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Tag Archives: IBEC

Clare businesses warned to be vigilant after cyber crime spike

AN URGENT warning has been issued to Clare’s business community following a sharp spike in cyber attacks targeting small to medium enterprises. Cyber security expert Edel Mee, who is based in Clarecastle, backed a recent appeal sent by The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) and the Garda National Cyber Crime Bureau (GNCCB) to the Small Firms Association (SFA). Both the NCSC and GNCCB warned of “a trend of small and medium-sized businesses being increasingly targeted by ransomware groups”. Ransomware attacks are just one of the multiple types of cyber crime directed at business and other organisations. They involve sending malware, mainly by email, which encrypts the user’s data. The cyber criminals then demand a ransom to unlock the system. While high profile cases involving the Health Service Executive (HSE) and other large organisations have received significant media attention, Edel said they are happening regularly to smaller enterprises. “IT security on a network is like your immune system,” she said. “If …

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IT upgrade makes Ennis a university town

THE announcement this week that Ennis is to become a university town has been described as “fantastic news” for the county capital and the entire region. The green light has been given for a new Technological University in the Mid-West and Midlands. Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Simon Harris has designated Athlone Institute of Technology and Limerick Institute of Technology Ireland’s next technological university. LIT’s Ennis campus on Bindon Street will fall under the remit of the new institution. Announcing the designation of the new TU on Wednesday Minister Harris TD said, “This is another hugely important day for higher education in Ireland and in particular for the Midlands and Mid-West regions. “The higher education landscape is rapidly evolving and the people of the Midlands and Mid-West will henceforth be at the heart both geographically and practically of that evolution. “This new technological university designate will increase higher education access, provide enhanced research-led teaching and …

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McNamara concerned lockdown favoured multinationals over small business

CONCERN has been raised by the Chairperson of the Covid-19 Committee that restrictions associated with the coronavirus have disproportionately impacted on small business and driven economic activity “into the hands of multinationals”. Deputy Michael McNamara made his remarks this week as the committee heard from representatives of the business sector. The Scariff-based deputy handed over the chairperson’s role to Deputy Mary Butler, in order to question witnesses Danny McCoy of IBEC and Neil McDonnell of ISME. He noted that a concerning trend during lockdown had been a boost in business for multinationals at the expense of small business. “One of the most worrying economic or financial aspects of the restrictions was the extent to which all economic activity was driven into the hands of multinationals, many of which are headquartered outside of Ireland and pay their taxes elsewhere,” he told the committee. “Farmers’ markets, for example, were inexplicably shut down and people had to go to supermarkets, all of which …

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Urgent need to increase housing supply

Property Industry Ireland (PII), the Ibec group for businesses working in the property sector, has said the house price statistics released today (Tuesday) by the CSO show the need to urgently increase the supply of housing. PII director, Dr David Duffy stated, “The lack of housing supply has been highlighted for a number of years. While there is some debate about which measure of housing supply to use, the supply of new homes coming onto the market remains well below the estimated annual average demand of 25,000 to 30,000 units, and this does not include any pent-up demand. “Policy makers and industry must continue to work together to identify how the supply of new homes can be increased across all regions of the country.”

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Ibec concern for agri-food sector

Speaking after the UK triggered Article 50, Food Drink Ireland (FDI), the Ibec group representing the food and drink sector, today (Wednesday) called for agri-food to be a top priority for the Irish Government in the forthcoming negotiations. Paul Kelly, director of Food Drink Ireland, said, “The agri-food sector exports €4.1bn of food and drink to the UK and accounts for 43,000 Irish jobs, Agri-food is the Irish sector most exposed to trade disruption, and the Irish Government must do all within its control to ensure minimum impact to the free flow of goods. Discussions on the future EU-UK relationship must be commenced early in the negotiating process and must ensure: Free and unfettered access to the UK market for Irish business. An agreement that takes account of the special case of the all-island economy, ensuring that the highly integrated supply chains can continue to operate with free movement of goods and services, Transitional arrangements, of sufficient length, for businesses …

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Business groups want stable government

Ireland’s leading business groups, which represent the vast majority of the country’s employers, have called for ongoing negotiations on the formation of the next government to deliver a clear, comprehensive agreement that will ensure the next administration is in a position to run its full term. The next government needs to have an unwavering focus on the significant challenges we face as a country, one with the mandate, authority and capacity to plan ambitiously and take difficult decisions if needed. The country would not be served well by a government preoccupied by the possibility of an imminent general election, according to the SFA, ISME, Ibec, Irish Exporters Association, Construction Industry Federation and Chambers Ireland. “Any political agreement must first and foremost serve the interests of the country as a whole. Over the coming days, all parties and TDs must play their part in supporting the creation of a stable environment for policy making and legislation that will last a full …

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IBEC meet at Shannon Airport

IBEC Mid-West Regional Executive Committee has met at Shannon Airport to discuss the critical need for increased capital investment in infrastructure in the region. The Ibec committee has consistently called on government to deliver more ambitious capital investment for the Mid-West, highlighting the M20 Cork-Limerick road and the N69 Foynes-Limerick road improvement scheme as vital for the future growth of the region. Ibec’s senior regional policy executive Helen Leahy said, “The M20 and N69 Foynes-Limerick upgrades are vital to support job creation and the development of the economy of the Mid-West. The projects are of huge strategic importance to business in terms of facilitating access and improving connectivity to the region. “The lack of adequate capital investment in key road projects is currently damaging connectivity and the competitiveness of the region, while broadening the divide between Dublin and the regions. If delivered, these projects can support economic recovery in the entire South-West and Mid-West regions and encourage more balanced economic …

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IBEC seeks candidates support on road projects

Ibec Mid-West and Kerry has called on all General Election candidates to support key road projects that will make the region a better place to live, work and do business. Completion of the M20 Cork to Limerick and N69 Foynes to Limerick projects must be prioritised to support job creation and the development of the region’s economy. Ibec Mid-West and Kerry regional director, Sinead Mullins said, “With half a million people living within 10km of the proposed motorway, the crucial M20 Cork-Limerick project needs to be urgently progressed. If delivered, this project can support economic recovery in the entire South-West and Mid-West regions and will underpin the regional contribution to the national economy. All candidates need to publically get behind this vital project which will be a significant advance in developing an effective Atlantic Corridor.” She continued, “The lack of a motorway is damaging connectivity and the competitiveness of the region, while broadening the divide between Dublin and the regions. …

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