Latest news with #TonyMurphy
Euractiv
02-07-2025
- Business
- Euractiv
EU spending watchdog pours cold water on Commission's reform-for-cash budget plan
Don't absolve yourself from the responsibility of managing EU funds, the head of the EU's financial oversight body has urged the European Commission, slamming its core ideas to reform the next EU budget in an interview with Euractiv. The Commission is finalising its proposal for a drastic overhaul of the EU's €1.2 trillion seven-year budget, expected on 16 July. At its heart, the EU executive wants to put in place a "reform-for-cash" model inspired by past rules linked to covid recovery funds. That approach has been heavily criticised by the European Court of Auditors, responsible for examining the EU's finances – and its president Tony Murphy expressed scepticism in an interview with Euractiv. What follows is an edited transcript. Has the Commission listened to your criticism of the post-covid recovery fund (RRF), which it suggested reusing in the next EU budget? Murphy: No. It's the most difficult thing we've had to audit because they disagree with every single thing we say. I mean, honestly, they dispute everything we say more or less. In a recent Parliament hearing, Economy Commissioner Valdis Dombrovsvkis suggested that the disagreement is small, and said that you agreed on 97.9% of the countries' targets that you examined. Murphy: That is too simplistic. The 98% is only a technical aspect of a limited sample of milestones and targets. We say: the RRF has limited focus on results, no information on actual costs, is not clear on what we got for the money, gives an incomplete picture of who received the funds; payment conditions were not clearly defined, risks overlaps with other EU funds, has insufficient controls. The main problem is: we don't even have a basis for saying whether it worked well or not. The Commission absolved themselves from financial management of the EU budget and transferred all the responsibility to EU countries. Do you support the push for simplification and flexibility? Murphy: Simplification is great, but it is easier said than done. The RRF was sold as an efficient instrument, but almost without fail every EU country has said it was actually worse. National regional partnerships could potentially be even worse: A national plan is negotiated between the Commission and the country, and then extra plans are negotiated between the state and its regions. We're not against budget flexibility to move money quickly to react to certain crises. But there needs to be proper accountability when the money is spent. What about the Commission's proposal to repurpose money from cohesion funding to defence and competitiveness? Murphy: We don't comment on the political decision to broaden cohesion. But we can say that adding these new priorities, which are not related to the core objective, to cohesion is diluting its main purpose. In a new Competitiveness Fund, the Commission is likely to increase strategic funds like investEU to mobilise private capital. Are such instruments effective? Murphy: Our experience in the past suggest that these often aren't as successful as hoped. Some projects may happen anyway, and you rarely get the huge multiplier as predicted. The Commission must be realistic and honest about what such programmes can achieve, otherwise they lose meaning. Is it finally time for a major budget reform? Murphy: The need to reform was always there, but it is very difficult to deal with 27 different administrations. We hope for the best, but we also think that people should be realistic.
The Irish Sun
24-06-2025
- The Irish Sun
Chief suspect IDed in ‘targeted' hit-and-run before scuffle & car ramming as ‘simmering' Balbriggan feud details emerge
GARDAI have identified a chief suspect in a targeted hit-and-run which claimed the life of a man in his 20s last night. Detectives believe the incident is linked to an ongoing dispute which has been "simmering" in recent weeks in Balbriggan, north Co 3 The victim in his 20s was hit by a car on Railway Street Credit: Collins Dublin 3 The incident is believed to be linked to an ongoing dispute in Balbriggan Credit: Collins 3 Bystanders raised the alarm and emergency services attended the scene Credit: Damien Storan The victim in his 20s was Bystanders raised the alarm and emergency services attended the scene, but the man was pronounced dead. Senior sources confirmed that gardai have identified a chief suspect in the case. Read more in News The man, in his 40s, knew the victim well but he has yet to be arrested. A source told the Irish Sun: "This is all part of a dispute among people all known to each other. "It's been building up for some weeks and this has now greatly escalated it, with a man's life lost." This morning, the body remained at the scene as the Garda Technical Bureau carried out their examination . Most read in Irish News The victim's remains were removed just before 11am ahead of a post mortem taking place. A second scene outside Balbriggan Garda Station remains sealed off, also with two damaged cars at the scene. Gardai and RSA measures aimed at driving crash deaths on Irish roads Local Councillor Tony Murphy told "And what I would offer my condolences to the deceased family and friends in the first instance is one thing for the town to wake up to news like this. "But it's another thing for a family to wake up to the devastating news that they've lost one of their family members. "I trust 100 per cent of the Gardaí in Balbriggan that they will unravel whatever has happened in this situation and that they will take the appropriate action." GARDA APPEAL A spokesman said: "Gardai and emergency services were alerted shortly after 9pm on Monday, 23 June 2025, following a serious road traffic collision on Railway Street, Balbriggan, Co Dublin, in which a pedestrian was struck by a car. "The vehicle involved failed to remain at the scene. The pedestrian, a man in his 20s, received emergency treatment but was pronounced deceased at the scene a short time later. "The scene remains preserved pending examination by Garda Forensic Collision Investigators. Local traffic diversions are currently in place. "Gardai are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed the incident to come forward. "Any road users or pedestrians who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) from the area at the time are asked to make it available to Gardai. "Anyone with information is asked to contact Balbriggan Garda Station on 01 666 4500, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station."
RNZ News
29-05-2025
- Business
- RNZ News
'There's been no transparency': Ruataniwha Dam protest outside meeting
Wise Water Use protestors. Photo: RNZ/Alexa Cook Opponents of the controversial Ruataniwha Dam in Central Hawke's Bay staged a surprise protest outside a Centralines meeting in Waipukurau discussing the use of trust beneficiaries' money for the fast-tracked dam project. The protest comes a month after Centralines trustee Tony Murphy resigned because the electricity distributor's board put $100,000 towards a re-scope of the fast-tracked and rebranded Ruataniwha Dam , now called the Tukituki Water Security Project. Hawke's Bay power distributor Centralines is one of many sources of funding for the Ruataniwha Dam. It is comprised of a board, which makes operational decisions, and a trust that represents the public stakeholders. Protest group Wise Water Use spokesperson Trevor Le Lievre told RNZ Centralines had now committed $300,000 towards the controversial project . "There's been no transparency around this money. We believe it's a case of cronyism, pure and simple. So we are here to send a message to the trust because the trust appoints the board and so have some sway over what the board does. "We're here to tell the trust to call the board in, hold them to account, rescind that decision on the $100,000 and act in the best interest of beneficiaries," said Le Lievre. However, Centralines board chair Fenton Wilson was confident there was no issue, and makes no apologies for supporting the dam. "I welcome the strong views - from the company point of view we deal with what's in front of us and there's an opportunity to invest in a project that has real growth potential if it comes off. "But we are not in this alone, businesses right across Hawke's Bay are investing - the government is investing. People have done their due diligence and it fits the growth potential with this business and this company," he said. Wise Water Use protestors peacefully talk to Centralines' Board Chair and Trustees Photo: RNZ/Alexa Cook The Central Hawke's Bay Consumer Power trust chair Karen Middelburg told RNZ she has been listening to all of the community's voices on the issue, including the protestors concerns. "We've got a meeting now where we'll discuss what they've brought to the table and we'll certainly be passing that on to the board. "But our role is certainly not to tell the board how to make financial decisions for the company - our role is to appoint the board to do that on our behalf," she said. Wise Water Use is vowing to keep protesting against the dam project and member Murray Rosser said it should not be allowed to proceed under the government's fast track legislation. "It's such an outdated idea - it's going to ruin the river and wreck a whole lot of environmental precious taonga. "And it's going to put money in the hands of a few people and others won't get a dollar," he said. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Scoop
05-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Centralines Trustee Resigns Over $100k Dam Decision
Article – Linda Hall – Local Democracy Reporter I dont think the decision is in the best interests of consumers and beneficiaries of Centralines, resigning trustee Tony Murphy told Local Democracy Reporting. One of the members of the Central Hawke's Bay power consumers' trust has resigned in protest over lines company Centralines' board's plan to give $100,000 of its funding to help rescope a large-scale dam in the district. Centralines has a board, which makes operational decisions, and a power consumers' trust that represents the public stakeholders. It is owned by Central Hawke's Bay power consumers. 'I don't think the decision is in the best interests of consumers and beneficiaries of Centralines,' resigning trustee Tony Murphy told Local Democracy Reporting. 'I can't in good conscience remain a part of a trust which has chosen to support the board in its decision.' Murphy was one of seven trustees. Centralines in 2022 came under fire for putting $200,000 of its funding towards re-scoping the Tukituki Water Security Project and has recently decided to put another $100,000 towards it. Various attempts to get a dam in CHB off the ground have been mired in controversy since it was first supported by Hawke's Bay Regional Council (HBRC) almost a decade ago. The Ruataniwha Dam was abandoned by HBRC in 2018 after a Supreme Court finding against it, and the $20m it had spent on development went down the drain. Consents were sold to Water Holdings Hawke's Bay Ltd, a group of local farmers and rebranded as the Tukituki Water Security Project. In December 2024, Development Minister Shane Jones committed $3m to the project through Regional Infrastructure Fund for the pre-construction development of the Project. A flyer distributed at a meeting by local pressure group Water Wise Use HB called for supporters to contact Central Hawke's Bay Power Consumers' Trust chair, Karen Middelberg, to request she move a motion at the next trustee meeting, in late May, directing the Board to rescind its decision. 'If Middelberg is not prepared to act on the concerns of trust beneficiaries, then she should resign,' it said. Water Wise Use spokesperson Trevor Le Lievre said ratepayers and taxpayers should prepare themselves for an assault on their wallets, 'as this zombie project has an insatiable appetite for public money'. However, Central Hawke's Bay mayor Alex Walker said they were the sort of comments designed to 'fearmonger among our community and ratepayers, with no basis of fact to them'. 'The consents for the Tukituki Water Security Project are in private hands, the group is working on the next stages of a business case. 'If there is any requirement for public funding, there would be intense public discussions about this, and what is right for Central Hawke's Bay. 'That time is not now. There is nothing to debate.' In response to the call for her resignation, Middelberg said the trust deed made it clear 'the trust is not to involve itself in the management or operation of the company'. 'This proposal to contribute $100,000 to the water project is a board decision, and it was shared with the trust by the company as a courtesy. 'This decision is well within the Board's delegated responsibility and the decision does not meet the threshold that requires approval from the Trust. 'The Trust informed the Board of the opinions from some of the community and expects these were considered in making its decision. We discussed it and although not all members agree, decided not to intervene. 'The trust's duties are to appoint directors to a company with $74 million of assets in our community.' Tukituki Water Security Project spokesman Mike Petersen said he welcomed discussions about water security. 'The Tukituki Water Security Project was formed to address the consequences of climate change and increased demand from population growth, and to better understand the impacts these will have in a drying region,' he said. 'Our view has been consistent about water storage being one part of the solution to ensure water security, alongside other measures such as wise water use, greater water efficiencies and recycling. In this respect, we share the same objectives as the Wise Water team. 'These are different projects, using the same Makaroro site for water storage, but with a completely different hierarchy of downstream water use. 'Centralines is a commercial company and has its own strategic and commercial imperatives for investing in projects like the TWSP. 'I cannot speak for Centralines, but they are among several businesses that have committed funding because they see water storage as a key regional priority for Hawke's Bay to help the region thrive and grow.' LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
Scoop
05-05-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Centralines Trustee Resigns Over $100k Dam Decision
One of the members of the Central Hawke's Bay power consumers' trust has resigned in protest over lines company Centralines' board's plan to give $100,000 of its funding to help rescope a large-scale dam in the district. Centralines has a board, which makes operational decisions, and a power consumers' trust that represents the public stakeholders. It is owned by Central Hawke's Bay power consumers. 'I don't think the decision is in the best interests of consumers and beneficiaries of Centralines,' resigning trustee Tony Murphy told Local Democracy Reporting. 'I can't in good conscience remain a part of a trust which has chosen to support the board in its decision.' Murphy was one of seven trustees. Centralines in 2022 came under fire for putting $200,000 of its funding towards re-scoping the Tukituki Water Security Project and has recently decided to put another $100,000 towards it. Various attempts to get a dam in CHB off the ground have been mired in controversy since it was first supported by Hawke's Bay Regional Council (HBRC) almost a decade ago. The Ruataniwha Dam was abandoned by HBRC in 2018 after a Supreme Court finding against it, and the $20m it had spent on development went down the drain. Consents were sold to Water Holdings Hawke's Bay Ltd, a group of local farmers and rebranded as the Tukituki Water Security Project. In December 2024, Development Minister Shane Jones committed $3m to the project through Regional Infrastructure Fund for the pre-construction development of the Project. A flyer distributed at a meeting by local pressure group Water Wise Use HB called for supporters to contact Central Hawke's Bay Power Consumers' Trust chair, Karen Middelberg, to request she move a motion at the next trustee meeting, in late May, directing the Board to rescind its decision. 'If Middelberg is not prepared to act on the concerns of trust beneficiaries, then she should resign,' it said. Water Wise Use spokesperson Trevor Le Lievre said ratepayers and taxpayers should prepare themselves for an assault on their wallets, 'as this zombie project has an insatiable appetite for public money'. However, Central Hawke's Bay mayor Alex Walker said they were the sort of comments designed to 'fearmonger among our community and ratepayers, with no basis of fact to them'. 'The consents for the Tukituki Water Security Project are in private hands, the group is working on the next stages of a business case. 'If there is any requirement for public funding, there would be intense public discussions about this, and what is right for Central Hawke's Bay. 'That time is not now. There is nothing to debate.' In response to the call for her resignation, Middelberg said the trust deed made it clear 'the trust is not to involve itself in the management or operation of the company'. 'This proposal to contribute $100,000 to the water project is a board decision, and it was shared with the trust by the company as a courtesy. 'This decision is well within the Board's delegated responsibility and the decision does not meet the threshold that requires approval from the Trust. 'The Trust informed the Board of the opinions from some of the community and expects these were considered in making its decision. We discussed it and although not all members agree, decided not to intervene. 'The trust's duties are to appoint directors to a company with $74 million of assets in our community.' Tukituki Water Security Project spokesman Mike Petersen said he welcomed discussions about water security. 'The Tukituki Water Security Project was formed to address the consequences of climate change and increased demand from population growth, and to better understand the impacts these will have in a drying region,' he said. 'Our view has been consistent about water storage being one part of the solution to ensure water security, alongside other measures such as wise water use, greater water efficiencies and recycling. In this respect, we share the same objectives as the Wise Water team. 'These are different projects, using the same Makaroro site for water storage, but with a completely different hierarchy of downstream water use. 'Centralines is a commercial company and has its own strategic and commercial imperatives for investing in projects like the TWSP. 'I cannot speak for Centralines, but they are among several businesses that have committed funding because they see water storage as a key regional priority for Hawke's Bay to help the region thrive and grow.' LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
