Latest news with #DesCahill
Irish Independent
2 days ago
- Business
- Irish Independent
Des Cahill at centre of RTÉ's €11m PRSI court case
RTÉ sports presenter Des Cahill is at the centre of a landmark High Court case that could have an €11m cost to the national broadcaster. Cahill is one of two high earners at the broadcaster whose cases have led the Department of Social Protection to determine RTÉ was obliged to make extra PRSI payments on their salary. The former Sunday Game host's case has been examined as part of a department review into whether presenters' employment at RTÉ was more akin to that of employees than independent contractors. Cahill, who has non-staff contractor position at RTÉ despite working there for over 40 years, is the subject of one of two cases RTÉ has appealed to the High Court arising from the department's inquiry into alleged bogus-self employment at the station. The two High Court cases have been brought by RTÉ against the Social Protection Minister and an appeals officer in the social welfare appeals office. Both are listed for mention in the Master's Court on July 8.
Irish Examiner
30-04-2025
- Business
- Irish Examiner
Proposals for Cork docklands regeneration project published
A major strategy has been published to guide the delivery of the vast new public realm, roads, parks and cultural spaces required for Cork's docklands— Ireland's largest urban regeneration site. However, concerns have already been raised about the potential impact of three proposed bridges, and several new roads the framework plan says are needed in the south docks. Fine Gael Cllr Des Cahill said more research is required before councillors vote on whether to stitch the new framework into the city development plan (CDP). 'What is missing, and what I have asked for, is a river use feasibility study to gauge the impact these bridges could have on how we currently use the river,' he said. 'Three new bridges are proposed — the Luas light rail bridge from Kent Station to Kennedy Quay and the Eastern Gateway bridge near Páirc Uí Chaoimh — but now there is an additional pedestrian and cycle bridge proposed. I have fears these bridges could sterilise the river. 'I just think we need to pause, I think we need to take a breath here and do a bit more work, because we won't get a second bite at this.' The docklands has capacity for up to 10,000 new homes and could be the base for up to 25,000 jobs. Walking, active travel, and public transport will be the dominant form of travel in the region. Cork City Council and the Cork Docklands Delivery Office published the Cork Docklands Framework Plan on Wednesday for public consultation. The 200-page document sets out in great detail the guiding policies and suggested location of the expansive public realm and waterside amenities, new pocket and linear parks, as well as the travel, sports and community infrastructure needed to unlock the massive development capacity of the 147-hectare region. They have identified the need for more sports pitches, for a community hub combining a library, community centre, indoor sports facilities, primary care and youth facilities, and for improved river access and recreation across the waterfront. The Lord Mayor, Cllr Dan Boyle, said there have been many plans and conversations over the years about the regeneration of Cork docklands. 'It is exciting to be at a point where the delivery is becoming reality,' he said. 'With the newly upgraded Marina Promenade and the final phase of Marina Park moving towards completion, the required public infrastructure is visibly developing, and this plan can deliver an equally exciting world class urban living district.' Council chief executive, Valerie O'Sullivan, said the regeneration of docklands will be transformational for the city and with 6,000 people employed and 640 new homes under construction, it is already happening. But the framework requires a proposed variation to the CDP before it can be implemented. If it is adopted by city councillors in June, the framework will form a new volume of the CDP 2022-2028. The proposed variation is open for public consultation until May 28, with open days taking place at the Clayton Hotel, Lapps Quay on May 7 and at Millennium Hall, City Hall on May 14. You can view an interactive Cork Docklands StoryMap here. Read More Gardaí suspected criminality in Tina Satchwell case weeks after disappearance, court told
Irish Independent
30-04-2025
- Politics
- Irish Independent
Emergency meeting in Cork over ‘cowardly' government defunding of homelessness scheme
It came as councillors roundly agreed on a motion to write to the Taoiseach and Housing Minister James Browne to reinstate proposed funding for the Tenant in Situ scheme. The meeting, which was called following a decision by central government to withdraw any further necessary funding on the scheme, came after representatives, including those in government party Fine Gael, signed a letter on the issue to the Housing Minister. 'I had no hesitation in signing this letter, the government has got this completely wrong,' said Fine Gael councillor Des Cahill at the meeting. 'We were recently told 37.7% of homelessness preventions in Cork City were achieved thanks to the Tenant in Situ scheme. Quite often Ministers will ring to ask why grants aren't being used, which tells me when they announce something, they want it to be used. 'We've never been prevented from building a house due to money, now to find out that this scheme was going to be pulled back, it's reprehensible. 'We shouldn't have to come with a begging bowl to look for funds that is absolutely crucial for our constituents who desperately need it. It's a disgrace that we have to go this far to expose something that should not have gotten to this stage.' Cork City Council Chief Executive Valerie O'Sullivan outlined the report issued to councillors, which outlines a near €1.7 million shortfall in finances to implement the scheme, having been allocated €20 million in total by central government for 2025. "Cork City Council makes no apology for being ambitious when it comes to housing funding and housing targets' said Chief Executive O'Sullivan. 'However, we wouldn't be able to achieve those targets without government funding. Our ambitions don't take us outside targets." With members of families affected by the move sitting in the gallery, Sinn Féin councillor Ken Collins called the move 'not just short-sighted, it's dangerous, pushing people to the brink and giving them no options and no shelter. 'Housing is a matter of dignity, human rights, and social justice,' he concluded. Party colleague Michelle Gould said that 'the most vulnerable adults in this city will be left on the streets. Homelessness is something which traumatises a child, it will change a child's life forever. 'Reverse the decision, do the right thing, and shame on this government for letting it get this long.' Fianna Fáil councillors Tony Fitzgerald, Seán Martin, and Terry Shannon, who didn't sign the letter on the motion, argued that the idea of the scheme being scrapped was 'nonsense', and outlined the schemes already available for those looking to buy housing. 'Our clear focus in Fianna Fáil is to increase the supply of new-build, social and affordable housing,' said Cllr Fitzgerald. 'I know well the needs of the constituents that I represent, increasing the overall housing supply is key to the housing supply, eliminating long-term homelessness.' 'There's an issue about 'who said what', people took that as their word and drove on with policy,' said Seán Martin to the chamber, adding that he didn't 'need any cover' from brother and Taoiseach Micheál. 'The amount of building hasn't been surpassed since the 1970s. Is there an issue with this year? There is. Saying that the Tenant-in-Situ scheme is gone is nonsense; we were given €20 million. Do we need more? We do.' 'I'll take no lectures from those other members,' said Cllr Shannon, who criticised Sinn Féin's track record on social housing in Northern Ireland. 'We've hundreds of millions of euros being spent by this Fianna Fáil government on housing. We have a very strong economy, which is never mentioned in this house.' However, the decision not to provide further funding was called 'cowardly' by Green Party representative Oliver Moran. 'It seems like we are being punished for our success.' 'It's not being dissolved, it's being defunded, which is possibly the most cowardly way to close a scheme. If it is now being defunded, we need to bring back the eviction ban.' The call to reinstate the eviction ban was initially proposed by Labour councillor Peter Horgan, who says that the lack of funding has now given 'false hope' to families who had submitted applications earlier this year. 'The Council has honoured its duty with integrity and diligence, but can't work miracles without means,' said Independent Ireland councillor Noel O'Flynn. 'The Department has left us unable to act. What message does this send to the vulnerable?' A flashpoint broke out in the chamber, when Sinn Féin's Joe Lynch alluded to Fine Gael's Colm Kelleher's line that the issue was an 'accounting problem' as 'appalling', however Kelleher called the line 'outrageous' and out of the context in which it was said, which Kelleher said was in reference to the Chief Executive's report. 'You're going round in circles', one of the concerned family members shouted at government party councillors from the balcony. Eventually, the majority of councillors agreed on the motion, stating: 'Cork City Council will write to the Minister for Housing and the Taoiseach requesting urgent increased funding for the Capital Acquisitions Scheme 2025, to prevent families and individuals from becoming homeless and to allow the scheme to function as previously given its success.'
