to the 2012 Annual Report

Calling all Flynns, O’Malleys
and Schweitzenburgs.
If you’re planning an event for 2013, plan on having it in Ireland.
No matter what year your family came over from Ireland, this is the year you’ll want to come back. And plan to bring the whole family
or friends or colleagues, too! Why? Because it’s a once-in-a-lifetime chance to experience The Gathering Ireland 2013.
This year-long celebration of Irish culture will allow you to organize a trip they’ll never forget. There will be countless festivals and
events, incredible music and art, exhilarating sports and thousands of ways to connect with your Irish roots. So be a part of it. Organize
a golf trip, a family reunion, a corporate event -- whatever it is you want to plan, plan on gathering your own “clan” in Ireland next year.
Because if you’ve ever wanted them to experience Ireland, there’s never been a better time to do it.
thegatheringireland.com
“May the road
rise to meet you”
Welcome
I
t is my pleasure, on behalf of the entire Council
membership in the United States and throughout
Ireland, to offer thanks for the support and
participation we have received during this past year
from our members and from many benefactors, patrons
and sponsors. Your help and support has been crucial
in continuing the organization’s programs and activities
this past year.
Dennis D. Swanson
We celebrate our 50th Anniversary and as we do so,
we hope that in this, our Golden Jubilee year, we will
see the continued strengthening of those important business bonds and
commercial connections between the United States and Ireland.
During the past 50 years, we have witnessed the truly remarkable and
spectacular growth of the investment, trade, tourism and other business
links that connect America and Ireland in ways that are so tangible and
dynamic. As we move into our second half-century, we hope that the
great success of these first five decades can be mirrored, replicated and
improved upon.
As we mark our 50th Anniversary, we also cherish the hope that the results
of this week’s General Elections in the United States will mark a watershed
return to a period of sustained and more-rapid economic expansion.
Better business conditions and a robust recovery in economic circumstances
will go a long way toward fixing current Government budget deficits and
unemployment woes on both sides of the Atlantic.
Congratulations and best wishes to Dr. T. Pearse Lyons
from Brian Stack and everyone at
Dennis D. Swanson
Council President
www.cietours.com
3
A
_
BEST WISHES TO
DR. T. PEARSE LYONS FOR
THIS WELL-DESERVED RECOGNITION
AND TO DENNIS D. SWANSON
FOR HIS LEADERSHIP OF THE IRELAND U.S. COUNCIL.
_
Just another great day for the Irish
T
Prudential is proud to support the
Ireland-U.S. Council.
© 2011. Prudential, the Prudential logo and the Rock symbol are service marks of Prudential Financial, Inc. and its related entities, registered in many jurisdictions worldwide.
0212407-00001-00
The Council’s Board of Directors
Officers
Directors
President
Michael Brewster
Managing Director
Credit-Suisse Securities
(USA) LLC
Patricia A. Cunningham
National Account Manager
Leisure Sales
United Airlines
Jack Foley
Executive Vice President
Aer Lingus
Donald Keough
Chairman
Allen & Company, Inc.
James M. Adrian
Partner
Ford, Marrin, Esposito
& Witmeyer
Michael Clark
President
Surmont, LLC.
Patrick J. Donaghy
Chairman
Favour Royal, Inc.
Barbara G. Koster
Senior Vice President & Chief
Information Officer
Prudential Financial, Inc.
Christina G. Kirshbaum
Director
Freedom from Fistula
Foundation/U.S.
Michael J. Gibbons
President-Emeritus
The Ireland-U.S. Council
Cillian Ó Brádaigh
Executive Director
Morgan Stanley
Niall Condon
Vice President
Established Products
Operating Unit
Pfizer, Inc.
Eddie Dowling
Chief Executive
The Padded Wagon
Thomas J. Goodwin
Partner
McCarter & English, LLP
MacDara Lynch
Diarmuid Hogan
Chief Executive
Global Excess Partners, LLP
John J. Reilly
Partner
Squire, Sanders
& Dempsey, LLP
Joe Connolly
Executive Vice President
Bank of Ireland
Global Markets U.S.
Alan T. Ennis
President & Chief
Executive Officer
Revlon
Peter J. Hooper
Chairman
New Ireland Fund, Inc.
Elizabeth F. Martin
Partner
Elizabeth F. Martin Fine Art
John P. Nallen
Executive V.P - Finance
News Corporation
Brian W. Stack
Chief Executive Officer
CIE Tours International
Gerald C. Crotty
President
Weichert Enterprise, LLC
William B. Finneran
Chairman &
Managing Director
EXOP Capital, LLC
James J. Houlihan
Partner
Houlihan-Parnes
Realtors, LLC
Andrea T. Mills
Director
Fiscal Management
Associates, LLC
John Fitzpatrick
Chief Executive
Fitzpatrick Hotel Group
John J. Kelly
Managing Partner
Hanover Stone Partners, LLC
Thomas J. Moran
Chairman, President & CEO
Mutual of America
Dennis D. Swanson
President
Fox Television Stations Group
Executive Director
David O’Sullivan
National Secretary
National Treasurer
Kieran Claffey
Partner
PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP
Vice
Presidents
Council Contact Information
6
NEW YORK
DUBLIN
420 Lexington Avenue - Suite #356
New York, NY 10170-0247
Tel: (212) 867 6268 • Fax: (212) 867 6834
[email protected]
Suite #8, Malton, 31-33 Merrion Rd.
Simmonscourt Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4
Tel: (01) 667 4040 • Fax: (01) 667 4041
[email protected]
7
The Council’s Board of Directors
Martin Murphy
Partner
The Repton Group, LLP
Joseph J. Walsh
Chairman & CEO
Curtis Circulation Company
Rhianna Quinn-Roddy
Principal
Tinderbrook Associates.
Maurice Wolridge
Chairman
Alimentary Health, Inc.
Michael J. Roarty
Past-President
The Ireland-U.S. Council
Thomas G.F. Ryan
Chairman & CEO
Ryan International
Corporation
8
Ireland
Chapter
Board
Honorary
Directors
Brendan Cahill
Partner
William Fry, Solicitors
Richard M. Henry
Producer Broker
Besso Lloyds Brokers
London
Martin Naughton
Executive Chairman
Glen Dimplex
Joanne Davidson
Communications &
Information Officer
The Fulbright Commission
Stan McCarthy
CEO
Kerry Group plc
Mark Nolan
General Manager
Dromoland Castle Hotel
Roddy Feely
Executive Director
Council Ireland Chapter
Eamonn McKeon
Chief Executive
Irish Tourist Industry
Confederation
Marie O’Connor
Partner
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Mark Finlay
Vice-President Sancroft
& President ULV Americas Inc.
Martiena Milton
Director
H. R. Holfeld Group
Len O’Hagan
Chairman
Belfast Harbour
Commissioners
Andy Ruane
Chief Executive
Irish Channel America
Aidan Smyth
Managing Director
Labplan Ltd.
President
Patrick O’Neill
Dr. Michael Somers
Deputy Chairman
AIB Group, plc
Carl Shanahan
President
Shamrock Building Services
Joseph O’Sullivan
Clive Bellows
Country Head
Northern Trust (Ireland)
Limited
Brian Goggin
Martin Murphy
Managing Director
Hewlett-Packard Ireland
Daniel P. Tully
Past-President
The Ireland-U.S. Council
Eugene J. Sullivan
Past-President
The Ireland-U.S. Council
Nicola Byrne
Chief Executive
Call 11890 Ltd.
Michael Greene
Of Counsel
A & L Goodbody
Joseph P.J. Murray
Founding Director
Ireland-U.S. Council
Ireland Chapter
9
There’s A Name
For This Kind
Of Honor.
Congratulations
to honoree
Dr. T. Pearse Lyons
Out of Ireland Television and
Global Excess Partners
Congratulate
Dr. T. Pearse Lyons on receiving
The Council’s Award for
Outstanding Achievement.
From John Fitzpatrick
& the team at
The Fitzpatrick Hotel Group
Diarmuid M. Hogan
Prseident & CEO
Manhattan ~ Grand Central
fitzpatrickhotels.com
1-800-367-7701
President’s Report
A
s we mark the dawn of our
50th year, we in the Council
look back on five decades of
the most remarkable transformation
in relations between the United
States and Ireland.
For centuries, the nature of the
relationship between Ireland and
America had been characterized by
Dennis D. Swanson
heavy
emigration of the Irish across
President Fox Television
the
Atlantic
in search of political
Stations Group
emancipation, religious freedom and
economic opportunity.
From the earliest days of those waves of emigrants – long
before America considered a declaration of independence
from England and the British – the role and influence of
the Irish in America formed and grew. New immigrants
from the Emerald Isle began to populate increasingly more
important economic and political strata in “the New
World”, as it was then known in Europe.
The impressive growth of agriculture and horticulture
in America, especially in the South, provided many
opportunities for the Irish to stake their claim, make their
mark and grow in prosperity. In business, politics, religion
and the military in America, Irish names became more
commonplace.
Ireland’s links to the United States grew and deepened
after Independence in 1776 and by the mid-1800’s and the
Irish Famine, the movement of Irish into America became
almost a tidal wave.
In economic terms, however, trade across the Atlantic
between Ireland and America was purely modest even at
the beginning of the second half of the 20th century.
Following the establishment of the Irish Free State in
1922 and the unsatisfactory conclusion of the economic
war between Ireland and Britain in the early 1930’s there
followed the hard years of the Second World War.
Even through the 1950’s, young Irish people headed for
the United States in large numbers. As this first decade of
the last half of the century drew to a close, a new generation
of Irish people took on the task of modernization and
economic development in the Emerald Isle.
12
The underlying philosophy of this emergent economic
policy was shaped very largely by the American system of
free enterprise. Leaders in Ireland took their cue from the
phenomenal successes in wealth creation that had been
achieved in America.
Watershed decisions were taken to abandon protectionism,
embrace open and free markets, encourage free enterprise,
gear up competitiveness in both agriculture and in industry,
introduce lower taxes on business, eliminate red tape,
minimize regulation and invest heavily in education. All
these things were contemplated, started or accelerated in
the 1950’s.
Ireland’s first low-tax plan was a simple one. Companies
that exported 100% of their manufactured goods enjoyed
freedom from corporation profits tax on 100% of their
profits. It was a low-to-no tax formula that encouraged
investment but especially – and most importantly for
Ireland – encouraged export sales.
Of course, new investors from overseas were hardly
interested in the domestic Irish market – more people left
Manhattan by subway every evening than lived in Ireland –
which was (and still is) a tiny one in European terms.
The founding of this Council by business and political
leaders at that time was part of the grand design to haul
an impoverished and economically-disadvantaged country
into the modern era.
Export markets needed to be diversified away from overreliance on one market – Britain, even though an AngloIrish Free Trade Agreement had helped spur trade across the
Irish Sea. There was a sharp need to move toward a
broader-based pool of potential consumers of goods and
services produced in Ireland.
Irish eyes were firmly fixed on Europe’s vast markets and
on the American consumer. The European market was the
target first, with entry into the European Union crucial to
that end. Ireland first applied for membership in the
1960’s and negotiated and voted for entry by January
1973. This was probably the single biggest economic
development in the history of the nation.
Attracting American industrial investment capital was always
a cornerstone of this strategy. Some early American
investment dollars started to flow in the late 1960’s and
early 1970’s in anticipation of Ireland gaining tariff-free
access to Europe’s lucrative consumer markets.
By 1977, when all tariffs, quotas and other barriers to free
trade had been eliminated, Ireland became the favorite
destination for American corporate investment dollars.
It remains so.
Thus, for two centuries, the flow across the Atlantic was
of people emigrating in search of a better life. For the last
half century, there has been a flow into Ireland of American
industrial capital. Some poetic irony there, maybe?
The Economic Crisis Is Not Over Yet
The Council was not around during
the Great Depression, so our direct
experiences are restricted to the
history books and what our seniors
tell us about what went down in the
late 1920’s and early 1930’s. But,
in recent times we did get an
up-close and personal view of a
catastrophic financial crisis and
deep recession that followed it.
For sure, in Ireland the calamity was of sizable scale. In
bank stocks alone, over $100 billion in wealth evaporated.
These stocks were owned not by faceless institutions but
were widely-held by pensioners, individual investors,
retirees and pension funds which, in many cases, relied
on the bank stock dividends to either supplement incomes
or make vital returns to their investors.
The financial pain and economic dislocation has been of
enormous proportions. The fallout from this sad episode
continues to reverberate. As is still evident throughout
Europe, the crisis is not over and still rumbles on. So we
must hold off on any epilogues just yet.
Clearly, in both the United States and in Europe (and
yes, also in Ireland) Government budget deficits are a
problem. Governments on both sides of the Atlantic must
do a better job of living within their means. Cutting
spending, increasing revenues or a bit of both is necessary
to stop the growth in borrowing and debt and bring
budgets into balance. Until then, this crisis will not be
resolved. For sure, it is an economic existential dilemma
that must be fixed.
Ireland-U.S. Business Ties
Deeper Than Ever
Despite the huge economic
problems of the past few years, the
commercial connections between
America and Ireland have become
more robust. Ireland continues to
be a strategic element in the global
operations and plans of hundreds
of important, world-class, large and
fast-growing U.S. corporations.
The total value of invested capital in Ireland by American
firms as measured by foreign direct investment was $188
billion at the beginning of the current year. This is a fivefold increase from a decade ago.
By comparison, American companies have invested a total
of $107 billion in Germany, $89 billion in France and,
despite all the headlines about China and India being
popular destinations for U.S. industrial capital, the total
there is $54 billion in China and $25 billion in India. By
the way, total American industrial capital in all of South
America is $148 billion. So Ireland leads the way for sure
– a remarkable achievement.
U.S. firms are still attracted and committed to Ireland
for several key reasons:
■ Ireland's low-tax policies on corporate profits;
■ Ireland’s sharp focus on developing cutting-edge
capabilities in such sectors as nanotechnology, cloud
computing, clean energy, life sciences, and related
activities;
■ an educated, young, adaptable and English-speaking
workforce and labor pool;
■ business-friendly Government policies;
■ a positive environment for research & development;
■ government support for innovation
All these, and others, place Ireland head-and-shoulders
above competing locations in Europe.
Europe is still the largest economic entity in the world –
the real reason American companies invest in production
and service facilities within the European Union – a
marketplace which accounts for over one-quarter of
world GDP.
13
President’s Report
Europe is large but it is also very wealthy. This sets the
region apart from many other parts of the world. Wealth
drives consumption, and Europe accounts for some 30 per
cent of global personal consumption expenditures. This is
greater share than America’s. Gaining access to wealthy
consumers is a primary reason why U.S. companies
venture overseas.
Ireland Is Still Tops For Business
Ireland is still a great place to do
business - ranking 10th in the
world among the World Bank's top
25 most business-friendly nations.
There is a good chance that a
transatlantic free trade agreement
between the European Union and
America could be re-set in coming
months. This will benefit Ireland,
filling a role as it clearly does as a bridge between both.
A crucial differentiator is Ireland's successful return to the
international capital markets this July when the National
Treasury Management Agency raised over $6 billion in
funding. This positive development sent the right signal to
the capital markets where there is a growing confidence
among investors that Ireland is on the right economic
track.
Ireland's cost profile for business has also improved in
recent years with falling wages, rents, real estate costs
and so on. These things have been noticed by American
companies who have voted with their capital investment
dollars by increased direct investment in the Emerald Isle.
Council Partners in the Arts
The Council continues to partner
with outstanding arts organizations.
We believe that by showcasing
excellence in the arts, our Council
activities are enhanced by the artistic
performances this collaboration
encourages.
The Council has offered support
during 2012 to the Irish Repertory
Theatre, the Royal Hibernian Academy, the Irish Baroque
14
Orchestra, The Royal Irish Academy of Music and the Abbey
Theatre among others.
Time Magazine Covers Act as Bookends,
Sort of, For Council’s Story
The Ireland-U.S. Council was
only nine months old when Time
Magazine published a historic
cover story in July 1963 on Ireland’s
economic renewal with a cover
picture featuring then-Taoiseach,
the great Seán Lemass.
This year, the Council celebrates its
50th anniversary and Time Magazine
has published its second cover story on Ireland’s “Celtic
Comeback” featuring a cover picture of current Taoiseach
Enda Kenny. In the intervening time, it is true to say that
the highly-positive impact of that first great publicity coup
can still be recalled.
Business confidence is such an important ingredient in
investment and trading decisions. When upbeat and
positive news appears about Ireland's management of its
economy and business climate, the effects can be felt
almost immediately in heightened business investment
interest in Ireland, lenders' willingness
to buy Ireland's bonds and financial
instruments and so on. The positive
effects even trickle into tourism
where potential visitors are more
positively-inclined buy travel products into the country.
In a nice way, the pair of positive
publicity pieces may be seen as
bookends to the Council’s history.
49th Annual Dinner of the
Council in 2011
The 49th Annual Dinner of the Council
saw another full house in attendance
and was a great success. The Council’s
Award for Outstanding Achievement was
presented to Kieran McGowan,
Chairman of CRH Group plc., Ireland’s largest company
and former Chief Executive of IDA Ireland, the hugelysuccessful Industrial Development Agency.
Member-Guest Reception in
Dublin
The Guest of Honor at the Council‘s
Member-Guest Reception at The Four
Seasons Hotel in Dublin in December,
2011 was man-in-the-news Michael
Noonan TD, Ireland’s Minister for
Finance.
Winter Meeting: Florida 2012
This year’s Winter Meeting of the Council
was held in Palm Beach, Florida in February,
2012. This was the 2oth year the Council
has held this event. This time the weather
cooperated and our Guest Speaker was
Bank of Ireland Group investor Wilbur
Ross. Who spoke about the possibilities of
economic revival in Ireland.
2012 St. Patrick’s Luncheon
in New York
The Grand Marshal of the 251st Saint
Patrick’s Day Parade in New York was
Frank Comerford, the well-known and
popular NBC Television executive
who was the Guest of Honor at the
Council’s St. Patrick’s Lunch on
March 16 last. The Government of
Ireland was represented by Ireland’s
Minister for Social Protection, Joan Burton TD.
The entertainment program featured a spectacular program
of music by Sephira - the dynamic musical sister duo of
Joyce and Ruth O’Leary.
Energy-themed Council Spring Corporate
Lunch in Dublin
Energy was the topic of the Council’s Spring Corporate
Lunch in Dublin this past May 3 in Dublin’s Four Seasons
Hotel. Guest speaker was Council Board Member Jerry
Crotty who is the moving force behind
a new, modern, green-concept,
electricity-generating power plant in
County Mayo. The speaker double-bill
was rounded out when members and
guests also heard from Ireland’s
Minister for Communications, Energy
and Natural Resources, Pat
Rabbitte TD.
Scholarships Program
The Council’s 29th annual program of
Student Work Experience Scholarships for
2012 were celebrated this year at
an awards luncheon held at The
Metropolitan Club in New York City in
June. Seven Students from around
the country were awarded work
scholarships.
MidSummer Gala Dinner in
Dublin
The Council’s Midsummer Gala this
past June, 2012 was again held in
historic Dublin Castle. Guests were
treated to a memorable concert by
players from the Royal Irish Academy
of Music. It was a spectacular
evening of entertainment that also
included the presentation of the
Council’s Award for Outstanding Portraiture.
At the dinner, Council President Swanson and Ireland
Chapter President, Dr. Michael Somers officiated at the
proceedings. The Guest of Honor was Ireland’s Cabinet
Minister for Public Expenditure & Reform, Brenadn
Howlin, TD.
Council Golf Days in Ireland
and in the U.S.
In 2012, many members in both countries enjoy the opportunity to
participate in Council-organized Golf
Days. The Annual Golf Day in the
United States saw another successful
15
President’s Report
event at Rye Golf Club in Rye, New York.
On the other side of the Atlantic,
there was a strong turnout of Council
members and their guests on hand on
the last day of August (the day before
the great Notre Dame vs Navy college
football game at the Aviva Stadium in
Dublin) at the splendid Dun Laoghaire
Golf Club in County Wicklow near
Dublin.
“The Gathering” Lunch
Hosted by the Council
In September, Council members and
friends heard more detail about “The
Gathering” which is an initiative to
reach out to Ireland’s diaspore
through tourism. Guest of Honor
was one of Ireland’s young political
leaders, Leo Varadkar TD.
Our 50th Year commences
Ireland’s Taxation Policy Likely To
Stay A Hot Topic
Ireland’s taxation policy is likely to continue to be a
talking point in economic discussions in the United
States for the foreseeable future. For example, on
October 2, America’s largest newspaper, The Wall
Street Journal, carried a lead editorial on America’s
corporation tax and mentioned only one country apart
from the United States – Ireland. The editorial, titled
“Obama vs. Volcker, Et Al.” – which is reproduced
in full on our website www.irelanduscouncil.com –
discussed "territorial" corporation tax policy, which
would tax American companies at the rate of the
country where they earn income.
The Journal editorial made this point “Most of the
world taxes its companies this way, not least because it
helps keep home-grown companies globally competitive.
The U.S. is a rare exception in taxing U.S. companies
at America's 35% corporate tax rate if they decide to
repatriate income earned abroad.
We have arrived at the Council’s
50th anniversary year. It is a
matter of great happiness that,
even as the most challenging
economic conditions prevail and
continue to confront us, the
economic and business ties that
connect the United States and
Ireland continue to be strong, durable and very dynamic.
So, for example, if Dutch-based Unilever earns money
in Ireland, it pays the 12.5% Irish corporate rate even
if it then takes that money back to the Netherlands.
But if America's Pfizer Corp. earns money in Ireland,
it pays the Irish rate but then pays another 22.5% rate
if it brings that income back to invest in the U.S. or to
pay dividends. No surprise that America's corporate
giants tend to keep their foreign earnings abroad to
invest abroad.”
In reaching this historic milestone, we express thanks to
all our members, supporters, sponsors and friends in the
United States and in Ireland for their participation and
support this past year. We hope you will continue help,
support and encourage us in this our 50th year.
Two days after the editorial appeared, Paul Volcker
whose name was invoked in the headline, replied in a
letter to the editor in which he also mentioned only
one country apart from the United States – Ireland –
and branded the Emerald Isle as a “tax haven”.
Mr. Volcker is a former Chairman of the Board of
Governors for the Federal Reserve System and served
under President Jimmy Carter and was reappointed by
President Ronald Reagan.
Dennis D. Swanson
Council President
November 8, 2012
16
We will be watching this space.
Hanover Stone Partners
are proud supporters of the
Ireland-U.S. Council
and we congratulate
this year’s honoree:
Dr. T. Pearse Lyons
Founder & President
Alltech, Inc.
Award for Outstanding Achievement
Dr. T. Pearse Lyons
Founder & President
Alltech, Inc.
Congratulates
Dr. T. Pearse Lyons
Founder & President
Alltech, Inc.
The Council is pleased to honor Dr. T. Pearse Lyons, a
native of Dundalk, Ireland, as the Recipient of its Award for
Outstanding Achievement on the occasion of the organization’s
50th Annual Dinner. Dr. Lyons is the Founder and
President of Alltech, Inc., a global animal health company
based in Lexington, Kentucky. The Council wishes to
mark his notable and important achievements in building
the business bonds and commercial connections between
America and Ireland as an entrepreneur and successful
businessman.
A native of Dundalk, County Louth in Ireland, Dr. Lyons
founded the company in 1980 and has built the enterprise
which now employs more than 2,800 people and conducts
business in 128 countries throughout the world. The
company has annual sales of approximately $1 billion.
We in this Council are extraordinarily
pleased to recognize the substantial
contributions made by Pearse Lyons
during his impressive career as an
entrepreneur and businessman. He
has built an successful enterprise
that has its roots in Ireland but
scored its early dramatic growth
in the United States. We are
delighted to recognize his
extraordinary contributions in
building commercial connections
between Ireland and the United
States. Through his leadership,
vision and hard work, the
economic and business bonds
between America and Ireland
have been greatly strengthened
and enhanced. The members
and directors of the Council are
delighted to honor such an
outstanding and worthy
recipient with an award that
is so richly-deserved.
Dr. Lyons has built a deserved reputation as a successful
entrepreneur and innovative industry leader. His scientific
expertise, combined with a keen business sense, helped
revolutionize the animal feed industry through the
introduction of natural ingredients to feed.
As the company enters its
fourth decade of business,
its solid base will enable it to
extend products, core values
and nutritional solutions to an
ever-expanding market. At the
same time, its commitment to
the primacy of science remains
steadfast.
Dr. Lyons holds several natural
science degrees. He received his
bachelor’s degree from University
College Dublin, Ireland and
obtained his master’s and doctoral
degrees at the University of
Birmingham, England. He later
worked as a biochemist for Irish
Distillers before founding Alltech
in 1980.
19
In Memoriam
Holiday Season
Member-Guest
Reception
John J. Phelan, Jr. Past-President of the Council and
Former Chairman & CEO of the New York Stock Exchange
It is with the deepest sadness that we record
the death earlier this year of a former Council
President John J. Phelan, Jr. He served as a
distinguished leader of the organization from
November 1989 thru the end of 1990 when he
was Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of
the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). He
succeeded Eugene J. Sullivan, Chairman of
Borden Inc., who had served as Council
President for the previous four years. Mr.
Phelan was 81 years of age.
A former Marine, he graduated magna cum
laude from Adelphi University, in Garden City,
New York. He worked as a Wall Street floor
trader from 1957 to 1980 before leading the
New York Stock Exchange and helped keep it
open during the "Black Monday" crash on
October 19, 1987. That day, stocks suffered
what is still the largest single-day percentage
drop, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average
tumbling nearly 23%.
Thursday, December 13, 2012
The Four Seasons Hotel
Dublin, Ireland
Ireland's President and great friend of the Ireland-U.S. Council
Patrick J. Hillery met at Aras an Uachtarain with Council National Secretary
the late Michael Alexander with John Phelan.
In November 1988, the Council Award for Outstanding Achievement was presented to
John J. Phelan, Jr., Chairman & CEO of the New York Stock Exchange. The following year,
Mr. Phelan agreed to serve as Council President. Seen at the Award presentation were (from left)
Robert McDonagh, Ireland’s Ambassador to the U.N.; Hugh L. Carey, Governor of the State of
New York; Council President Eugene J. Sullivan, Chairman & CEO of Borden, Inc., Mr. Phelan and
Padraic MacKernan, Ireland’s Ambassador to the United States.
Mr. Phelan became president of the exchange in
1980 and chairman and chief executive in 1984, leading the exchange through an era that witnessed a surge in stock volume
and an increasing role for electronic trading. He once remarked
that his greatest accomplishment while serving as chairman of
the exchange was improving its systems to
handle a surge in volume. On average, 165 million shares
changed hands on the stock-trading venue in 1989, up from
18.6 million shares in 1975, the year Mr. Phelan was named vice
chairman of the exchange.
He was the driving force behind the NYSE's development of the
communications, data processing and trading support systems
that at that time constituted one of the most extensive
privately-owned computer complexes in the world.
Tánaiste Brian Lenihan Snr. presents one of the 1990 Council Student Work
Experience Scholarships to Aedeen Whitty from Dublin City University, then
a Chemistry under-graduate who was heading that year to work in New
Jersey with Schering-Plough Corporation.
Mr. Phelan was also a well-known figure on New York's business
scene and was associated with the securities industry and the
NYSE for more than three decades. He served as chairman of the
Presidential Board of Advisors on Private Sector Initiatives from
1986 to 1989. The board advised President Ronald Reagan on
how to involve businesses, associations, communities and
individuals in developing local initiatives to find private
solutions to public issues.
U.S. Ambassador Richard Moore (brother of former Ambassador and a
Council Founder John D.J. Moore) with Tánaiste Brian Lenihan Snr. and
John Phelan.
20
Save the
Date
In his position as Council President, Mr. Phelan led a
delegation of Council members and directors on a trip to
Ireland in May 1990, during which he made presentations of
Council Student Work Experience Scholarships to students from
universities in Ireland, north and south.
Thanks to
our sponsor:
Timeline: May 1990; Dublin Ireland: Then-Council President John Phelan
was seen with IDA Ireland's Kieran McGowan (last year's Council Honoree
for Outstanding Achievement) and Brian Lenihan Snr. who at the time was
Ireland's Tánaiste and Minister for Defence.
Book and Pay Online at
www.irelanduscouncil.com
Please join Ernst & Young in applauding
the outstanding efforts of Dr. T. Pearse Lyons in
building the business relationship between
America and Ireland. Cheers!
2012 Student Work Experience Scholarships
2012 Student Scholarships
Program Is Council’s
29th Year Presenting
Work Experience Awards
In New York
• Cathal O’Neill hails from Doonass,
Clonlara, Co. Clare and is studying for
a Bachelor of Business Studies degree
in Accounting and Finance at the
University of Limerick. He worked in
the New York offices of Global Excess
Partners.
• Andrew Winterbotham is from Dublin
• Claire Molony is a native of Lusk,
• Siobhan Murphy, who is a native of
T
he 2012 Ireland-U.S. Council Scholarships Program
was celebrated at an awards lunch held at The
Metropolitan Club in New York on June 14 this
year. Students from colleges in Ireland, North and South,
attended and were presented with their bursary checks and
framed award citations.
Seen at the event with two of this year’s student scholars were (from left)
Council President, Dennis Swanson; Ciaran Breen from Queen’s University
Belfast, whose assignment was at Prudential Financial in Jersey City;
Siobhan Murphy, who is studying for a Bachelor of Science degree in
Chemistry at University College Cork and worked with Pfizer, Inc. in
New York City; and Noel Kilkenny, Ireland’s Consul-General in New York.
Council President Dennis D. Swanson, in announcing
details of this year’s scholarship awards, said "We are again
delighted to announce details of the Council’s scholarships
for this year. We have operated this successful and
admired Scholarship Awards program for the past 29 years.”
Skerries, County Dublin and is a student at
Dublin City University where she is pursuing
a degree in Genetics & Cell Biology. Claire
traveled to New Jersey to take up her work
assignment at Council member-firm
Johnson & Johnson.
and is enrolled at Trinity College Dublin
studying for a Bachelor of Arts degree in
Economics having finished his third year
of the four-year degree course. He
traveled to New York City to take up his
appointment to work at Mutual of
America in New York.
Abbeyfeale, County Limerick, is studying
for a Bachelor of Science degree in
Chemistry (Biological and Chemical
Sciences) at University College Cork.
She worked with Pfizer, Inc. in
New York City.
The 2012 student scholars traveled to the United States
and all have completed their work assignments in
American corporations. The scholarships provide work
assignments linked to the fields of study and academic
disciplines which the undergraduate scholars are pursuing
in Ireland. Typically, the Council's scholarship candidates
• Ciaran Breen who hails from Lurgan,
County Armagh is studying for a
Bachelor of Science degree in
Actuarial Science and Risk Management
in Queen’s University Belfast. He
worked at Prudential Financial in
Jersey City.
24
Our humble quarters: The lunch was staged in the elegant
surroundings of The Library at The Metropolitan Club.
• Donal Finegan is a native of Carrickmacross, County Monaghan and is a
student at University College Dublin where
he is pursuing a degree in Chemical
Engineering. He is currently also pursued
extra-curricular studies for a semester at
the University of California (Santa Barbara)
and traveled to New Jersey to take up his
work assignment at Council member-firm
Merck & Co.
• Yang Weijie, whose home is in Galway,
was chosen by University College Galway to
participate as a Council Scholar this year.
He is in the third year of his studies
pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in
Business Information Systems in the J.E.
Cairnes School of Business & Economics at
the National University of Ireland Galway. He traveled to
New York City where he worked in the World Headquarters of
News Corporation.
25
2012 Scholarships
are undergraduate university students in their next-to-final
or junior year of college – usually, the third year of their
four-year bachelors' study programs.”
President Swanson noted “The Council is delighted to
partner on this program with Fordham University for
those Council Scholars based in New York City. These
Council scholars are accommodated in the residence halls
of the Lincoln Center campus of the college during their
time staying in Manhattan. We thank Council member
Dr. John Kezel, Dean of Students at Fordham University
for his enthusiastic and always-generous support of the
Council’s Program.”
“Through this Council program, we aim to highlight the
excellent educational infrastructure which has been
developed throughout the island of Ireland. Universities
in Ireland, North and South, participate. This year
colleges in Cork, Belfast, Dublin, Galway and Limerick
are represented in the program", Mr. Swanson noted.
President Swanson with Council Board Member Peter Hooper, Chairman of the
New York Stock Exchange-quoted The New Ireland Fund, Inc..
26
Ciara Nolan of Global Excess Partners and colleague Terry Loesel with Council
Scholar Cathal O’Neill from the University of Limerick.
Team Pfizer: Carmel Keane with Council Scholar Siobhan Murphy and
Niall Condon.
Consul-General Noel Kilkenny with Dublin City University scholar Claire Molony
accepting her citation from President Swanson.
Mutual of America Council Scholar Andrew Winterbotham from Trinity College
Dublin with Mutual of America’s Tom Harwood; Mike Conway and Tanisha Cash.
John Fox of Prudential Financial with Council Board Member Cillian Ó Brádaigh
of Morgan Stanley.
Board Members All: Council National Secretary Jim Adrian; Peter Hooper;
Cillian Ó Brádaigh; and Dublin-based Michael Greene of A&L Goodbody.
Fordham University’s Dean John Kezel and Mary Shelley with Consul-General
Noel Kilkenny.
Annalise Stack, who is the Program Administrator for the Council’s
Scholarships effort, pictured with 2012 Council Scholar, Claire Molony.
Council Board Member Bill Finneran is a generous benefactor of this
year’s Scholarships Program.
27
2012 Scholarships
Our 2012 Student Scholars recount
their experiences.
Claire Molony - Dublin City University
My internship experience with the
Ireland US council and Janssen Biologic
s
Ltd. will be one of the most memorab
le
experiences of my life. Not only did I
gain invaluable experience in my field
but I also met life-long friends as well
as business connections. My work
experience was with Janssen Biologic
s Ltd. in Malvern,
Pennsylvania. This is a biopharmaceutical
company that
specializes in Remicade production –
a drug that targets
plaque psoriasis, crohn’s disease and
rheumatoid arthritis.
Not only did I learn more about the drug
production
process and necessary lab techniques,
I also learned a
range of skills such as good documentatio
n practises,
teamwork and useful communication
skills
However, the experience was not limited
to the lab. There
were many events during the summer
that provided me
with a deeper insight into the American
culture and to
new ways of thinking. This would inclu
de events such as a
barbeque for the 4th of July, numerou
s trips around the
country and even joining the company
volleyball team.
There was a lot to be learned from the
other American
students, in contrast to Irish students
, the interns in
Pennsylvania were very involved with
the company, such
as organizing meetings to come up with
innovative and
creative ideas to improve different aspe
cts of the
company. Their eagerness and confiden
ce is something I
brought home with me and I look forw
ard to seeing them
again in the future.
With the scholarship luncheon in New
York City, the
roadtrips around the country and of cour
se the high level
lab experience, there is no doubt that
this was one of the
most extraordinary experiences of my
life and I wish all
the future scholars the best of luck.
28
Yang Weijie - University College Galway
I arrived at New York in early June, just
before my first day at News Corporation.
Despite the stress and lassitude from
the
travel, I was amazed by the city of New
York and impressed by the first-day
activities arranged by News Corp. Ther
e
were many other interns at News Corp
who started on the same day as I did,
of which I met
around 30 at the orientation on the first
day and
hundreds more during my internship.
While on the
program in News Corporation in New York
, I lived in
student dormitory of Fordham Universit
y, sharing a room
with an American student and another
Irish student from
Trinity College Dublin on the same prog
ram lived in the
other room of the apartment.
I worked on a new information system
implementation
team with 6 other team members, all
of whom worked
from different locations, so all meeting
s were held
through conference call. My superviso
r who was also
the project manager worked from hom
e as well, we
communicated with each other mainly
through IM and
phone. During the first few days, I was
given documents
about the project to familiarise myself
with it, and then I
was given tasks on detecting and solv
ing database issues.
I finished my work there in August. But,
in addition to
my work, I made many American frien
ds and we had a lot
of fun together. It was a truly amazing
, memorable and
best summer for me and a treasure to
my career and life.
If not for the Ireland-U.S. Council scho
larships program,
none of those would have happened.
Ciaran Breen - Queens University Belf
ast
I was placed in the Global Business and
Technology Solutions department of
Prudential Financial in Newark, New
Jersey this year.
This was the first time that I had been
across the pond to America so I was
very excited to be able to avail of the
opportunity that
was provided to me by the Ireland-US
Council scholarship
program. Aside from having a few worr
ies about whether
or not I would get the VISA through in
time, I arrived
safely in the USA and was able to navi
gate my way to
Fordham University’s Lincoln campus,
where we were put
up for the summer. I had a few days to
settle in to the
apartments, which were great, and to
get to grips with
my surroundings in the city before the
Council lunch to
welcome and present us with our scho
larship certificates.
It was a great day and a great opportun
ity to not only
meet the other scholarship recipients,
but to meet with
some of the Council members and find
out a bit about
their career paths and how they had achi
eved so much.
And had Ireland managed to not get stuf
fed by Spain it
might have been a perfect day.
Work began the next week so I made
my first trip out
to Newark and found my way to Prudenti
al’s building on
Washington Street. I was introduced to
my team and
the rest of the department and very quic
kly thrown into
the work. I have to say that the peop
le I was working
with were some of the best and I thor
oughly enjoyed my
time in work. While at Prudential, I was
part of their
Summer Internship program so there were
a large group
of people my age all interning together
in different parts
of the business. This was great as ther
e was always any
opportunity to socialise or go and do
something for lunch
or after work.
Before I had to head home, I had a wee
k off to do all the
touristy stuff around the city and even
managed to sneak in
a trip out to Long Island and the Hampton
s for a weekend.
I was sad to have to go home in the end.
I had an
absolutely fantastic summer and have
to thank the
Ireland-US Council for making it all poss
ible. I would also
like to thank everyone in Prudential for
all their help and
for an enjoyable summer of work (if that
’s possible!)
Cathal O’Neill - University of Limerick
First of all, I would like to express my
sincere gratitude to the Ireland-US
Council, the University of Limerick and
Global Excess Partners for giving me this
unique opportunity. Never in my wildest
dreams did I think that, at 21 I would
get the opportunity to live and work
in
Midtown Manhattan for 12 weeks! The
entire experience,
from the first correspondence in Marc
h to my final day
working at Global Excess Partners has
been immensely
enjoyable and exciting.
I arrived in New York at the start of June
and was
immediately taken aback by the buzz
and atmosphere in
the city. I was staying at Fordham Univ
ersity at the
Lincoln Center Campus. The accommo
dation was perfect,
conveniently located to some of the main
attractions of
New York- Central Park, Columbus Circl
e, Times Square and
5th Avenue were all within walking dist
ance. I was lucky
to be sharing the apartment with anot
her Ireland-US
Council Scholar, two Chinese students
and one American,
so it was multicultural to say the leas
t!
Obviously the main purpose of these awa
rds is to allow
students to experience the corporate
culture of New York.
Working at Global Excess Partners was
fantastic. Each
member of the staff was so helpful and
friendly and made
me feel welcome as soon as I set foot
inside the door.
I worked primarily as an assistant to
the underwriters at
the firm with daily tasks. However, they
were always
willing to share advice and give an insig
ht into the
insurance industry and I will be forever
grateful for that.
After 12 weeks working in the offices,
meeting clients
and working alongside the different mem
bers of staff, I
can definitely say that is has been an
incredibly beneficial
experience. If anything, it has definite
ly led me to
developing a hunger to come back to
New York in the
near future to progress my career!
29
2012 Scholarships
Donal Finegan - University College Dub
lin
My name is Donal Finegan and I’m a fina
l
year Chemical Engineering student in
University College Dublin. I was a 2012
recipient of the Ireland-US Council work
scholarship. Upon receiving an Ireland
based Summer intern position with one
of the most pre-eminent pharmaceuti
cal
companies in the world, Merck, the Irela
nd-US Council
work scholarship further developed the
work opportunity
by introducing the possibility of work
ing in the United
States. The scholarship provided me with
the chance to
work at one of Merck’s largest research
and production
sites in the United States and former com
pany headquarters
in Rahway, New Jersey.
By having such financial support from
the Ireland-US
Council, travelling expense was not an
issue. The IrelandUS Council collaborates closely with Merc
k’s Future Talent
Program to recruit aspiring students from
all over the
United Sates and indeed the world. It
is imperative to
the Ireland-US Council that the Scholars
receive the best
possible experience in their designated
work areas.
Merck’s Future Talent program was a high
ly-organized
and beneficial experience. Working with
the Chemical
Process Development and Commercializ
ation Department
I undertook an associated chemical engi
neering project
which incorporated a high degree of tech
nical and
management responsibility. Achieving
research goals
throughout the internship was of sign
ificant importance
to the Research and Manufacturing divis
ion and the
company as a whole. During the internsh
ip there were a
number of day outings to different man
ufacturing and
administrative sites around New Jersey.
Discovering the functionalities of one
of the leading
pharmaceutical research companies was
a truly eyeopening experience. The Ireland-US Coun
cil work
Scholarship promoted an active networki
ng environment
between recipients and their peers. I’ve
made a number
of life-long friends with whom I will likel
y collaborate in
future. The travel and industrial experien
ce will certainly
stand to me in future as I continue into
a graduate
research position over the coming year
.
30
Siobhan Murphy - University College Cork
Working at Pfizer Inc in New York as part
of the Ireland-US Council scholarship
was
an amazing experience and undoubtedly
the best summer I’ve had. New York
really is the centre of everything, and a
very different experience to working in
Ireland. Being in the Pfizer headquarters
was really eye-opening as I got to see
how the company
operates on a global scale, and how vario
us issues are
dealt with by the different teams.
I was very fortunate to be working with
a wonderful group
of people who were so welcoming, frien
dly and helpful,
and did their best to give me a variety
of work and see as
much as possible. Seeing one of Pfize
r’s manufacturing
plants and research and development
facilities made me
aware of the scale of production and the
different techniques and resources required for may
be just one pharmaceutical!
What I found most interesting was hear
ing about my colleagues’ backgrounds and their career
progressions, which
were all quite different, and really mad
e me aware of the
diverse opportunities open to a science
graduate.
It was really great to see the business
side of science, as
that is something that I feel we don’t
hear about in college, and I have definitely learned som
e valuable skills
that will be of utmost importance in any
future career.
I gained great insight and independence
during my time
in New York, and it is definitely a plac
e I would like to return to. You really cannot get a better
location and there
is such a wonderful mixture of cultures
and activities so
there is always something to do.
I would highly recommend this program.
I really was
pinching myself that I was in the Big
Apple and have definitely come home with a new perspect
ive, great advice
and wonderful memories.
Andrew Winterbotham - Trinity Colle
ge Dub
lin
This past summer I was fortunate to be
awarded a scholarship by the Ireland-U
.S.
Council to live and work in New York City.
I
spent the summer interning in Mutual
of
America on Park Avenue and stayed in
the
McMahon residence Hall at Fordham Univ
ersity at Lincoln Center.
The fact that I was able to live in Man
hattan was a huge
plus. I lived a mere 25-minute walk from
my workplace and
the walk through Manhattan every day
never got old. The
social aspect of living in Manhattan was
also fantastic. Both
the students in Fordham and the othe
r interns at Mutual of
America were most friendly. In fact, one
of the greatest
benefits from this summer was the amo
unt of contacts I
made. There really always is something
to do in Manhattan
and I can honestly say that there was
never a dull moment
this summer.
I worked in the corporate finance depa
rtment of Mutual of
America. More specifically, I worked in
the Mutual Fund
pricing division as a junior fund accounta
nt. I was given the
daily task of calculating the Net Asset
Value (NAV) or price
of four mutual funds held by Mutual of
America. Other tasks
included making cash applications, upda
ting databases and
creating spreadsheets summarising key
information about
various funds, which were then presente
d at departmental
meetings.
What was most striking for me was the
amount of responsibility
I was given. I had previously heard of
internships where the
interns simply got coffee for their boss
es, photocopied and
filed all day and I was somewhat expe
cting this to be the
case. However, in actuality, I carried out
the same work as
the full time fund accountants and was
considered a valuable
member of the team. In addition, I was
taken aback by how
friendly and helpful everyone in the com
pany was.
I found the various intern training work
shops to be very
insightful. The interns were also spoken
to by several senior
members of the company, including the
CEO, president and
chairman Tom Moran, a highly inspirati
onal figure. I know of
no other internships where the interns
actually get to meet
the CEO of the company.
On a final note, I would like to take this
opportunity to
thank the Ireland-U.S. Council for prov
iding this scholarship.
It gives Irish students a once in a lifet
ime chance to live and
work in New York City, which holds so
much currency and
prestige. For me personally it was both
a very enjoyable and
informative experience, so much so that
my ambition is to go
back to New York to work. I can definite
ly say that I have
grown as a person as a result.
Flashback 1999 Student
Scholarships Program
Memory Lane: Then-Council President
Michael J. Roarty pictured with the
1999 Council Scholars at the Awards
Lunch which was held at The 21 Club
in New York. The back-row gents were
(from left) Brian Kennelly, John Mason,
Kevin Butler and Ronan Johnson.
Front row ladies were Tara Jennings,
Jean O'Donoghue, Janice Cargo and
Clare Ann McKinney.
31
Protiviti Is Proud to Sponsor the
Ireland-U.S. Council 50th Annual Dinner
and
Congratulates Dr. T. Pearse Lyons,
2012 Award for Outstanding Achievement
John and Christine Reilly are proud to
support the Ireland-U.S. Council and
we congratulate this year’s honoree
and recipient of the Award for
Outstanding Achievement,
Dr. T. Pearse Lyons,
Founder & President,
Alltech, Inc.
www.squiresanders.com
Protiviti is a global consulting firm that helps companies solve problems in finance, technology, operations,
governance, risk and internal audit. Through our network of more than 70 offices in over 20 countries, we
have served more than 35 percent of FORTUNE® 1000 and Global 500 companies. We also work with smaller,
growing companies, including those looking to go public, as well as with government agencies.
To learn more about Protiviti, please visit us at protiviti.com.
Council’s 2012 Winter Meeting in Florida
Seeking Signs of
Economic Renewal
W
e were hunting for signs of economic renewal at
this year’s Council Winter Meeting held in Palm
Beach, Florida from February 16 thru 18, 2012.
The Council heard remarks from a keynote speaker whose
recent investment in Ireland presages, perhaps, a renewal
of economic fortunes in the Emerald Isle.
The program of business and social events included
remarks by Wilbur Ross, the Chairman & CEO of W.L.
Ross & Co. which is a leading investor in a group that has
purchased a 35% stake in Bank of Ireland Group for $1.5
billion. The deal reduced the Government of Ireland’s
holding from 42.1% to 15.1% and keeps Bank of Ireland
outside majority State ownership.
Wilbur L. Ross, Jr. is known for restructuring troubled
companies in industries such as steel, coal,
telecommunications, foreign investment and textiles.
He has specialized in leveraged buyouts and distressed
businesses. Born in Weehawken, New Jersey, he attended
the Catholic Xavier High School in Manhattan. He received
a Bachelor of Arts degree from Yale College and later
earned his M.B.A. at Harvard Business School.
W.L. Ross & Co., which he founded in 2000, is
acknowledged as one of the world's leading turnaround
groups. His experience in distressed securities dates back
to 1976 when he led the worldwide bankruptcy advisory
practice at Rothschild Inc. For over a decade, he assisted in
restructuring more than $200 billion in liabilities in major
corporate restructurings and bankruptcies in North America.
Dennis D. Swanson, Council President, said “This is our
twentieth year to host a Winter Meeting in Palm Beach
for our Council members in the United States and in
Ireland. It is an annual event that has become very
popular with the membership in the organization. We
are delighted to have such a distinguished speaker as
Wilbur Ross on our Council platform and we very much
look forward to hearing his remarks.”
Mr. Swanson added “The Council coordinates the dates
with other Irish-American groups such as the American
Ireland Fund, the Irish Georgian Society and others. This
34
Guest Speaker Wilbur Ross.
Our Opening Night celebration at the spectacular home of Council Board Member, Bill Finneran.
means that we have a very special calendar of activities
with a critical mass of Ireland-related events one month
ahead of St. Patrick’s Day. This year, the Council was
pleased to have an opening-night dinner party on
Wednesday, February 15 hosted at the oceanfront home
of Council Board Member William C. Finneran and a
closing-night cruise on Friday, February 17 aboard the
motor yacht of Council member William B. Mahoney of
the Fort Lauderdale firm of Mahoney & Associates – a
leader in the field of health and benefits plans.”
This year’s Winter Meeting also featured golf at our usual
excellent venue at Mayacoo Lakes Country Club. This was
well-attended and, unlike 2011, we had splendid Florida
weather to enjoy.
Jack Murphy and Council National Secretary Jim Adrian.
Our hostess Carol Rohrig and University College Cork’s Jean Law.
35
2012 Winter Meeting
The most genial of hosts: Bill Finneran and Carol Rohrig.
Mary Boyle, Suzanne & Bob Wright and Peter Boyle.
Eddie Dowling, Susan Davis, Michael White and Bill Colbert.
Winners Alright! Michael Brewster, Pat Donaghy, Pat Walsh and
Peter Finnegan
Roy Adair and Len O’Hagan of the Belfast Harbour Commissioners with Mary Hanlon, Patty Cunningham of United Airlines and Brian Stack of
CIE Tours International.
John Fitzsimons and Ed Burns, Sr.
36
The Council Golf Event is held each year in memory of the late, great Fred
Mahony. Council President-Emeritus Mike Gibbons talks about Fred and his
involvement with the Council over many years at the post-golf gathering.
Eddie Dowling, Susan Davis and Brian Stack.
Marge Duffy and Jim Normile.
The Most-Colorful Duo: Carol Rohrig and Cynthia Gibbons
37
2012 Winter Meeting
Eddie Dowling is pleased to join in Congratulating
Dr. T. Pearse Lyons on Receiving the Council's 2012
Award for Outstanding Achievement
Paul Haran, Loretta Brennan Glucksman and Tony Condon.
Wilbur Ross and Trinity College Dublin’s Mary Apied.
We are proud Supporters of the Ireland-U.S. Council
Council President Dennis Swanson presents guest Speaker Wilbur Ross with
a token of the Council’s appreciation.
Florida Council member Bill Murphy and his wife Patricia.
Florida Council member Michael and his wife Peggy with New Jersey Council
member Anthony Callaghan.
David McCourt and Mary Bryant McCourt.
38
The
Padded
Wagon
“Specialists in the
Fine Art of Moving”
USA Main Office:
163 Exterior Street,
Bronx, NY 10451
Tel: (212) 222-4880 or (718) 585-9444
www.paddedwagon.com
49th Annual Dinner in New York
locations in 35 countries. The company has built a
substantial presence in the United States employing
33,000 people in 44 states at over 1,600 operating
locations throughout the country.
Honoring Kieran
McGowan, Chairman of
Ireland’s largest company –
CRH plc & Former Chief
Executive of IDA Ireland
He had also served as a senior executive of Ireland’s
Industrial Development Agency for many years and was
its Chief Executive from 1990 thru 1998, a crucial time
during which great success was achieved in attracting
American industrial capital into Ireland.
W
e had a pair of star attractions at the Council’s
49th Annual Dinner held at our usual venue of
the Metropolitan Club in New York City on
Thursday, November 10, 2011. Many keen supporters of
Kieran McGowan were in attendance to acknowledge and
hail the Council’s recipient of the 2011 Award for
Outstanding Achievement.
And, the other exciting magnet for Council members and
their guests was Ireland’s equivalent of the Vince Lombardi
Trophy, the elegant Sam Maguire Cup, brought to New
York by members of the All-Ireland Gaelic Football
Champion Dublin team – a visit that was sponsored by
Council member-company Aer Lingus.
The introduction of the Guest of Honor was made by
Dinner Chairman and Council Vice President, Diarmuid
Hogan, Chief Executive of Global Excess Partners, who
remarked that “We in this Council are extraordinarily
pleased to recognize the substantial contributions made by
Kieran McGowan during his impressive career in both the
public sector and in private business in building connections
Seen at the presentation of the Council’s Award for Outstanding Achievement
were (from left) Noel Kilkenny, Ireland’s Consul General in New York; Council
President Dennis D. Swanson, President, Fox Television Stations Group; Honoree
Kieran McGowan and Diarmuid Hogan, Council Vice President and President of
Global Excess Partners who served as Dinner Chairman. The Sam Maguire Cup
was at the Council Dinner brought by members of the Dublin Gaelic Football
Team, whose visit to New York was sponsored by Aer Lingus.
between Ireland and the United States. Through his
leadership over many years, the economic and business
bonds between America and Ireland have been greatly
strengthened and enhanced. The members and directors
of the Council are delighted to honor such an outstanding
and worthy recipient with an award that is so welldeserved.”
Kieran McGowan, as chairman of CRH plc, Ireland’s
largest company, sits on the board of a diversified building
materials group that employs 75,000 people at 3,600
The ladies and gentlemen of the Council pictured in the Library of the Metropolitan Club at the close of the Council’s 49th Annual Meeting of Members and
Directors held just prior to the 2011 Annual Dinner.
40
Mr. McGowan’s tenure as Chief Executive at IDA Ireland
was successful and was marked by some bellwether and
important U.S. investment projects being won for Ireland
against the stiffest international competition. These
included the massive $6 billion technology campus
investment in County Kildare by Intel Corporation
announced in 1989 for the site of a 360-acre former stud
farm – an investment that made it the most technologicallyadvanced industrial location in Europe.”
Mr. McGowan is also a board member of Elan Corporation
plc, a neuroscience-based biotechnology company
headquartered in Dublin, which has built a substantial
presence in the United States. In addition, he also serves
as a director of Charles Schwab Worldwide Funds, plc.
Mr. McGowan was also President of the Irish Management
Institute and has chaired the Governing Authority at
University College Dublin, Ireland’s largest university.
Council Board members Andy Ruane, John Kelly and John Nallen.
Chief Executive of Tommy Moloney’s Meats Bill Colbert, Siobhan Mullen, Taste
Design’s Kevin Fegan and Sheila Colbert.
The Chairman of the Belfast Harbour Commissioners Len O'Hagan with his wife
Maureen (left) and Loretta Brennan Glucksman, President of the American
Ireland Fund.
From the Royal Irish Academy of Music in Dublin Lorna Horan, Ciara Higgins,
Academy Director Deborah Kelleher and Dearbhla Brosnan.
41
49th Annual Dinner in New York
John Reilly of law firm Squire Sanders & Dempsey; Jack Foley of Aer Lingus;
Therese McCann of The Golf Channel and Joe Byrne of Tourism Ireland.
Aer Lingus’ Jack Foley and Helen Maguire.
Ireland’s Ambassador to the United Nations Anne Anderson, Council Board
Member Cillian O’Brádaigh and Irish Radio’s Áine Sheridan.
Aer Lingus' Jack Foley with the Dublin Gaelic Football team contingent.
Mrs. Gerry Murphy, Ita Lynch, Colman Lynch, Jessica Henshaw and
Catherine Conlon.
42
Mezzo-soprano and Council favorite Naomi O’Connell entertained the
gathering with a splendid performance.
Virtuoso violinist Róisín Walters performed a Vivaldi concerto from The Four
Seasons quartet of concertos.
Mutual of America’s Ed Kenney with Janet Knox and Concern Worldwide’s
Dominic MacSorley.
Nicola Parish, Hanora O’Dea Kilkenny and Natalia Schwien.
Ambassador Anne Anderson with Mary Hanafin.
Áine and Eddie Dowling of The Padded Wagon.
Team Pfizer: Niall Condon, John Scott with Council Board-member MacDara
Lynch.
43
Council’s Spring Corporate Lunch in Dublin
Gerald C. Crotty is a long-time Council member and
serves on the Council’s Board of Directors in the United
States. From 1991 to 1998, he held various executive
positions with ITT Corporation and its affiliates, including
President and Chief Operating Officer of ITT Consumer
Financial Corporation and Chairman, President and
Chief Executive Officer of ITT Communications and
Information Services. Earlier in his career, Crotty served as
Counsel, and later as Secretary, to the Governor of the
State of New York.
Featuring A Double-Bill
Speaker Roster Focusing
on Energy
T
he Spring Corporate Lunch hosted by the Council
was held Thursday, May 3, 2012 at Dublin’s Four
Seasons Hotel and featured a powerful double-bill
Guest Speaker platform with a clear focus on the
important and topical subject of energy.
Ireland’s Minister for Communications, Energy & Natural
Resources, Pat Rabbitte, TD addressed the group. Also
appearing at the speaker’s podium at the Council lunch
was Council Board Member and successful U.S.-based
businessman Gerald C. Crotty, President of Weichert
Enterprise, LLC, a private equity investment firm. Mr. Crotty
is also Chairman and CEO of Mayo Renewable Power,
sponsor of a proposed €150 million ($200 million) new, stateof-the-art bio-mass electricity generating station in Mayo.
Pat Rabbitte has been Minister for Communications,
Energy and Natural Resources in the Government of
Ireland since March, 2011. He is currently a member of
Ireland’s Parliament (Dáil Éireann) serving the Dublin
South–West constituency. He was the leader of the
Labour Party from October 2002 to August 2007. He is a
native of Claremorris, County Mayo. He was educated at
St Colman's College, Claremorris and graduated from
University College Galway, where he studied English.
Peter Legge and Dr. Pat O'Donoghue.
44
The President of the Council in New York, Dennis D.
Swanson said “The Council was delighted to host a
luncheon with two such important speakers focusing
on the important topic of energy. As Minister with
responsibility for the energy portfolio, Pat Rabbitte has
assumed his crucial Cabinet responsibilities in Ireland’s
Government at a particularly challenging time. He
added “We were also very pleased to welcome such a
distinguished speaker from the United States who is such
a great friend of Ireland and of the Council. The Mayo
energy project which he champions is a bellwether
American investment in a vital sector of Ireland’s economy
and is being undertaken at an extremely important and
very timely juncture in Ireland-U.S. business relations.”
Ireland’s Minister for Energy & Communications, Pat Rabbitte TD was a
guest speaker.
The Mayo Power team: Anne Walsh, Szymon Krawczewki, Pat Carney and
Antonia Gaughran.
David Byrne, Roddy Feely and George Doonan.
Dr. Michael Somers with United Airlines' Bob Schumacher.
Joanne Davidson with PJ Rudden and Callista Fitzpatrick.
Gerry Murphy from Enterprise Ireland with Stephen Masterson, Aidan Smyth
and Tom O’Connor.
45
Council’s Spring Lunch
Seen at the Council's Spring Corporate Lunch at The Four Seasons Hotel were (from left) Pauline Keogh, Marjut Ellis, Rosie Clancy, Linda O'Shea-Farren,
Theresa Lowe and Nicola Byrne.
The U.S. Embassy's Finola Cunningham, Brian Hughes of United Airlines,
Dr. Stephen Anderson and Aoife Gregg also of United Airlines.
Council Board Member and Guest Speaker at the event Jerry Crotty of Mayo
Power, Bob Schumacher of United Airlines and Dr. Stephen Anderson of the
U.S. Embassy.
If we ’re n ot o n y ou r
sh o rt li st y ou ’re n ot
a im in g hig h e n ou g h.
8Yle[XekkXc\ek#[i`m\#Zi\Xk`m`kp%@kkXb\j\okiXhlXc`k`\jkfY\Xe
\oZ\gk`feXcg\i]fid\i%HlXc`k`\jpflj_Xi\Xe[Xggi\Z`Xk\%
Efik_\ie@i\cXe[_XjXcck_i\\Xe[dfi\%@kËjn_pn\Ëi\fe\f]k_\
jdXik\jkYlj`e\jjcfZXk`fejfek_\nfic[jkX^\%8[[jlg\iY`e]iXjkilZkli\#
\[lZXk`feXcXkkX`ed\ekXe[cfnZfjkjXe[n\Ëi\Xkil\Xcc$ifle[\i%
:`k`^iflg#C`Y\ikpDlklXc#;Xejb\9XebXe[K_\8ccjkXk\:figfiXk`feXi\\eafp`e^
k_\X[mXekX^\j%PflZXekff%KXcbkfg\fgc\Xjkle\[kfjlZZ\jjXjpflXi\%
=fidfi\jdXiki\XjfejkfZ_ffj\Efik_\ie@i\cXe[#ZfekXZk
@em\jkEfik_\ie@i\cXe[
E\nPfibK\Xd
k1)().+)0/)*
\1e\npfib7`em\jke`%Zfd
Jerry Crotty with Minister Pat Rabbitte and Dr. Michael Somers, President of
the Council's Chapter in Ireland.
Cathy Doody, Dr. Michael Casey with Freda and Colin Hayes.
nnn%`em\jke`%Zfd&cfZXk\
46
smart at work
December Member-Guest Reception in Dublin
Featuring Man-in-the-News
Minister for Finance
Michael Noonan
L
ast December in Dublin, the Council hosted its
Annual Member-Guest Reception with a keynote
speaker from a public figure who had been rarely
out of the news headlines last year.
Ireland’s Minister for Finance, Michael Noonan TD gave
a positive and quite upbeat account of Ireland’s ongoing
campaign to fix the Government Budget and restore order
to its public finances.
Three of the Council’s 2011 Student Scholars also attended the event – they
were Jane Starr, Damien Small and Maria Gormally.
Council Board Member Nicola Byrne and colleague Pauline Keogh with fellowCouncil member Ken Healy of Barberstown Castle.
Joanne Kelly, Stephen Mullin and Síle McHugh.
Council Board member Marie O’Connor of PwC (second from left) was there
with Patrick King, Chief Executive of The Doyle Collection hotel group,
colleague Miriam Kinsella, and David Kelly, Aer Lingus Marketing Director.
Michael Greene the U.S. Embassy’s John Hennessey-Niland, Dr. Michael Somers
and Gerard Lawless.
Council Board member Joanne Davidson and Dr. Jennifer Haddow.
In his remarks, Minister Noonan noted that “Since the
Council was founded in 1962 to support the development
of business links between America and Ireland in
anticipation of John F. Kennedy’s visit to Ireland the
following year, much good work has been done in fostering
a close working relationship that has been of great benefit
to Ireland and indeed to the United States.”
The President of the Council’s Ireland Chapter, Dr.
Michael Somers, made a presentation to Minister Noonan
as a memento of his visit with Council members in
Dublin.
Student Maria Gormally with John Hennessey-Niland from the U.S. Embassy, Jane Starr, Damien Small, Dr. Michael Somers and Ekaterina Andonova from the
University of Limerick.
48
Council Board member Martiena Milton (right) with Ms. Phil Carew (left) and
Richard Holfeld.
Brendan Cahill and Brendan Browne.
49
December Member-Guest Reception in Dublin
Michael Noonan TD
Ireland’s Minister for Finance
Text of Remarks by Minister for Finance
Mr. Michael Noonan, T.D.
At the Council’s Member-Guest Reception
in Dublin, December 2011
Introduction
Guest Speaker - Ireland's Minister for Finance, Michael Noonan, TD
Joe Gavin of Xcelerate Marketing Services, Aidan Smyth, Brona Mozjisova and
Gerard Tannam, both of Islandbridge Brand Development.
The Tiffany Crystal Apple handover: Board members Aidan Smyth and Brendan
Cahill with Minister Noonan and the U.S. Embassy’s Commercial Attaché Dr.
Stephen Anderson with Dr. Michael Somers.
Cyril Kelly, Pat Brady and Roddy Feely.
I am delighted to be here today to speak at your festive
get-together, which celebrates the strong business links
our two countries share. I know your Council will celebrate
its 50th Anniversary next year. Since the Council was
founded in 1962, to support the development of business
links between America and Ireland in anticipation of John
F. Kennedy’s visit to Ireland the following year, much good
work has been done in fostering a close working relationship
that has been of great benefit to Ireland and indeed to
the United States.
This commitment to strengthening our ties has never been
more important than it is today. From my many trips to
the States, I can personally vouch that the welcome I, as
an Irish person, receive is always humbling and last May
shows that we reciprocate this level of hospitality to our
American friends. Organisations such as the Ireland-U.S.
Council ensure that the historic links that unite our two
countries are built upon to advance business, economic
and commercial interests.
To this end, the Council organizes numerous events in
Ireland and in the United States. Opportunities for
scholarship and student internship programs are to be
welcomed and will further develop the close Irish-U.S.
bond amongst the next generation.
Michael Somers, Minister Noonan, Council Board member Andy Ruane with
David O’Sullivan.
50
Council Board Member Aidan Smyth, Managing Director of Labplan, a sponsor
of the evening’s festivities.
Irish people recognise and appreciate the important role
that U.S. companies play in Ireland’s attempts to return
to sustainable economic growth. The U.S. is the single
largest source of Foreign Direct Investment to Ireland with
approximately 600 companies employing 100,000 people
directly in sectors as diverse as Financial Services,
Technology, Digital Media, Consumer and Business Services
and Life Sciences. These figures emphasise the vital
importance of Ireland’s relationship with the U.S., and
the Government is committed to strengthening this
relationship for the benefit of both of our countries.
Over the past forty-nine years the Ireland-U.S. Council
has played an extremely important role in helping to build
these business links and cement the long-standing
friendship between our two nations.
Economy
It is vital that this level of investment is maintained and
enhanced to support Ireland’s economic recovery over the
coming years. After 3 years of negative economic growth,
it now seems likely that Ireland will once again experience
positive growth.
My Budget last week estimated that economic growth this
year will be 1.0 per cent and 1.3 per cent next year. This
is a turn around that the Irish people have worked hard to
attain. Policies outlined by my colleague the Minster for
Public Expenditure and Reform and I earlier this month as
part of Budget 2012 aim to ensure that this hard won
progress will be maintained. We aim to provide a solid
foundation which will support sustainable growth into the
coming years. As I outlined on Budget Day, Ireland can
never return to the economy we had before the global
financial crisis that gripped us all in 2008. Activity was
too reliant on one sector, namely construction, and
unfortunately a large number of the jobs lost in this
sector cannot be recovered.
The reliance on domestic activity coincided with a large
deterioration in Ireland’s competitiveness position. However,
our competitiveness has improved dramatically since 2008
and is forecast to continue improving relative to our main
trading partners over the coming years. This is underpinned
by important structural reforms that will support Ireland’s
economic development into the years ahead.
Developments such as this show that Ireland must return
to its core strengths that served the country so well in the
51
December Member-Guest Reception in Dublin
late 1990s. A small country such as Ireland cannot rely on
domestic activity to drive its growth prospects. We must
continue to innovate and share with the world the abilities
of our young, hard-working and well-educated workforce.
My colleagues in Government will continue to ensure that
we maintain a business-friendly environment. Our belief is
that this strategy will provide jobs for our young people
and arrest the emigration flow of the upcoming generation
who are leaving Ireland to find work. Figures released
earlier this week highlight the task facing us as the
unemployment rate remains stubbornly high.
The Jobs Initiative that was launched last May represented
the first step of this Government’s ambition in improving
employment prospects. One of our key policies was reducing
VAT for services in the tourist sector. Ireland has much to
offer tourists from our scenic countryside, top-class golf
courses, hotels, cultural offerings and of course our Céad
mile fáilte that I’m sure you’re all accustomed to. The VAT
reduction allowed us to give some stimulus to the tourism
sector by reducing its cost base. My ministerial colleague
Mr. Richard Bruton TD, Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and
Innovation will be launching a follow up to the Jobs
Initiative with further proposals aimed at boosting the
labour market in the New Year.
All of you here today will be very aware of the sacrifices
being made by the Irish people in order to regain our
economic sovereignty. The Government is steadfast in its
commitment to return the public finances to a stable,
sustainable position by reducing the deficit to under 3
per cent by 2015. To meet this objective, difficult choices
have been made and will continue to be made. As part of
this objective, Budget 2012 introduced consolidation
measures totalling €3.8 billion to ensure we meet our
deficit target of 8.6 per cent of GDP. We have clearly
outlined that further consolidation will be required over
the next few years and are confident that this can be
achieved hand-in-hand with sustainable economic growth.
We have already been on the consolidation path since
2008 and have carried it into 2012. By end-2011, the
level of consolidation completed is €21 billion or the
equivalent of 13 per cent of GDP. It is important to
recognise that a large amount of the heavy lifting has
already been done.
52
Europe
The main risk to Ireland’s economic growth prospects and
indeed to much of the world’s growth prospects is the
continuing uncertainty over the European sovereign debt
crisis. I work very closely with my fellow Finance Ministers
at regular European meetings and I can tell you that there
is a firm commitment to deal with our problems. Ireland
has shown the way over the past year that with a sense of
purpose and a clearly defined strategy, it is possible for a
country to return to growth.
Along with other EU leaders, the Taoiseach was at the
EU Council meeting last week. Important progress was
made, both on firewalls and on budget discipline - two
key elements of the package for Ireland. Ireland has long
called for stronger and more convincing firewalls. The
headway that has been made is therefore welcome.
The entry into force of the ESM is now being brought
forward – the objective is now to have it in place by July
2012, a year early. It has been agreed that the overall
ceiling of the EFSF and ESM of €500 billion will also be
reviewed next March. Importantly, the requirement for PSI
is effectively being removed – again this is something
Ireland has long called for through various channels. It
was one of the specific issues that I have raised at ECOFIN
meetings and was repeated by An Taoiseach last week. The
Government is pleased that it has now been agreed. It is
very good news for countries like Ireland trying to get
back to the markets.
To further increase the firepower available, euro area and
other Member States will consider, and confirm within
days, the provision of additional resources for the IMF of
up to €200 billion ($270 billion), in the form of bilateral
loans, to ensure that the IMF has adequate resources to
deal with the crisis. We are looking forward to parallel
contributions from the international community. On
economic governance, we agreed to strengthen our rules
to ensure greater stability in the eurozone, building on
the Stability and Growth Pact. So, we are retrofitting the
monetary union with the necessary architecture. Euro
area Member States are committed, as a rule, not to run
structural deficits and will write such a provision into their
national law. If they do so, a Member State, in partnership
with the Commission, will have to engage in a process to
get back on track within a given timeframe. In that
context, my Department is already in the process of
drafting a Fiscal Responsibility Bill that will be published
in the first quarter of 2012.
Taxation
One of the issues that is important to all of us here today
is the international tax system. My Department works very
closely with our Embassy in Washington and the IDA in
ensuring our perspective is factored in to that discussion
in the Administration and Congress, and in monitoring
proposals as they emerge. I have undertaken networking
trips to the U.S. over the past year to meet with various
colleagues and to communicate clearly to them that
Ireland is making considerable progress in its economic
recovery efforts. I’ve also made it clear to the U.S. business
community Ireland’s absolute commitment to maintaining
the 12½ per cent Corporation Tax rate. This is a pledge I
have reiterated on many occasions to give absolute certainty
to the multinational sector who continue to invest and
create jobs in Ireland. While the package that Ireland
offers in respect of inward investment continues to be
very successful, we have endeavoured in Budget 2012 to
further improve Ireland’s offering so as to stimulate more
activity and create more jobs. As part of that strategy, I
am introducing a “Special Assignee Relief Programme”. This
policy will allow multinational and indigenous companies
to attract certain key personnel to Ireland to facilitate the
development and expansion of businesses in Ireland.
Garry Byrne, Kevin O'Loughlin, Andy Ruane and Roddy Feely.
Dr. Somers thanks Minister for Finance Noonan.
Conclusion
Ladies and gentlemen, in my comments today I have
referred to the indelible links that unite our two countries
and how those ties continue to play an important role
here and I’m sure in the U.S.. I have outlined Ireland’s
ambitions to recreate a successful economic strategy and
the challenges that face us. To date, Ireland has proven
itself more than capable in making difficult decisions that
will ultimately be to the benefit of all in Irish society.
Once again, I want to thank you for inviting me here
today and I wish you all a very Happy Christmas and a
prosperous New Year.
David Fanagan with Brian Goggin.
Thank you.
53
Goldman Sachs
is a proud sponsor of
The Ireland-U.S. Council
50th Annual Dinner.
© 2012 Goldman Sachs. All rights reserved.
St. Patrick’s Day Lunch in New York
2012 St. Patrick’s Festivities
Celebrated at Council
Lunch in New York
I
f St. Patrick’s Day is seen by many as the unofficial
end of Winter and as a rite of Spring, then the season
change was celebrated in great style as the Council
hosted a full house of members and guests to mark the
2012 St. Patrick’s festivities in New York.
The Government of Ireland was represented at the event
by Minister Joan Burton, whose Cabinet portfolio is the
Department of Social Protection. The Grand Marshal of
the St. Patrick’s Day Parade was Frank Comerford of
NBC Television.
Council Executive Director from Dublin Roddy Feely was there with his
grand-daughter Rebecca Feely.
Joanne Manley was there with Dublin Gift Company’s Craig Lowy, Jeaneen
Dwyer and Ellen Naughton.
2012 Grand Marshal of the New York St. Patrick’s Day Parade Francis X.
Comerford addresses the audience at the Council lunch.
Mike Gibbons, Bill Mahoney, Frank Comerford and Karla Nickell enjoyed
the occasion.
Lt. Cmdr. Eddie Mulligan of the Irish Naval Service Reserve with Col. James
C. Gonyo, Commanding Officer of The Fighting 69th Regiment and Comdt.
Gerry Jordan of the Irish Reserve Defence Force.
Tommy Moloney’s sausages are always a favorite.
Not a thorn among the Roses: Loyal Council member John Mahon among the
Roses from London, Texas and New York.
Roses on the Balcony: The Council lunch gathering was graced by the presence
of many of the 2012 contestants in the Rose of Tralee pageant.
President Dennis Swanson welcomed members and guests
of the Council to the Metropolitan Club for this annual
and traditional luncheon gathering in New York on the eve
of St. Patrick’s Day.
Their innovative and delightful mix of traditional Irish music
and new –age sound was a big hit with the audience as
Sephira, a music duo of sisters Joyce and Ruth O’Leary from
Ireland, provided a program of first-class entertainment.
Next year’s Council’s Saint Patrick’s Lunch is Friday,
March 15, 2013 in New York. Plan on joining us!
Sephira, the musical sister duo of Joyce and Ruth O’Leary, were a big hit.
56
57
St. Patrick’s Day Lunch in New York
The American Ireland Fund’s Loretta Brennan Glucksman with SDLP Leader
Alistair McDonnell and Council member Susan Davis from Washington DC.
Yvonne Shields and former Ambassador Consul General in New York
Tim O’Connor, who is now a member of the Council’s Ireland Chapter.
Brian Stack with Roses.
Irish Repertory Theatre’s Ciaran O’Reilly and Charlotte Moore.
Dennis Swanson with Guest Speaker Minister for Social Protection,
Joan Burton TD.
Ita and MacDara Lynch with Una Scally.
Council Treasurer and PwC partner Kieran Claffey (left) with Andy Ruane and
Tom Codd from PwC’s Dallas, Texas office.
Council President Swanson with Grand Marshal Frank Comerford.
U.S. Citizenship celebration: Joe Byrne of Tourism Ireland was with
America’s newest citizen at the lunch – Eugene Roddy had just been sworn
in as an American citizen and came straight to the Council lunch with his
wife and Council Board member Rhianna Quinn-Roddy.
Frank Comerford with his wife Maura with the Sephira duo of Joyce and
Ruth O’Leary.
Brian Finneran with Mutual of America’s Alfie Tucker.
Team Pfizer: Ferguson O'Sullivan, MacDara Lynch, Niall Condon and John
Kelly.
58
59
Mercer is a global consulting leader in talent, health,
retirement and investments. We help clients around the
world advance the health, wealth and performance of
their most vital asset – their people.
Hogan Lovells is proud to support the IrelandU.S. Council and we salute this year’s honoree
and recipient of the Award for Outstanding
Achievement, Dr. T. Pearse Lyons, Founder
and President, Alltech Inc.
For further information, please contact your local Mercer office at:
1166 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10036
+1 212 345 7000
2,300 lawyers. 40+ offices. 22 countries.
www.hoganlovells.com
www.mercer.com
Hogan Lovells is an international legal practice that includes Hogan Lovells US LLP and Hogan Lovells International LLP.
© Hogan Lovells 2012. All rights reserved.
Council’s 2012 Golf Day in Ireland
T
he Council moved its Ireland Golf Day to a new
venue this year - Dun Laoghaire Golf Club – which
happens also to be relatively new itself. The club
relocated from its home in the Dublin suburb of Dun
Laoghaire, a few short miles down the road toward the
Wicklow mountains compliments of Ireland’s economic
boom before the bust came in the Emerald Isle. The
Council’s Golf Day in Ireland was generously supported
by United Airlines and Northern Trust Bank.
It is one of Ireland’s most spectacular courses and has
been chosen as the next European venue for the Curtis
Cup – the amateur ladies biennial golf match between the
United States and Great Britain & Ireland. It is just
outside the picturesque seaside town of Enniskerry and
just a short 30 minutes’ car ride from Dublin’s center city.
John O’Donovan, Ireland Chapter Council Board Members Brian Goggin and
Eamonn McKeon with Maurice Pratt.
Heavy Hitters: Nollaig Fahy of the Angels of Hope Foundation with team
members Peadar O'Farrell, Council National Secretary Jim Adrian, and
Bacchus Wines’ Lorna Hood.
The winning fourball from Bank of Ireland: Paul Weldon, Derek Collins, Conor
Barrett and Conn Collins.
The Irish Aviation Authority were represented by Anne Nolan, Gerald Farrell,
John Nolan and Mark Ryan.
If you ask people in Ireland about their Summer weather
you’ll get an earful of how awful the daily rain was. But,
the Council was again lucky with benign (and dry) weather
conditions prevailing. The occasion, which has become
quite popular with the Council’s members and their guests
in Ireland, is now a regular early-September calendar event.
A full-field of 30 four-ball teams turned out despite stillpoor economic conditions. This excellent turn-out for the
occasion shows how the combination of camaraderie,
great prizes, excellent venue and other positive factors can
all be combined to yield a successful outcome. There were
many prizes and lots of happy golfers at the reception and
dinner that followed the golf in the splendid clubhouse.
United Airlines’ Yvonne Muldoon was a major sponsor of the Council’s Golf
Day in Ireland.
Two Thumbs Up: Linda Cullen with Colette Finn.
Joe Katchpole, Robert Perkins and Vinny MacMahon.
62
Yvonne Muldoon and Aoife Gregg from United Airlines.
United Airlines’ Barry Jackson
and Aoife Gregg.
63
Golf Day in Ireland
Pfizer Inc proudly supports
The Ireland-U.S. Council
and congratulates
We love our sponsors: United Airlines’ Barry Jackson, Roddy Feely and
Northern Trust Bank’s Liam Butler.
Henry Anderson and Lorna Hood from Bacchus Vinos, who generously
supported the occasion with superb wine products were pictured with
Jim Adrian, Nollaig Fahy and Peadar O'Farrell.
Dr. T. Pearse Lyons
on his
Outstanding Achievement Award
The Gathering Ireland 2013 message was delivered to the full-house attendance by Monica McLaverty.
Aer Lingus had a fourball: led by Marketing Director David Kelly (second left)
with Brian Sparks, Keith McCormack and Denis O'Connor.
On hand with Roddy Feely were Aoife Gregg (center) and Barry Jackson
(Right) presenting the two lucky winners - Rob Purcell and Karen Rothwell
– with two roundtrip tickets on United Airlines from Ireland to the United
States.
The gates of the excellent Dun Laoghaire Golf Club, our hosts for the day.
64
At Pfizer, we apply science and our global resources to improve
health and well-being at every stage of life. We strive to set the
standard for quality, safety and value in the discovery, development
and manufacturing of medicines for people and animals. Our
diversified global health care portfolio includes human and animal
biologic and small molecule medicines and vaccines, as well as
nutritional products and many of the world's best-known consumer
products. Every day, Pfizer colleagues work across developed and
emerging markets to advance wellness, prevention, treatments and
cures that challenge the most feared diseases of our time.
Working together for a healthier world TM
Honoring our past,
forging their future
The American Ireland Fund is a unique philanthropic
organization. For over 35 years we have helped more than 1,200
innovative groups both in Ireland and the U.S. preserve Irish culture,
counter sectarianism, advance education, strengthen community
development and care for those in need.
We invite you to learn about giving back to the land that has
given us so much. Please visit www.irlfunds.org
Gala MidSummer Dinner in Dublin
The Council’s Award for
Outstanding Portraiture
Council’s 2012 Gala in
Dublin Castle Celebrates
Music, Art and Education
D
represented in public collections throughout Ireland and part
of private collections both nationally and internationally.
ublin Castle has seen its share of splendid
evenings, no doubt about that. Well, another
one can certainly be added to that list as this past
June 29 the Council hosted its Annual black-tie Gala
MidSummer Dinner there. The keynote speaker was
Brendan Howlin, the Minister for Public Expenditure
and Reform and a key figure in the Irish Government’s
economic renewal efforts.
He was welcomed to the event by Dennis Swanson, the
President of the Council based in New York who was
joined by Dr. Michael Somers, President of the Council’s
Chapter in Ireland. The evening also featured a program
of outstanding musical entertainment by the Royal Irish
Academy of Music to showcase the talents of its rising
young stars. Since 1848, the Academy has been a home of
musical excellence, teaching and learning. Ireland’s oldest
musical institution, it has consistently achieved the highest
standards of performance in all musical disciplines.
Also at the event, there was a presentation of the
Council’s Award for Outstanding Portraiture, which
is sponsored by Prudential Financial and is presented by
the Council in conjunction with the Irish Arts Review and
The Royal Hibernian Academy.
Council Executive Director in Ireland, Roddy Feely with Sonya Perkins,
Publisher of the Irish Arts Review, Ian Cumberland, winner of the
Award for Outstanding Portraiture and David O’Sullivan.
Roddy Feely with Aer Lingus hostesses Orla Harnett and Erika Kelly.
An artist from Northern Ireland, Ian Cumberland, was the
winner of this year’s Award for Outstanding Portraiture which
is sponsored by the Ireland-U.S. Council, in conjunction with
the Royal Hibernian Academy and The Irish Arts Review. It is
presented in Ireland to an artist whose work is judged to be
of outstanding merit. The Award is an important part of the
Council’s program to support the arts and arts education in
Ireland. Ian Cumberland’s portrait work was chosen from
among the entries at the Royal Hibernian Academy’s Spring
Exhibition held this month in Dublin.
The Award program is undertaken with generous financial
sponsorship from Prudential Financial. The Irish Arts Review,
the quarterly publication devoted to Irish culture, art and
design throughout the ages, manages the judging process
with the support of the Royal Hibernian Academy (RHA),
an all-island institution that is celebrating its 183rd
anniversary. The panel of judges included Joe Dunne, School
Principal, RHA; John Mulcahy and Sonya Perkins from The
Irish Arts Review; and art critic Jane Humphries.
Ian Cumberland was born in Banbridge, Co. Down, in 1983.
He studied fine art at University of Ulster, where he was
awarded the John and Rachael Turner Award for most
outstanding student. He graduated in 2006 with First Class
Honours and has since exhibited both nationally and
internationally.
His first major solo exhibition was at the Albemarle Gallery
in London, 2008. He exhibited his painting ‘one in two’ at
the BP Portrait Award at the National Portrait Gallery, in June
2009 and placed third in this noted competition in 2011.
He was awarded the KPMG Emerging Artist Award at the Royal
Ulster Academy. Cumberland's captivating 'self-portrait' won
the 2010 Davy Portrait Award, a major new arts prize which
aims to celebrate contemporary portraiture His work is
68
The presentation of this year’s Award for Outstanding Portraiture: Declan Kearney of
Aer Lingus with Henry McGarvey, Managing Director of Pramerica, Prudential Financial’s
subsidiary in Ireland; Dr. Michael Somers, Dennis Swanson, Ian Cumberland, winner of
the Award and Minister Brendan Howlin.
Mr. Cumberland was presented with the €5,000 award
bursary during the RHA’s recent Spring Exhibition. A formal
presentation of the Award citation wwas be made by Council
President Dennis Swanson and Ireland Chapter President
Dr. Michael Somers at the Council’s Midsummer Gala Dinner
on Friday, June 29 in Saint Patrick’s Hall at Dublin Castle
in Dublin.
As part of the sponsorship program associated with the
Award, every Council member in the United States and in
Ireland receives a copy of the quarterly Irish Arts Review.
Other benefits for Council members include a program of
discounts available through the Irish Arts Review to many arts
events in Ireland. Also included are calendars of upcoming
arts activities throughout the year plus online information on
such things as prices of Irish art and results of auction sales.
John Mulcahy, editor of the Irish Arts Review noted that
“this is the seventh year of the Award and the second time
an artist from Northern Ireland has garnered the prize. The
Award has been attracting increasing attention with each
passing year particularly among younger artists not all of
whom are members of the Royal Hibernian Academy. Although
senior members of the RHA are better known for their formal
portraits often of official dignitaries, the Ireland-U.S. Council
award has sought to encourage portraits by emerging artists
which are more likely to be less formal in their approach. Ian
Cumberland's award-winning portrait this year fits clearly in
this category.”
Prudential Financial’s Chief Information Officer, Ms. Barbara
Koster, who is also a distinguished Council Board Member
noted “We are pleased to continue our support for this
important and successful initiative by the Council which
we believe enables support in an innovative way for arts
education and the arts generally throughout the island of
Ireland. This Ireland-U.S. Council program represents an
important contribution to the community by Prudential
Financial. We believe strongly that it helps to enrich the
transatlantic connections between America and Ireland.”
69
Gala MidSummer Dinner in Dublin
Having a grand time at Dublin Castle: Sara Byrd and Paul O'Connor.
Kathleen and Eugene Moore.
Declan Kearney of Aer Lingus, a sponsor of the evening, introduced
Minister Howlin.
Council President Dennis Swanson with Mary Hanafin.
U.S. Embassy’s Dr. Stephen Anderson, Dennis Swanson, Minister Brendan
Howlin and Dr. Michael Somers.
Dr. Raymond McVerry, Roddy Feely and Council member Ken Healy of
Barberstown Castle Hotel.
Tom Ryan with Mona and Mary Hanafin.
The Irish Arts Review’s John Mulcahy addressed the gathering and introduced
the Award for Outstanding Portraiture.
Council Board Member and PwC Partner Marie O’Connor (center) with colleagues Liz Drake and Rob Perkins.
From All Hallows College were Rita Kelly and Fr. Eugene Curran.
King of the Castle: In the throne chair once sat in by King James II in 1690
and King William of Orange in 1691, Council President Dennis Swanson en
famille.
70
Call 11890’s Pauline Keogh with Sandra Maner, Rosie Clancy and
Nicole Treanor.
71
Gala MidSummer Dinner in Dublin
Mr Brendan Howlin, T.D., Minister for Public
Expenditure and Reform:
The Ireland-US Council, June 29 2012.
INTRODUCTION
Ladies and Gentlemen, Members of the Council - It is a pleasure
to be here this evening as the Council’s guest of honour and to
address an audience who will influence investment and job
creation in this country over the coming year.
Since its foundation in late 1962, the Ireland-US Council has
served Ireland extraordinarily well, deepening and cementing
ties between Ireland and the US and providing a hugely important
business and cultural network that has underpinned our relations
ever since. That the Organisation’s 50th anniversary is about to
be celebrated stands as a true testament to its work.
IRELAND-US TRADE AND INVESTMENT
The Council’s history traces a period of transformative economic
and social change in Ireland, from a relatively poor, somewhat
insular and agriculture-focused economy to a wealthy,
outward-looking technology driven one.
Of course, we are in a very difficult position at the moment – and
the challenges facing our nation should not be underestimated –
but this organisation gives reason for hope for the future.
The track record of the Council serves to remind us how far we
have come, and it provides reassurance about our capacity to
recover lost ground and achieve even more in the years ahead.
The companies represented here this evening are proof that
long-term planning, vision and a determination to work hard
and to embrace changes delivers results and prosperity.
When I think of Irish-US trade relations, it strikes me that as
with many long-established and successful relationships one
can sometimes take things for granted. It is therefore worth
reminding ourselves that US companies are the single largest
source of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Ireland, and are
likely to remain so. Last year alone, of the many investments
won by IDA Ireland, three out of every four came from US
companies.
As of 2010, US FDI in Ireland was more than US FDI for the
BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India and China) combined.
To put the presence of US multinationals here further into
perspective, let me remind you of the following:
• US companies account for almost 75% of the total inward
72
to make. But of course, nothing is done without effort. What I
am certain of is that we will recover and we will prosper again.
And at the heart of that recovery will be the multinational
companies now embedded in our economy – many of whom are
represented here this evening - and our renewed, vibrant and
competitive indigenous companies.
employment in Ireland.
• Of this employment, over 500 US corporations provide direct
employment for over 100,000 people. This of course does not
take into account the indirect employment that their presence
generates.
• Our government has continuously highlighted the importance
of an export-led recovery. As such, the significance of the
€93bn of exports which US companies produce cannot be
overstated.
• The US is Ireland’s single largest export market, with the total
value of exports standing at €21bn in 2011, according to
Enterprise Ireland.
Increasingly, Irish companies are returning the favour.
THE GOVERNMENT’S RESPONSE
During the 1990s, when we first showed what could be done,
the private and public sector worked brilliantly together to
create an economy and business environment that supported
product development, business creation and jobs growth.
Our commitment to the European Union was reinforced through
the passing of the Stability Treaty and offers a reassurance that
access to funds are available should we need them.
Public Finances
Under this Government, our economic fight back has begun.
Despite our present difficulties, we have retained our underlying
strengths that will serve us well once the global economy finds
a firmer footing for its long awaited return to growth.
In the meantime, we will continue to focus on getting our house in
order, positioning ourselves higher in the global competitiveness
stakes; becoming a world leading economy for enterprise and
innovation.
The Government is absolutely committed to putting in place
the structural reforms to help achieve this, to improve national
competitiveness and to make doing business here easier.
We still have some way to go, and some more difficult choices
CHALLENGES REMAIN
Of course challenges remain for Ireland.
• Areas such as ICT, gaming and digital media, and telecoms are
expected to grow at double digit rates in the coming year.
As for our current economic position, James Larkin once said,
“We are beaten, we will make no bones about it; but we are not
too badly beaten still to fight.”
The estimated potential savings to the economy from this alone
is in the order of €200 million per annum. To make that saving
real, businesses need to adopt these newer, more simplified
approaches.
Our role as Government is to make public services work as best
they can for citizens and business, to invest in key infrastructure
and to provide political stability and maintain focus on what is
important – economic growth, job creation and social well
being.
We are doing this by bringing stability to the public finances,
fixing the banking sector, investing in effective enterprise and
business supports through our State agencies and removing
unnecessary administrative burdens on business.
ECONOMIC RECOVERY
It has already reduced administrative burdens in the areas of
Company Law, Employment Law and Health & Safety Law by
more than 23%.
This relationship is the key to national economic recovery.
• Irish companies employ over 82,000 Americans across all 50 US
States in high-growth areas such as medical and pharmaceutical
products, electronics, business software and services.
• Ireland is now the 10th biggest exporter to the US and the
13th largest investor. That is quite remarkable for such a
small economy, but it reflects the strength of our ties which
is embodied by the Ireland-US Council.
To that end, the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation
is taking the lead and setting a standard among Government
departments.
The public finances are on a corrective path. Many of the hard
decisions have already been taken.
The budgetary correction has been somewhat frontloaded, and
these efforts are beginning to show results.
We have returned to growth – albeit this is fragile because
of what is going on in the World generally – and our public
finances have started to stabilise.
There are difficult choices ahead but the Government will make
these decisions, at all times guided by fairness and the need to
protect growth and society.
Red Tape
The Government is also determined to reduce red tape in a
meaningful way and lighten the administrative burden on
businesses.
Of course we need a comprehensive set of regulatory, standards
and licensing regimes that protect consumers, workers, the
environment and businesses themselves.
But we also need to be sure that we get the balance right, that
any old, outdated bureaucratic requirements are consigned to
history.
Our aim of course is to return to bond markets and regain our
economic sovereignty through the implementation of the
Programme.
Its implementation has been impressive and internationally a
cknowledged as such. No country wants to lose its sovereignty
and no new Government wants to inherit an assistance
programme, but we have taken it on the chin and used the
opportunity to do things that will serve us well into the future.
What we must ensure as a nation is that the day we entered the
Programme marks a historical low point, never to be revisited.
That means never forgetting the mistakes that led us there.
It also means we have to remain steadfast as a people in the
face of further difficult choices over the next few years.
We must stay focused on supporting growth and on targeting
Exchequer spending on areas that will help stimulate that
growth.
At this end, I and my colleagues are taking every opportunity to
push the growth agenda and explore every potential avenue to
stimulate the domestic economy and create jobs.
NOW IS THE TIME TO INVEST
We live in momentous times. There is great uncertainty about
what the immediate future holds in economic terms in the US
and in Europe, and this makes it very difficult for companies
seeking to invest for the future.
Amidst this uncertainty, however, is absolute clarity that Ireland
remains an attractive location for business and is ripe for
investment now.
73
MidSummer Dinner
This is an economy on the way up.
to return and the savings rate should start to begin to unwind.
Obviously as a small open economy whose recovery is being
driven by exports, Ireland will be affected by the current global
economic turmoil.
So, what we expect to see is economic activity beginning to
gradually firm and broaden out, from being solely externallydriven to including some initially modest contribution from
domestic demand.
However, the composition of our exports and our competitiveness
improvements will help to offset the potential negative impact
of this slowdown.
Indeed, I would emphasise that nearly all forecasters expect
that Ireland will record positive GDP growth again in 2012.
It is also worth noting that last year the IDA reported a record
number of investments were made in Ireland and that the
pipeline for further investment is strong. So I think many of
you here this evening already see the opportunities.
Looking towards the medium term, the external environment is
expected to strengthen from 2013 onwards, as is our export
growth.
And despite what we have gone through, as I have already said,
the underlying strengths of this economy remain. Indeed they
have improved.
As this stronger export performance starts to feed through to
investment and employment, consumer confidence is expected
The Irish workforce remains flexible, productive and highly
educated. It has also undergone a significant cost readjustment.
We remain unreservedly committed to our low corporate tax rate
and to our membership of the European Union, which has been
underscored by the recent Referendum result.
And perhaps most significant of all, is that despite the strains
and real hardship placed upon the Irish people as a result of an
economic crash not of their making, there is an unspoken sense
of national solidarity, a broad unity of purpose to put things
back together.
When you see what is happening elsewhere, such a level of
political and social stability should be highly valued by investors.
CONCLUSION
To conclude, my message for you today is clear
Minister Brendan Howlin and Kathy Swanson share the moment.
• we are getting our public finances back in order;
• we are taking every opportunity to stimulate the
domestic economy, restore confidence and create jobs;
• we are committed to ensuring the Ireland increases its
competitiveness;
• we will continue to work with each of you, through our
agencies, to ensure that Ireland remains “best in class”
for FDI.
This Government is committed to ensuring that Ireland
remains the best place in the World for you to do business
and I look forward to that business relationship being as
productive in the next 50 years as it was in the last 50 years
with the assistance of the Ireland-U.S. Council.
Thank you.
Dr. Michael Somers, Mary and Judge Brian McCarthy and Natalia Schwien.
74
Congratulations to
Dr. T. Pearse Lyons on receiving
the Ireland-U.S. Council’s
Award for
Outstanding Achievement
2012 Council Golf Day in New York
T
his year, for our Council 2012 Golf Day in New
York, we had a repeat of the favorable weather
conditions of previous years and a full field of
Council members and guests teed it up at Rye Golf Club
in Westchester County, a few miles north of Manhattan.
Despite the still-gloomy economic circumstances, the
strong turnout showed that support for this annual event
continues to grow.
A highlight of the day was the Connie Doolan Memorial
Trophy sponsored by Diageo in memory of former
Council member and long-time Guinness executive
Cornelius F. Doolan, fondly known to all as “Connie”.
The competition was won by a team sponsored by
Connie’s son John Doolan, who now is a senior executive
at Heineken USA.
Ben O’Brien, Maura Nolan and Eddie Dowling.
Peter Hooper, Brian Stack and John Neary.
Diageo Guinness USA sponsored the Connie Doolan Memorial Trophy.
Donal Finegan was presented with his Student Work Experience scholarship
Award and bursary check by Council President Emeritus Mike Gibbons and
Annalise Stack, Adminstrator for the Council Scholarships Programs.
There were many golf awards and door prizes at the postgolf reception and buffet dinner. Most guests left Rye,
if not with booty under their arms, then surely with fond
memories of an enjoyable and fun day on a player-friendly
course. Rye Golf Club is an 18-hole Devereux Emmet–
designed course with several holes directly on the shores
of Long Island Sound.
The Council’s Student Work Experience Scholarships
Program, which benefits from the Golf Day surplus
revenues, was highlighted when Donal Finegan was
presented with his award and scholarship bursary check
for $2,000 - he had been unable to attend the June
Scholarships Lunch event presentation because of study
commitments in California.
The Gathering Ireland 2013 message was delivered in style by Joe Byrne.
He is a native of Carrickmacross, County Monaghan
and is a student at University College Dublin where he is
working toward a degree in Chemical Engineering. He
was also pursuing extra-curricular studies for a semester
at the University of California (Santa Barbara). He worked
in New Jersey for his work assignment at Council
member-firm Merck & Co.
We appreciate the support of Diageo Guinness USA and Bill Falvey.
76
The winners of the Connie Doolan Memorial Trophy sponsored by Diageo Guinness USA were presented with their cups by Bill Falvey of
Guinness (second from left). The winners were (from left) xxxxxx and Tim Casey, Martin O' Feraghty and Louis Crocco.
77
Golf Day in New York
We had visitors from outer space.
Council-member Bill Colbert (left) was there with his guests John King, Jim
King, John McElgun.
Dr. T. Pearse Lyons
Event sponsor Jack Foley of Aer Lingus was there with Tourism Ireland’s Joe
Byrne and Council President Emeritus Mike Gibbons.
Tournament sponsor Guinness had a team there: Phil Sheridan, Mike Carty, Bill
Falvey and Mike Henderson.
Florida Council-member Bill Murphy (second from left) with his guests Tim Finneran, John Moynihan and Mark Sullivan.
78
New York Lunch to Celebrate “The Gathering”
T
he Council hosted a lunch this past September 26 in
New York at The Metropolitan Club to celebrate an
exciting and innovative initiative that reaches out to
Ireland’s diaspora and seeks economic growth through an
expanded tourism industry. Council President Dennis
Swanson welcomed members and guests to the event at
which the Guest Speaker was Leo Varadkar TD who is
one of Ireland’s rising young political leaders and serves
as Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport in the Irish
Government’s Cabinet.
The Gathering Ireland 2013 is the most ambitious tourism
initiative ever undertaken in Ireland. It will be an
unprecedented celebration of Ireland’s global community
embracing past, present and future. It is a program that
will ask anyone who has Irish blood, a link to Ireland, or
even just a love of the Emerald Isle to join for a series of
amazing and diverse events throughout 2013.
Chief Executive of Tourism Ireland Niall Gibbons with Minister for Transport,
Tourism & Sport Leo Varadkar TD, Council President Dennis Swanson and
Tourism Ireland’s Executive Vice President in the United States, Joe Byrne.
Council Board Members John Nallen with Andy Ruane.
Pfizer’s Niall Condon (left) and his wife Majella with Leo Varadkar.
Seen at the event were Garry Cronin, Áine Sheridan and Council Nominating
Committee Chair, Martin Murphy.
Council members Attracta Lyndon and Denis Curran.
Jack McCarthy, Garrett Doyle and Council National Secretary Jim Adrian.
Tourism Ireland’s Vanessa Markey with Brian Stack, Vivienne Jupp, Chairman
of CIE Group and Mark Mortell.
Robert Stafford, USI Insurance Services with Council members Brian Finneran
of Greenwich Hospitality Services and Jim Barquinero of Sacred Heart University,
Fairfield, CT.
Council Board Member Alan Ennis, President & CEO of Revlon, Inc. with
Minister Varadkar.
They will range from clan gatherings where people will
discover their roots, to rugby clubs inviting foreign teams
to their sevens tournament, and groups of international
business colleagues conferencing in Ireland. The Gathering
is a powerful grass-roots movement. Its promoters say “By
reconnecting with the global community, it will be like
completing an electrical circuit. Energy will flow and our
community will light up and sparkle with its own vitality.”
Leo Varadkar TD
Leo Varadkar is the youngest member of the current Irish Government and
was appointed to office by the Taoiseach, Enda Kenny in March 2011. He
serves in the Cabinet as Ireland’s Government Minister for Transport,
Tourism & Sport.
First elected to Ireland’s national parliament Dáil Éireann in 2007, he is a
former Fine Gael Spokesperson on Enterprise, Trade & Employment, and a
former Spokesperson on Communications, Energy and Natural Resources.
Before his election to the Dáil, he served as a member of Fingal County
Council from October 2003. He received the highest vote in Ireland in the
Local Elections of 2004.
He has a strong interest in political reform, proposing and securing
Government support for a more transparent system of making public
appointments, and he authored the first policy paper calling for a reduction
in the number of State agencies. He was born and raised in the
Blanchardstown/Castleknock area - a suburb in West Dublin. He studied
medicine in Trinity College Dublin where he earned his degree in 2003.
He worked in several hospitals before opting for General Practice as a
medical doctor. Ladies and gentlemen please welcome Leo Varadkar.
80
81
Proud to support.
Deloitte proudly supports the Ireland-U.S. Council and
joins in honoring Dr. T. Pearse Lyons
www.deloitte.com
As used in this document, “Deloitte” means Deloitte LLP and its subsidiaries. Please see
www.deloitte.com/us/about for a detailed description of the legal structure of Deloitte LLP
and its subsidiaries. Certain services may not be available to attest clients under the rules
and regulations of public accounting.
Copyright © 2012 Deloitte Development LLC. All rights reserved.
Member of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited