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An empirical study of the effectiveness of Irish banks’ lending regulations
Get PDFThe objective of this thesis will be to examine the effectiveness of lending regulations for Irish banks both prior to and after the collapse of the banking sector. The research developed a profile of the banking sector in Ireland, then evaluate the levels of stability in the Irish banking sector. In the course of this research, the author tried to establish an understanding of who is responsible for lending regulations for banks in Ireland, Investigate in particular: AIB, Ulster Bank & Anglo Irish Bank’s level of compliance with lending regulations between the Celtic Tiger and the present
Biology and ecology of flatfish species on west of Ireland nursery grounds
No full textCommercial flatfish captured in demersal fisheries along the west coast of Ireland include quota species such as plaice (Pleuronectes platessa L), in addition to high value non-quota species, turbot (Psetta maxima L.) and brill (Scophthalmus rhombus L.). Important non-commercial angling species of interest include flounder (Platichthys flesus L.). However, knowledge of the population dynamics of these flatfishes along the west coast of Ireland is lacking, and considered\ud
to be inadequate for the establishment of any population trends. In light of this, habitats along the west coast of Ireland serving as nursery grounds for the juveniles of these species were investigated (2000 - 2009). Correctly distinguishing between pairs of recently settled flatfish\ud
species, which are morphologically similar in appearance, was a prerequisite to this research.\ud
Counts of the meristic characters, fin rays, which are species specific, proved to be a reliable identification tool for juveniles. Plaice were the most abundant flatfish species present on nursery grounds, followed by turbot, and to a lesser extent brill. Assessment of nursery grounds over the eight year period, revealed both inter-annual and spatial variability in the relative abundance,\ud
growth, and condition of plaice, turbot and brill. Certain trends were revealed in these parameters,\ud
indicating the existence of both high and low quality nursery habitats. Abundances of both plaice\ud
and turbot on nursery grounds were negatively correlated with sea water temperatures during the\ud
pelagic stage. Baseline data on the timing of critical events, including hatching, larval durations,\ud
and settlement, in addition to growth experienced during early life, were established from the\ud
otolith microstructure of turbot. Post-settlement growth rate estimates of turbot also indicated certain locations as high quality nurseries. The feeding ecology of juvenile turbot and brill on nursery grounds was described, with temporal and resource partitioning revealed, implying that\ud
competition is unlikely to arise between these two morphologically similar species. A high incidence of prey was observed in the gut content of all turbot and brill, suggesting that food was not limited on Irish nursery grounds. Turbot fed on a much wider range of prey in contrast to brill, which fed almost exclusively on one prey organism. This observation may be one reason for the general sparse distribution of brill. The improved understanding of the early life history of plaice,\ud
turbot and brill may aid in the development and implementation of effective management\ud
strategies in the future; at the very least for the protection of important nursery grounds, as any\ud
loss, or decline in the quantity or quality of these areas, will undoubtedly have a negative impact on the recruitment of these species
The impact of the banking crisis on the availability of credit to SME’s
Get PDFThis paper examines the impact the current banking crisis is having on the availability of \ud
vital credit to small and medium enterprises. Such a study is important in order to \ud
determine where the credit chain is broken and how it can be fixed. The literature review \ud
is split into three sections which examine the three theoretical frameworks; Quantitative \ud
easing, Lending plan strategies and Ratio analysis, highlight the advantages and \ud
disadvantages. It concludes by exploring the governments’ new proposal of a pillar \ud
banking system. \ud
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Interviews carried out with five local business owners further delve into the issues which \ud
surround the availability of credit. From here it shows first hand how these small \ud
businesses are dealing with the lack of credit on a daily basis and how they have adjusted \ud
their business accordingly
An investigation into the utilisation of energy in landfill gas to supply a community electricity and district heating scheme
Get PDFThe aim of this study is to determine the feasibility of producing and distributing energy in the form electricity and district heating, derived from LFG (Landfill Gas)\ud
produced by an existing municipal waste stream. The body of this document investigates the legislative, technical applications, feasibility and community attitudes to the installation of an EfW (Energy-from-\ud
Waste) plant in the community of Inagh, Co. Clare
Teaching a second language to Anglophones: evidence from Ireland
No full textEvidence from the British academy indicates that the decline in modern language learning in the UK endangers the ability of the UK to compete with researchers who are more linguistically competent. Indeed this is a challenge for all Anglophones. Increased competition for funding and learners means that the traditional advantage of Anglophones is being eroded. This creates a pedagogical challenge. Why? Didactic approaches to second language acquisition and strategies used at other European universities are not effective for Anglophones. For the purpose of this scoping piece, the mixed methods approach of sequential explanatory strategy (Creswell, 2003) is adopted. The method is used as follows: first, secondary data is collected to profile the experience of Anglophones when learning a second language. Second interviews are conducted with language lecturers and learners. This qualitative evidence is used to assist in interpreting the findings from stage one. There is need for Anglophones to address their deficit in second languages. A teaching approach that emphasises motivation and utilises a variety of approached will encourage Anglophones to successful learn a second language. This research indicates that a direct, natural and cognitive methods aided by the use of language laboratories may help learners to increase their motivation to learn a new language. Liu (2008) explains that special attention should be paid to the diversity of learning styles and to the importance of dealing with learners that learn differently. Previous research indentifies unique challenges in teaching second language learning to Anglophones. Therefore, higher education providers must provide appropriate teaching resources and methodologies to support motivation and to overcome didactic challenges
The issue of waste in European manufacturing SMEs
Get PDFSmall and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) cumulatively cause 64% of total industrial pollution, and contribute approximately 60-70% of the total industrial waste in the EU. However, only 24% of SMEs in the EU are currently acting to reduce their environmental impact and only 0.4% of them implement an Environmental Management System (EMS). In contrast, large companies are making great strides towards better waste management practices. This study is focused on this issue of waste in manufacturing-related SMEs. It presents the results of an exploratory survey on a number of SME managers in Europe. It has investigated the waste management practices that these SMEs employ, what motivates SME managers to recycle, and about their relationship with their Waste Service Provider (WSP). This survey has shown good intentions of SME owner-managers to engage in environmental issues. These intentions could be capitalised upon if systems were in place (with their WSP) that would ‘nudge’ them to transform their intentions into actions, leading to better waste management practices
An examination into the feasibility of powering small water services infrastructure using wind energy micro-generation auto-production
Get PDFThis study examines the potential for the use renewable energy to meet some or all\ud
of the electricity requirements of small water services infrastructure. In particular the\ud
use of wind powered micro-generation auto-production is examined.\ud
While undertaking a literature review it became apparent that there is a lack of\ud
information relating to the use of micro/small wind turbines to power water services\ud
infrastructure. Furthermore, there is limited information relating to feasibility or site\ud
suitability guidelines for small scale wind. In Ireland, no such formal guidance exists.\ud
This study examines the theory and technology behind wind energy and the factors\ud
which influence the likely success or otherwise of a micro wind project. It includes the\ud
development of a feasibility template for a micro wind project comprising desk study\ud
and site survey elements. The template was used as a screening exercise to\ud
examine the feasibility of the use of wind micro-generation to power water services\ud
infrastructure in County Galway. Implementation of the feasibility template for a\ud
candidate site was undertaken with the aims of refining the methodology and proving\ud
the effectiveness of the template.\ud
The conclusions of this study include the following:\ud
• The feasibility template developed has the potential to be a useful tool for\ud
anyone considering installing a micro-wind turbine on their site.\ud
• There is potential for the use of wind micro-generation at water and\ud
wastewater infrastructure sites.\ud
• The economic payback period for micro-generation is much higher in Ireland\ud
than internationally and that in order to promote the development of the microgeneration\ud
industry in Ireland, appropriate feed in tariff rates are required
Ireland's biodegradable municipal waste
Get PDFThis project focuses on the EU Landfill Directive targets for Biodegradable Municipal Waste (BMW) specifically focusing on how the targets will affect Ireland and its waste management infrastructure. Research will consist of reviewing relevant literature, legislation and policies that will provide a comparable between Ireland and other nations.\ud
Planning processes which govern both the building structure and running capacities of treatment facilities is also necessary in order to predict amounts of waste diverted from landfill. The efficiency of these treatment plants also requires investigation. Another objective is to research further information on Irelands organic ‘brown’ bin service, this will involve discovering the roll out of bins in the future over a defined time scale as well as the potential amounts of waste that will be collected.\ud
Figures received from waste management and waste treatment companies will be combined with figures from the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) annual reports. This will give an indication to past trends and shed light on possible future trends. With this information annul waste volumes consigned to landfill can be calculated and used to determine whether or not Ireland can achieve the EU Landfill Directive targets. Without significant investment in Irelands waste management infrastructure it is unlikely that the targets will be met. Existing waste treatment facilities need to be managed as efficiently as possible. Waste streams must also be managed so waste is shared appropriately between companies and not create a monopolising waste treatment facility. The driving forces behind an efficient waste management infrastructure are government policy and legislation. An overall and efficient waste management strategy must be in place, along with disincentives for landfilling of waste such as the landfill levy. Encouragement and education of the population is the fundamental and first step to achieving the landfill directive targets
The financial sustainability of passive house construction in Ireland.
Get PDFIn Ireland the average energy cost for a household in 2006 was estimated to be\ud
€1,767, an increase of 4% on 2005 figures. With the state o f the current economic\ud
climate, home owners are beginning to realise the potential of energy efficient\ud
construction methods. The Passive House Standard offers a cost efficient and\ud
sustainable construction solution compared to the Traditional Irish construction\ud
methods.\ud
This report focuses on the Cost comparison between Passive House construction and\ud
traditional construction methods. The report also focuses on barriers that are slowing\ud
market penetration of the Passive House standard in the Irish Market. It also\ud
identifies potential energy savings that passive house occupants would benefit from.\ud
The report also highlights professional opinions on the future development o f the\ud
Passive House Standard in Ireland.\ud
The conclusions of this report are that the Passive House Standard is a more\ud
financially suitable construction solution compared to that o f a traditional dwelling\ud
complying with the Irish Building Regulations. The report also concludes that the\ud
Passive House Standard won’t be introduced as an Irish Building Regulation in the\ud
future but that it will have a big impact on future building regulations. The\ud
hypothesis o f this report is supported by data obtained from a literature review,\ud
qualitative data analysis and a case study.\ud
The report recommends that in order for the Passive House Standard to penetrate\ud
further into the Irish construction market, various barriers must be rectified. Local\ud
manufactures must start producing suitable components that suit the Passive House\ud
specification. The Building Energy Rating system must be altered in order for the\ud
Passive House to achieve its potential BER rating
A comparison of innovations used in natural resource companies along the west coast of Ireland
Get PDFThe research aims to understand the capabilities and limitations of innovation models and processes in natural marine companies in allowing the production of socially desirable innovation and the spill-over or knowledge transfer in the industry to be maximised in order to deepen understanding of innovation used. Research focuses on the Western Seaboard, where profile of companies were built through case study\ud
analysis and also innovation audit surveys were conducted through contacting natural resource companies along the west coast, where comparative analysis was undertaken to achieve industry relevant findings. Basing research on the Western region accurately focuses on the hub of innovative natural resource companies operating in the west today and reflects the current economic climate in the increasing need to focus on our natural resources for growth\ud
and development of regions particularly in rural areas where it is increasingly becoming the main source of employment