Airport departure tax ‘penalises’ the western region, says Galway Airport MD

Thu, Oct 23, 2008

The airport departure tax penalises regional Irish airports, business, and passengers at a difficult time, and no adequate information has been received as to the tax’s purpose or how it will be implemented.

Seminar for SMEs on how to survive in tough economic times

Thu, Oct 23, 2008

Many businesses in the west of Ireland are tightening their belts and are looking at ways to steer their business through the tough times ahead.

To help small and medium-sized businesses to address challenging times a networking event entitled Surviving or Thriving in Tough Economic Times is to be run in Castlebar. Speakers from KPMG and a Mayo-based accountancy company will give their commentary and advice on tax issues in a downturn, the credit crisis, banking difficulties, market volatility and other issues important to SMEs in County Mayo. The evening will appeal to individuals looking for guidance for their business in tough times.

The budget — it’s a massive gamble

Thu, Oct 16, 2008

The budget on Tuesday was one of the most interesting in years. The range of tax increases, particularly the income levy of one per cent for income up to €100,000 and two per cent on income over €100,000 received the most comment.

Win a licence for secret text messages

Thu, Oct 16, 2008

Do you have a secret? If you do, you need Matant. Matant is an innovative and original coded writing system for mobile phones. Matant translates your text message into symbols so they can only be deciphered by the recipient, who will need the same language on his/her phone.

There is a range of languages available to download from Matant, but for ultimate secrecy, you can write your own language so your text can only be read by a person you have shared your language with. The language you create can use absolutely any image you can think of or photograph!

Fog day afternoons a thing of the past for Ireland West airport

Thu, Oct 16, 2008

Ireland West Airport Knock has announced that following a competitive tendering procedure, Michael McNamara & Co have been awarded the construction contracts for two major infrastructural projects at the airport; namely the implementation of CAT II ILS (instrument landing system) on Runway 27 and the Runway End Safety Area (RESA) works on the 09 end of the runway, a combined value of €3.6M.

Ready, steady…sell

Thu, Oct 16, 2008

As the marketplace becomes increasingly competitive, there is more emphasis on managing sales operations and sales personnel in business than ever before.

Vanessa Fox elected vice-president of PDFORRA

Thu, Oct 16, 2008

Vanessa Fox, 1ST Infantry Batallion, Galway, has been elected vice president of PDFORRA, at the PDFORRA Annual Delegate Conference in Westport last week. She is the first woman to be elected to a senior executive position in the organization. Ms Fox is originally from Castlerea, Co Roscommon. She has 18 years service in the Defence Forces, which includes a six month tour of duty in Lebanon, with the 81st Infantry Batallion. She has been regional and district secretary with PDFORRA for the past five years.

Challenging times require inspirational and visionary leadership — CIPD event told

Thu, Oct 16, 2008

Strong and visionary leadership is what is required if businesses are to overcome the tough economic times currently being experienced — this was the message coming loud and clear from the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) at their annual gala event hosted by the Clayton Hotel and sponsored by CCP Recruitment last week.

New MD for Winters Property Management

Thu, Oct 16, 2008

LAMA award-winning Galway company Winters Property Management has announced that Tom Murphy is to take over the role of managing director, leaving his current position of director of operations.

AquaChem launches showerhead that kills legionnaires disease at source

Thu, Oct 16, 2008

With frequent scares in recent weeks over Legionnaires disease, a new product has been launched on the Irish market which prevents the risk of the disease at the point of use.

Western company launches Ireland’s largest online computer store

Thu, Oct 16, 2008

Screenway, the west’s largest independent computer retail company, has launched a brand new customer-focused, interactive website this month. The site, www.screenway.ie, is designed in direct response to Screenways research into what the customer really wants. Better value computer and IT equipment.

The reality of real estate

Thu, Oct 16, 2008

With construction halting and the economy faltering, does this mean that auctioneers have become the ham in the sandwich between bewildered buyers and startled sellers?

Pass on the interest rate cut, lobby groups tell banks

Thu, Oct 09, 2008

Business lobby groups have welcomed the .5 per cent reduction in interest rates announced on Wednesday by the European Central Bank (ECB) and have demanded that the full benefit be passed on immediately by the banks.

Central banks across the world co-ordinated emergency rate cuts in an attempt to stem market chaos but Irish business groups have now called on the relief to be passed on to Irish businesses.

West of Ireland planning firms merge

Thu, Oct 09, 2008

Galway based AP McCarthy Planning Consultants Ltd and Environmental Consultants Keville & O’ Sullivan Associates Ltd. announced their merger today. The new company, McCarthy Keville O’Sullivan Limited will commence trading immediately and will provide existing and new clients with a more comprehensive range of environmental and planning services.

Are you in the habit of sending hasty emails?

Thu, Oct 09, 2008

Drunken employees who feel like telling their bosses what they think of them in late night emails have been given a second chance by a new software application that will prevent such mistaken missives.

Purchasing land and the tax issues

Thu, Oct 09, 2008

Q. I am purchasing land in Mayo from a non resident. He has told me that I don’t have to withhold tax from the payment. I think that he is wrong. What is the correct position?

€30 million funding announced for prepared consumer food sector

Thu, Oct 09, 2008

The Government, through Enterprise Ireland, expects to provide some €30 million over the next five years to progressive companies in the prepared consumer food sector through its R&D and growth funds, An Tánaiste Mary Coughlan announced this week.

Curleys’ Furniture welcomes new neighbours DID Electrical

Thu, Oct 09, 2008

One of Galway’s most successful furniture retailers, Curley’s Furniture, will this weekend welcome its new neighbours, DID Electrical, to the Briarhill Business Park in Ballybrit.

Galway Executive Skillnet announces autumn/winter courses

Thu, Oct 09, 2008

Galway Executive Skillnet has rolled out its autumn/winter schedule of subsidised training courses.

All training courses are subsidised by up to 70 per cent. Courses are open to both self-employed and organisational employees within companies of up to 250 employees.

When the chips are down - Supermac’s features in The Apprentice

Thu, Oct 09, 2008

Supermac’s, Ireland’s largest indigenous fast food chain was the latest company to appear on TV3’s The Apprentice. The Apprentice which is the same format as in the UK and the US, but this time the boss, Irish entrepreneur Bill Cullen, is offering the successful candidate a role working in his organisation for 12 months and a salary of €100,000. The launch of the show has been a great success.

E-paper

Read this weeks E-paper. Past editions also available from within this weeks digital copy.