Sabbatical

I just signed a contract to work with RTE for the next number of months. For that reason I’ll be on sabbatical from this website for the next while.

I have previously worked with RTÉ (I was ‘Lucy‘, for example) on a day-pay basis but this contract stipulates that I commit to providing RTÉ with first-option on all my output (and that I agree to the other requirements of RTÉ contractors as per any other journalist hired into RTÉ on contract). That means I won’t be working in print for the time being either.

Thanks to all of you who bothered to read what ever t’was I put up around here over the last year-plus. Further thanks to those who though it stimulating enough to comment or email me, especially those of you far smarter than me who put me straight on opinions or questions I raised. And a yet further – massive – thanks to those donated to the FOI fund. There have been times when I’ve been stunned by people’s generosity to this site.

I’ll still be contactable at 087 9431203 and coughlanmp AT gmail DOT com if you wish to get in touch (alternatively, add me on Facebook if that’s your preferred method of maintaining communication). Day or night, do call me if you think you’ve got interesting information or just want to talk over a pint/lunch!

G’wan save that number, who knows when you’ll need to call a journalist… Ah g’wan, g’wan, g’wan, g’wan.

Sure Gav was the brains behind it anyway.

I’ve never been one to pass up the opportunity to use a good-ol’ choon in a blog post. This is no exception. Diana Ross, boys and girls…

Thanks again.

NAMA appoints receivers

Some interesting yuletide notices from Iris Oifigiul:

COMPANIES ACTS 1963-2009
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT OF A RECEIVER
PADDY BURKE (BUILDERS) LIMITED
(In Receivership)
Notice is hereby given that on 21 December, 2010, the National
Asset Management Agency (‘‘NAMA’’), under powers
conferred upon it by the National Asset Management Agency
Act 2009 (the ‘‘NAMA Act’’) and Indentures of Mortgage dated
1 September, 1998, 28 April, 2004, 23 June, 2005 and 4 April,
2006, a Debenture dated 26 June, 2003 and Indentures of
Assignment by way of Mortgage dated 28 April, 2004 and 23
June, 2005 (the ‘‘Debentures’’), each made between Paddy
Burke (Builders) Limited (the ‘‘Company’’) and Anglo Irish
Bank Corporation Limited (formerly Anglo Irish Bank plc),
which Debentures are acquired bank assets within the meaning
of the NAMA Act, appointed Eoin Ryan of Horwath Bastow
Charlton, Horwath House, The Red Church, Henry Street,
Limerick, to be Statutory Receiver of the assets of the Company
charged by the said Debentures.
Dated this 22nd day of December, 2010.
NATIONAL ASSET MANAGEMENT AGENCY,
Treasury Building,
Grand Canal Street,
Dublin 2.

COMPANIES ACTS 1963-2009
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT OF A RECEIVER
MELLVIEW CONTRACTORS LIMITED
(In Receivership)
Notice is hereby given that on 20 December, 2010, the National
Asset Management Agency (‘‘NAMA’’), under powers
conferred upon it by the National Asset Management Agency
Act 2009 (the ‘‘NAMA Act’’) and Assignment dated 27 October
2006 and Account Charge dated 4 May, 2007 (the ‘‘Charge
Documents’’), made between Mellview Contractors Limited
(the ‘‘Company’’) and Anglo Irish Bank Corporation Limited
(formerly Anglo Irish Bank plc), which Charge Documents are
acquired bank assets within the meaning of the NAMA Act,
appointed Paul McCann of Grant Thornton, 24-26 City Quay,
Dublin 2, to be Statutory Receiver of the assets of the Company
charged by the said Charge Documents.
Dated this 22nd day of December, 2010.
NATIONAL ASSET MANAGEMENT AGENCY,
Treasury Building,
Grand Canal Street,
Dublin 2.

COMPANIES ACTS 1963-2009
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT OF A RECEIVER
ARCADIA DEVELOPMENTS LIMITED
(In Receivership)
Notice is hereby given that on 20 December, 2010, the National
Asset Management Agency (‘‘NAMA’’), under powers
conferred upon it by the National Asset Management Agency
Act 2009 (the ‘‘NAMA Act’’) and Debenture dated 13 January,
2005, Charges dated 21 March, 2005, 20 April, 2005, 14 July,
2005 and 13 January, 2006 and Assignments dated 13 January,
2005 and 29 April, 2005 (the ‘‘Debentures’’), each made
between Arcadia Developments Limited (the ‘‘Company’’) and
Anglo Irish Bank Corporation Limited (formerly Anglo Irish
Bank plc), which Debentures are acquired bank assets within
the meaning of the NAMA Act, appointed Paul McCann of
Grant Thornton, 24-26 City Quay, Dublin 2, to be Statutory
Receiver of the assets of the Company charged by the said
Debentures.
Dated this 22nd day of December, 2010.
NATIONAL ASSET MANAGEMENT AGENCY,
Treasury Building,
Grand Canal Street,
Dublin 2.

COMPANIES ACTS 1963-2009
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT OF A RECEIVER
LYNDONBARRY ESTATES LIMITED
(In Receivership)
Notice is hereby given that on 20 December, 2010, the National
Asset Management Agency (‘‘NAMA’’), under powers
conferred upon it by the National Asset Management Agency
Act 2009 (the ‘‘NAMA Act’’) and Debenture dated 18 October,
2006 (the ‘‘Debenture’’), made between Lyndonbarry Estates
Limited (the ‘‘Company’’) and Anglo Irish Bank Corporation
Limited (formerly Anglo Irish Bank plc), which Debenture is
an acquired bank assets within the meaning of the NAMA Act,
appointed Paul McCann of Grant Thornton, 24-26 City Quay,
Dublin 2 to be Statutory Receiver of the assets of the Company
charged by the said Debenture.
Dated this 22nd day of December, 2010.
NATIONAL ASSET MANAGEMENT AGENCY,
Treasury Building,
Grand Canal Street,
Dublin 2.

COMPANIES ACTS 1963-2009
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT OF A RECEIVER
MELLVIEW PROPERTIES LIMITED
(In Receivership)
Notice is hereby given that on 20 December, 2010, the National
Asset Management Agency (‘‘NAMA’’), under powers
conferred upon it by the National Asset Management Agency
Act 2009 (the ‘‘NAMA Act’’) and Assignment dated 27
October, 2006 (the ‘‘Assignment’’), made between Mellview
Properties Limited (the ‘‘Company’’) and Anglo Irish Bank
Corporation Limited (formerly Anglo Irish Bank plc), which
Assignment is an acquired bank asset within the meaning of the
NAMA Act, appointed Paul McCann of Grant Thornton, 24-26
City Quay, Dublin 2 to be Statutory Receiver of the assets of
the Company charged by the said Assignment.
Dated this 22nd day of December, 2010.
NATIONAL ASSET MANAGEMENT AGENCY,
Treasury Building,
Grand Canal Street,
Dublin 2.

COMPANIES ACTS 1963-2009
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT OF A RECEIVER
MELLVIEW ESTATES LIMITED
(In Receivership)
Notice is hereby given that on 20 December, 2010, the National
Asset Management Agency (‘‘NAMA’’), under powers
conferred upon it by the National Asset Management Agency
Act 2009 (the ‘‘NAMA Act’’) and Assignment dated 27 October
2006 (the ‘‘Assignment’’), made between Mellview Estates
Limited (the ‘‘Company’’) and Anglo Irish Bank Corporation
Limited (formerly Anglo Irish Bank plc), which Assignment is
an acquired bank asset within the meaning of the NAMA Act,
appointed Paul McCann of Grant Thornton, 24-26 City Quay,
Dublin 2, to be Statutory Receiver of the assets of the Company
charged by the said Assignment.
Dated this 22nd day of December, 2010.
NATIONAL ASSET MANAGEMENT AGENCY,
Treasury Building,
Grand Canal Street,
Dublin 2.

COMPANIES ACTS 1963-2009
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT OF A RECEIVER
LYNDONBARRY PROPERTIES LIMITED
(In Receivership)
Notice is hereby given that on 20 December, 2010, the National
Asset Management Agency (‘‘NAMA’’), under powers
conferred upon it by the National Asset Management Agency
Act 2009 (the ‘‘NAMA Act’’) and Debenture dated 21 June,
2006 (the ‘‘Debenture’’), made between Lyndonbarry Properties
Limited (the ‘‘Company’’) and Anglo Irish Bank Corporation
Limited (formerly Anglo Irish Bank plc), which Debenture is
an acquired bank asset within the meaning of the NAMA Act,
appointed Paul McCann of Grant Thornton, 24-26 City Quay,
Dublin 2 to be Statutory Receiver of the assets of the Company
charged by the said Debenture.
Dated this 22nd day of December, 2010.
NATIONAL ASSET MANAGEMENT AGENCY,
Treasury Building,
Grand Canal Street,
Dublin 2

Anglo Irish Bank – related companies

This is a list of over 1,000 Anglo Irish Bank subsidiaries or related companies, with a path of minimum 25.01% of control – known shareholders. Most of the companies are British registered, and can be up to 9 times removed from the parent (ie – subsidiaries of subsidiaries of subsidiaries and so on). If you see duplicates it’s because there is a byztanine ownership structure. Listing doesn’t necessarily imply control, it may only mean that Anglo lent to the company in the past. And obviously, inclusion does not imply wrongdoing.

1.  ANGLO IRISH BANK CORPORATION PLC
ANGLO IRISH COVERED BONDS FINANCE LIMITED
ANGLO IRISH CORPORATE BANK LIMITED
ANGLO IRISH ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED
ANGLO IRISH NOMINEES LIMITED
EXHORT LIMITED
MOSCHUS LIMITED
PHAENOM LIMITED
WORLD 2000 ENTERTAINMENT LIMITED IE
ANGLO IRISH BANK ESOP LIMITED
CERTIFICATION EUROPE LIMITED
FOXGRANGE LIMITED
THE LITHOGRAPHIC GROUP LIMITED
INTERNATIONAL COLOUR WEB LIMITED IE
LITHOGRAPHIC UNIVERSAL LIMITED
LITHOSET LIMITED
THE LITHOGRAPHIC GROUP LIMITED
SOLITUDE LIMITED
CORE DIRECT MARKETING LIMITED
FOILSEACHAN NA ROSANN TEORANTA IE
MAC COMMUNICATIONS LIMITED
FOILSEACHAN NA ROSANN TEORANTA IE
VISITOR PUBLICATIONS LIMITED
WINSTONE PUBLISHING LIMITED
MAC COMMUNICATIONS LIMITED
LITHOGRAPHIC WEB PRESS LIMITED
ANGLO IRISH NOMINEES LIMITED
ANGLO IRISH INTERNATIONAL FINANCE IE
ANGLO IRISH EQUITY LIMITED
AALP GALASHIELS LIMITED
AALP SUNBURY LIMITED
ANGLO IRISH INTERNATIONAL FINANCE IE
ANGLO IRISH INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL SERVICES LIMITED
PAGNOL LIMITED
IBOC LIMITED
REGENT PROPERTY S.N.C. DI REGENT
REGENT MILANO DIFFUSIONE S.R.L.
TINCORRA INVESTMENTS LIMITED
2.  ANGLO IRISH CAPITAL FUNDING LIMITED KY
3.  ANGLO IRISH CAPITAL UK (2) LP
4.  ANGLO IRISH CAPITAL UK (3) LP
5.  ANGLO IRISH CAPITAL UK LP
6.  ANGLO IRISH COVERED BONDS LLP
7.  PROODOS FUNDING LIMITED
8.  ANGLO IRISH ASSET FINANCE PLC
9.  ANGLO IRISH PROPERTY LENDING
GARLETON DEVELOPMENT COMPANY
CRIFFEL VENTURES LIMITED
URAICH LIMITED
10.  STEENWAL B.V.
11.  ANGLO IRISH MORTGAGE BANK
12.  ANGLO IRISH BANK ESOP LIMITED
13.  ANGLO IRISH BANK LIMITED
ANGLO-IRISH BANK (NOMINEES) LIMITED IE
NAVID LIMITED
EARAGAIL EISC TEORANTA
EARAGAIL RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT IE
TYSAN INVESTMENTS
BALCUIK LIMITED
ATRIUM PROPERTY DEVELOPMENTS
MARTLET HOLDINGS
C.F. LIMITED
GOURMET MUSHROOM COMPANY
THE GOURMET MUSHROOM COMPANY
IRISH BUYWAY LIMITED
OCTAGON ONLINE SERVICES LIMITED
SPARTA FINANCIAL SERVICES
A.E.D. LIMITED
ANGLO IRISH CAPITAL PARTNERS
ANGLO IRISH CORPORATE BANK
ANGLO IRISH EQUITY LIMITED
ANGLO IRISH FINANCIAL SERVICES
ANGLO IRISH FUNDING 1 LIMITED
ANGLO IRISH MORTGAGE BANK
ANGLO IRISH FUNDING 2 LIMITED
ANGLO IRISH MORTGAGE BANK
ANGLO IRISH FUNDING 3 LIMITED
ANGLO IRISH MORTGAGE BANK
ANGLO IRISH FUNDING 4 LIMITED
ANGLO IRISH MORTGAGE BANK
ANGLO IRISH FUNDING 5 LIMITED
ANGLO IRISH MORTGAGE BANK
ANGLO IRISH FUNDING 6 LIMITED
ANGLO IRISH MORTGAGE BANK
ANGLO IRISH INTERNATIONAL FINANCE
ANGLO IRISH INTERNATIONAL
FINANCIAL SERVICES LIMITED
ARAGONE LIMITED
BUYWAY GROUP LIMITED
INDUSTRIAL FUNDING TRUST LIMITED
IRISH BUYWAY LIMITED
KNIGHTSDALE LIMITED
C.D.B.INVESTMENTS LIMITED
CDB (U.K.) LIMITED
AMBLEPATH PROPERTIES LIMITED
132 COMMERCIAL ST MANAGEMENT COMPANY LIMITED
ANGLO IRISH ASSET FINANCE PLC
ANGLO IRISH CAPITAL GP LIMITED
ANGLO IRISH CARRY PARTNER LIMITED
ANGLO IRISH COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES (NO.1) LIMITED
ANGLO IRISH COMMERCIAL
PROPERTIES LIMITED
ANGLO IRISH CREDIT PLC
ANGLO IRISH LEASING LIMITED
BERFORS NOMINEES LIMITED
MOOREVALE ESTATES LIMITED
MOOREVALE INVESTMENTS LIMITED
MOOREVALE INVESTMENTS (BRIGADE HOUSE) LIMITED
MOOREVALE INVESTMENTS (MARGARET STREET) LIMITED
MOOREVALE INVESTMENTS (NEW PREMIER HOUSE) LIMITED
MOOREVALE INVESTMENTS (SARDINIA HOUSE) LIMITED
SOMERSTON HOTELS (GLASGOW AIRPORT) LIMITED
SOMERSTON HOTELS (STIRLING)
ALCHEMIST ANGLO PROPERTY
VENTURES LIMITED
ALCHEMIST ANGLO PROPERTY
VENTURES (SUNDERLAND) LIMITED
SOMERSTON HOTELS (EDINBURGH WATERFRONT) LIMITED
I F T NOMINEES LIMITED
SCOTTISH HIGHLAND HOTELS LIMITED
STIRLING HIGHLAND HOTEL LIMITED
CARLTON HOTEL (EDINBURGH) LIMITED
BELGRAVE RESIDENTIAL ASSETS
BELGRAVE RESIDENTIAL INVESTMENTS
CARLTON HOTEL (EDINBURGH) LIMITED
NC (RES) LIMITED
SALLYPORT HOUSE MANAGEMENT
SALLYPORT HOUSE NOMINEE LIMITED
SPATH HOLME LIMITED
SPATH HOLME MANAGEMENT LIMITED
SOUTH EASTERN RECOVERY II LIMITED
SOUTHERNESS HOLIDAY VILLAGE (HOLDINGS) LIMITED
SOUTHERNESS HOLIDAY VILLAGE
SOUTHERNESS HOLIDAY VILLAGE
STANLEY DAVIS GROUP LIMITED
CAPITAL COMPANY SERVICES LIMITED
CAPITAL NOMINEES LIMITED
360 DEGREES DESIGN LIMITED
AUDITAS MANAGEMENT & CONSULTING
BCL INVEST LIMITED
BOLTON MAY LIMITED
CANTERBURY SERVICES LIMITED
CLEAR FORMATION LIMITED
MITCHAM BUILDING LIMITED
CONNEXION WAY LIMITED
CROSSWAVES ESTATES LIMITED
DB INVEST LIMITED
DIMEMARK LIMITED
EPAYMENTS SERVICES LIMITED
FOOD DISTRIBUTION INTERNATIONAL
MANAGEMENT LIMITED
Q.D.F. (UK) LIMITED
GARTLAND LIMITED
GLOBAL ADVISING AND ENGINEERING
GREEN VALUES LIMITED
HOPE FILMS LIMITED
K2 FARM LIMITED
KILOSPACE LIMITED
LILY ENTERPRISES LIMITED
MANAGEMENT SECRETARY LIMITED
MARTIN JACOB INVESTMENTS LIMITED
MAYBACH CONSULTING LIMITED
MAYBACH LIMITED
MEGAFISH LIMITED
MILLENNIUM ADJUSTERS LIMITED
NEW SPIRIT LIMITED
NOBLEVOICE LIMITED
ONE CASEMATES LIMITED
PHARMA INNOVATIONS LIMITED
PROFORCE SYSTEMS LIMITED
PROJECT LIGHT LIMITED
QUOTEMANOR LIMITED
S.M.L. INVESTMENTS LTD
ST. MARTINS INVESTMENTS LIMITED
STAMPFLAT NOM X LIMITED
STAMPFLAT LIMITED
STAR SHIPPING SERVICES LTD
STEWARD DIGITAL ART LIMITED
UNIPHARMA UK LIMITED
VASTPOST LIMITED
VITALITY FOOD LIMITED
WINTER WOOD LIMITED
WORLDSIDE LIMITED
YORKWAY INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
HANGERS PLUS UK LIMITED
TIMESHIFT LIMITED
BETPOINT ELECTRONICS LIMITED
BONDFIELD & PARTNERS LIMITED
CARTEM INVESTMENTS LIMITED
CORNUS INDUSTRY LIMITED
CUMBERLAND SERVICES LIMITED
DOVECELL LIMITED
EDITPOINT LIMITED
ELMTOWN LIMITED
EMME IMAGES LIMITED
FESTOON CONSTRUCTION LIMITED
BANCA CR FIRENZE ROMANIA SA
GREG FIRST LIMITED
IWE INVESTMENTS LIMITED
JANVY INVESTMENTS LTD
LOGISTIC AND HANDLING SYSTEM
MANHATTAN DIAMONDS PLC
OPALWAY TRADING LIMITED
STONECHOICE LIMITED
TAMUS LIMITED
THOMPSON CHEMICAL LIMITED
WILMINGTON HOUSE LIMITED
REGENT HOLDINGS LIMITED
BARWARE SOLUTIONS LIMITED
CONSULTING & SPORT SERVICES LTD
DIGITAL VIEW GROUP LIMITED
DIGITAL VIEW GROUP (CAYMAN) LTD
DIGITAL VIEW LIMITED
ESPRIT DIGITAL LIMITED
PRIZE MOBILE GROUP PLC
PRIZE MOBILE LIMITED
GAMES AND GAMING LTD
XOGO LIMITED
PRIZE MOBILE SOLUTIONS LIMITED
MARENGO MINING LIMITED
MARENGO MINING (PNG) LTD
Continue reading “Anglo Irish Bank – related companies”

Department of Finance email volumes

Some time ago I sought information on certain emails between the Department of Finance and other organisations. The request was refused on volume grounds (I am appealing), but in the internal review the Department broke down email volumes for the period I requested, September 1, 2007 to June 30, 2009. Here is the breakdown:

The email exchange to both Bank of Ireland and to the Department of the Taoiseach are particularly interesting. Why was Bank of Ireland more than twice Anglo? Interesting.

HSE expense claims 2007 to 2010 all regions

This is all claims for expenses from people working in the HSE from 2007 to mid 2010. The total comes to €260,450,676.60.

Contextual documents:

FOI letter
Internal review decision
Expenses context

HSE South: €39,532,886.69, 23,415 rows, 15.18% of the total claimed

HSE South 2007
HSE South 2008
HSE South 2009
HSE South 2010 (to end June)

HSE Northwest: €35,786,735.08, 16,715 rows, 13.74% of the total claimed

HSE Northwest all years

HSE Midlands: €31,470,046.22, 14,807 rows, 12.08% of the total claimed

HSE Midlands all years

HSE West: €45,275,421.66, 20,298 rows, 17.38% of the total claimed (the largest)

HSE West all years

HSE East (Right click and save as.., or open in new tab)

HSE East 2007
HSE East 2008
HSE East 2009
HSE East 2010 (to end June)
HSE East AP 2007
HSE East AP 2008
HSE East AP 2009
HSE East AP 2010 (to end June)

HSE Southeast
HSE Southeast, all years

HSE Midwest

HSE Midwest all years

HSE Northeast

HSE Northeast Jan – Mar 2007
HSE Northeast Apr – Jun 2007
HSE Northeast Jul – Sep 2007
HSE Northeast Oct – Dec 2007

HSE Northeast Jan – Mar 2008
HSE Northeast Apr – Jun 2008
HSE Northeast Jul – Sep 2008
HSE Northeast Oct – Dec 2008

HSE Northeast 2009

HSE Northeast Jan – Mar 2010
HSE Northeast Apr – Jun 2010

Reply to Anglo Irish

As mentioned previously, I am arguing that Anglo Irish Bank is a public authority for the purposes of the Environmental Information Regulations (EIR) (SI 133/2007). Here is my reply to Anglo’s submission:



Central Bank emergency lending soars to €44.67bn

A follow up from myself and Lorcan’s post last month on how much liquidity the Irish Central Bank is providing to Irish banks. November data has just been released and the figures are stark, a jump from €34bn in October to €44.67bn in November:

Of course that’s not the only story. Lending to euro area credit institutions rose as well, from €130bn to €136bn. As Lorcan points out on his blog:

Firstly, banks other than Anglo are now accessing this facility – Total loans from Anglo destined for NAMA were €20bn

Secondly, the ECB is NOT accepting NAMA promissory notes as collateral for repo operations. If it was, there would be no need for this facility from the Irish central bank. Presumably, the fact that NAMA is paying with promissory notes (basically an IOU) rather than government guaranteed bonds means they are not repo-able.

So, what does all this mean?

Well, the first broad point is that the amount of liquidity – both ECB and ‘exceptional’ – being provided to the Irish banking system has reached utterly unsustainable levels. At a combined total of €181.110bn, current ‘extend and pretend’ policies must be close to their limit.