Letters: Ireland should make most of its intellectual capital and stop driving talent abroad
Its 2025 Global Tech Talent Guidebook reports that 52.4pc of Ireland's adults hold tertiary qualifications, making it Europe's densest pool of intellectual capital.
This success reflects both the excellence of Ireland's universities – six of which are now globally ranked – and represents a vital resource for economic growth. However, for too long, Irish graduates have driven innovation abroad, enriching foreign economies while Ireland stands by.
With bold investment in housing, infrastructure, and turning research into business, Ireland could reverse this brain drain and become the Singapore of the Atlantic. The groundwork is set; what remains is vision and action.
Ireland can overtake the Netherlands and Sweden as the EU's top per capita destination for foreign direct investment in AI and biotech, but the opportunity is time-sensitive. This will require pairing educational excellence with clear strategy – turning talent into a lasting competitive edge.
Enda Cullen, Tullysaran Road, Armagh
Tapping the Atlantic to feed more data centres not the fix Barry Cowen thinks it is
Fianna Fáil MEP Barry Cowen says data centres are 'currently accounting for around one-fifth of national (electricity) usage and projected to reach 31pc by 2030' ('Claim we must choose between data centres and housing is a distraction from the real challenge', Irish Independent, June 2).
In 2022, data centres in the EU used an estimated 45-65 TWh of electricity (1.8–2.6pc of total EU electricity use).
Data centres provide very little employment apart from the construction phase. They provide critical information to keep the world's economy running smoothly when they are commissioned, though.
Why should Ireland be a soft touch in the EU for committing so much of our scarce energy resources to house servers for the AI and crypto revolution that are in turn destroying jobs everywhere?
Try again, Mr Cowen. If your party can't even build sufficient houses for our young people, there is even less of a chance of you tapping the Atlantic to further our burgeoning demand for electricity.
Tom McElligott, Listowel, Co Kerry
World must act now to end the carnage inflicted on Palestinians by Benjamin Netanyahu
It is way past time for the whole world to stop beating around the bush and wake up to the true horrors in Gaza.
The misuse of the word antisemitic is making a lot of us ill. To be repulsed and outraged by mass civilian death is to be humanitarian.
It has nothing to do with religion or political affiliation.
Benjamin Netanyahu is responsible for the deaths of women and children every day. It is pure genocide.
We know Hamas must be condemned for drawing down fire and killing their own people. But what Israel is now doing is inexcusable and must stop.
Surely all Israelis have a responsibility to rid us of Netanyahu and end the carnage?
Michael Twohig, Ballinasloe, Co Galway
Words will not feed tens of thousands of children in Gaza who face starvation
It's now estimated that nearly 71,000 Palestinian children under the age of five are expected to be 'acutely malnourished', with 14,100 cases expected to be severe in the next 11 months.
The UN and other humanitarian organisations have rejected the new system for food distribution into Gaza, saying it would not be able to meet the needs of Gaza's people.
The fear is that this new system allows Israel to use food as a weapon to control the population. At this stage, Palestinians need deeds, not words.
John O'Brien, Clonmel, Co Tipperary
Leinster players at risk of burning out before next season even kicks off
Has anyone considered how the Leinster players may simply be burnt out? Some of them seem to have been playing non-stop for the past three years.
The World Cup was mainly responsible for the drain. Of course, the longer they go in a competition, the more games. Next comes Lions duty, then some will be facing the All Blacks and the autumn internationals. All this before the season kicks off again.
In the old days, professional heavyweight boxers were rested for months between big fights. Back then, the managers were often indifferent to their health and concerned only with performance.
Michael Foley, Rathmines, Dublin
Fans must not let cruel loss overshadow such a heroic performance by Munster
How cruel it was for Munster to be defeated in a penalty shoot-out after such a heroic display.
They seemed to have channelled the spirit of past giants like Anthony Foley and Moss Keane to resurrect the soul of Munster for what truly was a performance for the ages.
To pull it out of the top drawer so far from home, and under such humidity, made it all the more remarkable.
Leinster should take inspiration from this and close the deal for Ireland, being the sole Irish survivors in the tournament. To have kept what was mostly the Springboks team to a draw for 100 minutes of furious physicality was something to be immensely proud of. It could be the cornerstone for a revival, not just for Munster, but for Irish rugby. M O'Brien, Dalkey, Co Dublin
Wonderful to witness such uplifting work by academy giving young people hope
That was an inspiring article on Therese Coveney who found her passion in setting up The Together Academy, which provides young adults who have Down syndrome with certified training, experience, work placements and a social and support network, having being inspired to do so after the birth of her daughter, April ('If it wasn't for my daughter, I might never have found real career purpose', Irish Independent, May 29).
It was uplifting to read of the difference the academy has had on so many young adults who otherwise would not have managed to live such happy and fulfilled lives.
Well done to all concerned with this achievement, which will be an encouragement to so many families.
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Irish Independent
29 minutes ago
- Irish Independent
Two crew members of MV Matthew were ‘completely expendable' court hears
Det Superintendent Keith Halley told the three-judge court that Englishman Jamie Harbron was on the 'lowest rung' in the criminal enterprise to transport the massive drugs haul across the Atlantic, into Europe. Harbron was hired as a deck hand on board the Castlemore, an Irish ship which was supposed to meet the MV Matthew and take the drugs to the UK, the detective said. Under cross-examination, Det Halley told Harbron's defence counsel, Michael O'Higgins SC, that Harbron's jobs appeared to include 'greasing things up' or tidying the ship. He did not appear to be a 'competent or good deck hand,' Supt Halley said. He couldn't operate the radio, find the life vests or secure a tow rope thrown from a coastguard boat in an attempt to rescue the vessel. Having been on rough seas from Friday afternoon until Sunday evening, Harbron was 'very sick' and told gardai he believed he was going to die. Harbron was finally winched to safety by a coastguard helicopter and was 'very, very grateful' to his rescuers, the Superintendent said. When the Dubai-based organisers of the criminal enterprise realised the Castlemore had run aground, they initially told the ship's captain, Vitaliy Lapa, not to call the coastguard. They then removed the Castlemore from the virtual chat room used to communicate with the vessels and told the MV Matthew they would find another boat to make the rendezvous. Supt Halley agreed that this indicated Harbron and Lapa were 'completely expendable'. Harbron appeared to have become involved in the plot at the last minute and had told gardai that he was promised €10,000 would be wiped off a €20,000 drug debt. Lapa, the detective said, speaks no English and the two men communicated using Google Translate. The Dubai-based leadership had an 'erroneous belief' that the messages they had sent to the Castlemore would automatically delete after one hour, Supt Halley said. However, gardai retrieved the messages, which were used as part of the evidence in the case. ADVERTISEMENT Learn more Eight men have pleaded guilty to offences arising from the seizure of €157 million worth of drugs on board the MV Matthew. Members of the Irish Army Rangers wing of the Defence Forces boarded the ship on September 26, 2022 in a daring mission in rough seas as the MV Matthew manoeuvred to try to evade capture. The ship had departed from Curacao, off the Venezuelan coast and sailed across the Atlantic before arriving in Irish territorial waters. Ukrainians Mykhailo Gavryk (32) and Vitaliy Vlasoi (33); Iranians Soheil Jelveh (52) and Saeid Hassani (40); Filipino Harold Estoesta (31) and Dutch national Cumali Ozgen (50) pleaded guilty that between September 24 and 26 2023, both dates inclusive, at locations outside the State, on board the vessel 'MV Matthew' they possessed cocaine for sale or supply, in contravention of the Misuse of Drugs Regulations. Ukrainian national Vitaliy Lapa (62), with an address at Rudenka, Repina Str in Berdyansk, and Jamie Harbron (31) of South Avenue, Billingham in the UK pleaded guilty that on dates between September 21 and 25, 2023 they attempted to possess cocaine for sale or supply, in contravention of the Misuse of Drugs Act. Lawyers for all eight today asked the court to be as lenient as possible in sentencing. For mitigation, they rely on their guilty pleas and the fact that their time in prison will be spent in a foreign country away from their families. None of those before the court were the leaders of the criminal organisation involved in transporting the drugs but were hired to perform specific roles on the two ships, lawyers said. The only defendant with a record of offending is Jamie Harbron, whose convictions include cannabis and cocaine possession in the UK. Lawyers for the others submitted that their clients were of good character before this offence, but they 'succumbed' to temptation, hoping to resolve various financial difficulties. Brendan Grehan SC, for Kumali Ozgen, said his client's job on board the MV Matthew was to 'mind the cargo'. He was, counsel said, the 'eyes and ears' of those directing the operation from Dubai and had no seafaring experience. Ozgen admitted to gardai that he loaded crates of drugs onto the ship and used paint thinners to try to burn the drugs when the Irish Navy began its pursuit. He also said he was to be paid €50,000 to €100,000 if successful, but has received nothing. Mr Grehan said Ozgen took the job in a 'misguided attempt' to provide for his family, in particular his son, who suffers from poor health. Hugh Hartnett SC, for Gavryk, said his client was of excellent character before this offence. Michael Hourigan SC, for Estoesta, said his client had provided gardai with valuable information, including that when the drugs were loaded onto the MV Matthew, ordinary crew members were plied with alcohol to distract them. Mark Lynam SC for Hassani, said this was the first time his client was involved in 'anything of this kind'. He had been a sailor of good character all his life but 'succumbed to temptation', believing the money from this job would allow him to spend more time with his wife and family. Colman Cody SC, for Lapa, said his client was a hard-working, law-abiding citizen and a loving husband and father. Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Lapa found himself in a 'vulnerable financial position'. Despite having retired as a fishing captain, he was compelled to go abroad to provide for his family. 'He was vulnerable to certain pressures, and that ought to be taken into account,' counsel said. Paul O'Higgins SC, for Vlasoi, said his client was the first officer on the boat but had led a blameless life before. He had limited knowledge of the operation, counsel said. Keivon Sotoodeh BL, for Jelveh, said his client was the captain of the MV Matthew but was acting on orders from Dubai. The court previously heard that Jelveh became frustrated with the instructions he was receiving and called the coastguard for an emergency medical evacuation. A coastguard helicopter lifted Jelveh from the MV Matthew before the ship was engaged by Irish Naval vessel the LE William Butler Yeats. Ms Justice Melanie Greally, sitting with Judge Sarah Berkeley and Judge Grainne Malone, will deliver the sentences on July 4.
RTÉ News
44 minutes ago
- RTÉ News
Two MV Matthew crew were 'completely expendable', court told
Two men who were to take 2.25 tonnes of cocaine from the MV Matthew and bring it to the UK were so expendable that when their ship ran aground in rough seas, their employers deleted them from a group chat and planned to complete the operation without them, the Special Criminal Court has heard. Det Superintendent Keith Halley told the three-judge court that Englishman Jamie Harbron was on the "lowest rung" in the criminal enterprise to transport the massive drugs haul across the Atlantic, into Europe. Harbron was hired as a deck hand on board the Castlemore, an Irish ship which was supposed to meet the MV Matthew and take the drugs to the UK, the detective said. Under cross-examination, Det Halley told Harbron's defence counsel, Michael O'Higgins SC, that Harbron's jobs appeared to include "greasing things up" or tidying the ship. He did not appear to be a "competent or good deck hand," Supt Halley said. He could not operate the radio, find the life vests or secure a tow rope thrown from a coastguard boat in an attempt to rescue the vessel. Having been on rough seas from Friday afternoon until Sunday evening, Harbron was "very sick" and told gardaí he believed he was going to die. Harbron was finally winched to safety by a coastguard helicopter and was "very, very grateful" to his rescuers, the superintendent said. When the Dubai-based organisers of the criminal enterprise realised the Castlemore had run aground, they initially told the ship's captain, Vitaliy Lapa, not to call the coastguard. They then removed the Castlemore from the virtual chat room used to communicate with the vessels and told the MV Matthew they would find another boat to make the rendezvous. Supt Halley agreed that this indicated Harbron and Lapa were "completely expendable". Harbron appeared to have become involved in the plot at the last minute and had told gardaí that he was promised €10,000 would be wiped off a €20,000 drug debt. Lapa, the detective said, speaks no English and the two men communicated using Google Translate. The Dubai-based leadership had an "erroneous belief" that the messages they had sent to the Castlemore would automatically delete after one hour, Supt Halley said. However, gardaí retrieved the messages, which were used as part of the evidence in the case. Eight men have pleaded guilty to offences arising from the seizure of €157 million worth of drugs on board the MV Matthew. Members of the Irish Army Rangers wing of the Defence Forces boarded the ship on 26 September 2023 in a daring mission in rough seas as the MV Matthew manoeuvred to try to evade capture. The ship had departed from Curacao, off the Venezuelan coast and sailed across the Atlantic before arriving in Irish territorial waters. Ukrainians Mykhailo Gavryk, 32, and Vitaliy Vlasoi, 33, Iranians Soheil Jelveh, 52, and Saeid Hassani, 40, Filipino Harold Estoesta, 31, and Dutch national Cumali Ozgen, 50, pleaded guilty that between 24 and 26 September 2023, both dates inclusive, at locations outside the State, on board the vessel MV Matthew, they possessed cocaine for sale or supply, in contravention of the Misuse of Drugs Regulations. Ukrainian national Vitaliy Lapa, 62, with an address at Rudenka, Repina Str in Berdyansk, and Jamie Harbron, 31, of South Avenue, Billingham in the UK pleaded guilty that on dates between 21 and 25 September 2023 they attempted to possess cocaine for sale or supply, in contravention of the Misuse of Drugs Act. Lawyers for all eight today asked the court to be as lenient as possible in sentencing. For mitigation, they rely on their guilty pleas and the fact that their time in prison will be spent in a foreign country away from their families. None of those before the court were the leaders of the criminal organisation involved in transporting the drugs but were hired to perform specific roles on the two ships, lawyers said. The only defendant with a record of offending is Jamie Harbron, whose convictions include cannabis and cocaine possession in the UK. Lawyers for the others submitted that their clients were of good character before this offence, but they "succumbed" to temptation, hoping to resolve various financial difficulties. Brendan Grehan SC, for Kumali Ozgen, said his client's job on board the MV Matthew was to "mind the cargo". He was, counsel said, the "eyes and ears" of those directing the operation from Dubai and had no seafaring experience. Ozgen admitted to gardaí that he loaded crates of drugs onto the ship and used paint thinners to try to burn the drugs when the Irish Navy began its pursuit. He also said he was to be paid €50,000 to €100,000 if successful, but has received nothing. Mr Grehan said Ozgen took the job in a "misguided attempt" to provide for his family, in particular his son, who suffers from poor health. Hugh Hartnett SC, for Gavryk, said his client was of excellent character before this offence. Michael Hourigan SC, for Estoesta, said his client had provided gardai with valuable information, including that when the drugs were loaded onto the MV Matthew, ordinary crew members were plied with alcohol to distract them. Mark Lynam SC for Hassani said this was the first time his client was involved in "anything of this kind". He had been a sailor of good character all his life but "succumbed to temptation", believing the money from this job would allow him to spend more time with his wife and family. Colman Cody SC, for Lapa, said his client was a hard-working, law-abiding citizen and a loving husband and father. Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Lapa found himself in a "vulnerable financial position". Despite having retired as a fishing captain, he was compelled to go abroad to provide for his family. "He was vulnerable to certain pressures, and that ought to be taken into account," counsel said. Paul O'Higgins SC, for Vlasoi, said his client was the first officer on the boat but had led a blameless life before. He had limited knowledge of the operation, counsel said. Keivon Sotoodeh BL, for Jelveh, said his client was the captain of the MV Matthew but was acting on orders from Dubai. The court previously heard that Jelveh became frustrated with the instructions he was receiving and called the coastguard for an emergency medical evacuation. A coastguard helicopter lifted Jelveh from the MV Matthew before the ship was engaged by Irish Naval vessel the LE William Butler Yeats. Ms Justice Melanie Greally, sitting with Judge Sarah Berkeley and Judge Gráinne Malone, will deliver the sentences on 4 July.
Irish Examiner
an hour ago
- Irish Examiner
Parknasilla revenues increase to €12m for 2024 as 2025 'looks to be very strong'
Revenues at the four-star Parknasilla resort in Co Kerry last year increased to €12m as business for 2025 'looks to be very strong', according to the managing director of Parknasilla, Tony Daly Mr Daly was commenting on new accounts for hotel operator, Silork Ltd, which show that operating profits increased by 11% to €2.4m in 2023. Operating profits rose as revenues dipped slightly in 2023 from €11.55m to €11.52m. Mr Daly said that revenues increased to €12m for 2024 and 'we are projecting revenues of €12.5m for 2025'. He said that earnings at the firm will be down slightly in 2024 due to higher costs. Mr Daly said that Irish customers account for 78% to 80% of the hotel's client base 'and they are holding up very strong this year as are US customers which account for between 15% to 18%'. The resort is owned by billionaire Jacqui Safra and the directors state that for 2023 'turnover held steady and operating profit increased delivering a positive profit before tax for the period'. The company recorded a pre-tax profit of €1.3m after paying out interest charges of €1.09m. The profit also takes account of non-cash depreciation costs of €478,861. The pre-tax profit of €1.3m followed a pre-tax loss of €401,444 in 2022 which was mainly due to interest charges and similar charges of €2.56m for that year. Parknasilla resort comprises an 86-bedroom luxury hotel and spa along with 38 villas and 24 lodges. It also has a nine-hole golf course. In the accounts signed off on last Friday, May 30, the directors state that the US dollar loan was refinanced fully in April 2025. The company secured a new €20m loan facility to refinance existing debt. They state that a euro denominated loan replaced the US dollar loan, thereby taking away the risk of foreign exchange movements that have impacted the profitability of the company in the financial periods prior to the refinance. Numbers employed in 2023 increased from 119 to 121 and staff costs decreased from €4.02m to €3.89m. The directors state that the business enjoys high annual demand with up to 48% repeat business and has an established business with a strong national and international reputation. They said that there is ongoing investment in guest facilities, digital technology upgrades together with sustainable plant and equipment. A note said that a valuation of the entire hotel property valued its assets in October 2022 at €24m. They state that this compares with the current carrying net book value of fixed assets at €16.22m. They said that the difference would convert the balance sheet total to a significant positive balance.
