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Irish Examiner
4 days ago
- Business
- Irish Examiner
Irish-owned firms trailing ISEQ20 gender balance, B4BB report finds
Business leaders have a vital role to play in further advancing the cause of gender balance at all levels of business in Ireland, say two diversity experts. Carol Andrews and Bernard Byrne, co-chairs of Balance for Better Business (B4BB), welcome the progress made to date by Ireland, which ranks among Europe's most gender balanced nations. They do, however, believe that more can be done. B4BB is an independent business-led review group examining gender balance in corporate boards and senior management in Ireland. The latest report by B4BB, 'Gender Balance in Privately Owned Companies: An International Perspective and Strategies for Success', outlines some of the steps that Irish business leaders can take to ensure the nation doesn't stagnate or go backwards on the gender agenda. In the EU's 2024 Gender Equality Index, Ireland was ranked ninth, with a score of 73.4 out of 100. Sweden topped the Index with 82 points. Denmark and the Netherlands were the second and third most gender equal countries in 2024. From 2021 to 2022, however, Ireland's Index saw a modest increase of only 0.4 points, one of the lowest increases among EU countries during that period. Since 2010, Ireland's score has increased by 8.0 points, largely due to significant gains in the areas of power (+30.4 points) and health (+3.9 points), the index found. Similarly, the latest B4BB report finds that gender balance performance differs between different sectors; for instance, private consumer companies promote far fewer females to board level than private utility companies. A similar marked difference exists between privately-owned companies and larger ISEQ20-listed firms. In this Q&A interview, Carol Andrews and Bernard Byrne outline how the B4BB report highlights the areas where Irish businesses are scoring well and suggest areas where actions are needed to improve gender balance performance. With Ireland ranked ninth in the EU's Gender Equality Index, what further actions can Irish business leaders take to further improve on gender balance? Balanced leadership should be a strategic imperative for every business in Ireland. From influencing the buying decisions of customers to more effectively meeting talent needs, gender balanced businesses are better equipped with the capabilities to drive future growth and competitiveness. We've already seen what's possible when we unite for change. By bringing together Ireland's CEOs, board members, investors and policymakers, we've transformed female board representation in public companies over the past seven years, soaring from 18% to an impressive 40%. That success wasn't an accident: it sprang from joint commitment, transparent goals and ongoing collaboration. Would you like to see more Irish-owned private companies voluntarily reporting on their gender balance performance? At Balance for Better Business, we're ready to bring this winning formula to the heart of Ireland's economy: our privately held companies. These businesses employ over 70% of our workforce and are woven into the fabric of communities across the country. While private companies have a strong foundation with women holding 28% of senior leadership roles, there's a significant opportunity to elevate their board-level diversity. Currently, women hold 22% of board seats in large Irish-owned private companies, compared to 39% in ISEQ20 firms. It's time to accelerate their journey and unleash their full potential. To ignite this transformation, B4BB is proud to launch our new report, 'Gender Balance in Privately Owned Companies: An International Perspective and Strategies for Success'. This isn't just a paper; it's a strategic roadmap, packed with clear, actionable recommendations designed to empower privately held companies to make meaningful and sustained progress at both board and leadership levels. One of the most powerful catalysts for change is transparency. Only 16% of private companies currently report gender balance data voluntarily, yet we know that 'what isn't measured, won't change'. The EU's Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) offers a perfect, timely opportunity to standardise and publish this vital data, shining a light on progress and igniting further action. Our research also champions tailored strategies for every sector. Building an inclusive, future-ready, and collaborative organisation isn't a one-size-fits-all endeavour. Each industry faces unique challenges, and the proportion of women on boards can vary significantly — from 17% in consumer staples to 32% in telecoms and utilities. By embracing sector-specific approaches, businesses can supercharge their progress, investing in their people and harnessing collective strengths to forge the resilience and innovation essential for long-term growth. Who are some of the leaders in driving better gender balance in Irish business? Owners and investors hold a pivotal role in driving this change. When gender balance becomes a business priority, it cascades success throughout the entire organisation. As highlighted by inspiring speakers like Declan Hughes, Secretary-General of the Department of Enterprise, Caroline Spillane, CEO at IoD Ireland, and Andrew Keating, CFO at Musgrave Group, at our recent panel discussion, setting clear targets and embedding accountability are key to unlocking better governance and driving stronger performance. Success begins with a plan. Every organisation should set clear, measurable gender balance targets by function and level, and be bold in your ambition. Regularly tracking progress isn't just about accountability; it's about building momentum for change. We encourage every organisation to strive for a 40% plus target across both board and leadership teams as part of your multi-year journey. What is your final word of advice to Irish business leaders? The time to act is now. The B4BB roadmap is your essential tool to transform intention into impact and accelerate your progress. No matter where you are on your gender balance journey, this roadmap offers practical, actionable guidance. From succession planning to leadership development, it lays out structured steps to help you embed gender balance at both board and senior leadership levels. It's clear: balanced leadership is no longer just good practice — it's a competitive advantage. Diverse teams don't just attract top talent; they spark groundbreaking innovation and build trust with your customers. Every organisation, regardless of size or industry, has a powerful role to play in shaping Ireland's future. Don't wait. Empower your business, attract the best talent, and shape a better future for your organisation.
Sunday World
05-08-2025
- Business
- Sunday World
Firm owned by former CAB target paid over €4m by government to house asylum seekers
Former CAB target Bernard Byrne and his brother John Paul alleged to have made €750k from laundering fuel and cash A firm owned by a suspected fuel smuggler and former target of the Criminal Assets Bureau has been paid more than €4 million by the Irish Government to house asylum seekers. Bernard Byrne is the director and owner of Tenzing Ltd, which is listed as receiving funds from the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth. In 2005, it emerged that Byrne, along with his brother John Paul Byrne, had holdings worth £750,000 in Northern Ireland which was targeted by the UK's Assets Recovery Agency (ARA). The case was referred to the ARA by HM Revenue and Customs in 2004 after a joint investigation with CAB into fuel smuggling and laundering on both sides of the border. Bernard Byrne at his Go service station on the Kylemore Road Bernard Byrne speaking to Samuel Mansfield In its case in the High Court in Belfast at the time, the ARA alleged that the assets of both brothers were from fuel laundering and smuggling, together with excise fraud and associated money laundering activity. An interim receiver was appointed over two filling stations in Co Armagh and Co Down, a house in Newry, an apartment in Belfast, vehicles, farm machinery and bank accounts. Bernard Byrne's Tenzing Ltd was set up in January 2023 and is registered to an office in Lucan, Co Dublin. That year, the company received payments of €876,000, €553,350 and €366,000 for 'accommodation and/or related costs'. In 2024, the payments from the Department totalled €2,382,000 with €186,000 paid out in the first quarter of 2025, bringing the overall total to €4,363,350. According to a Dail question reply, Tenzing Ltd operated an emergency accommodation centre at Redbank Guesthouse in Skerries, Co Dublin in 2023. Responsibility for the €1.2 billion accommodation budget has been moved to the Department of Justice since May this year. Bernard Byrne's company has been paid more than €4m by the government Bernard Byrne is also a director of other firms involved in the retail fuel business and owns the Go filling station on the Kylemore Road in Ballyfermot, Dublin. The land on which the business is located is owned by Arcount Ltd, which is controlled by Vincent Cosgrave, a Dublin-based businessman. Cosgrave's property portfolio includes the Sheldon Park Hotel across the road from Byrne's filling station business. His daughter, Donna, married Jim Mansfield Jr and the couple's son, Samuel Mansfield, was previously photographed by the Sunday World meeting with Bernard Byrne in 2016. There is no suggestion that Samuel Mansfield is involved in any criminal activity. Jim Mansfield Jr was jailed for 18 months in February 2022 for attempting to pervert the course of justice by directing that CCTV footage be destroyed. The Special Criminal Court acquitted Mansfield of conspiring to have a man kidnapped by a criminal gang but convicted him of directing that the footage be destroyed. Jim Manfield Jnr, was jailed for for attempting to pervert the course of justice It was also heard in a CAB case that Jim Mansfield Jr was previously given €4.5 million of Kinahan cartel cash to launder through property investments. As a result of the 2004 CAB investigation into fuel smuggling, Bernard Byrne's father, John Byrne, paid €1.6 million to the Revenue Commissioners. During a search of John Byrne's home in June 2004, authorities discovered €200,000 in cash and cheques concealed throughout the property. Investigators concluded he had operated a significant grain delivery business for several years. He faced charges over failing to file tax returns at Dundalk Circuit Criminal Court in 2007. The court heard at the time Byrne Snr had 157 previous convictions across both Northern Ireland and the Republic, including a £1.3 million fraud conviction in Northern Ireland. Judge Pat McCartan had deferred sentencing to allow Byrne Snr to finalise his tax affairs. The judge described Byrne Snr as someone who had lived 'completely outside the good order of things' and imposed a two-year sentence, suspended on condition of good behaviour. The Sunday World recently reported on two other firms which have received payment for providing accommodation. One firm had been owned by John Gill, the father of alleged gangland figure Jonathan Gill. According to figures published by the Government, Astervale Ltd was paid €414,505 from 2022 until April 2024. Another firm which has been awarded emergency accommodation contracts has links to the Drogheda gang feud. Ben O'Brien resigned in May as a director of Secure Accommodation, which has been paid €10.2 million since it was set up in September 2022. O'Brien (31) was among several people named in evidence in the 2022 CAB case against gang bosses Owen and Brendan Maguire. Bernard Byrne News in 90 Seconds - Tuesday, August 5th
Sunday World
05-08-2025
- Business
- Sunday World
Firm owned by former CAB target paid over €4m by Irish government to house asylum seekers
Former CAB target Bernard Byrne and his brother John Paul alleged to have made €750k from laundering fuel and cash Jim Manfield Jnr, was jailed for for attempting to pervert the course of justice Bernard Byrne's company has been paid more than €4m by the government Bernard Byrne at his Go service station on the Kylemore Road A firm owned by a suspected fuel smuggler and former target of the Criminal Assets Bureau has been paid more than €4 million by the Irish Government to house asylum seekers. Bernard Byrne is the director and owner of Tenzing Ltd, which is listed as receiving funds from the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth. In 2005, it emerged that Byrne, along with his brother John Paul Byrne, had holdings worth Stg£750,000 in Northern Ireland which was targeted by the UK's Assets Recovery Agency (ARA). The case was referred to the ARA by HM Revenue and Customs in 2004 after a joint investigation with CAB into fuel smuggling and laundering on both sides of the border. Bernard Byrne speaking to Samuel Mansfield In its case in the High Court in Belfast at the time, the ARA alleged that the assets of both brothers were from fuel laundering and smuggling, together with excise fraud and associated money laundering activity. Accounts An interim receiver was appointed over two filling stations in Co Armagh and Co Down, a house in Newry, an apartment in Belfast, vehicles, farm machinery and bank accounts. Bernard Byrne's Tenzing Ltd was set up in January 2023 and is registered to an office in Lucan, Co Dublin. That year, the company received payments of €876,000, €553,350 and €366,000 for 'accommodation and/or related costs'. In 2024, the payments from the Department totalled €2,382,000 with €186,000 paid out in the first quarter of 2025, bringing the overall total to €4,363,350. According to a Dail question reply, Tenzing Ltd operated an emergency accommodation centre at Redbank Guesthouse in Skerries, Co Dublin in 2023. Responsibility for the €1.2 billion accommodation budget has been moved to the Department of Justice since May this year. Bernard Byrne's company has been paid more than €4m by the government Bernard Byrne is also a director of other firms involved in the retail fuel business and owns the Go filling station on the Kylemore Road in Ballyfermot, Dublin. The land on which the business is located is owned by Arcount Ltd, which is controlled by Vincent Cosgrave, a Dublin-based businessman. Cosgrave's property portfolio includes the Sheldon Park Hotel across the road from Byrne's filling station business. His daughter, Donna, married Jim Mansfield Jr and the couple's son, Samuel Mansfield, was previously photographed by the Sunday World meeting with Bernard Byrne in 2016. There is no suggestion that Samuel Mansfield is involved in any criminal activity. Footage Jim Mansfield Jr was jailed for 18 months in February 2022 for attempting to pervert the course of justice by directing that CCTV footage be destroyed. The Special Criminal Court acquitted Mansfield of conspiring to have a man kidnapped by a criminal gang but convicted him of directing that the footage be destroyed. Jim Manfield Jnr, was jailed for for attempting to pervert the course of justice It was also heard in a CAB case that Jim Mansfield Jr was previously given €4.5 million of Kinahan cartel cash to launder through property investments. As a result of the 2004 CAB investigation into fuel smuggling, Bernard Byrne's father, John Byrne, paid €1.6 million to the Revenue Commissioners. During a search of John Byrne's home in June 2004, authorities discovered €200,000 in cash and cheques concealed throughout the property. Investigators concluded he had operated a significant grain delivery business for several years. He faced charges over failing to file tax returns at Dundalk Circuit Criminal Court in 2007. The court heard at the time Byrne Snr had 157 previous convictions across both Northern Ireland and the Republic, including a Stg£1.3 million fraud conviction in Northern Ireland. Judge Pat McCartan had deferred sentencing to allow Byrne Snr to finalise his tax affairs. The judge described Byrne Snr as someone who had lived 'completely outside the good order of things' and imposed a two-year sentence, suspended on condition of good behaviour. The Sunday World recently reported on two other firms which have received payment for providing accommodation. One firm had been owned by John Gill, the father of alleged gangland figure Jonathan Gill. According to figures published by the Government, Astervale Ltd was paid €414,505 from 2022 until April 2024. Another firm which has been awarded emergency accommodation contracts has links to the Drogheda gang feud. Ben O'Brien resigned in May as a director of Secure Accommodation, which has been paid €10.2 million since it was set up in September 2022. O'Brien (31) was among several people named in evidence in the 2022 CAB case against gang bosses Owen and Brendan Maguire. Bernard Byrne at his Go service station on the Kylemore Road News in 90 Seconds - Monday, August 4th
