Tag Archives: Ireland

Seeking changes in Health & Education in Ireland

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Interesting to read Paul Rellis (CEO Microsoft Ireland) pushing significant amounts of technology in Education and Health as ways to address much of the problems we have.

Would agree 100% with Paul Rellis’s ideas around uses of digital technology.  However seems to me risk putting cart before the horse.  First we need a clear vision of what we are looking to achieve, then commitment from those in Health & Education to achieve the vision, commitment from the investor (govt.) in terms of any required investment.  The technology bit is not actually that hard – using Microsoft technology, other proprietary technology and open source technology – in any, to be agreed, configuration.

But first let’s set vision, get some commitment and manage the change.

Is the alternative any better?

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Would not always agree with Vincent Brown.  But his piece in today’s Sunday Business Post is not far off the mark.  We may have the worst government in a long time (ever?) but what does the alternative look like?  Brown accuses Fine Gael of cynicism – having pots at the government, talking about some pleasing initiatives they would take (to create 100,000 jobs) while avoiding any real explanation for how they would pay for anything – specifics on public expenditure cuts, specifics on taxation increases.

Back to the case for National Government.  Not a lot to choose between FF and FG.  They should just get on with it.

Ireland – leading the way in eLearning and semantic web

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Spent the morning at a workshop run by DERI (Digital Enterprise Research Institute) at Enterprise Ireland.  If we spent more time focusing on what we can achieve through the likes of DERI and the Irish Learning Alliance (ILA) we might begin to dig ourselves out of our current difficulties.

Excellent presentations by Johnny Parkes, Bill McDaniel, Liam Moran and Mark Leyden.

Web 3.0 – in terms of getting at the data across the web – has great potential.  Poses interesting challenges/ questions for organisations traditionally obsessed with confindentiality of their data.  However for those who understand and resolve the connundrum (sharing their data) web 3.0 offers the potential of much greater insights and decision making.

Questions & Answers – despair

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Watching the politicians tonight after Fianna Fail and the Greens have taken a hammering in the local and European elections.  All but FF and Greens promoting the need for an immediate general election.  FF and Greens arguing that government should continue to govern.

Joan Burton (Labour) and Mary Lou MacDonald (SF) surely should be on one side (left) – with Fianna Fail and Fine Gael on the other (right).  This whole show is a waste of time and energy.  We are looking at two centre right parties – FF and FG – who should merge.  They may have different ideas on what to do with public expenditure, banks, etc – but effectively represent same interests.

At some stage surely Labour and SF can work out how to come together – perhaps now that Labour feel more confident (at least in Dublin) they can look to work with SF.

Please quite the squabbling.  Michael Martin and Richard Bruton should be in one party.  Mary Lou MacDonald and Joan Burton should be in one party.  Then we might finally have a real choice between right and left.

As usual John Bowman’s  mastery of his subject matter and genuine fairness is outstanding.

Salaries for IT managers in Ireland

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The news that many IT managers in Ireland make in excess of €100K per annum is not that surprising.  I think the comment ‘Once again, when it comes to the true believers in the value of IT, Irish firms just aren’t at the races, no matter what the politically correct thing to say is.’ is an oversimplification.

From my experience Irish business managers are not unwilling to invest where they seem opportunity.  And this willingness to invest includes IT assets – including IT people.  I would suggest that most of the failure is within the IT community – failing to sell the benefit of what it offers to business people.  It’s too easy to suggest that Irish firms do not appreciate benefits of IT.  In many cases the benefits have not been demonstrated – no matter what the politically correct thing to say is.

Finally, I think many IT managers in Ireland are worth at least 100K per annum.


More positive news on Ireland’s ability to raise money

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Today’s report in the Sunday Tribune represents a more positive spin from the Irish press on Ireland’s outlook – and takes a positive perspective on the recent ESRI report.  Credit to Minister Lenihan and his officials for managing to turn around the profile of the country – through definitive action in Ireland and better interntional communications programmes.

Positive feedback on Finance Minister Brian Lenihan

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It’s been a tough week on the homefront.  We’ve had the AGM’s for AIB and Irish Life & Permanent.  Very angry shareholders.  Directors facing the music.  And an additional €1.5bn privision by AIB.

However our Finance Minister has been out doing his stuff – on tour getting the Ireland message across.  Frank Millar assures us in today’s Irish Times that Lenihan has been well received and has demonstrated an indepth understanding of his brief.

I have heard plenty of objections to NAMA recently – developers, press, opposition parties.  In fact the head of the NTMA caused some concern by making it clear he does not have the resources to push forward with NAMA. Nationalisation of the banks has a great deal of logical appeal at this stage – if the State is to put in significant funding then the State should participate (proportionately) in the upside.

However the government cannot sit still – and needs to formulate and execute plans.  This feedback would at least indicate that we have someone in charge who can explain what they are trying to do – in direct confliect with much of what is reported in the dedia and suggested by opposition politicians.  I think all of this supports points previously made in this blog – there is a need for a National Agenda – preferably supported by a National Government.

When the government say is it’s global problem they have a point

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Today’s report in the Irish Times gives a reasonable summary of just how bad things are around Europe.  We have made some serious errors in Ireland – but there is a major international dimension to this.

Was interested in listening to economist John Fitzgerald today.  Even if we end up putting €20bn into rescuing our banks this number will pale into significance when we look at costs associated with government spending – be that public sector or unemplyment payments.

a case for gardening leave

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I could not agree more with Noel Whelan in today’s Irish Times.

George Lee has been the anchor commentator for RTE on the economy and the actions taken by the government throughout the current crisis.  He now puts himself forward as a candidate for the main opposition party in the forthcoming by- election.  I think three months off – between the RTE job and being a FG candidate would be entirely appropriate.

The more I look at it the more I believe we need national government.   The government has started to prescribe the tough medicine – with a lot more to come.  We do  not need party politics at this time.  We need choices from the right and left of centre.  Time for FG/FF to be big boys and bury the hatchet.  And there should be a left of centre alternative – to be led by Labour.

The Links at Doonbeg, Co. Clare, Ireland

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doonbegHad the great pleasure of playing the links at Doonbeg on Sunday, as a guest of Niall O’Carroll.  We enjoyed near perfect conditions: bright sunshine, light wind and no more than 10 minutes of rain.  Not a very long track off the white tees: approx. 6,300 yds.   Wonderful driving course – with a number of elevated tee boxes.  Architect (Greg Norman & Co) maximised views of the Atlantic and the  beach.  Course is well bunkered and the greens present many challenges.

Would recommend Doonbeg to those visiting Ireland to experience Links Golf.  Well positioned on the trip between the Kerry Links and Lahinch in North Clare.

Clubhouse, catering and facilities in general are top class.