The Business Interview with... Denis O’Brien

Denis O’Brien is an entrepreneur who founded Communicorp, a commercial radio and emerging digital media provider, and Digicel, a complete communications provider serving the Caribbean, Central America and Pacific - along with other companies. Mr O’Brien is a believer in philanthrocapitalism to help global communities grow and flourish. As patron of the Digicel Foundation, a board member of Concern Worldwide, chairman of the Frontline Defenders, and Chairman of the Council of Patrons of Special Olympics, O’Brien remains committed to shaping a world where nobody gets left behind. The College Tribune’s Neil Stokes (NS) was grateful to get the opportunity to interview Mr O’Brien (DOB), one of UCD’s most distinguished alumni. Neil Stokes Business Writer

NS: Where did your penchant for enterprise and innovation originate? DOB: My father taught me a huge amount about business. In the car on the way to school he tutored me. He set up a successful international Equine products company, Plusvital, and I worked with him during school holidays. His mantra was ‘trust, fair dealings and long-term relationships’. He instilled in me a very strong work ethic and never doing a half job. Loyalty was a very important characteristic in my Dad and is something I carry with me in my relationships today.

NS: I’m sure working for Tony Ryan was also an invaluable experience? DOB: I became Tony Ryan’s first personal assistant. He was a stickler for detail. There would be very detailed lists of plans relating to Guinness Peat Aviation, his farm in Co. Tipperary, and his investment in The Sunday Tribune. His attention to every aspect of a business and his expectation for tasks to be undertaken quickly taught me so much. He was one of the greatest Irish entrepreneurs, firstly, setting up one of the largest aircraft leasing companies in the world and, later, having the vision, belief and determination to set up Ryanair, a truly world class business.

NS: What kind of part-time jobs did you take on growing up? DOB: From my early teens I had part-time jobs. When I was 14, I worked as a bellboy at the Central Hotel in Dublin where I earned about €8 a week. I later worked as a waiter in Dobbins restaurant. I learnt a lot about human behaviour as a waiter. In my mid-teens, I went to London where I got a job as Pictured Above: Denis O’Brien with a pupil at the official opening of Ecole Nle de Jolivert funded by Digicel in Haiti

a painter and stone cleaner. NS: What do you remember from your student days at UCD? DOB: I studied history, politics and logic for an Arts degree at UCD. I was not the most dedicated student. I was more interested in making new friends and taking on part-time jobs for pocket money to enjoy and fund my social life. I benefited enormously from my UCD years – I made many great, lifelong friends and took part ever, with a stint Stateside following. Tell us about that. DOB: I got a scholarship to study for a Masters Business Administration degree at Boston College on the encouragement of UCD Politics lecturer and Chancellor of NUI, Maurice Manning and also Professor Philip Bourke. They both helped me a lot. I found it tough initially because I missed Dublin and my friends, but it was an exceptional experience and gave me a great base of knowledge. in sports and activities. I did a lot of running up in the Wicklow Mountains around Lough Dan at the time – something I have continued ever since. I think when you are in University you are subconsciously absorbing so much about life generally. I graduated in 1977 and I regard the years I spent in UCD as some of the happiest of my life. NS: Your formal education didn’t finish at UCD howNS: Alongside your success in business, you are also one of the world’s most committed philantrocapitalists. Your work with the Special Olympics stands out among your achievements in this sphere. DOB: I was privileged to be Chairman of the 2003 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Ireland and I have continued my involvement as Chairman of the Council of Patrons of Special Olympics in Ireland to this I think when you are in University you are subconsciously absorbing so much about life generally. I graduated in 1977 and I regard the years I spent in UCD as some of the happiest of my life. “ “

day. Digicel also sponsors Special Olympic teams in 20 countries. The opening ceremony with 80,000 athletes and families will always be a standout moment.

NS: What would be the one policy, if any, you would implement to improve the Irish business environment? DOB: Ireland needs to urgently double down on funding for universities and third level institutions. We need to be ready with a strong pool of graduates to meet the demand for job opportunities that will be available in several key sectors, including artificial intelligence, biotechnology, human genomics, precision medicine, drug research, quantum computing, science and data sectors.

NS: We also cannot continue to be a ‘bed and breakfast’ location for multinationals taking advantage of our tax policies. We need to get out ahead of the imminent OECD tax changes and change our ways rapidly. DOB: Climate change will force Ireland to become much more responsible about energy forms and no time should be wasted in accelerating our efforts regarding climate change and sustainability. There is too much feet dragging by the Government. The next generation will hold us responsible if we don’t implement rapid change. There will also be challenges and opportunities in the foods sector, as global trends put pressure on beef and dairy products.

NS: What are your thoughts regarding the future of mass media in the age of digitisation, the growth of social media and decline of traditional media? DOB: The decline of traditional media is regrettable because they are largely governed by rules, regulations and standards. The growth of social media has been allowed to spread the globe without checks, without accountability and in most cases hidden behind the cloak of anonymity. This growth is so rampant that governments and regulatory authorities just look the other way. All this has resulted in the truth being compromised and the reputations of good and decent people frequently shredded. It’s only a matter of time before Facebook is regulated.

NS: Finally, what are your best and worst business decisions? And do you have any business regrets? DOB: Investing in Irish Companies ... in the downturn of 2011-2013 made for good outcomes. Investing in the newspaper industry in the early 2000’s was the wrong decision.

Ireland’s Struggle to Regulate GDPR Continues

With the advent of the EU’s General Data P r o t e c t i o n Regulation in 2018 Ireland has become the EU lead data regulator for the majority of international technology companies. This means that by default if any European citizen has a complaint against Facebook, Google, Twitter or many of their peers, their complaint must first be handled through the Irish Data Protection Commissioners (DPC) office. This “one-stop-shop” mechanism was intended to streamline and simplify the process of managing complaints for not only companies, but also for regulators, by making clear who holds the authority on complaints and prevent overlap.

However, a rather predictable issue has emerged and become an increasingly frequent talking point amongst those who deal with the DPC. How is one of the smallest data protection commissioners meant to Aaron Bowman Former Tribune Editor

deal with the biggest companies in an effective and timely manner. This has become an increasingly sore point for the various other European authorities who have become increasingly frustrated at the lack of progress from their Irish counterpart. To date the DPC has failed to issue any judgements under GDPR against any of the intentional tech companies in its jurisdiction under GDPR. In recent months the ire of the European authorities has turned from the Commissioner to the Irish Government. In their 2019 prebudget submissions Helen Dixon, head of the commission requested an additional €5.9 million to bring her total budget to €21.1 million in order to effectively enforce GDPR and advise Irish firms on compliance. She only received €1.6 million. This has led several of her European counterparts to criticise the Irish Government for underfunding the Commissioner’s office at a time of heightened scrutiny. Only weeks before the budget, the DPC had issued a highly critical report of the Government’s implementation of the Public Service Card (PSC) and outlined several steps that the Government would need to take to bring the card into compliance with the law. This report also noted that more findings against the Government in relation to PSC would be made in 2020. The Government has chosen to challenge these findings in a move seen by some as undermining the Commissioner.

With the recent hiring of lawyers specialising in calculating the quantum for large fines, it would appear that the DPC is preparing to issue its first serious GDPR enforcements irrespective of its lack of support. Additionally news has filtered out of several cases where it has stopped new products and services being launched by tech companies who have not complied with regulations on data protection, most notably Facebook’s dating service and “I voted” feature, both which were quietly shelved in February after DPC intervention. Though the question remains how long it can continue to compete with big tech if its funding requests are ignored.

Pictured Above: Commissioner for Data Protection, Helen Dixon

Climate Activists Escalate to Supreme Court Appeals

From flooding in the west, to moody weather changes in the east – Ireland’s climate has taken a disastrous turn of events in the last decade. In 2017, IreMahnoor Choudhry Reporter

land’s carbon dioxide emissions were 20% higher than the European average, as researched by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland. This was a driving force for Friends of the Irish Environment, leading them to bring a case on behalf of the citizens of Ireland. The case is an attempt to hold the Irish government responsible for not taking adequate steps to address the growing climate change calamity. Friends of the Irish Environment argued that the government has knowingly contributed to the effects of climate change. The case was

based on the National Mitigation Plan approved by the government in 2017 being a violation of the 2015 Climate Act and a violation of human rights obligations. The complainants also claimed that the National Mitigation Plan fell short of its obligations under the Paris Agreement which requires countries to do as much as possible to ensure that temperatures do not increase more than 2°C per year. It was contended that Ireland being the third biggest emitter of greenhouse gasses in the EU, that this obligation was not being fulfilled adequately.

On the 19th of September 2019, the High Court gave its judgement against the complainants. However, Mr. Justice McGrath agreed that climate change poses a threat to Ireland and of powers doctrine where in the judiciary was reluctant to infringe on the role of the government.

Friends of the Irish Environment lodged a ‘leap frog appeal’ to the Supreme Court and in light of its importance to public interest, on February 13th the Supreme Court accepted to hear the case. Climate Case Ireland is only the third case globally to be heard in front of the highest national court. 18,000 signatures from the public in its supClimate Case Ireland is only the third case globally to be heard in front of the highest national court. 18,000 signatures from the public in its support afforded the case with the high level of public and legal interest “ “ the world at large. He also accepted that the unenumerated right to a healthy environment however did not believe this right was impacted by the making of the National Mitigation plan, which he said was drafted in light of the 2015 Climate legislation. As well as this, the judgement was cautious of overstepping the separation port afforded the case with the high level of public and legal interest, leading to the Supreme Court’s acknowledgement of the importance of this case to the Irish population.

Climate Case Ireland is now awaiting a date for the Supreme Court appeal hearing.

THE TURBINE “Fuck the Rents” It’s satire, please don’t sue us.

Research Finds Student Body Is Entirely Made Of Coffee Hipsters Panic As Tweed Berets Go On Sale In Penneys Lecturer Receives Comedy Award For Jokes Made During Lectures

UCD Launches New Scheme to Address Campus Rents, called the “Don’t Be Poor” Scheme

News of the “Don’t be Poor” scheme has surged across UCD like a Haitian tsunami engulfing conversation by conversation in a tidal wave of offense and outrage. The plan, which seeks to eliminate all students whose net worth is less than €100,000, has been vocally opposed by loads of students that hadn’t protested anything in at least two days.

Speaking indirectly to The Turbine via smoke signal, UCD President Andrew Deeks explained the launch of the new scheme; “I think that the ‘Don’t Be Poor’ scheme makes a lot of sense.” The scheme, Deeks continued, is the manifestation of his many years of work.

Responding to the critiTamarin Tooley Turbine Zoological Specialist

cism, Andrew Deeks stated, “It has come to my attention that many students will not be able to afford on-campus rents...,” the evil mastermind stated while stroking his white cat ominously, “so our plans are working perfectly”. Deeks then broke into a fit of maniacal laughter which lasted for 15 minutes.

Deeks explained his entire wicked plan in intricate detail over a 3 hour period to the UCD SU President Joanna Siewierska who he had trapped in his evil mansion. Deeks refused to give comment on why he was explaining the plan while admiring his own reflection in a large window.

UCD Would Have Gotten Away with the Increases if it Weren’t for those Meddling Kids!

Speaking exclusively to the Turbine after the recent tent actions by UCD students, an anonymous source on the University Management Team admitted that “It was US that rent gouged the students, and we would have gotten away with it too if it wasn’t for those meddling kids.”

This was just after two members of the UMT had their masks pulled off in front of a large group of students. They were revealed Dugh Hooley Tribune Slave

to be the Grinch and Scar of Lion King, and were discovered by some stoner and his dog. owner were seen escaping the scene in a beaten down Volkswagen van labelled ‘Mystery Machine.’ Campus authorities have been requesting information from anyone who might have seen a green and blue van speeding out of the Belfield Campus.

While many UCD students have been swearing that they “know yer man from somewhere”, An Garda Síochana have announced that the student’s heroes are wanted for the distribution of edibles codenamed: “Scooby Snacks” in the Dublin area. The heroes are wanted for the distribution of edibles codenamed: “Scooby Snacks” “ “ After their legs were seen creating miniature tornadoes while running on the spot the Doberman and its

UCD’s rising rents aren’t just affecting students, the Turbine has learned. In conversation with the swans of UCD’s very own lakes, we learned that they themselves were forced to cough up more in return for living on campus. Their cost, though? Their own children. “Honk”, said one swan.

It would appear that this is being done in efforts to profit more from the swans, or at the very least, to eventually work towards clearing them out to repurpose parts of campus that they currently live in. There are rumours of plans to build a yacht club for the staff as an extension to the new UCD University Club, which would encroach upon the territory of the swans. Agam Cobwag Turbine Swan Charmer

We have confirmed that the swans were being forced to offer up their own children and, in exchange, they could continue to live on campus. What happens to their children is uncertain, and what happens when they eventually run out of children to offer is also unknown.

In conversation with the swan’s caretakers at UCD Estate Services, we were shocked that this hasn’t The swans are being forced to cough up more in return for living on campus. Their cost, though? Their own children. “ “

Belfield Swans Forced to Offer up their Children to Afford Living on Campus

been the first rent related change for Belfield’s beloved birds. “Rents have been going up for years. The swans don’t even need to pay more money this time around. We are instead taking advantage of a natural biological process.”

“We understand that it may come as a surprise they pay at all, but rest assured that this practice is consistent across the board - to us, everyone on UCD campus is just another animal”.

The UCD University Club, in the meantime, has also added new “poultry meat” of unknown origin to their menu, and we’re sure that change will ruffle a few feathers.