Posts tagged ‘Cover story’
Cover story: Lucinda Crieghton on Europe’s democratic legitimacy
Monday, February 6th, 2012Minister of State for European Affairs Lucinda Creighton discusses the Dáil’s shortcomings and her belief that the European Union has become “the vehicle for Ireland to express its sovereignty” with Meadhbh Monahan. European affairs are “no longer foreign affairs, they are domestic affairs,” according to Minister of State Lucinda Creighton. European policy “has to be central to everything that, not just the Government, but the Parliament does, because everything that we do in this country now has a very important bearing on European politics and vice-versa,” she...[full story]
Cover story: John Barry – a strategic future for gas
Monday, November 7th, 2011Head of Bord Gáis Networks John Barry talks to Owen McQuade about the importance of natural gas for Ireland’s energy mix and how he anticipates a strong future for the fuel. Natural gas is an important fuel in Ireland and will remain so for the “foreseeable future”, John Barry contends. The Head of Bord Gáis Networks notes that the country currently generates about 60 per cent of its electricity from gas and emphasises that a secure supply (including via interconnectors) will be important to back up the renewable energy sector. “As more renewables come on stream, clearly that...[full story]
Cover story: A new contract with nature – Gabriel D’Arcy
Friday, August 19th, 2011Gabriel D’Arcy, Managing Director of Bord na Móna, tells Owen McQuade about the company’s capacity for diversification and its belief that it is qualified to become the state’s new water utility. In recent years Bord na Móna has produced a “very credible, gritty performance”, recording a minimum increase in earnings of 12.5 per cent in each of the last five years, whilst diversifying from peat production to more sustainable business ventures. Peat now accounts for less than 50 per cent of the company’s revenue. The four main areas of future business are: Renewable energy:...[full story]
Cover story: At the heart of economic recovery – Pat Rabbitte
Friday, May 13th, 2011Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources Pat Rabbitte tells Owen McQuade about his energy priorities and plans to get people back to work and “wave goodbye to the ECB.” Pat Rabbitte was not a reluctant Energy Minister, but was surprised to have been allocated the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources portfolio because that was the only department he hasn’t been involved in throughout his 22 years as a TD. However, he has been getting to grips with his remit since 9 March and sees his department as being “about the future” and “at the...[full story]
Cover story: The new Government
Thursday, March 31st, 2011As the Fine Gael-Labour coalition begins its task of “mending the pieces of a fractured society”, eolas examines its plans for reform. “By the end of our term in Government, Ireland will be recognised as a modern, fair, socially inclusive and equal society supported by a productive and prosperous economy,” the new Programme for National Government promises. There was some controversy over the fairness and inclusivity of Kenny’s choice of Cabinet, particularly the decision to give former teacher Brendan Howlin the important public sector spend and reform portfolio, rather than...[full story]
Cover story: The green challenge
Wednesday, December 1st, 2010In these times of unprecedented economic crisis the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is focused on keeping the environment centre stage. Owen McQuade caught up with the Agency’s Director General, Dr Mary Kelly, to discuss the state of Ireland’s environment and the key challenges ahead. The EPA is perhaps best known in its role as a regulator but in fact many of the tasks that the agency is involved in include assessing, monitoring, measuring and reporting on the environment. The EPA’s Director General, Mary Kelly, believes that one of the most important roles the agency has...[full story]
Cover story: Strong local government
Friday, January 1st, 2010Amid the challenges of trying to implement the Dublin Waste Management Plan and the Poolbeg incinerator, dealing with the recent snow and ice, and the consequential problems with water shortages, Dublin City Manager John Tierney spoke to Owen McQuade about the financial pressures facing councils, local government reform, and the outlook for 2010 Like the rest of the public sector, John Tierney and Dublin City Council have been facing up to the economic realities of the downturn in the past 12 months. The council’s full-time workforce is down by 500, from 6,900 to 6,400 through natural...[full story]
Cover story: Strong local government
Friday, January 1st, 2010Amid the challenges of trying to implement the Dublin Waste Management Plan and the Poolbeg incinerator, dealing with the recent snow and ice, and the consequential problems with water shortages, Dublin City Manager John Tierney spoke to Owen McQuade about the financial pressures facing councils, local government reform, and the outlook for 2010 Like the rest of the public sector, John Tierney and Dublin City Council have been facing up to the economic realities of the downturn in the past 12 months. The council’s full-time workforce is down by 500, from 6,900 to 6,400 through natural...[full story]
Cover story: Power for prosperity
Tuesday, September 1st, 2009No electricity, no economy. Dermot Byrne, Chief Executive of EirGrid, reflects on the power grid’s central relevance to how Ireland works and lives as he takes stock of the island’s energy market with Owen McQuade. The fact that electricity is essential for any modern industry or for meeting most of a household’s basic needs is so self-evident that it is hardly worth stating. Hence the strategic importance of EirGrid and its work in supplying power across Ireland, North and South. Dermot Byrne has been in energy through his whole working life, having joined the ESB in 1973, and...[full story]
