known Limerick fishmonger, Rene in Henry Street and being thrown out by Cusack, who used to have a fish shop in the priest. I also wrote about our time in No 9 Bedford Row to the time my father borrowed £5 to buy the key of No 82 Upper Carey’s Rd and that’s where the fun starts,” said PJ.

Bedford Row. Known at the time as the ‘Grimsby fish stores’, it currently trades in Alphonsus Street as Rene Cusack, run by his son Paul. “Every St Patrick’s day my father would convert Mr Cusack’s fish truck into a float for the parade. One year he made a cave out of dark grey paper artificial rocks and seaweed. Mrs Cusack made a large fish’s tail and my father sat into it with a blonde wig, lipstick, some make up, and a large ladies hairbrush and hand mirror. He had no teeth and was a right sight,” PJ remembered. Between the Three Bridges can be purchased in all good bookstores or directly from PJ Taylor by contacting him on 0851235773.

“It was a great six years before the builders moved in around 1958 and flattened the place to make way for the new houses that stand in there place today. Our next house in Garryowen looked like a hotel compared to the damp musty house we had lived in. It was nearly ready to fall down around us. I also wrote about my time in St Joseph’s boy scouts and the hard times in Christian Brothers, Sextons Street and ends the day I walked out on June 30, 1962.” One of the many tales in the book features Michael Whelan, a man PJ’s father helped

PJ Taylor, Pat O’Sullivan, Mick Noonan, Margeret and John Bromell and Nora Bourke, at the Launch of Between the Three Bridges at the Imperial Bar.

Author, PJ Taylor with JJ Cashman, Jack Saunders at the Launch of his Book at the Imperial Bar.

Nora Gray, Maire and Kevin Keogh, at the Launch of the Book, Between the Three Bridges, at the Imperial Bar.

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........................................................................................................................... BL | RESTAURANT OF THE MONTH

Variety is the Spice of Life We started with mouth watering Tandoori K i n g Prawns, M e a t Samosa, Deep friend parcels of Lamb mince & peas, Sheek Kebabs and Onion Bhaji.

Our restaurant featured this month is the Royal Dorbar in the Cornmarket area. The investment in Cornmarket area has seen this area reinvent itself to an area with really good bars, clubs and a selection of very good restaurants thrive in this attractive location. The Royal Dorbar restaurant is ideally situated in the city centre and is well known f o r

quality Indian cuisine which acknowledges the traditional Indian cuisine but continually strives to evolve and adapt new avenues for their customers. We visited Royal Dorbar on a weekend evening and the buzz both inside and on the street was electric. Greeted by proprietor Ano Warul Haque, who welcomed us into his most inviting restaurant and advised of his house specialities. He established the restaurant in 2005 and he is proud of the varieties his menu features, with regional North and South Indian cuisines that boast classic vegetarian options that compliment the non-vegetarian options. Royal Dorbar has a good wine selection and on Ano’s suggestion, we opted for a wonderful Australian Chardonnay, Rosemount Estate.

For Main course Ano treated us to his House Special Chicken Handi, Boneless chicken cooked in Handi dish, Lamb chilli Bhuna, medium hot lamb pieces in a delicious sauce; King Prawn Sagwala, cooked in mild spices with spinach and his wonderful Tandoori Mix Special, chicken tikka, sheek kebabs and king prawn served with nan bread. Basmati rice, pilau rice and a variety of nan breads including coriander, keema and garlic nan accompanied the main courses. Homemade Ice-cream selection and freshly ground coffee complemented this excellent meal. This was a most enjoyable meal experienced in attractive surroundings. The quality of the food and the excellent choice in their menu preparation is commendable. ‘Variety is the spice of life’ and the variety of flavour here is unique. The service is excellent and the royal Dorbar is definitely worth a visit. You can book a table here by telephoning 061-404795 open Monday to Sunday 5pm11pm. There is a special early bird sitting served 5-7pm.

BL | ARTS

A Guide to Good Engineering Safety, Troubleshooting, Fault Finding & Maintenance Practices

Aladdin at LIT Millennium Theatre ‘The Widown Twanky’ (Myles Breen) from ‘Aladdin’ by Centre Stage Theatre School, meets Declan Moylan, Limerick Independent. The show will take place at the LIT Millennium Theatre Dec 27-Jan 10. Tickets at www.litmt.ie . Photo: Kieran Clancy / Picsure © 1312/09

Widow Twanky (Myles Bren) visiting staff of Limerick Independent

Local Limerick talent in Aladdin By Brendan Shine This book was created to assist those who have to deal with intermittent engineering faults and have the time to write down all the possible ‘cause and effect’ actions and conditions and make decisions with others on the best possible solution to a problem. It was also created to assist personnel who are at the ‘coal face’ of the plant’s large industrial equipment day in, day out, where they have to ‘think on their feet’ and sometimes have to make quick decisions in stressful and potentially hazardous situations. Above all else, no matter what situation you may find yourself in, it is vital before you take any steps to resolve a problem, stop, think and remind yourself of your intended actions, what do you want to achieve and ultimately consider the outcomes of those same actions. 46

CentreStage Productions is preparing to create many magical moments this Christmas at Aladdin its panto spectacular,. The show, which runs at LIT Millennium Theatre, Limerick from Sunday December 27 to Sunday January 10, will feature lots of Limerick stars on the big stage this festive season. With Dame Myles Breen as Widow Twanky, Hollie O’Donoghue as Yasmin, Jamie Sheehan as Aladdin, Limerick Rose Sharon Kennedy as the Genie and Aidan Crowe as Abanazar there will be plenty of Limerick talent on the LITMT stage. “It is very important to bring local Limerick talent onto the stage and as always this is a very local production. We have a large cast of Limerick children in the chorus from the ages of 7 to 13 years and we also have a very strong teenage chorus. We think that it’s critical to keep the standard high, as what we are producing is a local contribution to the atmosphere of Christmas in the city and county,” explained Richie Ryan, the show‘s producer and director. Playing the lead role of Aladdin is Limerick teenager Jamie Sheehan. “This is my first big role in a panto. I have done musicals including Hairspray, High School Musical

and Back to the 80s and I am a member of the Cecilian and Limerick Musical Societies”, stated Jamie who is very busy rehearing for the show and studying for his exams in Mary Immaculate College! Playing the part of the beautiful Princes Yasmin is well known Limerick star Hollie O’Donoghue. Hollie is no stranger to the stage having just finished playing the role of Peggy Sawyer in 42nd Street. Hollie was nominated for an AIMS award for her role as Millie in Thoroughly Modern Millie and is founder of a new dance group Precision Cut. Treading the boards for the first time this Christmas is Limerick Rose Sharon Kennedy who will play the part of the Genie and Limerick actor Aidan Crowe who will play the role of Abanazar. According to script writer Mike Finn it is very important to get that mix of comedy and action just right. “Aladdin will have the same mayhem, fun and excitement that always makes the panto such an hilarious show for all the family. The thing is that we try to have enough colour, fun and excitement to keep the kids entertained while also including jokes and political gags for the adults. That way it works for everyone”, stated the award winning writer. www.businesslimerick.ie

BL | ARTRITE

The Showband Show to top them all! Reeling In The Showband Years is the Showband Show to top them all! Starring some of the people who were there from the very beginning of this magical era, Reeling In The Showband Years will be hosted by RTÉ’s Ronan Collins who will also perform his acclaimed tributes to Joe Dolan and Dickie Rock! Setting the UCH stage alight on the night will be greats including Paddy Cole, founder member of The Capitol Showband who dominated the scene right through the 60’s with their big brassy sound and Paddy’s virtuoso Sax and Clarinet playing. Tommy and Jimmy Swarbrigg will be there reliving all their old hits –being the very first showband stars to write and record all their own material - including “Looking Through The Eyes Of A Beautiful Girl”, “If Ma Could See Me Now”, “It’s Nice To Be In Love Again” and “That’s What Friends Are For”. Sean Dunphy, the velvet voiced crooner who had a huge hit at The Eurovision Song Contest with “If I could choose” will be there together with Sean O’Dowd who was a member of one of the biggest drawing bands in Ireland in the 1970s - “You Are No Angel” was just one of his many

hit records! The Conquerors Showband was one of the greats Showbands of them all and they are still packing them in everywhere they go while Lorraine McDonald is one of the brightest talents to emerge from the later days of the Showband Boom. A terrific vocalist and a multi-instrumentalist, Lorraine brings glamour and glitz to this great show. Lead singer with The Victors Showband, Art Supple, will also join this amazing line up. His great big voice covered everything from Tom Jones to Englebert Humperdinck and he had a huge hit with “Showbands On Parade” where he paid tribute to all the Showband greats! So come along to UCH this January and

relive one of the greatest eras in Irish music! The grand finale will see the all star cast join together on stage for a medley of songs from this exiting era… not to be missed!

Around the World in 80 Recipes causes a stir in Limerick! The Limerick School Project, National School has launched a new cook book ‘Around the World in 80 Recipes’ at the school’s annual Winter Fair recently. The book is a collection of tried and tested, much loved family recipes written and illustrated by the children of the Limerick School Project and their families. In 1986, the concept of a “multi-denominational, child-centered, co-educational and democratically run” school was set in motion when a group of foresighted parents met in Cruise’s Hotel and the Limerick School Project came into existence in 1989. Now well established in O’Connell Avenue, during the 2009-2010 school year we are celebrating 20 years of LSP. This book, as part of these celebrations, is much more than a collection of delicious recipes: it is a reflection of how culturally www.businesslimerick.ie

inclusive the Limerick School Project really is with the 80 recipes reflecting over 20 different nationalities attending the school. The initiative is also part of the fundraising efforts of parents to enhance facilities and resources within the school for their children. It is a book about sharing and there’s a great sense of fun behind many of the stories and illustrations connected with the recipes. So let your taste buds travel the globe by making and sampling some of the wonderful recipes in this book. Around the World in 80 Recipes will be available from the Limerick School Project and a number of retail outlets in Limerick City including O’Mahony’s Bookshop, Eats of Eden, Bobby Byrne’s store(O’Connell Ave.), The Edge and the Organic Store at The Limerick Milk Market.

BL | NEWS

Petrol Station owner fights back in war on ‘drive-offs’ With a surge in the number of ‘drive-offs’ across the country, one petrol station owner in Co.Cork has refused to take it lying down. Grandon’s Petrol Station installed the aptly named ‘Big Brother’ system this week, which targets potential thieves before they fill up as well as reporting new perpetrators to the local gardai immediately. Martin Grandon, owner of Grandon’s of Glanmire noted a surge in the number of cases of ‘drive-offs’, whereby a motorist drives off a forecourt without paying for the fuel. He explained, “We noticed a real increase in the number of drive-offs since the recession kicked in. In the past we probably had about one driveoff a week, it’s more like one or two a day now. That’s close to €50,000 a year in stolen fuel.” The economic downturn and a lack of prosecutions from the gardai for the offence are thought to be major contributors to the dramatic rise in the number of incidents across the country. Recent reports suggested a staggering 300%

rise in the number of drive-offs in the last 12 months. Research carried out by the Convenience Stores and Newsagent Association (CSNA) found that service stations nationwide are losing an average of 4,000 euro per year, with one member reporting a loss of €167,000 in the period. Martin installed the country’s first Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) system this week to help reduce the number of drive-offs on his garage forecourt. The ‘Big Brother’ system targets potential thieves before they fill up as well as reporting new perpetrators to the local gardai immediately. The system tracks any vehicles entering the forecourt, following the vehicle and motorist with highspeed digital cameras. The ANPR system kicks in once the motorist picks up the nozzle. It electronically reads the number plate and simultaneously compares it with a ‘blacklist’ database. If it matches any of the registration plates on the list the cashier is immediately notified and

can stop the pump from dispensing fuel. The ‘blacklist’ contains a list of known offenders as well as customers who have a record of being aggressive or abusive to staff in the past. ANPR style solutions are commonplace across Europe and are known to be of particular benefit to police forces across the continent. Since they hold a digital record and database of all vehicles refuelling at petrol stations, it allows the police to track down stolen cars, cars used in robberies and other serious crimes easily without having to trawl through days of video footage.

Fly to Cheltenham Top ACCA employer awards for with Aer Arann Horwath Bastow Charleton Racing fans can now fly direct to Cheltenham in fewer furlongs with Aer Arann’s dedicated daily return flights to Gloucester airport, located just six miles from the racecourse. The flights are available for the 16th, 17th, 18th and 19th March 2010 from €149* return including taxes. Flights depart Dublin airport at 9.15am each morning returning from Gloucester airport at 8pm that evening. So whether you’re an avid racer planning to travel for the four days or you simply want to catch a day return flight over and back you now have the option. Aer Arann is also allowing passenger name changes up to 24 hours before departure FREE of charge. Aer Arann customers enjoy the benefits of free checked luggage and hand luggage, online or airport check in, shorter check in times and allocated seating, all free of charge. To make a booking visit www.AerArann.com. Customers can call the Aer Arann reservations centre on 0818 210 210. For additional information visit www.gloucestershireairport.co.uk. 48

Limerick Accountants & Business Advisors Horwath Bastow Charleton has received a top employer award from ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants). Corporate Finance Partners Ger Blake (FCCA) & Brian McEnery (FCCA) were presented by ACCA Ireland with ACCA Platinum Approved Employer status in recognition of the commitment and support given to their trainees studying for the ACCA Qualification. Ger Blake, Una McShane and Brian McEnery.

Horwath’s Ger Blake said on receiving the award, “A key foundation of our company’s success is the capability of our people. ACCA’s accreditation challenges us to maintain the highest quality development structures and its approval for trainee development programmes helps us ensure that our staff are continuously being challenged in their work. We strive at all times to provide training and development that ensures we continue to attract the highest calibre trainee accountants to our organisation.”

Ms Una McShane, ACCA Training Manager, said: ‘In the current climate employees are increasingly considering the importance of continuous training and development. ACCA’s professional development and trainee schemes provide a benchmark of good practice to employers and employees around the world. It gives Horwath Bastow Charleton professional recognition for the quality of support and training they invest in their employees”. www.businesslimerick.ie

BL | SPORT

A who’s who of golf to compete in JP Mc Manus Pro-Am By Mal Keaveney TROUBLED Tiger Woods aside, a stellar cast of players have committed themselves to competing in the latest edition of the JP McManus Invitational Pro-Am at Adare Manor Hotel & Golf Resort next July (5th/6th). Last month’s winner of the Chervon World Challenge, Jim Furyk, is one of the latest stars to announce his participation in the €1 million two-day tournament. The victory in the World Challenge brought to an end a 24 months winning drought for Furyk, a 39-year-old American who has career earnings of $40 million-plus since turning professional back in 1992. Furyk’s greatest triumph came courtesy of his 2003 US Open Championship. Three-time Major Winner Ernie Els is another bound for Adare. British Open champion at Muirfield in 2002, Els – knows as The Big Easy for his graceful swing – captured the US Open in 1994 and again three years later. Winner of Nedbank Challenge and Australian PGA last season, the well-traveled Robert Allenby has also pledged his support for this Summer’s sporting extravaganza. Also lined-up for Adare are European Number One Lee Westwood, Paul Casey and the colourful Ian Poulter. 2009 was a terrific season for Westwood through his victories in the Portugal Masters and the tour-ending Dubai World Championship. A mainstay of the European Tour since 1994, he previously topped the Order of Merit in 2000 and has played Ryder Cup on six occasions. CASEY won three times on tour last year – he retained the Abu Dhabi Championship and was also successful in the BMW PGA Championship and the Shell Houston Open in the United States. With eight career wins, Poulter – a two time Ryder Cup player – is also one of the game’s top-ranked performers. The home challenge is headed by defending champion Padraig Harrington and Rory www.businesslimerick.ie

McIlory, who recently became the youngest player to enter the World Top Ten. Harrington, who waited until he was 24 to join the paid ranks, has become the leading European player of his generation with three Major Championship already in the prize cabinet. He first captured the British Open Championship at Carnoustie in 2007 and retained the Claret Jug a year later at Birkdale, and followed-up by becoming the first European player in almost 80 years to lift the Wanamaker Trophy (US PGA Championship). Harrington has accumulated over €20 million in career earnings. “This is an unbelievable event with a great sense of local community participation and achievement,” commented Harrington. “Everybody who gets involved behind the scenes is here in a voluntary capacity to help make a difference to peoples’ lives and I am thrilled to be associated with the event. I am hugely looking forward to enjoying 36 holes of golf in good company, and of course, trying to defend the title.” AT JUST 15, McIlroy made a bold statement of his massive potential when he

became the youngest winner of the Irish Close Championship. Five years later he has finished only his second full season on tour and won his first professional title at the Dubai Desert Classic. Of the quality field, JP McManus said: “We are delighted that players of such high calibre who have shown their magnificent skills all around the world have agreed to give up their time to play in the tournament. For the first time, spectators will have the pleasure to witness the skills of new stars such as Rory McIlroy, who has taken the sport by storm since turning professional only a little over two years ago.” He added: “The Pro-Am provides an opportunity to focus on the less fortunate in society and direct funds where they are most needed. Much of the work undertaken by these charities is done without publicity and attention, and their daily needs can easily be overlooked.” The aim of the JP McManus Invitational Pro-Am, which began at Limerick GC exactly 20 years ago, is to raise funds for various deserving causes and charities in the mid-west region. Since 1990, the event has raised a staggering €55 million, with more than €30 million raised alone five years ago at Adare. Fifty four teams (one professional and three amateurs) will compete in the tournament A staggering 50,000 attended the ProAm when it was last held in 2005. Entrance is through the purchase of a coloured cap priced at €50 available at selected stores in the mid-west and on line at www.jpmcmanusproam.com. GREEN FEE rates at the Robert Trent Jones (senior) designed Adare GC have been retained at an attractive €80, which represents spectacular value as is also includes a complimentary entrance cap (value €50) to JP McManus Invitational Pro-Am. Bookings can be made at 061/ 605274. XX

BL | RUGBY

The Mighty Men of Munster By Mick Galwey

Mick Galwey

Stade Aime Giral has become known as the ‘bear pit’ and looking down from my commentary position on the half way line I was thinking about scenes from the film ‘Gladiator’. The crowd were baying for a sacrifice and Munster was to be the sacrificial lamb. Paul led his men back out onto the field to be greeted by more boos, drum rolls and cat calls. Munster captain Paul O’Connell, a determined look in his eyes, led his team from the pitch at Stade Aime Giral. The players had just completed their familiar warm up routine prior to kick off in a very hostile atmosphere. Perpignan is a very proud team and their supporters just don’t expect them to be beaten at home. They are the reigning French Champions and they had an unbeaten home record this season. They beat their drums, booed and shouted at the Munster team and they seemed to take a particular dislike to Munster’s ace goal kicker Ronan O’Gara as every time he touched the ball they increased the noise level to deafening proportions. This was all happening before kickoff and we wondered what was in store for Munster in the actual match. The Munster fans, some 2000 of them, were herded together in one corner of the ground. Munster supporter Niall Naughton told me that the fans were even stopped taking their flags into the stadium. “The guys on the gates told us in broken English that the sticks on our flags would not be allowed in the ground” said Niall. “They also put groups of Perpignan school kids in our section thinking they could cheer louder than us, but we out cheered 50

them at the end of the game and some of them even left before the full time whistle” said Niall.

Ronan O’Gara lined up his first penalty kick at goal and Charlie Mulqueen of the Irish Examiner, my co commentator for Limerick’s Live 95 FM, and myself couldn’t hear ourselves speak. It was a bear pit all right but the Munster team were not one bit intimidated. ROG landed that kick and went on to have a controlling influence on the match. Perpignan equalised with a penalty from their scrum half Mele but once Denis Fogerty got in for a try which Ronan converted we began to sense that it might be Munster’s day. The Munster scrum was rock solid and Tomas O’Leary was given the platform to dictate play with his well placed box kicks. Munster also dominated the line out where Paul O’Connell was a colossus. Paul would surly get a masters in line out play if there was such a degree. He spends hours studying videos of opposing teams line out ploys and he is lethal when it comes to the second game against Heineken Cup teams. Line outs are like poker and once a team has shown its hand in the first game, Paul and his forwards pounce in the next match.

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BL | RUGBY

The Munster back row was outstanding. Alan Quinlan is playing like he was ten years ago. David Wallace was everywhere and Denis Leamy had his best game of the season. In the first game between the sides Paul called a lot of ball to Donncha O’Callaghan standing at two in the line out but he changed those tactics last Sunday and instead took the majority of balls himself at four. He probably thought that Perpignan would be ready for the two ball or then again he may have decided to give Donncha a rest as the handsome second row got married the day after in Cork. Donncha has been one of the pin up boys of the Munster team and I know many girls will be distraught that their hero is single no more. Munster went on to dominate the second half of the game with tries from Denis Hurley, Jean de Villiers and Doug Howlett. Howlett’s try was the icing on the cake as it gave us the fourth try and the extra bonus point. It also silenced the Perpignan drums as even the drummers had had enough by then and some of them had left the stadium. The try was the most clinical of the day with Ronan O’Gara putting in the sweetest of grubber kicks that Barry McGann would have been proud of. Howlett delayed his run for just a split second and hovered over the ball like a vulture to eventually pounce for the try. Munster sportingly applauded off the Perpignan team but they still received a few boos from the French fans. However I think most of the jeering was directed at the referee and his assistants. Paul O’Connell then led his players down to the corner of the pitch to applaud the Munster supporters. The Munster captain is always loud in his praise for the teams travelling supporters. “It can’t be easy in these recessionary times to dig deep into their pockets to pay out for these trips” he said. “We could hear them shouting for us during the game and we very much appreciate their loyalty and support”.

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BL | NEWS

SIMI press release – Budget 2010

UL joins with global leader in aerospace

The SIMI (Society of the Irish Industry) welcomes the decision by Government to implement a Scrappage Scheme to stimulate the 2010 motor trade. As the representative body for the Motor Industry in Ireland, the SIMI has been highlighting the need for a stimulus in the market since July 2008. Since January ‘08, the scale of the downturn was such that the Motor industry has lost nearly a quarter of its workforce.

The University of Limerick (UL) continues to lead the way in Irish aerospace research. A recent visit to the UL facilities aims to further forge links with global leader in aerospace, EADS. Currently employing over 118,000 people across the world, EADS group includes Airbus, one of the world’s largest manufacturers of commercial and military aircraft, Eurocopter, the world’s largest helicopter manufacturer, and EADS Astrium, the European leader in space programmes from Ariane to Galileo.

SIMI President Mike Finlay welcomed the incentive, noting “this new scrappage incentive, allied to the reduction in the VAT rate, will renew confidence among motor retailers. Based on our experience of the last scrappage scheme I have no doubt that it will be a success, with the added benefit of improving Ireland’s environmental performance as older cars will be replaced by new environmentally friendly vehicles”. The Scrappage Scheme is being introduced with effect from 1 January 2010, running until 31st December 2010. The scheme makes provision for VRT relief of up to €1,500 applicable to new cars of emission bands A or B (i.e. with CO2 emissions of 140g/km or less). The Minister has opened up this scheme to cars 10 years or older of which there are 600,000; more than double the number applicable during the last Scrappage Scheme. The existing VRT exemption for series production electric vehicles and the VRT relief of up to €2,500 for series production plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (both of which are due to expire on 31 December 2010) are being extended for two years until 31 December 2012. 52

Speaking about UL’s aerospace research programme, Dr Trevor Young, co-director of the Composites Research Centre (CRC) said; “The University of Limerick based Composites Research Centre and Stokes Institute have an excellent track record in aerospace research, having participated in 10 EC funded research programmes to date.” The Stokes Institute and the Composites Research Centre at UL have received a joint research grant of €1.4million for one of the biggest aerospace projects of recent years, MAAXIMUS. The project is part of a 57 partner €67M project funded under the European Commission’s 7th Framework programme, led by Airbus.

Dr Trevor Young; co-director of the Composites Research Centre and Dr Conor McCarthy, Course Director for the Aeronautical Engineering.

sation). This involves 59 European aerospace companies, research organisations and Universities with a total budget of €55.5M. Dr David Newport of the Stokes Institute is leading UL’s participation in the MAAXIMUS and CRESCENDO projects; “We have been working with Airbus since 2003 with a number of successful projects examining thermal effects in aircraft wings, fuel tanks and engine pylons. Both MAAXIMUS and CRESCENDO projects have a strong focus on thermal analysis, and UL’s expertise was a natural fit.”

Dr Conor McCarthy, Course Director for the Aeronautical Engineering programme and leading the 0.9M€ structures activities on the MAAXIMUS project said; “Our involvement in projects of this magnitude gives further support to Ireland’s reputation as a leader in this field of research. Through industry, academic and research partnerships a collaborative environment can be created that will generate worldleading developments for the aerospace research. Such developments also naturally filter down to the class room and significantly add to the student experience”

UL offers the only Bachelor of Engineering, Aeronautical Engineering course in the republic of Ireland and has developed strong links in undergraduate placement and support of PhD research with EADS. Over the years, in the region of 100 UL students have been recruited for placement opportunities at EADS and the group currently co-funds a number of PhD researchers at the University of Limerick through the Irish Research Council for Science, Engineering and Technology’s Enterprise Partnership Scheme in the areas of stress analysis of composite materials.

A second major European project led by Airbus which Stokes Institute are participating in is CRESCENDO (Collaborative and Robust Engineering using Simulation Capability Enabling Next Design Optimi-

EADS is currently looking for a number of highly talented graduate engineers or PhDs to join the EADS group of companies - Airbus, Eurocopter, EADS Astrium and EADS Defence and Security. www.businesslimerick.ie

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Grant Thornton Chartered Accountants, Mill House, Henry St, Limerick. Tel: 061 314622 / 061 312744 Fax: 061 317691 / 061 418038 Email: limerick@grantthornton.ie Web: www.grantthornton.ie HDS Partnership Registered Auditors – Accountants – Tax Consultants – Business Advisors 2nd Floor,RiverPoint, Lower Mallow Street, Limerick. Tel: 061 445000 Fax: 061 445060 E-mail: mail@hds.ie Web: www.hds.ie Horwath Bastow Charleton Accountants and Business Advisors Horwath House, The Red Church, Henry St. Limerick. Tel: 061 310311 Fax: 061 318899 E-mail: info@horwath.ie Web: www.hbcl.ie Moore Stephens Patrick McNamara Accountants and Business Advisors Pamdohlen House, Dooradoyle Road, Limerick. Tel: 061 229666 Fax: 061 302144 Email: info@msmcnamara.ie Web: www.mspatrickmcnamara.ie John Quirke & Co. Racefield House, Dooradoyle, Limerick. Tel: 061 301260 Fax: 061 307863 Email: jonhquirkeandco@eircom.net O’Donovan Caulfield Lavin 1 Mt. Kenneth Place, Henry St, Limerick. Tel: 061 411000 Fax: 061 411001 E-mail: info@odcl.ie O’Hurley Blair Irwin 3rd Floor, Mount Kenneth House, Henry St, Limerick. Tel: 061 401122 Fax: 061 401144 E-mail: info@obi.ie Web: www.obi.ie Joe Littleton & Co. Dangan Tulla Co.Clare Tel: 065 6835407 Fax:065 6835407

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Email: josephlittleton@eircom.net Web: www.jflconsultancy.com Sage Accredited Trainer ACCOUNTANCY COURSES BPP Professional Services 89 O’Connell Street. Limerick Tel: 061 310884 Fax: 061 310984 Email: limerickreception@bpp.com Web: www.bpp.com/ireland ADVERTISING AGENCY Southern Advertising Killoran House, Catherine Place, Limerick. Tel: 061 310286 Fax: 061 313013 Email: info@southernadlimk.com Web: www.southernad.ie Spark Marketing Communications 100 O’Connell St, Limerick. Tel: 061 409251 Fax: 061 409255 E-mail: info@sparkmarketing.ie Web: www.sparkmarketing.ie AIR CONDITIONING Batt O’Connor Air Conditioning Contact: Batt O’Connor Ballykenneddy, Ballingarry, Co.Limerick Tel: 069 68407 Fax: 069 68407 Mobile: 086 8122220 Email: bocac@eircom.net ARCHITECTS & BUILDING ENERGY RATING ASSESSORS Brian O’ Donoghue Tait Business Centre, Dominic St., Limerick. Tel: 061 410318 Fax: 061 414315 Mob: 086 8122271 E-mail: architecturalservices@eircom.net ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES, BUILDING ENERGY RATINGS ASSESSMENTS & PROJECT MANAGEMENT Absolute House Plans Ltd. Unit 72 Eastlink Business Park, Ballysimon Road, Limerick. Tel/Fax: 061 603700 Mob: 087 2957494 Email: info@absolutehouseplans.ie Web: www.absolutehouseplans.ie ARTISTS Una Heaton Tel: 086 3735015 Email: unaheaton@eircom.net Web: www.unaheatonart.com

Carmel T. Madigan Tel: 086 8197726 Email: ctmadigan@eircom.net Web: www.carmelmadigangallery.com AUCTIONEERS DTZ SHERRY FITZGERALD Hibernian House, 105 Henry Street, Limerick. Tel: 061 418111 Fax: 061 418112 Email: limerick@dtz.ie Web: www.dtz.ie

BUSINESS DIRECTORY

ACCOUNTANTS BDO Simpson Xavier Business and Financial Advisors 4 Michael Street, Limerick Tel: 061 414455 Fax: 061 414172 Email: info@bdosx-limerick.com Web: www.bdosx-limerick.com

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G.L Auctioneers, Valuers & Property Consultants 65 O’Connell Street, Limerick. Contact: Geraldine Leddin Tel: 061 467188 Fax: 061 467190 Email: info@propertylimerick.com Web: www.propertylimerick.com John Shaw Auctioneers M.I.P.A.V. 1 Lower Mallow Street, Limerick Tel: 061 311133 Fax: 061 314666 Email: john@johnshawauctioneers.com Web: www.johnshawauctioneers.com BAR, BISTRO & NIGHTCLUB Aubars 49-50 Thomas Street, Limerick. Tel: 061 317799 Fax: 061 317572 Email: sales@aubars.com Web: www.aubars.com BARS & NIGHTCLUBS Peter Clohesseys Bar & Sinbin Nightclub Howleys Quay, Limerick Tel: 061 468100 Fax: 061 404863 Email: eimear@peterclohessey.ie Web: www.peterclohessey.com BICYCLES The Bike Shop O’Connell Avenue, Limerick Tel: 061 315900 BISTRO The Cornstore, 19 Thomas Street, Limerick. Tel: 061 609 000/ 609 001 Fax: 061 409 334 Email: info@cornstorelimerick.com

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BUILDING CONTRACTORS Ace Services Glenameade Pallaskenry, Co. Limerick Tel: 061 393 049 or 061 393 982 Fax: 061 393 303 Email: aceservices@eircom.net

BUSINESS COACHES Action Coach Business Coaching Unit 1 C, Annacotty Business Park, Annacotty, Limerick. Tel: 061 338682 Fax: 061 338682 Email: joepower@actioncoach.com Web: www.actioncoach.com/joepower

BUILDING SUPPLIERS Ballysheedy Building Supplies Ballysheedy, Co. Limereick (next to ‘ Weigh In’ bar) Tel: 061 445660/ 061 445666 Mob: 087 2490666/ 087 6983444

BUSINESS ORGANISATIONS Limerick Chamber 96 O’ Connell St, Limerick Tel: 061 415180 Fax: 061 415785 Email: info@limerickchamber.ie Web: www.limerickchamber.ie

BURGLAR ALARMS & SECURITY SYSTEMS Clifford Security Alarms 16 Wickham Street, Limerick Tel: 061 313033 / 440151 Fax: 061 317412 Email: info@cliffordsecurity.com Web: www.cliffordsecurity.com

Shannon & District Chamber of Commerce Shannon Business Centre, Shannon, Co. Clare Tel: 061 360611 Fax: 061 360440 E-mail: admin@shannonchamber.ie Web: www.shannonchamber.ie

BUSINESS BANKING Allied Irish Bank (AIB) Contact: Kieran O’Regan Lower Cecil Street, Limerick Tel: 061 406200 Fax: 061 409002 Email: kieran.j.o’regan@aib.ie Web: www.aib.ie Bank of Ireland 125 O’ Connell St., Limerick Tel: 061 419791 Fax: 061 418554 E-mail: david_p.kennedy@boimail.com Bank Of Scotland Ireland Bank of Scotland House, Shannon Street, Limerick Tel: 061-209300 E-mail: info@bankofscotlandireland.ie Web: www.bankofscotlandireland.ie KBC Bank Ireland plc, Riverpoint, Bishops Quay, Limerick Tel: 061 448600 Fax: 061 468468 Email: damien.quigley@kbc.ie Web: www.kbc.ie Ulster Bank Midwest Business Centre 14 Henry Street, Limerick. Tel: 061 316757 Fax: 061 312971 E-mail: midwestbusinesscentre@ulsterbank.com Web: www.ulsterbank.com

BUSINESS SOFTWARE SOLUTIONS CompuCount Ltd. 18 Cois Luachra, Limerick. Tel: 061 305033 Fax: 061 305291 Email: sales@compucount.ie Web: www.compucount.ie BUSINESS TELEPHONE SYSTEMS Lantel Networks Ltd Roselawn House, National Technological Park, Limerick. Tel: 061 3503580 Fax: 061 350360 Email: info@lantel.ie Web: www.lantel.ie BUSINESS TRAINING ORGANISATION FAS FAS Services To Business Raheen Business Park, Raheen, Limerick Tel: 061-487975 Fax: 061-229447 E-Mail: des.murphy@mw.fas.ie Web: www.fas.ie CAR DEALERS Clareview Motors Ennis Road, Limerick Tel: 061 221000 Fax: 061 221060 E-mail: info@clareviewmotors.com Web: www.clareviewmotors.com

Lyons Of Limerick & Nenagh Main Ford Dealers, Ballysimon Road, Limerick Tel: 061 413344 / 067 33442 Fax: 061 413699 / 067 33436 E-mail: sales@lyonsoflimerick.com Web: www.lyonsoflimerick.com CARPETS & FLOORING Provincial Floor Coverings Raheen Business Park, Raheen, Limerick. Tel: 061-227100 Fax: 061-227000 E-Mail: sales@pfl.ie Web: www.pfl.ie CATERING Masterchefs Hospitality Epicurean House, Robert Street, Limerick Tel: 061 411522 Fax: 061 402021 Email: sales@mhm.ie Web: www.mhm.ie CCTV & ACCESS COMMUNICATIONS Advanced Monitoring No.2 Pillar House, Little Ellen St. Limerick Tel: 061 319 375 Fax: 061 311 805 Mobile: 087 2596955 / 087 2395039 Email: advancedmonitoring@eircom.net CHARTERED SURVEYORS, VALUE ENGINEERS, & PROJECT MANAGERS Bruce Shaw Partnership Bruce Shaw House, 6 Hartstonge Street, Limerick. Tel: 061 493515 Fax: 061 493516 E-Mail: contactus@bsplim.ie Web: www.bruceshaw.ie CLEANING Clean Habit B2 Smithstown Industrial Estate, Shannon, Co. Clare. Tel: 061 361461 Fax: 061 361868 Email: mary@cleanhabit.com Web: www.cleanhabit.com ISS Facilities Unit 11, Ashbourne Business Park Dock Road, Limerick Tel: 061 500300 Fax: 061 500301 Contact : Brian Kelly Mobile: 087 9159108 Email: brian.kelly@iss.ie Web: www.iss.ie

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COACH HIRE Martin’s of Limerick Annacotty Business Park, Biddyford, Annacotty, Co. Limerick. Tel: 061 333100 Fax: 061 333102 Email: martinscoaches@eircom.net Web: www.martinscoaches.ie COMPUTER NETWORKING SALES & SUPPORT Action Point Unit 8B, Plassey Enterprise Centre, National Technology Park, Limerick. Contact: David Jeffreys Tel: 061 337 632 Call-Save: 1850-ACTION/ 1850 228 466 Fax: 061 301 924 Email: info@actionpoint.ie Fitzpatrick Computer Group Mill House, Henry Street, Limerick Tel: 061 493300 Fax: 061 417219 Email: sales@fcg.ie Web: www.fcg.ie O’Connor Network Services (ONS) Ardnataggle, O’Briens Bridge, Co. Clare Tel: 061 343412 Fax: 061 343413 Mobile: 087 8118690 E-mail: info@ons.ie Web: www.ons.ie CONSTRUCTION Roadbridge Ltd Ballyclough, Ballysheedy, Co. Limerick Tel: 061 419855 Fax: 061 414767 E-mail: headoffice@roadbridge.ie Web: www.roadbridge.ie CORPORATE GIFTS Craft Innovations Corporate Gifts Ltd. 5 Quin Street, Limerick Tel: (061) 415198 Fax: (061) 415208 Email: info@craftinnovations.ie Web: www.craftinnovations.ie Friendship Wines & Hampers Contact: Joe Crowley Tel: 061 455225

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Mob: 087 7607495 Email: joe@friendshipwines.ie Web: www.friendshipwines.ie DISPLAY SignLynx Contact: Jack O’Loughlin Franklin Motor Yard, Cahernorry, Ballysimon, Limerick. Tel: 061 333736 Mob: 086 8094420 Fax: 061 333737 Email: jackoloughlin@signlynx.ie Web: www.signlynx.ie DRAINAGE & ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES Walsh Environmental Services Drainage & Environmental Specialists The Cottage, Lower Meelick, Co. Clare Tel: 061 325757 Fax: 061 325700 ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS Des Ryan Electrical Ballyneety, Co. Limerick Tel: 061 351643 Mobile: 087 9121561 Email: info@desryanelectrical.com Web: www.desryanelectrical.com EVENT MANAGEMENT Funireland Event Management Little Orchard, Dooneen, Crecora, Co. Limerick. Tel: 061 320292 Fax: 061 320294 Email: info@funireland.com Web: www.funireland.com Woulfe Event Management, Tower View House, Glenview Avenue, Farranshone, Limerick. Tel: 061 321979 Mob: 087 7631999 Email: woulfeeventmanagement@eircom.net Web: www.woulfemanagement.ie FINANCIAL CONTROL / ACCOUNTING / BOOK-KEEPING SERVICES Hogan Financial Management Ltd 50 O’Connell Street, Limerick Tel: 481444 Fax: 061 481445 Email: info@hoganfinancial.ie Web: www.hoganfinancial.ie Complete Financial Management 38 Roches Street Limerick Tel: 0818 333 680 Fax: 1890 886803 Email: enquiries@completefm.ie

FIRE ALARM SYSTEMS Prestige Detection Systems Limited Rathpalatine, Feohanagh, County Limerick Phone: 063 84920 Fax: 0865 254 5347 Email. Dave.enright@pdsl.ie Web: www.pdsl.ie FLORIST Flowers Forever Designer Florist Rachel & David Hannon Raheen Roundabout, Limerick. Tel: 061 307123 Fax: 061 307123 Email: flowers4ever@eircom.net Web: flowersforever.ie

BUSINESS DIRECTORY

CLEANING & MAINTENANCE SERVICE Elite Cleaning Service Rose Cottage, Woodpark, Castleconnell, Co. Limerick Tel: 061 372133 Fax: 061 372627 E-mail: elitecleaning@eircom.net Web: www.elite-contract-cleaning.com

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GLASS AND MIRRORS Mirror and Glassworx Unit 1b, Annacotty Business Park, Limerick. Tel: 061 333630 Mob: 087 2808184 Fax: 061 333631 Email: info@mirrorandglassworx.com Web: www.mirrorandglassworx.com GOLF COURSES Castletroy Golf Club, Golf Links Road, Castletroy, Limerick. Contact: Patrick Keane Tel: 061 335 753 Fax: 061 335 373 Email: manager@castletroygolfclub.ie Web: www.castletroygolfclub.ie Limerick Golf Club Ballyclough, Co. Limerick Tel: 061 414083 Fax: 061 319219 Email: lgc@eircom.net Web: www.limerickgc.com GRAPHIC DESIGN CONSULTANCY Optic Nerve Design Group The Mill, Glentworth Street, Limerick. Tel: 061 316955 Fax: 061 316965 E-mail: info@opticnerve.ie Web: www.opticnerve.ie GRAPHIC, WEB & WEB MARKETING IDF Marketing Ltd. Marine Village, Killaloe, Co.Clare Tel: 061 375412 Mob: 086 8176337 Email: info@idf.ie Web: www.idf.ie GRAPHIC & WEB DESIGN Customer Care Solutions Anne Sheehan, Harbour House, Locke Quay, Limerick. Mobile: 087 6684819 E-mail: info@customersolutions.ie Web: www.customersolutions.ie

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GRAPHIC & WEB DESIGN Edgewater Graphics Contact: Hugh Charlottes Quay, Limerick Tel: 061 318318 Fax: 061 318308 Email: hugh@egraphics.ie Web: www.egraphics.ie HOME FURNISHINGS Limerick Paint Supplies Pennywell Road, Limerick. Tel: 061 411292 Thomondgate, Limerick. Tel: 061 329828 Fax: 061 415874 Mob: 087 2503448 HOTELS Abbey Court Hotel, Lodges & Trinity Leisure Spa. Dublin Road, Nenagh, Co. Tipperary. Tel: 067 41111 Fax: 067 41022 Contact: Matthias Muller M.I.H.I. Email: sales@abbeycourt.ie Web: www.abbeycourt.ie Limerick Marriott Hotel Henry Street Limerick Tel: 061 448700 Fax: 061 448701 Email: sales@limerickmarriott.ie Web: www.limerickmarriott.com The Castleoaks House Hotel Garden Suites and Riverside Holiday Homes Castleconnell, Co. Limerick Tel: 061 377666 Fax: 061 377717 E-mail: info@castleoaks.ie Website: www.castleoaks.ie Fitzgerald’s Woodlands House Hotel & Revas Spa Adare, Co. Limerick Tel: 061 605100 Fax: 061 396073 Email: reception@woodlands-hotel.ie Web: www.woodlands-hotel.ie The George Boutique Hotel O’Connell Street, Limerick. Tel: 061 460 400 Fax: 061 460 410 Contact: Mr. Altaf Khan Email: thegeorge@lynchotels.com Web: www.lynchotels.com

The South Court Hotel, Adare Road, Raheen, Limerick. Tel: 061 487 487 Fax: 061 487 498 Contact: Mr. Brian Harrington Email: southcourtreception@lynchotels.com Web: www.lynchotels.com HOUSEHOLD INSURANCE ASSESSORS Auray Assessors Specialists in Property Claims Tel: 061 317264 Fax: 094 9541723 Email: aurayassessors@eircom.net Web: www.aurayltd.com HR CONSULTANTS The HR Channel Contact: Fiona O’Carroll Ballycarney, Clarina, Co. Limerick Tel: 061 353154 Mobile: 086 2051727 Email: fionaocarroll1@eircom.net HUMAN RESOURCES CONSULTANT AND EXECUTIVE & BUSINESS COACH Elaine Ryan & Associates Unit 7, Elite Business Park, Smithstown, Shannon, Co.Clare. Tel: 086 2381555 Email: elaineryanhr@eircom.net Web: www.elaineryanandassociates.com INDUSTRIAL Sercom Solutions Sarsfield Rd: Raheen Business Pk; Raheen, Limerick. Tel: 061-226600 Fax: 061-226640 EMail:kevin.vaughan@SerComSolutions.ie Web:www.sercomsolutions.ie INK REFILL & TONERS Ink Refill Depot 7B Denmark Street, Tel: 061 446446 Fax: 061 446456 Email: Brendan@inkrefilldepot.ie Web: www.inkrefilldepot.ie INSULATION Aerobord Ltd. Askeaton, Co. Limerick Tel: 061 604600 Fax: 061 604601 Email: mail@aerobord.ie Web: www.aerobord.ie

IT INFRASTRUCTURE MANAGEMENT Avocent International Avocent House, Shannon Free Zone, Shannon, Co. Clare. Tel: 061 471877 Fax: 061 471871 Email: info-europe@avocent.com Web: www.avocent.ie KITCHEN & BEDROOM FURNITURE Betterbuy Kitchens 41 Eastlink Business Park, Ballysimon Road, Limerick. Tel: 061 413144 Fax: 061 774313 Email: david@betterbuy.biz Web: www.betterbuy.biz LABEL MANUFACTURERS Impact Labelling Systems Ltd. Contact: Richard Fox 77/78 Eastlink Business Park, Tipperary Road, Limerick. Tel: 061 437990 Fax: 061 437995 Email: info@impactlabelling.com LETTING AGENTS & PROPERTY MANAGERS Castle Estates 50 O’Connell Street, Limerick. Tel: 061 440411 Fax: 061 311907 Email: limerick@castle-estates.ie Web: www.castle-estates.ie LIFE & BUSINESS COACHING Pathfinder 31b Cecil St. Limerick Tel: 061 215750 Mob: 086 8123834 E-mail: pathfinder@o2.ie LIFT SERVICES Mid Western Lifts Corcanree Business Park Dock Road, Limerick Tel: 061 400123 Fax: 061 400121 Email: info@mwls.ie Web: www.mwls.ie LUXURY DEPARTMENT STORES Brown Thomas 16 O’Connell Street, Limerick Tel: 061 417222 Fax: 061 412191 Email: ldwan@brownthomas.ie Web: www.brownthomas.com

INSURANCE BROKERS & ADVISORS Robert Ryan Insurance 3 Newenham Street, Limerick. Tel:061 319268 Email: robert@ryaninsurances.ie

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MANAGEMENT CONSULTANTS Profiles at Work Executive Coaching, Training, Psychometric Testing Ballyheefy, Killaloe, Co. Clare Tel: 061 376461 Fax: 061 375496 Mob: 087 2640028 Email: amckles@eircom.net Web: www.profilesatwork.com MANAGEMENT CONSULTANCY SERVICES May Day Management Consultants Tait Business Centre, Dominic Street, Limerick Tel: 061 316960 Fax: 061 314161 Email: info@maydaymanagement.ie Web: www.maydaymanagement.ie MARKETING Customer Care Solutions Anne Sheehan, Harbour House, Locke Quay, Limerick. Mobile: 087 6684819 E-mail: info@customersolutions.ie Web: www.customersolutions.ie Molly D Marketing Castlecrine, Sixmilebridge, Co.Clare Tel: 061 369898 Mob: 086 2371508 Email: dympna@mollydmarketing.ie Web: www.mollydmarketing.ie MARKETING CONSULTANTS AND MARKETING RESEARCH Martin McGuire & Associates Dock Road, Limerick Tel: 061 228822 or 061 229233 E-mail: martinm@martinmcguire.com Web: www.martinmcguire.com MODULAR CONTAINERS, CABINS & OFFICES Ballysimon Containers Eastway Business Park Ballysimon Road, Limerick Tel: 061 312530 Fax: 061 313520 Email: morgan@asp-ire.ie Web: www.asp-ire.ie

MODULAR OFFICE ACCOMODATION Asp-ire Advance Space Providers Ireland Eastway Business Park Ballysimon Road, Limerick Tel: 061 312530 Fax: 061 313520 Email: morgan@asp-ire.ie Web: www.asp-ire.ie MORTGAGE & FINANCIAL SERVICES ODCL Financial Services and Mortgages 1 Mount Kennett Place, Henry Street,Limerick. Tel: 061 411000 Email: financial@odcl.ie MORTGAGES, PROPERTY, MAINTENANCE & INVESTMENTS Moore Stephens Patrick McNamara Financial Planning & Mortgage Solutions Life & Pensions – Mortgages – Investments – Wealth Management Pamdohlen House, Dooradoyle Road Tel: 061 229666 Fax: 061 302144 Email: fsinfo@msmcnamara.ie Web: www.mspatrickmcnamara.ie Redmond Mortgage & Pensions 1A Hartstonge Place, Upper Hartstonge Street, Limerick Tel: 061 446629 Fax: 061 446809 Mobile: 087 8290736 E-mail: tommy@redmondmortgages.com OFFICE EQUIPMENT Gerry Webb Office Equipment 72 Wolfe Tone Street, Limerick Tel: 061 467380 Fax: 061 467380 Mobile: 087 2625768 Email: webfurniture@eircom.net OFFICE EQUIPMENT / PRINTING & STATIONERY Curley Copy Centre Little Ellen Street, Limerick. Contact: Eileen Tel: 061 315331 Fax: 061 315171 Email: jhcurley@eircom.net OFFICE FURNITURE & SUPPLIES G & A Manifold (Showrooms) Unit 6E, Docklands Business Park, Dock Road, Limerick. Tel: 061 312777 Fax: 061 313434 Email: info@gamanifold.ie Web: www.gamanifold.ie

Unit 2 Crossagalla Enterprise Centre, Ballysimon Road, Limerick Tel: 061 432000 Fax: 061 432001 E-mail: metrosales@eircom.net Web: www.metrooffice.ie PACKAGING IPS Industrial Polythene Solutions Contact Name: Sean O’Carroll Annacotty Business Park, Annacotty, Limerick. Tel: 061 508980 Fax: 061 508984 Email: sean.ocarroll@ipslimited.ie Web: www.ipspackaging.ie

BUSINESS DIRECTORY

MARQUEE HIRE O’Donovan Marquees Birdhill, Co. Tipperary Tel: 061 379328 Fax: 061 379328 Email: podmarquees@eircom.net Web: www.odonovanmarquees.com

PAINTING AND DECORATING Keith Larkin Clonlara Co. Clare. Residential, Commercial, Industrial. 087 2333772 email: larkink@eircom.net

PENSIONS & INVESTMENTS Karl Daly Pension & Investment Ltd. 2nd Floor, Riverfront Building Howleys Quay, Limerick Tel: 061 318701 Fax: 061 318702 Mobile: 086 2602326 Email: karl@karldaly.com Web: www.karldaly.com or www.ssiaideas.ie PHARMACEUTICAL MANUFACTURER Schwarz Pharma UCB (Schwarz Pharma Ltd) Shannon Industrial Estate, Shannon, Co. Clare. Tel: 061 714100 Fax: 061 714101 Email: info@ucb-group.com Web: www.ucb-group.com PHOTOCOPIERS MJ Flood (Ireland) Ltd. (Sales & Service) 23 John Street, Limerick. Tel: 061 312211 Mob: 087 7815252 Fax: 061 415595 Email: limerick@mjflood.ie Web: www.mjflood.ie

Metro Office Supplies

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THE A – Z OF BUSINESSES

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THE A – Z OF BUSINESSES

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PHOTOGRAPHY Brendan Gleeson LIPPA NUJ 25 Cherry Avenue, Caherdavin Lawn, Limerick Tel: 061 453253 Mobile: 087 2159325 Email: gleesonphoto@eircom.net www.bgleesonphoto.com John O’Brien Photography High Street, Limerick City Tel: 061 412833 Email: obrienphotos@oceanfree.net Web: www.jobrienphotography.com PLANT HIRE & SALES Newport Plant & Tool Hire Ballymackeogh, Newport, Co. Tipperary. Tel: 061 373737 Mob: 086 0664137 E-mail: info@npt.ie Web: www.npt.ie

Email: aileen.galvin@echomarketing.ie Molly D Marketing Castlecrine, Sixmilebridge, Co.Clare Tel: 061 369898 M: 086 2371508 Email: dympna@mollydmarketing.ie Web: www.mollydmarketing.ie MKC Communications 22 Log Na gCapall, South Circular Road, Limerick. Tel: 061 303779 Fax: 061 305802 Mobile: 087 1220119 E-Mail: info@mkc.ie Web: www.mkc.ie O’Brien Communications 30 Ashbrook Grove Ennis Road, Limerick Tel/Fax: 061 457999 Mobile: 086 6019214

PUBLIC TRANSPORT BUS SERVICES & PRIVATE HIRE Bus Eireann Colbert Station Limerick Tel: 061 313333 Fax: 061417166 Email: info@buseireann.ie Web: www.buseireann.ie

Quinn Communications Contact: Niamh Quinn MPRII 38 Roches Street, Limerick. M: 087 1220119 F: 1890 886803 E: niamh@quinncommunications.ie

PRINTING Mc Kerns Print & Design Glentworth Street, Limerick Tel: 061 417611 Fax: 061 419816 Email: mckernsgs@eircom.net

PUBLIC RELATIONS & EVENT & MEDIA MANAGEMENT Woulfe Event Management Tower View House, Glenview Avenue, Farranshone, Limerick. Tel: 061 321979 Mob: 087 7631999 Email: woulfeeventmanagement@eircom.net Web: www.woulfemanagement.ie

Mc Namara Printers Smithstown Industrial Estate Shannon, Co. Clare Tel: 061 361782 Fax: 061 363271 Email: sales@mcnamaraprinters.ie Web: www.mcnamaraprinters.ie PROMOTIONAL PRODUCTS Able Marketing 50 Thomas Street, Limerick Tel: 061 417575 Fax: 061 410055 Email: sales@ablemarketing.ie Web: www.ablemarketing.ie PROPERTY DEVELOPERS Tiernan Properties Arthurs Quay House Arthurs Quay, Limerick Tel: 061 412462 Fax: 412251 Email: info@tiernanproperties.ie Web: www.tiernanproperties.ie PUBLIC RELATIONS Echo Marketing 5 The Mews, Hartstonge Street, Limerick. Tel: 061 409353 Mob: 087 9892463

RADIO STATIONS (NATIONAL) Limerick Live 95 FM P.O Box 295 Radio House, Richmond Court, Dock Road, Limerick. Tel: 061 461900 Fax: 061 419595 E-mail: mail@live95fm.ie Web: www.live95fm.ie RTÉ lyric fm Cornmarket Square, Limerick. Tel: 061 207300 Fax: 061 207390 Email: lyric@rte.ie Web: www.rte.ie/lyricfm Contact: Aodán Ó’Dubhghaill & Julie Knight

RECRUITMENT Brooks Recruitment Hotel & Catering 86 O’Connell St., Limerick. Tel: 061 413022 Fax: 061 312799 E-mail: info@brooksrecruitment.com Web: www.brooksrecruitment.com Irish Recruitment Consultants Deloitte & Touche House, Charlottes Quay, Limerick Tel: 061 313744 Fax: 061 417553 Email:admin@irishrecruitment.ie Web:www.irishrecruitment.ie Manpower Limerick Branch 1 Michael Street, Limerick. Contact: Niall Harris Tel: 061 312230 Fax: 061 312280 Email: limerick@manpower.ie Web: www.manpower.ie Richmond Recruitment Hibernian House, Henry St: Limerick. Tel: 061-413111 Fax: 061-416699 E-Mail: midwestjobs@richmond.ie Web: www.richmond.ie Staff Solutions Unit 2 Belfield House, Ennis Road, Limerick Tel: 061 329250 Fax: 061 329252 E-mail: info@staffsolutions.ie Web: www.staffsolutions.ie RECRUITMENT SPECIALISTS Work Access Ltd. 1st Floor, Pillar House, Little Ellen Street, Limerick. Tel: 061 493095 Fax: 061 409345 Email: info@workaccess.org Web: www.workaccess.org RESTAURANTS Poppadom Award Winning Indian Cuisine Unit 2C, Robert Street, Corn Market Square, Limerick Tel: 061 446644 www.poppadom.ie SECURITY SHREDDING & CONFIDENTIAL WASTE DGD Papers Ltd. Bay M1, Raheen Business Park Limerick Tel: 061 491333 Fax: 061 491335 Email: info@dgdpapers.com Web: www.dgdpapers.com

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Sign It Ltd Unit 6, Eastway Business Park, Ballysimon Road, Limerick. Tel: 061 469900 Fax: 061 417502 Email: Sales@signit.ie Web: www.signit.ie Signsplus Unit 7, Eastlink Business Park, Ballysimon Road, Limerick. Tel: 061 437950 Fax: 061 437940 Email: sales@signsplus.ie Web: www.signsplus.ie SOLICITORS Holmes O’Malley Sexton Bishopsgate, Henry St: Limerick. Tel: 061-313222 Fax: 061-310414 E-Mail: info@homs.ie Web: www.homs.ie

Fax: 061 319778 Email: pjdawson@eircom.net Web: www.h2o4u.ie WASTE MANAGEMENT AND DISPOSAL Mr Binman Luddenmore Grange, Kilmallock, Co. Limerick Tel: 061 351127 Fax: 061 351918 Email: info@mrbinman.cxom Web: www.mrbinman.com WINE RETAILERS Fine Wines Fine Wines Group, Tipperary Road, Ballysimon, Limerick Tel: 061 417784 Fax: 061 417276 Email: mdaly@finewines.ie Web: www.finewines.ie The Wine Buff 17 Upper Mallow Street, Limerick Proprietor: Mike O’ Mara Tel: 061 313394 E-mail: mike.omara@thewinebuff.com Web: www.thewinebuff.com

TAXATION BDO Simpson Xavier Personal and Corporate Tax Advisors 4 Michael Street, Limerick Tel: 061 414455 Fax: 061 414172 Email: info@bdosx-limerick.com Web: www.bdosx-limerick.com TEAM BUILDING Funireland Team Building Specialists Little Orchard, Dooneen,Crecora, Co. Limerick Tel: 061 320292 Fax: 061 320294 Email: info@funireland.com Web: www.funireland.com WATER COOLERS & DISPENSERS Crystal Clear Leamy House, Hartstonge St: Limerick. Tel: 061-454962 Fax: 061-454449 Mobile: 087-2561239 E-Mail: info@crystalc.ie WATER CONSULTANTS Allied Aquatech Water Treatment Consultants 3 Kyle House (office & shop) Henry Street, Limerick Tel: 061 319777 Mobile: 086 1555568

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THE A – Z OF BUSINESSES

SIGNAGE SignLynx Contact: Jack O’Loughlin Franklin Motor Yard, Cahernorry, Ballysimon, Limerick. Tel: 061 333736 Mob: 086 8094420 Fax: 061 333737 Email: jackoloughlin@signlynx.ie Web: www.signlynx.ie

BUSINESS DIRECTORY

BL | DIRECTORY

“Shopping in Your Own Locality Supports Jobs” LimerickWest Fianna Fáil TD, John Cregan has welcomed changes to VAT and excise duty introduced in the 2010 Budget as ‘a very practical move’ for business. “I know that it will come as good news to both retailers and consumers. The difference in the VAT rate and the favourable currency exchange rate across the border in Northern Ireland and in the UK in general has added to the pressure on retailers here in the last number of months. While we cannot control the currency difference between here and the North, this move by the Government should improve the situation somewhat ,” he said. The excise duty reductions will be as follows: 12 cent per pint of beer and cider; 14 cent per half glass of spirits and 60 cent per standard bottle of wine. Deputy Cregan said that the reduction “will bring the price of alcohol into line with prices in the North and the reduction in VAT will reduce the prices of other goods also.” “With more than €435m spent by shoppers from this side of the border in Northern Ireland stores in the last year, it is clear that cross border shopping has had an impact on business here. With Christmas upcoming I would like to encourage people to consider businesses and jobs in their own community when choosing where to do their shopping. There is a lot of good value to be found locally and shopping in your own locality supports jobs,” he concluded.

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"A new wave of communication" Google's latest creation

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Google has changed the way we use the internet. First they brought us a simple search engine then they brought us Google maps a tool that uses satellite images for real time look at the earth, then they brought us a revolutionary email client as we know as gmail. But Google's latest invention is going to top all that. Google has released the Google wave, the new way to chat. So what is a wave? A "wave" is both conversation and document, where people can communicate and work together with richly formatted text, photos, videos, maps, and more. In Google Wave you create a wave and add people to it. Everyone on your wave can use richly formatted text, photos, gadgets, and even feeds from other sources on the web. They can insert a reply or edit the wave directly. It's concurrent richtext editing, where you see on your screen nearly instantly what your fellow collaborators are typing into your wave. That means Google Wave is just as well suited for quick messages as for persistent content. Google Wave allows for both collaboration and communication. Below I have outlined just a few benefits of Google Wave:

Real time news all in one To get the latest breaking news, Twitter is arguably the fastest. The only thing that Twitter is lacking is solid content and a concerted effort to make the news more informative. With Google Wave, a user such as a witness of the incident can edit, add in his or her comments or share knowledge regarding the news. A journalist’s expertise accompanied by witnesses and users’ opinions will improve real time news quality. Conversation waiting time MSN, the world’s most popular instant messenger is good but not great. Often the user will have to wait for the other party to type their message and hit enter before they can gather their thoughts and reply. Fortunately, that’s not the case in Google Wave. Whatever your friend is typing at that moment, you can see it appearing real time and start gathering your thoughts for the next message. It’s like a real time verbal conversation with friends. Instant messaging between multiple users It is easy to have multiple friends chatting in a Wave. Simply drag and drop their profile and they are in the conversation! Most of the time when there are multiple users chatting, it is hard to keep track of who is talking to who exactly. Google Wave helps to organize the

conversation in an organised threaded format. Project collaborations Collaboration is Google Wave’s specialty. Every Wave works like a wiki (wikipedia) or a Google doc. It places everyone’s work into one Wave, real time. This is an extremely useful tool during meetings when everyone can take notes and input their thoughts into a single Wave. At the end of the day, everyone gets the same set of meeting notes, ensuring consistency and avoiding miscommunication. Retrace with playback functionality You’d probably feel lost when you are new to a Wave your friends just added you into. This isn't a problem, its playback function helps you understand how the conversation or email has evolved to what it is at the current moment. Putting the playback function in the news context, you can literally see how a breaking news was first reported, commented, updated and concluded. Communicating online has just become more interactive. informative and much faster.

IDF Marketing Ltd Tel: 061 375412 Email: info@idf.ie Web: www.idf.ie

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