Rabbitte grants 13 offshore exploration licences
Thirteen new licences for oil and gas exploration off Ireland’s coasts have been granted to 12 companies by Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources Pat Rabbitte TD. Speaking this morning at the opening of a petroleum research conference in Dublin, the Minister said the State didn’t have the resources to fund the exploration and that he was pleased at the response from the international exploration industry to the 2011 Atlantic Margin Licensing Round. The options are for a two-year period during which time the exploration companies will have to complete an agreed work programme. The companies involved include both new entrants to Ireland, together with companies already active in…
Read MoreThree US-born scientists win Nobel Prize for Physics for supernova research
The Nobel Prize in Physics for 2011 has been awarded to three US-born scientists whose observations of distant exploding stars have led to the discovery that the expansion of the universe is accelerating. The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences said today that one half of the prize would go to Saul Perlmutter of The Supernova Cosmology Project in the University of California, while the other half is being awarded to Brian Schmidt and Adam Riess, both of the High-z Supernova Search Team. The two teams will share the SEK10m (€1.09m) prize money. Perlmutter began his project in 1988, while in 1994 Schmidt started the other team, in which Riess was…
Read MoreTen more business leaders join ITLG’s Diaspora 2016 initiative
Ten more business leaders join ITLG’s Diaspora 2016 initiativePictured: John Hartnett, president and founder, ITLG The Irish Technology Leadership Group (ITLG) has revealed the names of 10 more business leaders who have signed up to its Diaspora 2016 initiative, which was announced at last week’s Global Irish Economic Forum in Dublin. Under the scheme, the ITLG is creating a pool of global industry leaders who are volunteering to sit on relevant Irish State boards until 2016, without remuneration. According to the ITLG, the initiative’s objective is to provide the Government with a list of 100 highly qualified business leaders who want to contribute their experience and time to help Ireland succeed and thrive.…
Read MoreCarbon Disclosure Project Ireland 2011 Report Launch
The Convention Centre, Spencer Dock Dublin 1 Tuesday, October 18, 2011 Registration and refreshments 7.45am Event 8.15 – 10.15am CARBON DISCLOSURE PROJECT IRELAND 2011 REPORT LAUNCH CDP Ireland 2011 Report Launch The 2011 CDP Ireland Report, the third report prepared by KPMG, examines the strategies being deployed by many of Ireland’s most successful companies to ensure sustainability in a low-carbon world.The launch of this year’s report on October 18, offered an opportunity to hear from three leading Irish businessmen about what these issues mean for their companies and why, despite the tough challenges of today’s economic context, taking part in the Carbon Disclosure Project is still a priority. SPEAKERS: Gary McGann,…
Read MoreIEA and OECD call for end to fossil fuel subsidies
Removing inefficient subsidies for the production and consumption of fossil fuels – which are estimated to have cost over US$400bn last year – would raise national revenues and reduce greenhouse-gas emissions, according to OECD and International Energy Agency (IEA) data. The two organisations said their data and analysis are actively following up on the G20 leaders’ commitment in 2009 to phase out subsidies that “encourage wasteful consumption, reduce our energy security, impede investment in clean energy sources and undermine efforts to deal with the threat of climate change”. “Both developing and developed countries need to phase out inefficient fossil fuel subsidies,” said OECD secretary-general Angel Gurria. “As they look for…
Read MoreIrish corporate tax rate second lowest in Europe – UHY
With its rate of 12.5pc, Ireland has the second lowest corporate tax burden in Europe behind Estonia which currently has zero corporate tax, according to new research from accounting and consultancy network, UHY. The firm looked at tax data in 21 countries across its international network and found that Ireland has the third lowest tax rate, with both Estonia and Dubai have a rate of zero. “Ireland has kept corporate taxes low and has successfully enticed large multinational businesses such as Microsoft and Google to place their headquarters here and to remain here,” said Alan Farrelly, partner, UHY Farrelly Dawe White. “The low 12.5pc tax rate applies to all businesses…
Read MoreBrands need to target non-English speaking online consumers – Populis
Irish businesses and brands need to turn their to targeting non-native English speaking online consumers who represent significant and increasing spending power, according to Populis, which has just released new research data on worldwide internet use, and the size and potential of the global internet population. A key finding of the research, which was conducted by Cebr on behalf of Populis, is the fact that there are currently 3.1 million Irish internet users who spend €6.1bn online, while over 150 million internet users in Germany, France and Italy are now spending more than €78bn. The research also reveals that non-native English speakers already make up the vast majority (84pc) of…
Read MoreNew Biotrin R&D; centre to create 40 high-value jobs in next few years
Biotrin Group, owned by Italian diagnostics company DiaSorin, has officially opened a new research, development and manufacturing facility in Dublin which will create up to 40 high-value positions over the next few years. A developer and manufacturer of diagnostic platform technology, the Biotrin Group announced a new R&D project in June 2010 to develop a molecular diagnostic platform technology and assay reagents for the detection of DNA in infectious disease and oncology. The new facility will allow the continuation of the R&D activity and the expansion of the manufacturing capability. The total number employed at the facility is expected to reach over 100. “The investment is highly significant for the Biotrin…
Read MoreUpdated: Is this guy a Yes Man or a real-life trader?
Is this guy a Yes Man or a real-life trader? Calling himself an “experienced, independent” trader, Alessio Rastani appeared on BBC News yesterday and his interview has since become a viral Internet hit. In a frank and candid interview, Rastani said he had been dreaming of a recession for three years as he used it – like other traders – to make money. He also told the public that Government’s don’t rule the world, but Goldman Sachs does. Here’s the interview in full: Since the broadcast, there has been public outrage at the trader’s comments but now it appears that Rastani may not be who he says he is. The…
Read MoreRetailers lagging in m-commerce stakes – survey
While a growing number of consumers are expected to be buying goods and services regularly via their mobiles within the next three years, retailers appear to be lagging behind in terms of providing the means for them to do so, according to a new survey. Carried out by Empirix and the Customer Experience Foundation, the survey of nearly 8,000 consumers and more than 2,000 professionals in the UK, US, France and Germany, found that 91pc of respondents believe m-commerce services will make their shopping experience more convenient. Ninety percent of respondents said the services will save them time in their shopping processes and 68pc said new mobile services will have…
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