Latest news with #ÓFaoláin
RTÉ News
16-05-2025
- Politics
- RTÉ News
Judiciary pay tribute to the late Aodhán Ó Faoláin
A High Court judge has led tributes in court to reporter Aodhán Ó Faoláin who died last week. Mr Justice Brian Cregan said he wanted to pay tribute to Mr Ó Faoláin, on behalf of the judiciary before the formal business of the court began this morning. Mr Ó Faoláin reported from the High Court, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court for most national and local media organisations in Ireland. The judge said that in the days since Mr Ó Faoláin's death, it was as if the legal community suddenly realised what had been lost. He said this was reflected in the tributes paid to him from judges, lawyers and the Attorney General as well as colleagues in the media. Mr Justice Cregan said Mr Ó Faoláin's writing was simple, direct and free of jargon. He said his opening sentences always made the reader want to read more. The judge said it was a core principle of the Constitution that justice should be administered in public and this required court reporters to tell the stories to their readers. While barristers got lost in legal principles, he said Aodhán always told the stories of the people at the heart of the cases in an interesting, accurate and accessible way, a skill for which he was justly admired. The judge said the loss of a member of one of the many communities who worked in the Four Courts was always felt, and he said Mr Ó Faoláin would be a great loss to everyone who worked in the building. He said it was heartbreaking that he had passed away at such a young age, and the eulogy by his wife, Janet, at his funeral service showed just how heartbreaking it was. Mr Justice Cregan said those working in the Four Courts would miss him and would honour his memory. Mr Ó Faoláin was cremated after a funeral service at the Victorian Chapel at Mount Jerome Crematorium in Harold's Cross in Dublin yesterday. The service was attended by many leading figures from the worlds of law and journalism, including Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan, Supreme Court judges, Gerard Hogan and Séamus Woulfe, Court of Appeal judge Brian O'Moore, High Court judges Conleth Bradley, Cian Ferriter, Charles Meenan and other members of the judiciary as well as a number of senior barristers, registrars from the High and Supreme courts and current and former tip staff.
Yahoo
24-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Report highlights talent access and growth as major concerns in Irish medtech sector
A new report on Ireland's medical device manufacturing sector has found that access to a skilled workforce, economic uncertainties, and sector growth are among the chief concerns for sector participants. Conducted by Irish Medtech, the trade body representing Ireland's medtech sector, the report findings were based on responses to an online survey by 800 senior business leaders. Attracting and retaining a quality workforce was cited by 63% of respondents as a major challenge, with labour costs and housing for employees key associated concerns at 72% and 67% respectively. The report found business sentiment to be variable. Eight in 10 medtech businesses made a positive assessment of Ireland's current medical device manufacturing environment, but 33% viewed weaker global growth as the biggest challenge faced. Irish Medtech said the sentiment may explain why 33% highlighted a greater focus on business expansion and 17% towards developing in new markets as priorities for 2025. While concerns remain for the sector in Ireland, there is plenty of reason for optimism. With 54% of survey respondents actively integrating AI-powered initiatives and 67% planning to expand existing AI initiatives, Irish Medtech highlighted that the EU's €200bn ($216bn) investment fund, including €20bn ($21.6bn) earmarked for AI gigafactories, represented a 'unique opportunity' for Ireland to strengthen its position as a leader in advanced manufacturing and AI moving forward. To address the concerns and expectations identified in the report, Irish Medtech director Eoghan Ó Faoláin called on the Irish government to focus on four key pillars to ensure sustained growth and development. Under health and patient access, Ó Faoláin encouraged the implementation of the European Health Data Space (EHDS), an EU regulation intended to establish a common framework for the use and exchange of electronic health data across the EU, and the expansion of clinical research capabilities. Regarding enterprise and innovation, and sustainability and environmental issues, he called on the government to 'embrace' advanced manufacturing, support a circular economy, and invest in sustainable infrastructure. To meet the foremost concerns reflected in the report findings around talent, the final pillar surrounded education, skills, and talent, with the government advised to support apprenticeship programmes, 'promote lifelong learning', and advance gender leadership in the sector. 'As global economic dynamics shift, Ireland's strong domestic demand for infrastructure, goods, and services provides a foundation for resilience,' said Ó Faoláin. 'Strategic alignment with EU initiatives such as the Competitiveness Compass, investment in AI-driven technologies, and proactive workforce development will be key to sustaining long-term growth.' One of the world's top five medtech manufacturing hubs, Ireland competes against US hubs such as those in California and Massachusetts and currently manufactures 80% of global stents, 75% of global orthopaedic knee production, and 25% of injectable devices for diabetics. In 2024, medtech giant Abbott opened a new manufacturing facility in Kilkenny, Ireland, which is set to have the world's highest production of sensors used in the company's continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) devices. Last month, GE HealthCare revealed plans to invest $138m to expand its Carrigtohill, Cork contrast media fill and finish manufacturing site. According to Irish Medtech, the medical devices workforce in Ireland is projected to reach 56,000 by 2028, with the sector forecast to contribute around $1.76bn to Ireland's economy by 2029. Medical device manufacturing is a key contributor to Ireland's economy. While the event of any trade tariffs being imposed on Ireland by the Trump administration are hard to predict, and more so given the fact President Trump has already threatened and then walked back the prospect of tariffs on several global trading partners since taking office in January, research suggests they would have a significant impact on the wider Irish economy. A recent model by Ireland's Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) found that potential tariffs between 10-25% could lead to the levels of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and Modified Domestic Demand (MDD) falling by as much as 3.5% and 2% below the no-tariff baseline respectively over the next five to seven years. In essence, any protectionist policies meted out by the US could significantly impact the Irish economy. Any such policies may also 'prompt multinationals to relocate to the US, posing further risks to the Irish economy and public finances,' according to ESRI paper author Dr Paul Egan. "Report highlights talent access and growth as major concerns in Irish medtech sector" was originally created and published by Medical Device Network, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Sign in to access your portfolio
