Latest news with #Leixlip
Irish Examiner
6 days ago
- Business
- Irish Examiner
Ireland is Israel's second biggest trading partner - we need to look at why
Last weekend, Al Jazeera reported a list of Israel's largest trading partners. Most members of the top 10 were not surprising. In 2024, the USA was by far the most significant, alongside prominent allies the UK, Germany, and the Netherlands. China features in third place. However, Israel's second most significant trading partner shocked many observers: its most 'vocal' European critic, Ireland. From the perspective of those of us who have been advocating for a comprehensive boycott of Israel against its apartheid, occupation, and genocide of Palestinians, this is a bewildering and disappointing statistic. What are we trading with Israel? Israel's exports to Ireland have exploded since 2021. In 2020, exports to Ireland totalled just €198 million. In 2021, this figure skyrocketed to €1.44 billion, growing year on year to €3.26 billion in 2024. What's behind these numbers, and how do they help explain the Government's inaction on the genocide in Gaza - from their unwillingness to fully enact the Occupied Territories Bill (OTB), to stop the sale of Israeli war bonds through the Central Bank, or to close Shannon Airport to the US army? Since the Celtic Tiger, Ireland's economic growth is explained through our tax-friendly facilitation of multinational companies, particularly finance, tech, and pharmaceutical sectors. What has been less interrogated is the extent to which Ireland's dependence on a handful of these US-based companies (with close ties to Israel) influences Ireland's internal and external policy, including on Gaza. The recent figures on exports to Ireland from Israel represent an astonishing growth in trade. In a country so well-known for creative finance and tax arrangements, it might seem reasonable to assume the jump is due to services. But according to financial reporting, the €3.26bn is in goods - not services. The question, though, shouldn't be what are 'we' buying, but which companies are buying? Of the €3.26bn in exported goods, €3.02bn is 'electronic integrated circuits and microassemblies,' mostly used in tech and pharmaceutical manufacturing. All other goods total around €230m, similar to 2020. Who is buying these Israeli goods, and why? One answer may lie in Leixlip, and multinational computer chip manufacturer Intel's Ireland plant. The HSN code for electronic integrated circuits is 8542. When you search that on economic databases, by far the largest exporter of these products from Israel is Intel. Like other multinationals, transfers between national subsidiaries is extremely common, as components are transferred between facilities for fabrication. Leixlip's sister factory is located in Kiryat Gat, Israel, only a few kilometres north of Gaza, with well-reported projects and personnel collaboration between facilities. The Intel plant in Leixlip, Co Kildare. Leixlip's sister factory is located in Kiryat Gat, Israel, only a few kilometres north of Gaza. Whether the plant in Leixlip is relying on components from its Israeli counterpart, or using Ireland to transfer goods internally to take advantage of Irish tax benefits - or maybe both - there is little doubt that a huge chunk of this statistic is coming from the activities of Intel and similar companies. The point is that this trade is about an economic relationship more so than about specific goods or services consumed or performed in Ireland. Intel's global headquarters remain in California, where most of these profits continue to accumulate, even if its global finances and fabrication supply chains are filtered through Ireland as one stopping point between Israel and the US. Dependency Intel has been a boycott target, but its entrenchment in the Irish political economy goes much deeper than anything we can meaningfully stop buying. Beyond specific numbers, this is worth historicising: Intel is remembered as the 'whale' that the IDA finally landed in 1989, after 30 years of foreign direct investment (FDI)-led industrialisation policy. By the end of the century, Ireland was the world's second largest exporter of software behind the US, with software products accounting for 12% of the country's exports. Seán Lemass and TK Whitaker's late-1950s economic pivot is usually heralded as the origin of Irish modernisation and prosperity, but Intel bore the fruit of its success. Sociologist Denis O'Hearn has shown, however, that this founding myth of modern Ireland often elides the decisive role of the US in shaping post-War Government policy. The US wanted Ireland to end protectionism and open itself to free trade, particularly with more economically-protected Europe. This meant favourable conditions for US companies, including grants for factories, machinery, low-cost electricity, and tax relief on profits. Why did the US have such a say in Irish economic policy? As elsewhere, it was through economic instruments such as trade and debt, as well as more overt forms of political and military intervention. This was what dependency theorists in Latin America and Africa were coming to understand throughout the 1960s. While countries across the Third World gained formal independence, they found themselves subject to new forms of economic dependence at the hands of the US and former European colonial powers. As Brazilian economist Theotonio Dos Santos explained in 1970: "[b]y dependence we mean a situation in which the economy of certain countries is conditioned by the development and expansion of another economy to which the former is subjected." As the US took on a greater role in shaping Ireland's economic policy, it also influenced our foreign policy. In 1957, Frank Aiken, Minister for Foreign Affairs, came under criticism for positions he took up on behalf at the UN General Assembly. Embodying an active policy of neutrality, Aiken sought to stand above imperialist blocs and alliances. But this was in stark contrast with a new economic policy to woo US industry and investment. "Does this entice anybody or make them more amenable to come to us and help us here if we take up that attitude, when we act in an independent and, I may say, irresponsible fashion?" questioned one Fine Gael TD in the Dáil. The resonances with today are undeniable. So what? A few things in the past week highlight how Ireland's ongoing dependency is shaping the State's inaction on Gaza. First, the OTB was finally tabled by the Government, excluding services. Second, an action to the Dáil to stop Israeli war bonds being sold through the Central Bank was blocked by a majority 87 Government and independent TDs. Third, the Taoiseach publicly referred to Israel's actions in Gaza as a 'genocide,' placing the blame on the shoulders of Netanyahu's right-wing Government. These three events solidify the gap between rhetoric and action that protects Ireland's economic complicity. For all the performative statements by Government officials and TDs, meaningful sanctions on the Israeli economy would jeopardise Ireland's economic position. Palestinians inspect the damage at a UN school used as a shelter by displaced residents that was hit by Israeli military strikes, killing more than 15 people, in Jabaliya, northern Gaza Strip, last month. Photo: AP/Jehad Alshrafi This is a result of dependency. Ireland's complicity in these systems is about facilitating economic relationships between companies and financial institutions rather than anything the majority of Irish people actually buy or materially benefit from. As the Financial Times reports, the exclusion of services from the OTB by the Government is not to protect trade necessarily. Ireland's trade with the Occupied Territories is negligible, with goods amounting to only a few hundred thousand euro in the past five years. By excluding services, though, the Government has shielded companies with EMEA headquarters in Ireland from being subject to Irish law for their operations in East Jerusalem, the West Bank, and the Golan Heights - like Airbnb, or insurance brokers, who advertise lets and services in these illegal settlements. Thus, it is revealing that the Government has refused to leverage its strongest position: its role as a platform for multinationals between the US and Europe. The removal of services isn't about specific trade flows or company profits, but it surfaces contradictions about Ireland's role in the capitalist world system. It also highlights the increasing misalignment between Government action and popular sentiment: 61% of Irish people support full sanctions on the Occupied Territories. 'Consequences' Even worse, it illustrates the State's embedded complicity in imperialist war economies. In November 2024, a report from The Ditch revealed that the US ambassador to Ireland, Claire Cronin, had written directly to the Tánaiste warning of "consequences" if Ireland enacted the OTB. In her email, the Ambassador cited more than 1,000 US companies located in Ireland that would be adversely affected by the passing of the OTB. This is a clear example of the US using its economic dominance over Ireland to advance its own foreign policy goals, and raises the questions: who makes decisions, and who determines Ireland's foreign and trade policy? We have to acknowledge that the lack of action by this Government is about the State's longer-term foreign and trade policy. Remember, top civil servants informed ministers that the OTB would be an act of 'economic terrorism.' Of course we need to hold Government politicians to account and advocate boycotts and sanctions where we can. But if a different Government was in power tomorrow, without changing the model of economic development, would they be able to do anything materially different? The Government's words of solidarity and condemnation, let alone paltry action, mean less than nothing when it is entrenched State policy to allow multinational companies to launder profits reaped from genocide and apartheid. Without confronting this core facet of Irish State development policy, the treadmill of Government inaction will continue apace. What is to be done? Justifiably, people might feel bewildered and disempowered. It's about the entire Irish economic model, and not specifically boycottable targets; and at the same time, the Government acts at the behest of economic powers, rather than the people of Ireland. What can we do? Dependency theory offers a starting point, and one that has been marginalised in mainstream Irish politics and economic thinking. If we are serious about taking more action on Gaza, we have to understand that the genocide has brought to the surface the contradictions of Ireland's position in the world and amongst sabre rattling empires. Given Ireland's deep involvement in US-Israeli trade, industry, and finance, we are strategically placed to make a difference. The most tactical pressure points remain US warplanes going through Shannon, the sale of Israeli war bonds, the OTB, and the EU's economic relationships with Israel. Each of these surface Ireland's long-standing dependency on the US and positioning between the EU. Shifting this dynamic will require enormous, concerted and focussed pressure. Understanding Ireland's dependency as a defining feature of Irish economic development also allows us to see how the State's undemocratic actions to support global extractive industries, erode our neutrality, and fail on Palestine are part of the same political economic matrix. These three fronts will converge at the national demo for peace and neutrality taking place in Dublin on June 14. This is an opportunity to show the Government that we want serious, meaningful action to untangle Ireland from its complicity in imperialist economic rivalries, wars, and genocides. Read More Aid is being utterly weaponised, and the result is chaos
Irish Examiner
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Katie McCabe can take inspiration from Irish trailblazers in the Arsenal class of 2007
It was a different decade and different era in more ways than one. Before the FAI's best-laid financial plans resulted in an albatross of debt they're still smothered by, a trip to Arsenal for a platoon of media was arranged and paid for by the association. Odd as the gesture was, the concept in April 2007 was worthy of special treatment. England's first European Cup final representatives were on the cusp of glory and underpinning it was an Irish influence. Leixlip's Emma Byrne in goal behind a defence featuring Yvonne Tracy from Limerick. Waterford's Ciara Grant harnessed midfield. Unlike the current crop of Gunners lining out against Barcelona in Lisbon, including Katie McCabe, players were part-time. Vik Akers is best known as long-serving kitman for the men's team but formed Arsenal's ladies 20 years before their two-leg European decider against Swedes Umeå IK. It took until 2002 for the status of semi-professionalism to be reached. Akers and current head of women's football Clare Wheatley entered teams into the Westport annual five-a-side blitz, the Mayo tournament doubling up as a scouting exercise. It was there they first spotted Grant. Her fellow FÁS course graduate Emma Byrne would follow, via a stint in Denmark, alongside Tracy. Boat trips were the initial mode of transport. Arsenal's Katie McCabe and Victoria Pelova during a training session at the Sobha Realty Training Centre, London. Pic: John Walton/PA Wire. Extra employment was essential given the meagre pay on offer. Several other Irish players came and went through the Gunners ranks over that period but it wasn't for everybody. 'I'm not going to Arsenal to work in the laundry,' demurred legend Olivia O'Toole. Byrne and moreso Tracy did just that. 'It's never difficult having to hand Freddie Ljungberg a t-shirt when he comes in looking for one," the latter said with a smile about her club sideline. Much of Akers' time was spent arranging jobs within the club to supplement the average £200 weekly wage. Grant and Byrne were assigned posts in logistics and underage coaching respectively but the goalkeeper foresaw the bigger picture by undertaking a college degree - in journalism. Finals were two-leg affairs back then and a late goal in Sweden by current BBC presenter Alex Scott gave the Gunners a platform to defend inside the quaint 3,000-capacity Boreham Wood stadium. Byrne's acrobatic brilliant late save from Ramona Bachman is still cemented as pivotal in repelling an Umeå side spearheaded by Brazilian legend Marta. Distinction embedded her career. Byrne remains Arsenal's record appearance holder, clocking up 459 appearances over 16 years, and Ireland's most capped player with 134 outings. Ireland's current goalkeeping coach will be cheering McCabe on at the Estádio José Alvalade today, accompanied by a coterie of her players, before flying to Istanbul tomorrow for Friday's penultimate Uefa Nations League game against Turkey. Grant became another centurion during her decorated spell at Arsenal, eventually retiring in 2015 after a season at Reading. She's settled in Barry, Wales with her partner and two children, watching rather than being involved in the game. Tracy, whose brother Shane was part of Liam Brady's Arsenal academy for a few years, was the one to maintain official links with the club until 2023. Injury denied her a start in the final but her contribution to that golden area, coupled with bubbly personality, ensured the hierarchy wanted her around. She has just started their first girls-only football programme – Girls Croft Ballers – in Haverhill's football academy. No English club has replicated Arsenal's feat in the 18 years since. That accomplishment is emblazoned around the Emirates Stadium with a mural celebrating their triumph. McCabe spots that painting when the team regularly share the men's venue and won't be short of inspiration when she visualises three Irish trailblazers.
BreakingNews.ie
14-05-2025
- Politics
- BreakingNews.ie
Injunction move over protests outside asylum centre suspended
A High Court injunction application over protests against improvement works at an 18th-century mansion in Kildare - housing some 93 female international protection applicants - has been suspended following a separate dispute over the planning status of the building. On Wednesday, Mr Justice David Nolan adjourned the injunction application relating to protests outside Ryevale House in Leixlip with liberty to re-enter. Advertisement This means the injunction application is no longer urgent but could be revived if circumstances change. The protests began after works began in March to improve water pressure for the three-storey mansion which is in the middle of some 200 houses in Ryevale, Leixlip. In March, the owners of the house, ME Liberer Unlimited Company, obtained an interim injunction preventing a number of residents from interfering with Irish Water (Uisce Éireann) contractors carrying out works to improve water pressure at the building which has accommodated the international protection applicants since March 2023. The court heard Irish Water had said, after the protests began, that work would not continue given concerns for the safety of the contractor's workers. Advertisement On Wednesday, when the case returned to court, Niall Handy SC, for ME Liberer, said it appeared, however, the protests had ceased because the defendants had been told by Irish Water that they would not be upgrading the supply because of the planning status of the building. His client believes it is exempted but An Bord Pleanála had found works at the property were not exempt. Counsel said this was not the issue when these protests started, counsel said. In circumstances, Mr Handy said there was no need at this stage to move the injunction and his side wrote to the defendants asking that in the event the water workers return that the protests would not resume. The defendants were however seeking that the injunction be heard, he said. Advertisement Rory Kennedy BL, for the defendants, said the position was that Irish Water requires, as part of any application for works, that the applicant state that there is compliance with planning. Questioned by the judge about the alleged blockading of workers by residents, Mr Kennedy said his side did not accept what the plaintiff was claiming. There was an issue yet to be decided as to whether this was a lawful protest or an illegal blockade, he said. Ireland Murder accused Richard Satchwell cut dressing gown... Read More He said his clients are all over 70 and they wanted it to be pushed on to hearing. Mr Justice Nolan said while the defendants were over 70, they were not elderly. He (the judge) was approaching that age "and I don't regard myself as elderly". Parties in cases don't seem to understand that court time is precious, and it is not for the defendants to demand that the case be heard. It would be a waste of time depending on what happens in the future, he said. He adjourned the case generally with liberty to re-enter it should circumstances change.
Irish Times
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Times
The Three Bangs
This play was written by students at Leixlip Youthreach over two weeks in October 2024. Characters Abraham, 23, college student, long ginger dreadlocks, 4'11, nerdy, plays badminton, had a car accident that made him short, deep Scottish accent. Britnnayy, 22, struggles with education, blonde, 6'4, glamourous, manipulative, party animal, doesn't talk to her parents, valley girl accent. Humfrey, pizza delivery guy. READ MORE Scene one Abraham's sitting room at Halloween. Loud bang. Abraham: What was that? Britnnayy: I don't know! Abraham: Wanna go check it out? Britnnayy: Yeah. Abraham: I dare you go upstairs and check it out. Britnnayy: Come with me but get your dad's gun. Second bang. Abraham: His gun is upstairs and that's where the bang came from. Britnnayy: See ye tomorrow. Abraham: Britnnayy come back. Britnnayy: Naawwrr! Abraham: Britnnayy stop acting cowardly. Britnnayy: Naawwrr! Abraham: Where's my phone I need to call my parents? Britnnayy: Not in my pocket! Abraham: Let's just calm everything down and I'll call the guards. Britnnayy: How can you call the guards if you can't find your phone? Doorbell rings, they both look at each other in shock. They look out the window and see the pizza man. They open the door. Humfrey (scared): Here's your pizza. Humfrey stumbles backwards. Abraham brings the pizza in the house and puts it on the table. Inside is a gun and a note that reads, 'Come find me. PS I took your garlic bread.' Scene two Upstairs. Third loud bang from downstairs. Britnnayy is looking for Abraham's d ad's gun. Britnnayy: ABRAHAMMMM!!! Oh s**t, where the hell is that gun? Britnnayy finds a baseball bat, opens the door to the bedroom and frantically runs down the stairs. Britnnayy: Oh my God, who is that? ... Is that my garlic bread? Abraham climbs through the window, with the gun in his hand. Britnnayy: I don't know what the hell is going on! Abraham gives Britnnayy a death stare, he is covered in blood. Britnnayy: Are you okay? What are you doing? Why are you covered in blood? Abraham starts slowly walking towards Britnnayy with a creepy smile on his face. Britnnayy walks backwards, tightening her grip on the baseball bat. Abraham: Hehehe! Abraham, shoots his gun at Britnnayy and no bullets come out. Britnnayy: This isn't funny, are you pranking me right now? Abraham ( tweaking out ): Legs….legs….legs. Britnnayy ( confused, returns to Dublin accent ): What are ye on about ye mad ting? Abraham ( Still tweakin' ): You fell for it ya wee lassie, I planned this whole thing. Britnnayy starts swinging the baseball bat at Abraham and he tries to escape out of the window again. Britnnayy: I'll get me bleedin' nanny after ye. Abraham: I'll take her legs too! Britnnayy: She doesn't have any. She's in a bleedin' wheelchair mate! Britnnayy lands a blow of the baseball bat on Abraham's teeth as he falls out the window. Scene three Abraham comes out of the shed with a chainsaw. Meanwhile, Britnnayy calls the Guards from the house phone. Neighbour: You're making too much noise out here, it's the middle of the night. Abraham ( Sarcastically ): Sorry, I'm really busy here, I'm just crossing my t's and dotting my i's. The g uards arrive at the house as Abraham is sawing off one of Britnnayy's legs, they shoot him in the chest. Britnnayy: AHHHH you're a bit bleedin' late? Abraham: You're just like your nanny; you're going to need wheelchair access now. Britnnayy: I'll get my legs put back on, but you'll be short forever…
Irish Daily Mirror
10-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Irish kid lands souvenir of a lifetime after Man United's Europa League win
A young Leixlip United player picked up the souvenir of a lifetime after Manchester United's Europa League semi-final win against Athletic Bilbao at Old Trafford last Thursday. Lee McDonagh (11) went home with Red Devils star Amad Diallo's jersey after he was singled out by the Ivory Coast midfielder moments after the final whistle. Amad came on just after the hour and played his part in the win by teeing up Rasmus Hojlund for United's third goal on the night. As the final whistle went, he broke away from his teammates and made his way over to where Lee, his dad Gary and older brother Aaron were sitting, in line with the 18-yard box close to the Stretford End. The 22-year-old took off his shirt and tossed it to Lee, who could barely believe his luck. Dad Gary told MirrorSport: 'This was Lee's second time and like any kid going to Old Trafford, he was quite excited. 'He didn't have any placard or poster asking for a jersey, but when the players were walking around the pitch after the match, Amad looked in our direction. He was the only one to take off their jersey and, as he walked towards us, he flung his jersey at Lee.' Gary reckons he will never truly know why his son was chosen by the United prospect - but eagle-eyed viewers at home on Thursday night had one theory. They spotted Lee, who was sitting in the front row of the Sir Alex Ferguson Stand, as the camera zoomed in on Amad at one point during the game, while he was standing in front of the Leixlip youngster. 'Lee has red hair and maybe that jumped out for Amad,' reasoned Gary. 'He was a good bit away from the fans, passing the halfway line when he was the only player to break away from the group. 'He started walking towards where we were and as he got to us he removed his jersey. He was pointing at Lee and Lee was shouting at Amad. 'We're thinking now, maybe he spotted Lee at the time and decided to come around again after the match. We'll never know.' It capped an amazing night for Lee, whose previous visit to Old Trafford was for a 3-0 win against Bournemouth in January 2023. They were in the perfect spot to see every single goal last Thursday, with Mikel Jauregizar's opener in the first-half, and United's four replies in the second-half - including Mason Mount's brilliant 50-yard lob - all going into the Stretford End goal. They even made sure to get to the ground early to watch United warm-up right in front of them. 'The guy who gave me the tickets previously told me to get in an hour before the game, because the players warmed up right at the sideline. They were only six or eight-foot away from us. 'The last time the three of us went to a game, the Bournemouth match, we were in the same seats and we could nearly reach out and touch the lads.' Once Lee - a fifth class pupil in Scoil Mhuire, Leixlip - got the jersey, it was all about getting it back to their hotel safe and sound. 'As a dad, once Lee got the jersey I made sure no one else could grab it off him. Someone beside Lee said to him, get that jersey in your jacket,' said Gary. 'Our hotel was five minutes away from Old Trafford and when we got back, we took the jersey out, put it on the bed and we were all jumping around the room; me, Lee and Aaron. 'Lee's Mammy got a phone call, but she didn't get the whole excitement, so we had to hang up and ring my brother.' The jersey is going to be framed and hung in Lee's bedroom, but these past few days have seen all his pals line up to get photos with the souvenir of United's march to another European final.
