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The Journal
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Journal
Report in 2021 warned of military air traffic control crisis but nothing was done until this year
A MAJOR STUDY carried out in 2021 warned Government of the impending collapse of the Air Corps Air Traffic Service (ATS) but a scheme that may have prevented the crisis was only requested this February – four years later. The Journal has obtained a copy of the internal Report of the ATS Working Group which looked at 'options to ensure the longer-term sustainability' of the service at Casement Aerodrome. The report identified Casement Aerodrome as a major national strategic asset and it warns that unless action is taken to keep air traffic controllers in service there would be future collapses in the service 'every number of years'. It also described military ATS as a strategic asset. It said that the Defence Forces controllers were also a 'backstop contingency' if the civil aviation service ever went down. The Journal has confirmed that despite the report being completed in 2021 it was not until February of this year that DOD contacted their colleagues in the Public Expenditure Department to get a retention scheme for air traffic controllers. There is also an initiative underway to promote enlisted personnel to officers to keep them in service – which was also a key recommendation in the report. It all came too late – this week The Journal revealed that the Irish Air Corps was going to a part-time five-day-week and 12-hour only days because it was not able to carry out the basic function of military Air Traffic Control. Yesterday the Taoiseach Micheál Martin , who took over as Defence minister in December 2022 from Simon Coveney, said it was a matter for the military leadership to solve. There is no mention in the 2025 Ministerial Brief , given to Tánaiste Simon Harris, of the Air Traffic Service issues. High level briefings The working group already had a number of top table officials and advisors – they included senior DOD officials, senior military officials including the Chief of Air Staff Operations. Inside the front page of the lengthy ring bound report is a note that states that the document was forwarded to the Department of Defence (DOD) in December 2021. It is understood, from multiple sources, that high level briefings then took place, a short time later, of senior players across the national security apparatus. The study was commissioned in the wake of the last collapse in the service due to staff leaving to better paid jobs in the private sector in 2016. That was corrected and full 24 hour coverage was returned in 2021. There was a military ATS restriction in 2017 due to staffing. In the aftermath of the crash of Rescue 116 off the Mayo coast that year, it was revealed that the helicopter was only there to act as a radio relay for another rescue chopper because the Air Corps were unable to launch a CASA Maritime Patrol Aircraft to do the job. Advertisement The issue identified in the 2021 report, repeatedly, is that highly qualified and experienced air traffic controllers were leaving the service because of their conditions of service. It's key Human-Resourcing finding, contained in the 31 recommendations, was that a retention scheme and other initiatives should be introduced to keep the highly trained controllers in the military. The first recommendation in the document states: 'implement a service commitment scheme for ATS'. It added: 'A blended approach of incentives and undertakings should be used in order to minimise premature voluntary retirements. 'Having a pathway for personnel who complete training to take up a role (and technical pay) specific to their skillset, or the ability to pay qualified controllers the appropriate technical pay after completing their training, would mitigate the impact of gaps within the unit.' Irish Air Corps PC-9s on the ground in Baldonnel. Irish Defence Forces Irish Defence Forces Recommendations The recommendations specific to Ministerial control were around commissioning enlisted controllers to officers to fill gaps and make it enticing for them to stay on. The report also recommended that a minimum four year commitment must be made by personnel who undergo the training and that mechanisms should be introduced to expedite trained personnel beginning work. One of the recommendations that went ahead was the training of new controllers – a new measure means that new recruits have been training in Spain. They will now return to Ireland to further their training – issue is two of the Air Corps instructors are leaving the service. The report recommended that there should be 32 personnel as a minimum in the unit. The Journal has learned, from other documentation, that as of this week the 505 Squadron which has responsibility for the ATS had 21 personnel before the departure of staff. There are just a handful of qualified controllers. Defence Minister assurances Meanwhile the Defence Minister, Tánaiste Simon Harris, has sought to reassure the public that the Air Corps will find solutions. 'There is a question of pinch points in relation to key personnel in Baldonnel, and I'll be meeting early next week with the new Chief of Staff and with my own department to look at contingency planning in relation to this. 'We of course don't live in a country that only has one airport or one air base. And we will have to look at what actions can be taken. But I do want to assure people, particularly those who might look at Ireland from a position of hostility, I want to assure them that our Air Corps continues to function, and any pinch points will be overcome,' he said. Statements have been requested from the Irish Defence Forces, the Department of Defence and the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
The National
25-05-2025
- Politics
- The National
'We feel the injustice': ex-Irish minister on sympathies for Palestinian cause
Live updates: Follow the latest on Israel-Gaza Israel's "relentless bombardment" in the Gaza Strip is doing a 'huge amount' of damage to the country's reputation, Ireland's former deputy prime minister has said. Simon Coveney, who also served as the country's foreign minister, said he believed stability would not come until a two-state solution was achieved as he explained how "ordinary Irish people feel a sense of injustice in terms of the Palestinian cause". Speaking to The National as he embarks on a new advisory role in the region, Mr Coveney described the Gaza war was an 'open sore' that 'keeps delivering conflict, mayhem, terrorism and extremism'. 'The international community has to help the Israeli leadership and the Palestinian leadership bring that to an end," he said. The veteran politician held key roles in the Irish government such as trade, defence and housing, represented Ireland on the UN Security Council, and, as deputy prime minister (Tanaiste) and foreign minister, was a major player in the UK-EU Brexit negotiations. Over a 25-year career in front-line politics, he advanced Ireland's global trade ambitions, while also grappling with challenges at home, such as the continuing housing crisis. Mr Coveney stepped down from politics in 2024 and has now taken a role as senior adviser with Dubai-based advisory firm Emerging Markets Intelligence and Research (EMIR) to support senior leaders in navigating the choppy geopolitical waters. In a wide-ranging interview to mark the appointment, Mr Coveney also spoke about US President Donald Trump's Gulf visit and how to tackle the 'mood of unrest' in democracies. Turning to Gaza, he said the October 7 attack in 2023 by Hamas was 'unforgivable' and he couldn't see the group as part of a governance model for a Palestinian state, but he also said Israel's response had ignored obligations under international law. Israel says it only targets terrorists. 'Gaza is very different to any other part of the world because people can't flee the fighting,' he said. 'No one is allowed in or out.' Ireland has been an early and vocal supporter of Palestine with many other countries now following suit and, while Mr Coveney said he didn't want to 'exaggerate Ireland's role', he felt the country was consistent in calling out issues whether it is Russia in Ukraine, Israel in Gaza or elsewhere, stating Ireland had that ability but many countries did not. 'Because of where they are geographically located and because of relationships they have, Ireland has ... some protections as part of the European Union.' He also pointed to the long history of Irish peacekeeping troops in the region that further helps to colour how Ireland sees the conflict. 'Ordinary Irish people feel a sense of injustice in terms of the Palestinian cause.' Mr Coveney called for a ceasefire, release of all hostages and a "massive delivery programme of aid into a population literally starving". Longer term, he said there has to be a Palestinian state. "Many Israelis will say to me, how can you say that? That's effectively rewarding the atrocities of October 7. I don't see it that way. I have no vested interest. I don't believe, until the Palestinian issue is resolved, that we will see the kind of stability that's needed in this region." Before retiring from Irish politics last year, Mr Coveney served as trade minister. He said the narrative about Mr Trump skipping Israel on his visit to the Gulf last week was 'overplayed' as the trip was largely about getting business deals over the line. 'I still think this US administration is probably a stronger ally of Israel than we've ever seen in the past.' The interview came before Donald Trump's recent threat to impose a "straight" 50 per cent tariff on the EU from June 1 but asked whether Mr Trump's policies could push the EU closer to the Gulf, Mr Coveney said it has already 'forced the EU to look to diversify trade' as the bloc was seeking to become more resilient. He pointed to the opening of trade talks between the EU and UAE and the first digital trade agreement being put in place in Singapore. On the recent agreement between the UK and EU that sought to set out post-Brexit relations, Mr Coveney said it was important not to 'exaggerate what's been agreed here' but it was a 'very significant and very positive'. 'This isn't rejoining in everything but name,' he said. 'There is no suggestion of the UK rejoining the single market or the customs union." Mr Coveney said Britain had been in an 'unhappy place politically' since Brexit but cautioned against reading too much into the polls that put Nigel Farage's Reform UK party on top. 'Reform is a serious force in UK politics. [But] any talk of … Nigel Farage as prime minister I think is certainly premature.' That said, Mr Farage's rise is not isolated. France, Italy, Germany and others have seen a rise in what some have styled as populism. Mr Coveney said there was undoubtedly a 'mood of unrest' across democracies that 'can't be ignored'. 'You can call them populist or you can call it inward-looking nationalism or whatever you want to call it but there are messages that land and that feed on people's fears. Significant movement of people in a way that's not controlled and managed is one of those areas,' he said. 'We are listening but the capacity to deliver at the pace that people demand isn't always there in democratic systems that can be challenged legally. People want faster solutions than often democracies can deliver and that creates frustration and then people vote for alternatives that are promising quicker fixes." Looking back at his career, Mr Coveney said he had been involved in politics since his mid-20s and it was a privilege to serve but he doesn't miss it. Now he was keen on spending more time 'in this fascinating part of the world'. As part of his new role, he will spend one week a month in the region.
Irish Times
23-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Times
Generating warmth for unloved Curragh may prove hardest part of racecourse revamp
It is 25 years since the late Aga Khan told an audience he was tired of parking his keister in unsatisfactory surroundings at the Curragh racecourse. He put it rather more eloquently than that, declaring himself 'an articulate sufferer at racecourses that do not meet acceptable standards of efficiency, convenience, practicality and comfort'. Instead of just moaning, he did something about it. It can be argued that a vastly wealthy royal could afford to put his money where his mouth was. But even so, ponying up a reported €15 million to buy the hotel at the back of the old Curragh stands so it could be knocked down, therefore freeing up space for redevelopment, spoke of a man tired of roughing it. It is 10 years since plans for the revamped Curragh that we know today were first revealed. Simon Coveney , who was Minister for Agriculture at the time, called it 'one of the most significant investments that Irish sport will have seen in many years'. The then-chairman of Horse Racing Ireland (HRI), Joe Keeling, described it as the 'most important venture in the modern history of Irish racing'. READ MORE The original budget was for €65 million and it was to be finished by 2018. By the end of the tender process, it was €72.3 million. Unforeseen delays – or cock-ups – included having to redo the parade ring for an extra €500,000. So, in 2019, the revamped Curragh was officially opened, a year late. The final cost was €81.5 million, €36.5 million of which was public money through HRI. The impressive new stand was named, appropriately, after the Aga Khan. There were teething problems, such as the embarrassing whistling sound the new stand roof made when the wind blew in a certain direction. There was also the departure of Curragh chief executive Derek McGrath over lack of unity, as he saw it, on a shared vision for the racecourse. The biggest challenge of all was the Covid pandemic. The push for redevelopment was driven by an elitist vibe A lot of water and money has been passed since the Aga Khan decided to set the ball rolling. Ultimately, however, the aim of delivering a flagship, luxury facility for racing's great and good has been achieved. It is a modern facility, which, by most measures, is lovely to look at. It is also, by most measures, predominantly unloved. Pinning emotions to locations is an illogical exercise, but that doesn't prevent lots of people from doing so anyway. There are those in south Dublin who don't know the back end of a horse from the front end of a BMW 7 Series, but whose annual Christmas pilgrimage to Leopardstown is as important a festive ritual as fighting with the in-laws. A crowd of over 42,000 attended the Punchestown Festival's Friday card recently. Photograph: Tom Honan/The Irish Times. Just a few weeks ago, a record attendance of 42,138 crammed into the Punchestown Festival's Friday card. It was frantic, raucous and felt like much of Kildare was on the razz on their own doorstep. Different racecourses have their own identity. Galway is as much part of the Irish summer as rain. Smaller tracks like Ballinrobe and Kilbeggan exert a local pull that puts higher-profile courses to shame. Laytown has sand. Gowran has mud. But to too many people, the Curragh suggests exclusivity. That's partly to do with the nature of the racing and having all the classics, as well as most of Ireland's group one races. But it's not just that. [ Rachael Blackmore cracked glass ceiling but presuming it's in smithereens for female jockeys is complacent Opens in new window ] [ Soccer Euro 2028 qualification explained: The five ways Ireland can qualify, including automatically Opens in new window ] The push for redevelopment was driven by an elitist vibe. Rather than failure to pinpoint any shared vision, the concept was essentially to put the best side out and impress international neighbours by transforming a down-at-heel venue into a place the rich are happy to play in. In that sense it has succeeded. But it patently lacks a sense of popular engagement. The three-day Guineas festival begins there on Friday. The first classics of 2025 will be run over the weekend. So will the Tattersalls Gold Cup. It is flat racing at its finest. Last year, there was an official attendance of just over 14,000 over the three days. Only 5,000 showed up for the 1,000 Guineas. The Curragh's biggest day is the Derby, which last year drew an attendance of 11,418. The other big date, its leg of the Champions Festival, saw 8,645 pass through the turnstiles. The grandstand's capacity alone is 13,000. Such figures illustrate that the overriding response to the Curragh's revamp has been indifference. The argument can be made in racing terms that exclusivity is what the Curragh is supposed to be about. The private money behind the redevelopment can certainly afford not to worry about empty seats. But since almost half the cost has been picked up by the taxpayer, such a position smacks of complacency. And, rightly or wrongly, an unfortunate 'them and us' attitude has arisen that will be hard to shift. Maybe in time, indifference will turn to enthusiasm. Back in the day, even the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, a modern architectural masterpiece, got flak for being a colossal waste of public money. The secret to being liked is often to just hang around long enough. Generating warmth for the Curragh, however, might turn out to be the final and most difficult part of its revamp. Something for the Weekend The bulk of Derby trials are run but OPPORTUNITY (2.05) could still put himself into the Epsom picture with a good performance in Saturday's Listed contest at Goodwood. Significant progress from his Haydock maiden win can be expected. JARRAAF (6.50) was progressive last year and should step up again this season, starting on his reappearance at Salisbury on Saturday.
Irish Examiner
21-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Examiner
Government 'should consider' €2 levy on online purchases of small parcels to counter fast fashion
The Government "should consider" a €2 EU levy on small packages of online purchases, a junior minister has said. EU Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic has proposed a €2 handling fee on packages sent directly to peoples' homes, with a 50 cent tax on items sent to warehouses. Junior enterprise minister Alan Dillon said such a move should be considered for its potential economic impacts. Mr Dillon on Wednesday launched a public consultation on a National Policy Statement & Roadmap on Circular Textiles, with the minister saying the Government wants people to consider more carefully the amount of textiles they consume yearly. Most recent data from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that per capita consumption of new textiles in Ireland is 53kg per year, more than twice the European average of 26kg reported by the European Environment Agency (EEA). The policy statement includes measures to promote circular design to make textiles last longer, to make them easier to reuse, repair and recycle, alongside better labelling through mandatory EU laws on eco-design. A government statement said it "will ensure that textile products entering the EU market are designed, from the outset, to minimise waste and maximise sustainability". 'It also contains measures to apply the 'polluter pays principle' which will make the fashion industry responsible for its textile waste. Plans to create an Extended Producer Responsibility scheme for textiles will support efficient textile collection, sorting, reuse and recycling, while driving the use of sustainable fibres and sustainable business models. "I believe that these ambitious proposals, among others, will help to curb fast fashion trends, boost the reuse and recycling of textiles and reduce the environmental footprint of the sector.' On RTÉ's Morning Ireland, Mr Dillon said some of the textiles being purchased in Ireland could be ending up in Africa and that consumer behaviour should change. We need to buy less, wear our clothes for longer, and look at second-hand options. "It's entirely possible that many of these textiles find their way into Africa or other countries, and at present the waste management industry in Ireland does rely on the export market to meet the processing needs and the volumes of textile waste that's being produced." However, the Labour Party said the consultation is disingenuous from Fine Gael, given that former enterprise minister Simon Coveney had opened fast-fashion retailer Shein's HQ in 2023. Dublin South West TD Ciaran Ahern said it "lacks credibility for Fine Gael to belatedly wake up to this crisis". "Just two years ago, then minister Simon Coveney proudly opened Shein's Dublin HQ. This was at a time when we already knew the shocking environmental impact that such producers have."
Irish Independent
21-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
Fine Gael criticised for fast fashion clampdown after Shein support
Enterprise Minister Simon Coveney - who is no longer a TD - came under fire after he celebrated the opening of a new Shein office in Dublin in May 2023. He cut the ribbon at the new office and hailed the 'vote of confidence that another global leader has chosen Ireland to launch their EMEA HQ and highlights that we have the environment to attract FDI companies to our shores'. He faced criticism at the time for his support of the company. Global retail giant Shein was previously the subject of a Channel 4 documentary, Untold: Inside the Shein Machine, which accused it of mistreating workers. It alleged that factory workers were allowed to take just one day off every month. It also claimed that up to 75pc of their daily salary was withheld if a worker made a mistake on an item. Last January, a BBC investigation highlighted 75-hour weeks for workers in contravention of Chinese labour laws. Junior minister at the Department of Enterprise Alan Dillon has now launched a public consultation on circular textiles on how to make it easier for people to get rid of used clothes 'in a more sustainable manner'. He said he is now developing a national policy on the issue. 'We are producing and consuming and dumping clothes and producing textiles in a completely insane manner,' the minister said on RTÉ. 'Our approach to our use of textiles and clothing needs to begin firstly with consumer behaviour and each one of us must think about the amount of clothes we purchase and how long we wear them and how we dispose of them.' ADVERTISEMENT He said 65pc of used textiles mostly are incinerated or go to landfill. 'The textile industry operates in a linear take, make, waste model.' But the Labour party has now accused Fine Gael of a U-turn on fast fashion. 'Fine Gael clearly have no interest in taking on what is not only a planet crisis, but a people crisis,' said Labour TD Ciaran Ahern. 'Fast fashion's ecological footprint is enormous and changes are needed to incentivise sustainable consumption patterns.'
