Business
Spain’s new man in the west
The self-styled Galway bin man whose book became a marketing bestseller has been named as the new honorary vice-consul of Spain for the west of Ireland
Oisin Browne, author of The Binman’s Guide to Selling’, was introduced at the official launch to mark both his official appointment and the opening of the new city-based Spanish consular office in the Spanish Institute on Dominick Street.
Galway City Mayor Donal Lyons and Galway County Council Cathaoirleach Mary Hoade attended the reception, and spoke about the strong cultural and trade links between Spain and the West of Ireland.
The occasion was very much a changing of the guard as Ann Tobin, who recently retired from the post after 17 years of service officially handed over the Spanish flag and the official title to the new vice consul Oisin Browne.
Ann was recently awarded the ‘Cruz de Oficial de la Orden de Isabella la Catolica’ by the King of Spain for her outstanding contribution to the Spanish in the west of Ireland.
Oisin commenced his role in March of this year and has been kept very busy. Already he has been involved in the restoration of The Spanish Armada plaque in Forthill cemetery, which was damaged in the storms late last year and has represented the Ambassador on a number of occasions at events throughout the city and county.
Galway is home to over 2000 Spanish residents who live and work here full-time. Some have established their own successful businesses.
“It’s a privilege to help the Spanish community in the west of Ireland that I have been part of for a long time. I look forward being of assistance to Spanish citizens who live here. I am very excited about this role,” he said.
Oisin is a member of the Irish Spanish Enterprise Association and noted the strong commercial links between the two countries citing the increase of imported wine, cheese and other goods.
A fluent Spanish speaker, he took his first Spanish class in 2003 and lives in Oranmore with his Spanish wife Eva, and their two children Mani and Alana who also attended the reception.
“The Spanish culture, language and everyday Spanish life is part of me now. One of my proudest moments was to officially stamp the papers that has enabled my children to obtain their Spanish passports,” he said.
The new President of Local Ireland, the association representing local news publishers around the country, is Head of Irish Times Regionals Dan Linehan.
Mr Linehan takes over the presidency from Declan McGuire of the Connacht Tribune. His appointment was confirmed at the recent Annual General Meeting of Local Ireland at Bloomfield House Hotel near Mullingar, Westmeath.
Mr Linehan, who has served as Vice President of the organisation for the last two years, said: “The coming years are a very important time for local publishers with many important issues to be addressed, including the implementation of the Future of Media Commission recommendations, defamation reform, the role and support for local publishers in public service reporting and helping publishers develop commercial digital offerings.”
Speaking at the AGM, Mr McGuire acknowledged the work done by the Executive in the past two years under the direction of Executive Director, Bob Hughes, on several projects related to the publishing industry but most especially the successful conclusion of the long-running campaign for the abolition of VAT on newspapers.
He also wished Mr Linehan the very best in his new role as President of the association for the next two years.
Mr Hughes thanked Mr McGuire for his leadership and support during his term of office and said he looked forward to working with Mr Linehan on the key policy priorities for the association, including Government supports, Government advertising, fair remuneration for content from the tech platforms and the reform of the legislation for defamation.
Local Ireland members also elected Seán Mahon, Managing Director of the Southern Star, as Vice President for the next two years.
The shortage of affordable housing is the single biggest impediment in attracting and retaining workers in the West, according to business group Ibec.
At a ‘Regional Insights Series’ meeting in the Galmont Hotel in Galway last week, employers were told that capacity constraints and labour supply are the key challenges facing business growth in the region.
Ibec Head of Regional Policy Helen Leahy said: “There must be greater focus by government on enhancing quality of life issues such as housing and infrastructure which are driving labour shortages in the region.
“Ibec’s vision for the West is to realise its potential to become a globally competitive location. An inadequate supply of affordable housing is now the single largest impediment to attracting and retaining talented workers, without whom business investment and expansions are not possible.
“Labour shortages are a real concern for businesses in the region. People decide where to live and work based on quality of life and access to high quality services and amenities. Industry tends to follow talent, and in this regard, the region needs to have all the building blocks in place as the attraction and retention of world-class talent becomes increasingly competitive on a global level,” said Ms Leahy.
Amongst Ibec’s priorities for the West are:
- Addressing housing and infrastructure challenges
- Transitioning towards a new growth model with Net Zero energy powered by Atlantic offshore wind resources
- Adapting businesses to the new economic realities
- Enhancing capacity and skillsets to achieve sustainable development objectives
- Investment in people and skills
- Creating competitive advantage through digitalisation
- Innovation as a key driver of productivity growth
One in five Galway businesses want to go fully cashless, as the move towards card payments and tapping continues unabated post-Covid.
In all, 22% of Galway businesses would like to be fully cashless, according to a survey carried out by BOI Payment Acceptance (BOIPA), a provider of payment technology solutions, which asked Irish businesses about the current payment landscape as well as business confidence and concerns.
Over one-third (36%) of Galway businesses were unaware there is no contactless limit on mobile wallets – just below the national average – while 54% believe the increase in card over cash transactions has helped them run their business.
Six out of ten Galway businesses expect to grow this year despite the cost-of-living crisis and running costs dominating as key concerns; 62% believe their business will grow over the next twelve months despite global economic uncertainty.
Unsurprisingly cost-of-living increases and running costs were the main concerns the majority of businesses had.
For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.
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