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Page updated: Tuesday, 3 August, 2004 16:45

ARCHIVE CONTENT
First Business Improvement District (BID) for Dublin
IRA remains committed to ideals of Proclamation
Easter Sunday Parade and GPO Ceremony
New Board of the Labour Relations Commission appointed
Northern Ireland Assembly to reconvene 15 May
Campaign to clear names of executed WWI soldiers
Statement by the Minister for Justice on cash in transit robbery
Beckett Centenary Festival launched internationally

Monday, 02 July 2007
First Business Improvement District (BID) for Dublin
Dublin City Council is set to approve the first BID project for Ireland at the July Meeting of Dublin City Council. This will lead to over €20 million being invested in Dublin City commercial core for additional services over 5 years.

The additional services will include daily power hosing the streets, immediate removing of graffiti, improve security with street ambassadors who will welcome customers and client to the BID area, provide information to visitors, handing out local maps to promote products & services of the city.

The BID will also initiate additional street improvements with the installations of public art, seating, flowerbeds, tree planting and street lighting.

Speaking before the meeting Cllr. Kevin Humphreys said “That BID has the potential of making a positive contribution of keeping Dublin city centre the premier shopping destination in Ireland by developing a partnership with Dublin City Council and the business community to provide additional services in the city centre that would not normally be provided."

Cllr. Kevin Humphreys said he welcomes the new initiative and acknowledges the work done by Dublin City Business Association in getting this project so far, adding that it has the potential of making a positive contribution to the environment and business potential in Dublin city centre

If Dublin City Council gives approval for the BID to go ahead at the July meeting a plebiscite will take place in early autumn of businesses within the area.

Thursday, 13 April 2006
IRA remains committed to ideals of Proclamation
In a statement ublished today in the Irish Republican magazine An Phoblacht, the IRA said it was committed to the ideals of Proclamation that followed on from the 1916 Easter Rising.

A statement released by the Irish Republican Publicity Bureau in Dublin said: “This Easter marks the 90th anniversary of the 1916 Rising, a turning point in the history of Ireland.

“Irish republicans remember with pride those who gave their lives that extraordinary Easter and the leaders executed in the weeks that followed.

“The leadership of Óglaigh na hEireann extends solidarity to the families of all of our patriot dead from every generation and in particular those from this phase of struggle.

“We send solidarity greetings to our imprisoned comrades and their families.

“This year we also commemorate the valiant prison Hunger Strike of 1981. Ten brave men - freedom fighters and patriots - died. Their legacy and that of Frank Stagg and Michael Gaughan, lives on and their fortitude and courage continues to inspire.

“Following our statement of July 28 last year, IRA Volunteers have adhered, in the spirit and the letter, to the decisions and instructions outlined by the leadership.

“We commend the discipline of our Volunteers and salute their commitment. The IRA has no responsibility for the tiny number of former republicans who have embraced criminal activity. They do so for self-gain. We repudiate this activity and denounce those involved.

The IRA remains committed to the peace process. Our decisions and actions of last July and September are proof of that.

“The leadership of Óglaigh na hEireann believes that it is possible to achieve the republican goal of a united Ireland through the alternative route of purely peaceful and democratic means.

“We know that many republicans are frustrated and angry at the positions taken up by the two governments over the last year. However, in our view, the will of the people is to see advances in the political process.

“The onus is on the two governments and the political parties to ensure that this happens. The Irish Government in particular has a duty to see beyond the current phase of the process. Its responsibility is to promote an end to partition and to create the conditions for the unity and independence of Ireland.

“The IRA is fully committed to the ideals and principles of the Proclamation of Easter 1916.

“We urge maximum unity in the time ahead.

Beirigí bua.”

“I mbliana céiliúraímid comóradh 90 blian d'Eirí Amach na Cásca, am cinniúna i stair na hEireann.

“Cuimhníonn poblachtánaigh Eireannach le bród agus l'ómós, iad siúd a thug a mbeatha tráth na Cásca cinniúna sin ach go spéisialta na cinnirí a chuireadh chun báis ag Gall i gcaitheamh na seachtainí beaga tar éis Seachtain na Cásca. Faireann ceannaireachht Óglaigh na hEireann dlúthpháirteachas do theaghlaigh na tírgráthóirí calma uilig a thug a mbeatha ar son saoirse na hEireann in achán glún ach go háiríthe ár gcomradaíthe a fuair bás sa tréimhse coimhlinte is déanaí.

“Scolaimid beannachtaí agus guímid gach ráth ar ár gcuid phearsanra atá faoi ghlás ag Gall agus ar a gclainne siúd freisin. I mbliana fosta cuimhnímis agus comóraimís Stailc Ocrais 1981. Fuair deichniúr cróga, trodairí saoirse agus tírgráthóirí bás. Maireann oidhreacht s'acú agus oidhreacht Frank Stagg agus Michael Gaughan beo agus tugann a gcuid díongháilteacht agus crógacht ionspioráid dúinn ar fad.

“Ó éisíodh ráiteas Óglaigh na hEireann ar an 28ú Iúil na bliana seo cáite chloí Óglaigh s'againne go dlúth le spioráid agus le briathra an ráitis sin agus cloí said leis na cionníolacha agus na treoir uilig a tugadh dóibh. Séanann ceannaireacht Óglaigh na hEireann na bréaga agus na líomhainti gan bhúnus a táthar a gcraobhscaoileadh ag ár naimhde. Molaimid ár gcuid Óglach as a rialbheas agus seasmhacht.

“Níl Óglaigh na hEireann freaghach ar bhealach ar bith as an fhíormhionlach d'iár phoblachtánaigh a d'imigh le coirpeachas. Rinne siad amhlaidh da thoradh Féinsuime séanaimid iad agus a gcuid gníomhaíochta agus cáinimid iad.

“Tá Óglaigh na hEireann dlúite don phróiseas síochána ar fad. Fíoraíonn ár gcuid gníomhnaíochta agus ár gcuid cinní sin. Creideann ceannaireacht Óglaigh na hEireann gur féidir an sprioc poblachtach: Eireann athaontaíthe a bhaint amach le gniomhnaíochta síochánta agus daonláthacha amháin. Tuigimid go bhfuil frustrachás agus fearg nach beag ar go leor poblachtánaigh mar gheall ar an seasamh atá glachta ag an dá rialteas le bliain anuas. Bíodh sin amhlaidh sé ár mbarúil gurb é mian an phobail dul chun tosaigh a fheiceaíl sa phroiseas síochána. Tá an fhreagracht ar an dá rialtas agus na páirtíthe polaitiúla cinntiú go dtarlaíonn an dul chun cinn sin.

“Tá freagracht uathúil ar rialtas =C1tha Cliath féachaint chun tosaigh agus noís fáide anon na an tréimhse reatha sa phroiseas. ‘Sé freaghacht agus dualgas s'acú coinníollacha a cothú agus a cruthú a cuireann deireadh leis an críochdheighilt agus a cuireann aontas agus neamhspleachas na tíre i gcrích.

“Ta ceannaireacht Óglaigh na hEireann tíománta go h-iomlán do bhunfhealsúnacht Forógra 1916.

“Sé an rud is tabhachtaí san am atá le teacht ná go leanfar leis an aontas a tháispeán poblachtánaigh chuige seo.

Beirigí bua.”

Thursday, 13 April 2006
Easter Sunday Parade and GPO Ceremony
The commemoration ceremonies will be led by the President and Taoiseach and will commence at 12.00 noon at the General Post Office in Dublin.

Shortly before 12.00 noon, the Parade will depart Dublin Castle and proceed via Dame Street and College Green to Westmoreland Street, where it will pause.

At 12.00noon the ceremony at the GPO will commence.

GPO Ceremony
National Flag on the GPO lowered to half-mast
Military Officer reads the Proclamation
Taoiseach invites President to lay a wreath
President lays wreath
Minute's silence observed for all those who died
National Flag returned to full mast
National Anthem When the ceremony concludes, the parade will resume via O'Connell Street to Parnell Square.

The Parade will comprise some 2500 personnel representing the Army, the Air Corps and the Naval Service, as well as members of the Irish U.N.Veterans Association and the Organisation of Ex-Servicemen and Ex-Servicewomen. It will mark in particular the Defence Forces’ role in United Nations peacekeeping missions and will include modern military equipment and a fly past by the Air Corps.

A contingent of Garda Síochána will also participate, representing that Force's role in U.N Peacekeeping missions.

Arrangements are in place to facilitate the public who come to the city centre to see the Parade as it proceeds through Dame Street, College Green, Westmoreland Street, O'Connell Street and Parnell Street. Large video screens are also being erected at key points on the route to relay the ceremony at the GPO and live coverage of ceremonies will commence at 11.30am on RTE.

Because of roadworks on O'Connell Street there will be no viewing of the parade between the Spire and Cathal Brugha Street. Between Middle Abbey Street and Henry Street there will be restricted viewing because of the position of the reviewing stands.

Additional Notes
1. On Easter Sunday morning at 10.30am the Taoiseach will lay a wreath in Kilmainham Gaol. Due to space considerations, this will take place in the presence of a small number of invited guests. Among the invited guests will be Fr Joseph Mallin, son of Michael Mallin, Irish Citizen Army Commander at the Royal College of Surgeons.

2. Some 900 invited guests will observe the Parade from the reviewing stands in front of the GPO. Approximately half of those will be representatives of the families of the volunteers who died during the Rising in 1916. Also expected to be present is Col Clancy, one of only two survivors of the War of Independence. 3. The wreaths to be laid at the GPO (and earlier at Kilmainham Gaol) will be “laurel/floral", symbolising both military and civilian victims.

An Cosantoir Publication Minister for Defence, Willie O'Dea TD has launched a special edition of An Cosantóir to commemorate the 90th Anniversary of the Easter Rising of 1916.

History of An Cosantóir : The rapid growth in the size of the army during the Emergency led to the establishment of a number of weekly newsletters to fill the need for communication. An Cosantóir began life as one of these newsletters, based in Col MJ Costello's Southern Command. The first issue, costing 2d, was issued on October 27th 1940.

An Cosantóir soon became one of the most influential publications and due to growing demand from personnel outside Munster production was moved from Cork to Dublin. A shortage of paper, caused by the war, also led to the magazine moving from a weekly to a monthly publication. The move to Dublin caused a lot of resentment and contributions declined severely. As a result the production of the magazine returned to Cork after 18 months.

Following the end of the Emergency An Cosantóir was adopted as the sole official magazine of the Defence Forces and production returned to Dublin, where it became the responsibility of the Directorate of Military Intelligence.

Sunday, 9 April, 2006
New Board of the Labour Relations Commission appointed
The Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Mr Micheál Martin T.D., today (Sunday 9th April, 2006) announced the new Board of the Labour Relations Commission. The new Board took up Office on 1 April 2006 and has been appointed for a term of 3 years.

Minister Martin announced that the existing Chairman of the Commission, Mr. Maurice Cashell, has been reappointed for his second term of 3 years.

Minister Martin also announced the appointment of a new Ministerial nominee Mr. Gerard Barry and the appointment of a new employers’ nominee Mr Pat McCann.

The four other members of the new Board are employers’ nominee Mr Brendan McGinty, workers’ nominees Mr Peter Bunting and Mr Peter McLoone, and Ministerial nominee Ms.Breege O’Donoghue.

The outgoing members are Ms Josephine Feehily of the Revenue Commissioners, who was a Board member for 6 years, and Mr Liam Downey who has taken on the role of Chairman of the Health Service Executive. Mr Downey was a member of the Board for more than 11 years.

Making the announcement Minister Martin expressed his appreciation for the contribution of the outgoing Board members. The Minister noted "the enormous contribution of Josephine and Liam to the management of the Commission in its work in promoting good industrial relations in the workplace and in developing the industrial relations services of the Commission".

Welcoming Mr Barry and Mr McCann to their new roles, Minister Martin expressed his confidence that the new Board of the Labour Relations Commission would continue to meet the ongoing challenge of promoting a good industrial relations environment.

Mr Maurice Cashell, a former civil servant, has worked for most of his career on issues relating to labour law and industrial relations. He also spent periods abroad - in Geneva, where he worked with the International Labour Office, and in the Irish Permanent Representation in Brussels.

Mr Gerard Barry is the Chief Executive of the Health Service Employers Agency (HSEA).

Mr Pat McCann is Chief Executive of Jurys Doyle Hotel Group plc.

Ms Breege O’Donoghue is a Director of Penneys/Primark retail stores in Ireland/UK and is responsible for human resources, advertising and security.

Mr Brendan McGinty is Director of HR and Industrial Relations at IBEC.

Mr Peter McLoone is General Secretary of IMPACT.

Mr Peter Bunting is an Assistant General Secretary with the Irish Congress of Trade Unions.

6 April 2006
Joint Statement By The Prime Minister And The Taoiseach
“IRA no longer a terrorist threat”
Assembly to be recalled 15 May after 4-year absence
Armagh
1 In recent months we have held discussions with all the political parties in Northern Ireland with a view to restoring the political institutions and building on the peace and prosperity which have flowed from the Good Friday Agreement.

2. When we last met, we noted the historic progress represented by the IRA statement of July 2005 . We are convinced that the IRA no longer represents a terrorist threat. By any standards, that is a momentous stage in the history of Northern Ireland. On that basis, we have made it clear that all parties should engage in political dialogue. We have also made it clear that all parties should support the police as the most effective way of addressing continuing concerns about criminality.

3. We cannot force anyone to enter the political institutions. Every part of the political process over the past eight years has been voluntary. What we can do is to set out what we believe to be a practical framework and a reasonable timescale for moving forward. While we are conscious of the view that further confidence needs to be established, we also know that time alone is not enough: trust will not build itself in the absence of positive engagement by all parties. Everyone in Northern Ireland is aware of the dangers of a political vacuum.

4. The Assembly will therefore be recalled on 15 May. Recognising that it has not sat for nearly four years, it seems sensible to give the Assembly a short period in which to prepare for government as envisaged by paragraph 35 of Strand One of the Good Friday Agreement. The Assembly's primary responsibility would be to elect a First and Deputy First Minister as soon as possible, to allocate Ministerial posts under the d'Hondt formula and to make other preparations for Government within Northern Ireland and in the North/South and East/West fields.

5. As soon as the Assembly elects a First and Deputy First Minister on a cross-community basis and forms an Executive, power will automatically be devolved to the Assembly, as happened in December 1999, and all its functions will be resumed. At that point the British Government's power to suspend the Assembly will lapse for good.

6. If, despite best efforts, the Assembly is not able to elect a First and Deputy First Minister on a cross-community basis within the normal six week period, we would be prepared to allow a further period of 12 weeks after the summer recess in which to form an Executive and we would expect it to do so at the earliest opportunity within this timeframe.

7. We are also conscious that all parties have made proposals for the better functioning of the institutions and that discussion on these issues has not yet concluded. It would be open to the parties to continue these discussions with each other and with the Governments, as appropriate, so that consideration could be given to proposals for the implementation of the Agreement, including changes to Strands 1 to 3 in the context of a commitment by all involved to participate in a power-sharing Executive.

8. It would of course also be open to the Assembly to prepare for Government by considering issues which the Executive will have to deal with, such as future economic strategy, water rates, public administration and education. Ministers would naturally take account of views which command cross-community support within the Assembly.

9. While it is reasonable to give the Assembly a little more time, there must be a clear limit. We said in January that a power-sharing Executive must be formed this year. If by 24 November the Assembly has failed to achieve this, we do not believe that any purpose would be served by a further election at that point or a few months later in May 2007. We do not think that the people of Northern Ireland should be asked to participate in elections to a deadlocked Assembly. There would be no choice but to cancel salaries and allowances for MLAs and to defer restoration of the Assembly and Executive until there is a clear political willingness to exercise devolved power. The Governments would, of course, stand ready to facilitate full restoration when all parties indicate such willingness.

10. If restoration of the Assembly and Executive has to be deferred, the Governments agree that this will have immediate implications for their joint stewardship of the process. We are beginning detailed work on British-Irish partnership arrangements that will be necessary in these circumstances to ensure that the Good Friday Agreement, which is the indispensable framework for relations on and between these islands, is actively developed across its structures and functions. This work will be shaped by the commitment of both Governments to a step-change in advancing North-South co-operation and action for the benefit of all.

11. The British Government will introduce emergency legislation to facilitate this way forward. It will set out clearly the limited timescale available to the Assembly to reach agreement. In parallel with the recalling of the Assembly, we will engage intensively with the parties to establish the trust necessary to allow the institutions not only to function but to flourish. There is a great deal of work to be done. The Governments will do all in their power to restore the institutions and return devolved Government to those elected by the people of Northern Ireland. But the final decisions are for the parties. We hope they will seize the opportunity to move forward.

Monday, 3 April, 2006
Campaign to clear names of executed WWI soldiers
One of the founders of the Irish Shot at Dawn campaign, a group founded in 2002 and fighting to clear the names of Irish soldiers who were executed by the British Army during World War I for desertion or insubordination, has praised those he refers to as the “unsung heroes who vigourously supported and canvassed on behalf of the Irish Shot at Dawn campaign“.

Following the publication of an article in The Times, Irish Shot at Dawn co-ordinator Peter Mulvany said: “I would like to place on record my thanks to those who stood by me outside the GPO in Dublin and elsewhere since June 2002.”

The Irish Shot at Dawn campaign has gained the full support of the Irish Government in calling on its British counterpart to restore “in death the dignity these men were denied in life”. No compensation claims are attached to the call.

To read the article from the Times, click here.
To visit the Irish Shot at Dan website. click here.
Background video and information from Channel4
More related items

Since the items above were published, the UK Government has announced its intention to grant pardons to all UK soldiers shot by firing squad as traitors during World War One.
Related: http://www.shotatdawn.org.uk/&e=9797
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/4798025.stm

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Monday, 3 April, 2006
Statement by the Minister for Justice on today's robbery
The cash in transit robbery in Dublin earlier today, the third in recent days, represents a disturbing development, particularly against the background of a significant reduction (27%) in this type of robbery last year, which requires an effective response.

That response must come, not just from law enforcement but also from the security industry and the financial services sector.

I have been kept briefed in the course of the day as to progress with the Garda investigation of this robbery.

I will meet with senior Gardai and representatives of the Private Security Authority in the morning to update me, not just on progress with these investigations, but with the security policy issues which may now arise.

I want to establish quickly and clearly the state of compliance or otherwise of the whole cash in transit sector with the voluntary protocols hammered out last year for secure management of significant cash deliveries in this jurisdiction.

29th March 2006
Beckett Centenary Festival launched internationally
* New Euro Gold Coin to be minted to commemorate Beckett
* Over 60 performances and strands detailed in souvenir brochure
* €800,000 provided to date for various events and activities
* 100 radio and 100 TV broadcasts by RTE
John O'Donoghue T.D., Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism this evening, (Wednesday, 29th March 2006), hosted the International Launch of the Beckett Centenary Festival at Dublin Castle.

The opening was marked by a performance by one of the leading Beckett interpreters and actors, Barry McGovern. Also on hand to invite the global arts world to celebrate the Centenary of Beckett was Bono.

Minster O'Donoghue said he was pleased with the huge international turnout at Dublin Castle and with the impressive programme of events that he hoped was a fitting tribute to the legacy of a global literary force. Eulogising Samuel Beckett, he said: “Beckett was a master in the economy of language. Amongst his many legacies to us are, I believe, some of the most iconic visual and aural theatrical imagery of the 20th and, indeed, the 21st Century.” The Minister said that he was delighted to provide financial support to the Festival and to date has approved almost €800,000 for various events and support activities, including a dedicated Festival website.

He expressed a wish that everyone would take the opportunity to enjoy the diverse and exciting programme that illuminates Beckett's mastery of drama and prose. There will be more than 60 different performances or strands in the whole Festival programme right through the month of April. The programme involves Beckett's alma mater Trinity College, RTE, Dublin Docklands, Dublin City Council, the National Gallery of Ireland, most of the galleries and cultural institutions in Dublin as well as the Gate Theatre. It will cater for all tastes ranging around the visual arts, audio-visual exhibitions, plays, photographic exhibitions, and TV and radio features. The Minister said that he was looking forward to all the festival events. He was especially eager to see Beckett ‘writ large’ in Dublin's night sky by the famous light projectionist Jenny Holzer. Jenny is going to light up various buildings with huge quotations from Beckett's work. He was also looking forward to the Beckett plays at the Gate Theatre and the Project Arts Centre.

“I am really looking forward to seeing actors there like Stephen Brennan, the great Michael Gambon, John Hurt, Barry McGovern, Johnny Murphy, Sian Phillips, Alan Stanford and Andrew Bennett.”

He looked forward also to the exhibition of Beckett related works by the exciting young artist Cian McLoughlin at the Office of Public Works, and to the John Minihan exhibition at the National Photographic Archive.

He also mentioned that Ireland is also going to mint the very first Euro gold coin (and a silver coin) to commemorate Beckett. This will be released next month to coincide with Beckett's birthday.

I think one of the most demanding of performances will probably be the Morton Feldman composition in the National Concert Hall on Good Friday 14th April which I may told takes six hours to perform without an interval! Tickets are selling briskly I understand, he added. The Minister also hinted at a few other surprises in store! He made special mention of Michael Colgan, Chair of the Festival Committee and Laura Barnes Festival Co-coordinator. The Minister also thanked the members of the Beckett Centenary Council under the Chair of Philip Furlong, Secretary General at the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism.

For more information please refer to the Beckett Centenary Festival official website at www.beckettcentenaryfestival.ie.