en dbrennan@seregassembly.ie Copyright 2012 2012-01-24T15:33:02+00:00 http://www.seregassembly.ie/index.php/site/irish_projectselected_as_star_eu_funded_research_and_innovation_project_at http://www.seregassembly.ie/index.php/site/irish_projectselected_as_star_eu_funded_research_and_innovation_project_at#When:15:33:02Z Irish antibacterial tiles selected as star EU-funded research and innovation project at Innovation Convention Expo CREST, DIT   project highlighted at European Innovation Convention Irish technology that kills MRSA and other disease-causing pathogens is playing a star role at the first European Innovation Convention took place in Brussels  5-6 December.  The Convention hosted by EU Commissioner for Innovation, Máire Geoghegan-Quinn, brought together 50 star projects from across the EU. The Irish project is a light-activated antibacterial surface coating  that  has been developed by a team at the Centre for Research in Engineering Surface Technology (CREST) in Dublin Institute of Technology, working with ceramic manufacturer VitrA Ireland, with funding from Enterprise Ireland. The result is these special ceramic tiles that kill MRSA and other bugs and can be used in hospitals, medical centres, laboratories and other places where hygiene is essential. The 50 star projects were selected from over 450 entries to participate in Europe’s premier innovation event. The Innovation Convention 2011  was led by the President of the European Commission, Mr. José Manuel Barroso and Máire Geoghegan-Quinn, EU Commissioner for Research, Innovation and Science. The Crest Centre in DIT is the only Irish research organisation represented at the Convention. Innovation Convention 2011   2012-01-24T15:33:02+00:00 http://www.seregassembly.ie/index.php/site/irish_among_the_most_pessimistic_in_europe_autumn_2011_standard_eurobaromet http://www.seregassembly.ie/index.php/site/irish_among_the_most_pessimistic_in_europe_autumn_2011_standard_eurobaromet#When:17:10:53Z The first results of the Autumn 2011 Standard Eurobarometer were published December 2011. The survey shows that levels of trust in the EU among Irish people have dropped by 20% since Spring 2011 to 24%, which is well below the EU average of 34%. It also shows that Irish people are among the most pessimistic in Europe when it comes to their national economy. Trust in the EU: Trust in the EU among Irish respondents is only 24%, a drop of 20% compared to the Spring 2011 survey and well below the EU average of 34% (also down 7%). The percentage of Irish people who tend not to trust the European Union has also risen by 21 points to 60%. Trust in the European Union is highest in Bulgaria at 59% and lowest in the UK at 17%. Trust in the Irish government: Trust in the Irish government has also dropped to 22%, a drop of 20% since Spring, but is close to the EU average of 24%. People in Luxembourg (68%) were most likely to trust their government and people in Greece least (8%). However trust in political parties in Ireland was up slightly to 13% (EU average of 14%). National economy: Only 3% of Irish people think the situation of the Irish economy is good, the second lowest in Europe after Greece, where only 1% think their economy is good and just below Spain where it is 4%. In total 96% of Irish people think the economic situation is bad, second highest in Europe after Greece at 99%. Across the EU, 71% of people think the situation of their national economy is bad, but in some countries, such as Sweden (14%), Luxembourg (15%), and Germany (20%), rates are a lot lower. Impact on jobs: There is a growing public realisation that the solution of the crisis will be a marathon rather than a sprint. Only 29% (down 2%) of Irish respondents feel that its impact on jobs has reached its peak while 65% think the opposite (up 5%). This compares to EU averages of 23% and 68%. People in Estonia (40%), Bulgaria (38%), Austria (36%) and Latvia (35%) are most likely to think the impact of the crisis had already reached its peak and respondents in Cyprus (16%), the UK (16%) and Portugal (11%) least likely. Household situation: Just over half of Irish respondents (51%) think the economic situation of their household is good, up 4% since Autumn 2010. This compares to an average of 61% of respondents across Europe. However, there are wide differences between countries – from 24% in Greece and Hungary to 85% in Netherlands, 88% in Finland, 89% in Denmark and 90% in Sweden. European Union: Europeans continue to see the European Union as the most effective actor – ahead of national governments – in tackling the effects of the economic crisis. The EU remains in first place (23%, +1) and is followed by national governments (20%, unchanged). However Irish respondents were a little more likely to view the national government as the most effective actor in tackling the effects of the economic crisis (24% compared to 22%). Tackling the financial and economic crisis: 87% of Irish respondents think that EU Member States should work together more to tackle the financial and economic crisis, slightly below the EU average of 89%. Levels of support were above 80% in all EU countries bar Austria at 76%. Economic and fiscal policies: When asked whether stronger coordination of economic and financial policies among the countries of the euro area would be effective or not, 73% of Irish respondents think they would be effective compared to an EU average of 75%. Tax on bank profits: 92% of Irish people think the introduction of a tax on bank profits would be effective (EU average of 81%). Tax on financial transactions: However Irish respondents were less likely to be in favour of the introduction of a tax on financial transactions at 53% compared to an EU average of 64%. They were however more likely to favour the regulation of wages in the financial sector (87% compared to an EU average of 79%) and closer supervision of hedge funds (82% compared to an EU average of 72%). Eurobonds: A majority (60%) of Irish people were in favour of the introduction of Eurobonds (EU average of 44% - lowest in Germany at 26%). Irish people were also more likely (84%) to favour the tighter regulation of credit rating agencies than the EU average of 75%. Euro: When asked whether they were for or against a European economic and monetary union with one single currency, the euro, 78% of Irish people were for, well above the EU average of 53%. Only Slovenia (81%), Belgium and Luxembourg (both 80%), had higher levels of support. 41% of Irish respondents also think the EU should have greater financial means given its political objectives compared to an EU average of 33%. However only 34% think the interests of Ireland are well taken into account in the EU. When asked where decisions should be made by the national government or made jointly within the EU, the results for the following areas were: Taxation: 72% of Irish people think decisions should be made by the Irish government compared to the EU average of 68%; Unemployment: 57% of Irish people think decisions should be made by the Irish government compared to the EU average of 58%; Reducing public debt: 37% of Irish people think decisions should be made by the Irish government compared to the EU average of 51%; Future of the EU: When asked whether they were optimistic or pessimistic about the future of the EU, 53% of Irish people were optimistic, a drop of 15% since last Spring. This is above the EU average of 48%, which is down 10%. 37% of Irish respondents are pessimistic about the future of the EU. Enlargement: Irish people were less positive about future enlargement of the EU with only 24% being for compared to an EU average of 36%. Background The Autumn 2011 Eurobarometer was conducted through face-to-face interviews between 5 November and 20 November 2011. A total of 1,015 people were interviewed in Ireland by Ipsos MRBI between 5 and 18 November 2011. Further information Click here for the Autumn 2011 (first) Eurobarometer results 2012-01-09T17:10:53+00:00 http://www.seregassembly.ie/index.php/site/your_dublin_your_voice_dublin_opinion_panel http://www.seregassembly.ie/index.php/site/your_dublin_your_voice_dublin_opinion_panel#When:15:37:32Z Dublin City Council in collaboration with the Dublin Regional Authority and the other Dublin local authorities has built up an opinion panel of almost 2,300 members to find out their views on living, working and studying in the city region. This opinion panel is being developed as part of an innovative new engagement initiative called ‘Your Dublin, Your Voice’. Background to “Your Dublin, Your Voice” project: Dublin City Council in collaboration with the Dublin Regional Authority and the other Dublin local authorities has built up an opinion panel of almost 2,300 members to find out their views on living, working and studying in the city region. This opinion panel is being developed as part of an innovative new engagement initiative called ‘Your Dublin, Your Voice’. People from all ages and backgrounds are represented on the panel, reflecting the diverse cosmopolitan nature of Dublin; over 50% of respondents have lived outside of Ireland for any period of time. There are also over 60 nationalities and representatives from all 32 counties in Ireland. The detailed results of the first ‘Your Dublin, Your Voice’ survey (carried out during October to December 2010) are now available at: www.yourdublinyourvoice.ie and www.facebook.com/yourdublinyourvoice   Selected Quotes from panel members:   Best Things:   “Dubliners... witty, honest and upfront” “Dublin is a “Vibrant international city with a small town feel” “Its multiculturalism, while maintaining an inherent Irish character” “That it has the diversity and energy of a young and vibrant 21st century city” “The Craic, the Ceol and the Culture” Worst Things:   “The fact that the good things I like and can avail of sit side by side with a parallel life and community that is excluded and under resourced.” “Public transportation: it is frustrating, illogical, and inefficient!!!” “That it's not exactly clean and safe, that sometimes the "Fair City" is not so fair...” “Litter and having to watch people do it, some people have no respect for their beautiful city.”   Click here to access the report   2012-01-09T15:37:32+00:00 http://www.seregassembly.ie/index.php/site/european_commission_scheme_for_distressed_credit_unions_in_ireland http://www.seregassembly.ie/index.php/site/european_commission_scheme_for_distressed_credit_unions_in_ireland#When:16:41:23Z The European Commission found a resolution scheme for distressed credit unions in Ireland to be in line with EU rules that allow aid to remedy a serious disturbance in the economy of a Member State. In particular, the measure is limited in time and scope, ensures adequate burden-sharing and contains safeguards to avoid undue distortions of competition. Click here to read the full story 2011-12-22T16:41:23+00:00 http://www.seregassembly.ie/index.php/site/supports_for_the_former_talk_talk_workers http://www.seregassembly.ie/index.php/site/supports_for_the_former_talk_talk_workers#When:10:11:11Z Mr. Tony McFeely, Acting President, Waterford Insitute of Technology and Ms. Martina Harte, Head of Department of Student Life and Learning attended the Regional Assembly meeting friday 11th November to update the members on the globalisation fund progress and on the Institute’s ongoing objective to achieve University status. When the news initially broke of TalkTalk’s decision to close its operations in Waterford and make its workforce of nearly 600 redundant the Southern & Eastern (S&E) Regional Assembly expressed their concern for the workers and their fear for the consequences of this decision on an already beleaguered region. Cllr. Tomás Breathnach, Cathaoirleach of the Regional Assembly committed to working across all organisations to seek solutions and supports for the former employees of TalkTalk. The Regional Assembly determined to keep the needs of the former employees to the fore, invited Waterford Institute of Technology (WIT) to attend a meeting of the Assembly on Friday 11th November to be updated on the European Globalisation Fund and to hear how it will help the workers. The Assembly wishes to lend its solidarity to the workers and their families and keep themselves informed on progress of support packages provided and to ensure that their plight is not allowed to slip off the agenda.   Mr. Tony McFeely, Acting President, WIT and Ms. Martina Harte, Head of Department of Student Life and Learning attended the meeting to update the members on both the globalisation fund progress and on the Institute’s ongoing objective to achieve University status. Gaps in skills shortages were identified to ensure that the type of training packages provided will lead to concrete job opportunities in the short to medium term. Open evenings for the employees to establish their needs were hosted by WIT, Ms. Harte told the meeting. The lessons learned from previous interventions from the globalisation fund i.e. Waterford Crystal or Dell, Limerick,  will help shape the suite of measures and training options to be provided under the package for the TalkTalk workers. To safeguard training retention rates ‘the training options on offer must address skills gaps and must appeal to the former employees availing of them’ said Ms. Harte. From a national perspective it appears that the EGF guidelines require that measures taken under the fund are complementary rather than additional and alignment with existing national schemes and systems ensures better outcomes for the ex workers. Questions were raised by Cllr. Joe Brennan, South Tipperary Co. Co. and Cllr. John Ryan, Wicklow Co. Co. as to the numbers of former employees who are currently availing of training under the fund and if specific needs or skill gaps of the South East region were identified to help customise the response were echoed by other members present. Cllr. Ryan also enquired if training in entrepreneurship is available in WIT. In response Ms. Harte noted that entrepreneurship features in the research profile of the School of Business and that the Institute’s modular system can also accommodate this approach, if required. Briefly in relation to the establishment of a Technological University in the South East, Mr. McFeely told the meeting that the ‘process is on-going and they are currently in discussion with Carlow Institute of Technology in pursuit of this objective’.   2011-11-21T10:11:11+00:00 http://www.seregassembly.ie/index.php/site/election_of http://www.seregassembly.ie/index.php/site/election_of#When:11:10:37Z Cllr. Tomas Breathnach & Cllr. Damien Geoghegan were elected Cathaoirleach & Leas Cathaoirleach respectively of the S&E Regional Assembly at the AGM on Friday 9th September. Their term of office runs until September 2012. The Annual General Meeting of the Southern and Eastern Regional Assembly took place on Friday 9th September at 12.00 noon in Assembly House, O’Connell Street, Waterford. At this meeting the Cathaoirleach and Leas-Cathaoirleach for the forthcoming year were elected.  Cllr. Tomás Breathnach was elected as Cathaoirleach and Cllr. Damien Geoghegan was elected as Leas-Cathaoirleach.  Their terms of office will run to September 2012. Cllr. Tomás Breathnach, Cathaoirleach,  is a member of the Southern and Eastern Regional Assembly since September 2004.  As a member of the Labour Party, Cllr. Breathnach represents Kilkenny County Council on the Regional Assembly. Cllr. Breathnach also sits on the South East Regional Authority and the South East Regional Task Force.  He is also a retired secondary school teacher.  He is a founding member of both the Confederation of Community Groups of South Kilkenny and of the Ferrybank Socio-Economic Partnership.  Cllr. Breathnach looks forward to serving the region to the best of his ability, continuing in the footsteps of past Cathaoirligh.  Cllr. Damien Geoghegan, Leas Cathaoirleach, is a member of the Southern & Eastern Regional Assembly since 2004.  As a member of the Fine Gael Party, Cllr. Geoghegan represents Waterford County Council on the Regional Assembly. Cllr Geoghegan also sits on the South East Regional Authority, Co. Waterford V.E.C., Waterford County Enterprise Board and County Waterford Strategy Group.   2011-09-16T11:10:37+00:00 http://www.seregassembly.ie/index.php/site/loss_of_jobs_at_talk_talk http://www.seregassembly.ie/index.php/site/loss_of_jobs_at_talk_talk#When:15:48:23Z A motion expressing solidarity with the workers of Talk Talk was passed by the members at a meeting of the Southern & Eastern Regional Assembly on Friday 9th September. A motion expressing solidarity with the workers of Talk Talk was passed by the members at a meeting of the Southern & Eastern Regional Assembly on Friday 9th September.  The motion expressed deep concern at the loss of nearly 600 jobs in Talk, Talk Waterford and the impact that this would have on the workforce, their families and the local and wider community. Cllr. Jack Walsh, Waterford City Council who proposed the motion spoke of his anticipation of the next CSO statistics, that they will show a total collapse of jobs in the South East region. He said he hoped there would be “an improvement in the grant structure available to help tackle unemployment and he expects given the magnitude of what has happened in the region that there will be an application for the globalisation fund again”.  Cllr. Walsh emphasised the effect these job losses would have on the entire region, as workers are drawn from Waterford, Kilkenny, Tipperary and Wexford. The Regional Assembly pledged to engage with all the relevant state agencies to explore all possible avenues to assist the workers who received notice of their redundancy this week. The newly elected Cathaoirleach of the S&E Regional Assembly, Cllr. Tomás Breathnach, Kilkenny County Council, committed to working across all organisations to seek solutions for the workers of Talk, Talk. Media Contact: Derville Brennan, Programme Executive, S&E Regional Assembly, Assembly House, O’Connell Street, Waterford. T. + 353 51 860700 M. + 353 87 7793755 E. dbrennan@seregassembly.ie W. www.seregassembly.ie    2011-09-15T15:48:23+00:00 http://www.seregassembly.ie/index.php/site/minister_phil_hogan_addresses_joint_meeting_of_the_regional_assemblies http://www.seregassembly.ie/index.php/site/minister_phil_hogan_addresses_joint_meeting_of_the_regional_assemblies#When:15:22:59Z In his address, Minister Hogan acknowledged the successful way in which both Regional Assemblies had managed and monitored the Regional Operational Programmes and informed the meeting that he looked forward to working closely with the Regional Assemblies in the coming years.   The Minister stated that that there needed to be a careful prioritisation of resources and that the Government is willing to engage with regional bodies to ensure a meaningful role for them in the context of the overall local government reform programme. Minister Hogan informed the meeting of his intention to undertake a review of the National Spatial Strategy taking account of the current economic situation. Minister for Environment, Community & Local Government, Phil Hogan T.D. addressed the Annual Joint Meeting of the Border, Midland and Western (BMW) and the Southern and Eastern (S&E) Regional Assemblies in the Newpark Hotel, Kilkenny on Friday 22nd July last.  The Minister was informed that “only by strengthening regional government will regional imbalances be addressed” In his opening address, Councillor Tomás Breathnach, Leas Cathaoirleach of the S&E Regional Assembly, told the Minister to consider the wider issue of enhancing regional governance structures as part of the local government reform agenda”.  He called on the Minister to recognize that the Regional bodies have successfully fulfilled all of the functions and tasks which have been assigned to them over the years, not least in the effective way they have managed the various European funded Programmes. Cllr. Breathnach reminded the Minister that “the two Regional Assemblies successfully closed the first Regional Programmes 2000-06, with full draw-down of all EU Funds available to the regions. In the current programming period, the two co-financed Regional Programmes in Ireland have among the highest absorption of ERDF of all Programmes across the entire Union. Given the current very difficult climate in which we are operating, this is indeed a considerable achievement, and something for which we can be very proud.”  In his address, Minister Hogan acknowledged the successful way in which both Regional Assemblies had managed and monitored the Regional Operational Programmes and informed the meeting that he looked forward to working closely with the Regional Assemblies in the coming years.   The Minister stated that that there needed to be a careful prioritisation of resources and that the Government is willing to engage with regional bodies to ensure a meaningful role for them in the context of the overall local government reform programme. Minister Hogan informed the meeting of his intention to undertake a review of the National Spatial Strategy taking account of the current economic situation. Cllr. Joe Flanagan, Cathaoirleach, BMW Regional Assembly in his response to Minister Hogan endorsed the points made by Cllr. Breathnach and stated that “we need to continuously take account of the regional impacts of national policies and programmes.  In order to do this, we need to have effective representative regional structures in place.  The Regional Assemblies have played an important role in this regard through our policy development work, our meetings with Ministers, Department officials and key agencies, our policy conferences and our monitoring of national and EU programmes.  We wish to continue to play this role in partnership with central Government”. In seeking to address the serious challenges we face Councillor Flanagan said “it is important that we do not let any region fall behind.  We know from our experiences in the 1980s and 1990s that it took some regions most notably the Border, Midlands and West regions, much longer to catch up with national rates of economic growth and to overcome their higher levels of long-term unemployment.  It would be unfortunate if we allow this to happen again”. Speaking after the meeting, Mr. Gerry Finn, Director of the BMW Regional Assembly stated that the meeting had provided a useful opportunity to outline the role of the Regional Assemblies and their views on local and regional government reform to Minister Hogan.  Mr. Finn welcomed Minister Hogan’s commitment to continue to engage with the Regional Assemblies and to ensure that there are meaningful regional structures in place. Mr. Stephen Blair Director of the S&E Regional Assembly said there is a need to shift from centralised economic planning towards developing regional strategies to enhance competitiveness, a view strongly supported by European Cohesion policy. Strategies should be developed in consultation with local and regional interests which address the varying strengths and weaknesses of the individual Regions. The Regional Assemblies have consistently expressed the view that central government policy and decision making needs to take greater account of regional implications”.   2011-07-25T15:22:59+00:00 http://www.seregassembly.ie/index.php/site/launch_of_a_regional_story_on_board_the_tall_ship_europa http://www.seregassembly.ie/index.php/site/launch_of_a_regional_story_on_board_the_tall_ship_europa#When:17:14:50Z The successes of the S&E Regional Programme 2000-2006 in picture form launched by Brendan Howlin T.D., Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform on board the Europa at the Tall Ships event in Waterford on Friday 1st July Brendan Howlin T.D. Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform; Mr. Stephen Blair, Director, Southern & Eastern Regional Assembly; Mayor of Waterford City, Cllr. Pat Hayes A good news story of community childcare centres, improved road networks, diversion of tonnes of household waste from landfills to recycling and material recovery facilities is just a small glimpse into the success that was the Southern & Eastern Regional Programme 2000-2006. This programme was co-funded by the European Structural Funds and the Irish Exchequer and it resulted in the delivery of over 5,700 co-funded projects and many hundreds of nationally funded projects. Projects, that had a real and positive effect on the lives of people living in the Southern & Eastern region. Brendan Howlin T.D. Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform launched the publication “A Regional Story” Images from Ireland’s first co-funded Regional Programme, on board the Europa on Friday 1st July. This publication which gives a flavour of the type of the project funded by under the programme was commended by Minister Howlin who spoke about the diversity and range of the programme “from ‘hard infrastructure’ to ‘soft’ social inclusion measures, from agricultural schemes to enterprise supports, every part of the Region, be it urban or rural, coastal or inland, benefited from investment under the S&E Programme”. Cllr. John Ryan, Wicklow County Council, Cathaoirleach of the S&E Regional Assembly spoke at the launch of the background to the programme and the Assembly. He reminded the gathering that it is now over a decade since the then Government saw fit the need to regionalise the delivery of EU Structural Funds programmes in Ireland, and with that created two new Regions, each to have its own Regional Operational Programme to be managed by the newly established Regional Assemblies. Cllr. Ryan said “this brave decision back in 1999 to entrust the management of very large and complex multi-fund regional programmes to the fledging Regional Assemblies, has since proved an inspired development. Not alone was the first Regional Programme well managed by the Regional Assembly, with a full draw-down of the Structural Funds allocated to the Region, but the Programme itself met all of its targets and will have a long-lasting positive impact across the entire Region”. Drawing parallels with successes such as the Tall Ships Race and how the attraction of such prestigious events to the region helps to forge and strengthen a positive image for the region, Stephen Blair, Director of the S&E Regional Assembly spoke of his pride and satisfaction of been a part of a team which presided over this success story. “There are many agencies, Government Departments, Local & Regional Authorities, Community groups and small businesses who worked to ensure that the projects funded by the programme were ones that we can be justifiably be proud of.” Mr. Blair went on to say that the “enhancement of the infrastructure of the region leading to the provision of better quality public services, or in the form of direct aid to enterprises, be they large or small, in such diverse sectors as tourism, communications, agriculture or fisheries, or in improving childcare and other social facilities, investment under the programme has had far reaching and lasting positive effects on the region” Media contact: Derville Brennan Programme Executive S&E Regional Assembly, Assembly House, O’Connell Street, Waterford. T. + 353 51 860700 E. dbrennan@seregassembly.ie W. www.seregassembly.ie   2011-07-04T17:14:50+00:00 http://www.seregassembly.ie/index.php/site/the_relevance_of_registered_employment_agreements_for_the_construction_indu http://www.seregassembly.ie/index.php/site/the_relevance_of_registered_employment_agreements_for_the_construction_indu#When:12:58:39Z Fergus Whelan, Industrial Officer, of ICTU addressing a meeting of the Employment & Social Inclusion Sub-Committee of the Southern & Eastern Regional Assembly in Assembly House on Friday 10th June spoke about two of the five active Registered Employment Agreements (REA) in Ireland, the Construction and the Electrical REAs. Electricians, Carpenters, Bricklayers, Plasterers, Painters and General Operatives are covered by these REAs. Cllr. Jack Walsh, Waterford City Council, Cathaoirleach of the Employment & Social Inclusion Subcommittee Fergus Whelan, Industrial Officer, of ICTU addressed a meeting of the Employment & Social Inclusion Sub-Committee of the Southern & Eastern Regional Assembly in Assembly House on Friday 10th June.  Mr. Whelan talked about two of the five active Registered Employment Agreements (REA) in Ireland, the Construction and the Electrical REAs. Electricians, Carpenters, Bricklayers, Plasterers, Painters and General Operatives are covered by these REAs. The REAs provide for rates of pay, pension scheme, travelling time, dispute procedures and are legally enforceable. The benefit of REAs are that they provide a level playing field for both employers and workers as they take the wage element out of the competition. The REAs give certainty to companies when costing projects and have delivered industrial peace.  In the past, REAs have prevented foreign companies from undercutting Irish contractors. Mr. Whelan explained that currently, there are attempts to abolish the REAs because they are seen as inflexible and as an obstacle for employment costs to go down. However, Mr. Whelan said “the abolishment of REAs would risk foreign companies undercutting Irish prices, wages in the construction industry falling to minimum level, the collapse of the pension scheme for workers and the further increase of unemployment in the construction sector”. ICTU is of the opinion that cutting wages does not create jobs. Instead, what the industry needs is investment and job creation as well as workers and employers pulling together. Cllrs. Christy Burke and Rebecca Moynihan, Dublin City Council, and Cllr Denis O’Flynn, Cork City Council, raised the problem of apprentices not being able to finish their apprenticeships and that local people are often not employed in local projects. Mr. Whelan acknowledged these problems and emphasised that the unions attempt to help apprentices to finish their apprenticeships wherever possible.  Regarding the issue of local labour, he explained that the unions represent people employed in companies and try to help them to keep their employment. Therefore, from the point of view of the unions, any company that pays their workers fairly and complies with the rules is welcome to bid for a contract. The members of the E&SI subcommittee are calling for a review of the REAs rather than their outright abolition; they consider that the REAs deliver benefits and protection both to workers and to certain sectors like the construction industry.   Press release ENDS     For details please contact Derville Brennan Southern & Eastern Regional Assembly Assembly House, O’Connell Street, Waterford dbrennan@seregassembly.ie www.seregassembly.ie T. + 353 51 860700 F. + 353 51 879887 M. +353 87 7793755     2011-06-17T12:58:39+00:00