Latest news with #MartinFraser
Business News Wales
01-08-2025
- Business
- Business News Wales
Irish Ambassador to the UK to Open Cardiff Business Club 2025/26 Season
One of Ireland's most senior and respected public servants, Martin Fraser, Irish Ambassador to Great Britain, will headline the opening event of the Cardiff Business Club 2025/26 season on Tuesday, September 16 at the Parkgate Hotel, Cardiff. With a career that has placed him at the centre of Ireland's response to some of the most significant challenges of the past two decades, including the global financial crisis, Brexit, and the Covid-19 pandemic, Ambassador Fraser brings extraordinary insight into the workings of government, diplomacy, and British-Irish relations. Born in Dublin, Fraser joined the Irish Civil Service at just 16. Over a career spanning more than four decades, he has held leadership roles across several departments, including the Department of Foreign Affairs, Agriculture, and most notably, the Department of the Taoiseach, where he served as Secretary General to the Government for over ten years. During this time, he was deeply involved in international affairs, social reform, and the Northern Ireland Peace Process, and played key roles in two historic State Visits, that of Queen Elizabeth II to Ireland, and of President Michael D. Higgins to Britain. A passionate supporter of sport, arts, and culture, Ambassador Fraser is known for his warmth, depth of experience, and sharp understanding of UK-Irish dynamics, making him an ideal speaker to launch what promises to be a compelling and impactful season. The lunch event will be held in the Postmaster Suite of the Parkgate Hotel, beginning at 12pm with a networking drinks reception. Following Ambassador Fraser's keynote speech and a Q&A session, guests will enjoy a two-course lunch in the company of fellow business and civic leaders. This event also marks a new era for Cardiff Business Club, with a refreshed board in place and Engage Events appointed as the Club's new event management partner. Phil Jardine, Chair of Cardiff Business Club, said: 'We are honoured to welcome Ambassador Fraser to open our new season. His experience across diplomacy, government and economic policy gives him a unique perspective on the shared challenges and opportunities facing Ireland and the UK. We are also excited to unveil a new era for the Club with a refreshed board and a new partnership with Engage Events, as we continue to evolve and deliver greater value to our members and partners.' This ticketed-only event is expected to sell out quickly, with Cardiff Business Club members receiving an exclusive discounted rate. Members: £45.00 + VAT Non-Members: £65.00 + VAT To secure your place or learn more about becoming a member, visit the Cardiff Business Club website.
Irish Times
12-07-2025
- Politics
- Irish Times
In years to come, we will ask: ‘So, where were you the day you heard that Pat the Cope was willing to run for president?'
Summer garden parties are a big thing on the Westminster political scene. The annual seasonal gathering in the Irish Embassy is one of the most popular. This year's event doubled as a leaving do for a number of staff members, including Michael Lonergan, the embassy's popular political counsellor, who is leaving London for Brussels in advance of Ireland's EU presidency in a year's time. While French president Emmanuel Macron meeting British prime minister Keir Starmer may have been the main topic of conversation among the Westminster set, the Irish contingent at Ambassador Martin Fraser's bash was much more interested in the all-consuming question of who will be the next president of Ireland. Or, more to the point, who will be the runners and riders when the race eventually begins? READ MORE Former SDLP leader Colum Eastwood was among the guests. He previously expressed an interest in running and the word in Grosvenor Place was that he could be interested in running as an independent if Fianna Fáil decides not to put up a candidate and backs him instead. With Mairead McGuinness seemingly nailed on as the Fine Gael choice at the moment and much of the Left coalescing around independent Galway TD Catherine Connolly, who has declared she wants to run, interest has turned to Fianna Fáil's intentions. Would a party politician get enough public support? Taoiseach Micheál Martin isn't exactly pushing that idea. However, over at the Irish embassy, the name in the frame from the political chatterati was that of former Irish soccer international Niall Quinn, running with the blessing of Fianna Fáil. Micheál is still sitting it out, apparently, waiting to see how the field fills out – with a particular eye to the Shinners. And Niall, it was being said on Thursday night, would not turn him down if an approach was made. He has an interesting CV – Dublin lad but with Tipperary roots. Played minor hurling for the Dubs before starting his stellar professional football career across the water. He is a successful businessman but also returned to his studies, earning an MA in history from Dublin City University. His thesis was on the 1916 hero Oscar Traynor and he gave the oration this year at the annual 1916 Relatives Association commemoration in the Garden of Remembrance. One of the most famous chants in the world of English soccer was about him. It was called Niall Quinn's Disco Pants. Then again. Micheál could always go for his backbencher Pat the Cope Gallagher (77) who said on Friday he is willing to volunteer for the Áras. In years to come, Irish people will ask each other: 'Where were you the day you heard that Pat the Cope was willing to run?' As seismic moments go this week, it's almost, but not quite, up there with 'where were you when you heard MEP Sean Kelly announce on national radio that he will not be running for president?' We asked a friend. She replied: 'I was in the kitchen, but so overcome by emotion the moment is a blur.' Also at the ambassador's party was former Undertones frontman and now leading environmentalist Feargal Sharkey. The Irish guests behaved and didn't ask him to sing 'A Good President These Days Is Hard to Find'. Also at the party was Fianna Fáil backbencher from Cork East James O'Connor, last seen celebrating his birthday in the Royal Enclosure at Ascot, no less. Punchestown chairman David Mongey was also among the invitees. No doubt James bent his ear. Friends in Lithuania We can't get away from presidents. Will it ever stop? The president of Lithuania, Gitanas Nauseda, was in town this week. One of the highlights of his busy itinerary was a meeting with TDs and Senators from the Oireachtas Ireland-Lithuania Parliamentary Friendship Group. Fianna Fáil TD Aisling Dempsey is the group convener. They met off-campus in Matt the Thresher's on Dublin's Pembroke Street and we hear it was a convivial affair. Members were invited to say a few words. When Independent Senator Aubrey McCarthy was called upon to speak, Fianna Fáil's Cormac Devlin pointed out to president Nauseda that Aubrey might be a candidate in our forthcoming presidential election. Aubrey, who seems keen on a nomination, replied that if he was ever elected president his first State visit would be to Lithuania. He wondered if Cormac would act as his campaign manager. To laughter from his Leinster House colleagues, the TD for Dún Laoghaire regretfully informed Aubrey that he presumed party colleague Mary Hanafin will be expecting him to run her campaign. The president also met political correspondent Gabija Gataveckaite, who was born in Vilnius and moved to Roscommon when she was eight. Wonder did Gabby tell him her news? She is moving from the Irish Independent to a new job as Dublin correspondent for BBC Northern Ireland. Super juniors strike back Government Chief Whip Mary Butler must have enjoyed a hearty breakfast last Wednesday morning because she was still full of beans when she arrived into the Dáil chamber bright and early for questions on topical issues. As Chief Whip, Mary is no ordinary junior Minister. She is a Fianna Fáil super-junior Minister, allowed to sit in a high chair at the Cabinet table. But, along with the Cabinet's other special children, she cannot present a memo at the meeting or vote. Nonetheless, super juniors are both seen and heard at meetings. They have influence. On Monday, Sinn Féin's Pa Daly launched a High Court challenge to the attendance of souped-up ministers of state at cabinet meetings. He was followed near the end of the week by Paul Murphy of People Before Profit, who brought a similar action. They say the Constitution limits the number of government ministers to 15 and binds them to confidentiality about their discussions, so admitting a select few juniors, no matter how super they are, is unconstitutional. The TD for Kerry was in the chamber to ask Mary – Minister of State with responsibility for mental health – about proposals to move outpatient psychiatric services from Cahersiveen to Killorglin. He said this was a matter of serious concern in South Kerry. [ Sinn Féin TD's legal challenge to 'super junior' ministers seeks 'unprecedented' intervention by judiciary, AG tells court Opens in new window ] 'I'm hoping you will say that this is not going to happen,' said Pa. Mary rose to respond to the man who thinks she shouldn't be allowed a high chair at the Cabinet table. The man who was spending his week above in the High Court – joined by Mary Lou McDonald and Pearse Doherty on the first day (the photos came out lovely) – to argue that her job flies in the face of the Constitution. 'Deputy, I'm surprised you're here, actually. I thought you'd be on your way to the High Court,' remarked Mary at the outset. 'I am, but this matter is so important. I'm going down straight after this,' replied a startled Pa. Mary silenced him with a perfunctory 'this is not a question-and-answer'. He looked across, mouth agape. Government Chief Whip Mary Butler arriving at Leinster House. Photograph: Sam Boal/Collins She carried on. 'You know, I was actually struck while I was walking across – I was thinking how ironic it was: I'm the first Minister ever to represent mental health at Cabinet and you're trying to remove me. 'And here you are today asking me to come forward and find a solution for you. I was just struck at how ironic that is.' 'It's not about you,' reposted Pa. And then Mary, having got that off her chest on behalf of all the super juniors, gave a comprehensive reply. Respect the super juniors. In his evidence on Thursday, former high-chair holder Finian McGrath said he was always treated as 'a full minister' during his time as a minister of state between 2016 and 2020. People like to 'sneer' at the super juniors, shrugged the former Independent TD for Dublin Bay North. Perish the thought. We'd never do that. Finian thinks super juniors are great. They are certainly a cut above your bog standard aul' ministers of state, that's for sure. 'Please don't say to me that super-junior ministers don't have more authority than ministers of state.' But while Finian might believe he had strategic and political influence at cabinet, in reality he was a mere super junior with significantly different and lesser powers than a senior government minister, argued the State. Finian was crushed. 'You're diminishing the office of the super junior minister and I don't like that,' he quivered at Attorney General Rossa Fanning. Judging by what she had to say in the Dáil, Mary Butler feels exactly the same way. A century of Blaneys in Donegal There was a big hooley in Lifford last Friday when Donegal County Council pulled out all the stops with a civic reception to mark the Blaney family's record 100 years of unbroken service to the county. A Blaney sat on the council when it was founded in 1925 and there has been a Blaney on it every year since. Cathaoirleach Paul Canning (FF), welcomed a huge crowd to the municipal headquarters on 'this joyous day' for Donegal. Guests of honour were Senator Niall Blaney, his brother Cllr Liam Blaney and their 85-year-old mother, Margaret. Neal Blaney was the first generation of the political dynasty to hold local office. He was elected in 1925 as a Sinn Féin candidate and went on to serve in the Dáil and Seanad. His son Neil T Blaney – the controversial and colourful politician who became a Fianna Fáil minister – succeeded him in 1948. Cllr Liam Blaney, Charlie McConalogue TD and Senator Niall Blaney at the County House, Lifford. Photograph: Clive Wasson His brother Harry, later a TD, was co-opted in 1957 after Neil was appointed to cabinet. Harry's son Niall followed him on to the council in 1999 before his election to the Dáil in 2002. Brother Liam was then co-opted in 2003 and he has contested and won every local election since. The Blaney family's record of 100 years of unbroken representation was 'an extraordinary achievement of truly historic proportions', said Cllr Donal Coyle (FF), who originally proposed the idea of a civic reception for the Blaneys. It is the highest honour a council can bestow. Brothers Liam and Niall both paid tribute to their mother, Margaret, who was married to their late father for 60 years. 'She was everything. Neil never had a constituency office at all. The house in Rosnakill was the epicentre,' Niall told us. 'This honour is for all the family and our supporters down through the years. But it's particularly nice for my mother. 'Without her I'm not sure that Neil and my father would have been as successful as they were.' After the reception, guests carried on to the Silver Tassie Hotel outside Letterkenny to continue the celebrations.
Extra.ie
30-06-2025
- Business
- Extra.ie
Taxpayers picking up €43.5K tab for Irish Ambassador's UK pad -- per month
The London residence of the Irish Ambassador to the UK is costing the taxpayer €43,500 per month – and is just one of a string of high-cost properties being rented by the Department of Foreign Affairs. The department has confirmed that it paid British estate agency Knight Frank €522,394 in 2024 to cover just a single-year lease on the property that's home to Ambassador Martin Fraser, a former Secretary General at the Department of the Taoiseach. The colossal bill for the property on Grosvenor Place – one of London's most expensive areas – was part of at least €3.95m paid out last year in rental costs for residences for senior Irish diplomats across the globe. Martin Fraser. Pic: Photocall Ireland/GIS Other sky-high lease costs included payments of €485,000 for the official residence in Tokyo, €291,000 for an apartment in New York, and €204,000 in payments in San Francisco. Meanwhile, the rental bill in Tel Aviv was almost €200,000, around €176,000 in Boston, and €135,000 in Seoul, South Korea. The department also ran up 15 separate hotel and accommodation bills in excess of €5,000 last year, according to figures that were released under Freedom of Information legislation. This included a spend of €30,480 at the five-star Intercontinental Hotel in Dublin 4 to host a delegation during the state visit by the President of Vietnam last October. There was another bill of €9,300 from the same hotel for a visit by the Egyptian president in December, while €5,241 was paid for accommodation at the Seven Alpina Hotel as part of Ireland's participation in the annual World Economic Forum in Davos. The department said a €8,408 bill at the four-star Fifty Sonesta Hotel in New York was for a staff member who was taking up a new diplomatic posting. Pic:Among the other bills last year were €24,054 paid out to the Dublin Airport Authority for 'platinum services' for visiting dignitaries. The Department of Foreign Affairs said this covered three separate delegations from Vietnam, South Africa, and China. To offset the carbon emissions of globe-trotting diplomatic staff, a sum of €99,623 was paid to the Government's climate action fund. The department said these payments have been government policy since 2020 and that the fund was used to support climate-related projects and initiatives in Ireland. In addition, a total of €97,000 was paid in legal 'settlement costs' at the Passport Office, a database of departmental expenditure for 2024 showed. But the department was tight-lipped on what was involved and stated that 'further details can't be released on confidentiality grounds'. A furniture removal bill of €26,019 was incurred last December, which covered the cost of bringing art back to the National Gallery and the Office of Public Works (OPW) from the continent. The department said: 'Pieces from Berlin and pieces from Stockholm were transported and returned to Ireland. 'The artworks on display in our mission properties are key promotional tools, helping us to promote Irish culture, values and heritage.' The art transport bill was part of at least €900,000 that was spent on removal and storage costs for staff packing up and moving to missions across the world. Other costs for the department included €4.65m for passport booklets and €8.6m for postage and courier costs. Around €64,000 was spent on chauffeured cars, €11,600 for a BMW vehicle in Washington DC, and a further €43,000 for 'items of artistic value'. There were €3.7m worth of invoices for major maintenance on residences overseas, including redecoration and construction. Asked about the high rental bill for the London residence in particular, the Department of Foreign Affairs said the property had been chosen following a market assessment process. On hotel and other VIP costs, they said: '[We are] responsible for the effective management of incoming visits by Heads of State and Government and other high-level foreign dignitaries coming to Ireland. These visits advance Ireland's values and interests, unlock opportunities, strengthen bilateral and multi-lateral relationships and position Ireland as a proactive and influential global partner.' This lavish spending is not new, as nine years ago, the MoS reported that a staggering monthly rent of €46,000 was being paid by the taxpayer for the Irish Ambassador's residence in Tokyo, Japan – when the most expensive property in the city at the time cost 30% less at €33,000 per month. Then-Ambassador Anne Barrington complained to the Irish Times that her husband's privacy had been violated after we revealed that he used the ambassadorial residence as a business address. The paper later printed a clarification which read: 'An article in last Thursday's edition stated that Ed Miliano, husband of Anne Barrington, is a designer and illustrator. Mr Miliano is an artist.'
Irish Independent
29-06-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
Ambassador Martin Fraser's residence in London costs taxpayer €43,500 a month
The department confirmed it paid estate agency Knight Frank €522,394 in 2024 to cover just a single-year lease on the English property, which is home to ambassador Martin Fraser. The colossal bill was part of at least €3.95m paid out last year in rental costs for residences for senior Irish diplomats across the globe. Other lease costs included payments of €485,000 for the official residence in Tokyo, €291,000 for an apartment in New York and €204,000 in payments in San Francisco. The rental bill in Tel Aviv was almost €200,000, it was around €176,000 in Boston, and €135,000 in Seoul in South Korea. The department also ran up 15 separate hotel and accommodation bills in excess of €5,000 last year, according to figures released under FOI laws. This included €30,480 at the five-star Intercontinental Hotel in Dublin 4 to host a delegation during the state visit by the president of Vietnam last October. There was a bill of €9,300 from the same hotel for a visit by the Egyptian president in December while €5,241 was paid for accommodation at the Seven Alpina Hotel as part of Ireland's participation in the annual World Economic Forum in Davos. The department said an €8,408 bill at the four-star Fifty Sonesta Hotel in New York was for a staff member taking up a new diplomatic posting. Among other bills last year were €24,054 paid to the Dublin Airport Authority for platinum services for visiting dignitaries. The Department of Foreign Affairs said this covered three separate delegations from Vietnam, South Africa and China. To offset the carbon emissions of globe-trotting diplomatic staff, a sum of €99,623 was paid to the Government's climate action fund. The department said these payments are government policy since 2020 and that the fund was used to support climate-related projects and initiatives in Ireland. A total of €97,000 was paid in legal 'settlement costs' at the Passport Office, a database of departmental expenditure for 2024 showed. However, the department was tight-lipped on what was involved and said that 'further details can't be released on confidentiality grounds.' ADVERTISEMENT Learn more Other bills from last year included €62,418 to SOS International Assistance, a UK-based company who provides health and security services. The department said this included medical and security advice, digital risk mitigation, training and personal safety. A furniture removal bill of €26,019 was incurred last December, which covered the cost of bringing art back to the National Gallery and the Office of Public Works from the continent. The department said: 'Pieces from Berlin and pieces from Stockholm were transported and returned to Ireland. 'The artworks on display in our mission properties are key promotional tools, helping us to promote Irish culture, values and heritage.' The art transport bill was part of at least €900,000 that was spent on removal and storage costs for staff packing up and moving to missions across the world. Other costs for the department included €4.65m for passport booklets and €8.6m for postage and courier costs. Around €64,000 was spent on chauffeured cars, €11,600 for a BMW vehicle in Washington DC and €43,000 for 'items of artistic value'. There was €3.7m worth of invoices for major maintenance on residences overseas, including redecoration and construction. Asked about the high rental bill for the London residence, the Department of Foreign Affairs said the property had been chosen following a market assessment process. On hotel and other VIP costs, it said: 'We are responsible for the effective management of incoming visits by heads of state and government and other high-level foreign dignitaries to Ireland. 'These visits advance Ireland's values and interests, unlock opportunities, strengthen bilateral and multilateral relationships and position Ireland as a proactive and influential global partner.'
BreakingNews.ie
09-06-2025
- Business
- BreakingNews.ie
Hotel stay in Oxford boutique hotel for Tánaiste and delegates cost €4,200
A single night hotel stay for Tánaiste Simon Harris along with Ireland's Ambassador to the UK Martin Fraser and a group of six public servants cost the taxpayer nearly €4,200. The room for then-Taoiseach Simon Harris at the five-star Old Parsonage Hotel in Oxford cost €563 for just one night of accommodation last year. Advertisement The hefty bill was run up when Mr Harris met with UK prime minister Keir Starmer and attended a meeting of the European Political Community (EPC) in Oxfordshire last July. The boutique Old Parsonage is one of the best-known hotels in the university city and prides itself on being 'a luxury home-from-home with impeccable hospitality". The Department of Foreign Affairs said the booking was made when rooms were in short supply because of a large number of visiting delegations. They said: 'Accommodation for one night, 17 July, was booked on the basis of location, availability and quoted costings in a period of high demand in Oxford. Advertisement '[There were] forty plus Heads of State and Government and their delegations also in attendance at the EPC conference.' Other more junior officials – who were also in attendance – stayed at a nearby Premier Inn where the overnight rate was nearly €275. The bills were among tens of thousands of euros of expenditure charged to diplomatic credit cards at Ireland's embassies in London and Paris over the course of a year. In Paris, the embassy ran up significant bills during the Rugby World Cup and Olympics with €2,800 spent on temporary accommodation for one member of staff. Advertisement There was also an Airbnb bill of €5,576 for an official at the 2024 Olympics, where Ireland claimed a record-setting haul of medals. A further charge of €2,090 with Airbnb covered the cost of a group of Irish artists visiting Paris at the time of the Rugby World Cup in 2023, according to records released under FOI. Other bills on the card included €620 for four rugby match tickets as part of 'political engagement' by the Embassy. There was a charge of €250 for promotional pins for the Rugby World Cup, a €2,900 bill at the Tsuba Hotel in Paris for a political delegation, and around €230 for Irish cheese. Advertisement Other more mundane costs on the credit card included €36 for door wedges, €21.50 for electric light bulbs, and €1,317 for a replacement grill. At the Embassy in London, among the charges listed were four umbrellas for drivers costing a combined €105, tea towels from John Lewis costing €144, and €138 worth of Christmas tree lights from Amazon. A new fridge cost €1,317 while €105 was spent on a congestion charge penalty under the road charging scheme in the UK capital. There was also a bill of around €2,150 at the Pullman Hotel for a visit by Minister Paschal Donohoe and four officials in August of last year. Asked about the spending in France, the Department of Foreign Affairs said: 'Tens of thousands of Irish citizens travelled to France for the Rugby World Cup (2023) and Paris Olympics and Paralympics (2024). 'In advance of these tournaments, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade reinforced its operations in France, to provide expanded consular services for traveling fans.'
