Luxury rugs, cars and a juicer rental: How the DFA spent taxpayer’s money in 2017

TWO rugs together costing over €6,200, a €5,000 contribution towards sculpting a bust of a former diplomat, renting a juicer for Prince Charles, and €32,500 for a luxury car were just some of the ways the Department of Foreign Affairs spent taxpayer’s money last year.

Continue reading “Luxury rugs, cars and a juicer rental: How the DFA spent taxpayer’s money in 2017”

Court Filings: Property Developer Paddy McKillen launches legal action against IBRC

This is the court filing from Delaware reported in the Sunday Business Post yesterday, concerning legal action between  Paddy McKillen and IBRC.

The property developer has launched a massive legal action in the United States against the liquidators of the former Anglo Irish Bank.

Continue reading “Court Filings: Property Developer Paddy McKillen launches legal action against IBRC”

Brexit “biggest economic threat to Ireland in a generation”, business groups warn

An FOI of all business groups’ correspondence with the Taoiseach last year reveals growing concern from various business organisations over the risk of Brexit to Irish jobs.

Over 28 letters relating to the impact of Brexit were sent from groups representing Irish business interests to the Department of the Taoiseach’s office in 2017.

Continue reading “Brexit “biggest economic threat to Ireland in a generation”, business groups warn”

Communities local to new Scientology centres raise concern over Varadkar’s stance

 

Church of Scientology center in Firhouse. Photo Credit: Google Maps

Firhouse residents responded with concern after comments by Leo Varadkar in December of last year defending the government’s approach to the ‘Church of Scientology’.

 

Continue reading “Communities local to new Scientology centres raise concern over Varadkar’s stance”

Politicians trip to Hong Kong and China cost €27,000

 

Intersection of Yee Wo Street and Hennessy Road at night, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong. Photo by Mstyslav Chernov. Source: Wikimedia Commons

MORE than €27,000 was spent sending five politicians and three officials on a week-long trip to China and Hong Kong.

The entire delegation flew business class at a cost of at least €2,712 each and stayed in a string of five-star hotels, most of which were generously paid for by their Chinese hosts.

Continue reading “Politicians trip to Hong Kong and China cost €27,000”

Dublin City Council’s ‘Up the Dubs’ banner in breach of its own guidelines

Photo Credit: Mike O’Sullivan ‘Ha’penny Bridge’ CC BY 2.0 

A CONTROVERSIAL banner that adorned the Ha’penny Bridge has been put into permanent storage after Dublin City Council found it was in breach of its own planning guidelines. Continue reading “Dublin City Council’s ‘Up the Dubs’ banner in breach of its own guidelines”