Friday, 10th April 2010

Quinn Group

The Quinn Group is expected to issue a statement later today on the move by Anglo Irish Bank to rescue the troubled insurer.

The bank, now owned by the taxpayer, has proposed taking control of the Quinn group in a bailout package estimated at €700 million. Anglo is owed €2.8 million by the Quinn family.

Last week the Financial Regulator, Matthew Elderfield sent in provisional administrators to Quinn Insurance because of solvency issues. Since then employees have been campaigning to save 5,000 jobs at the company.

Sean Quinn himself phoned Prime Time last night to say that the Quinn group had “plenty of money” and wasn’t looking for money from anyone:

Pat was joined by Emmet Oliver, Deputy business editor with the Irish Indeendent and Jim Power of Friends First

Kayak Tragedy

“They saved my life, it’s as simple as that.” The words of Derek Elliott who was a friend of the two young men, Philip Kelly and Connie Smith, who tragically drowned while kayaking in the River Clodagh in Portlaw, Co Waterford.

The two men had shouted at Derek not to go into the river, and as a result his life was saved. As soon as he knew there were in difficulties, he ran to get help, but in spite of frantic efforts to try and help the two men struggling in the water, it was too late.

Barry Duggan, from the Irish Independent, was at the scene yesterday and he joined Pat this morning

Recycling

Ireland exports one and a half million tons of non-hazardous waste every year. Later this month the Department of the Environment will hold a one day forum to encourage business entrepreneurs to ‘upcycle’, to turn that waste into new products that people want.

Speaking at that seminar will be a 28 year old American, Tom Szaky who dropped out of Princeton university to set up Terracycle which is now one of the fastest growing companies in America. I’ll be talking to tom in a few minutes time.

We’re just beginning to talk about the smart green economy in Ireland but Valerie Cox has been to look at a company in Castlebellingham in Co Louth which has taken ‘upcycling’ on board.

If anyone wants to attend the one day forum. It’s in the Royal Hospital, Kilmainham on 27th April. You can get further information and you can book a place by logging on to www.rx3.ie . The forum is free of charge but you have to register to attend.

Beautiful Forever

Author: Helen Rappaport
Published by: Long Barn Books

In Queen Victoria’s day, as now, women of means were prepared to pay a high price in their pursuit of youthful good looks. But the difference, says my next guest, was that they had to keep it secret, leaving them vulnerable to con artists.
One of the best known of these con artists was known as Madame Rachel, the most sought-after beauty practitioner in London. Customers came in their droves to her shop in New Bond street, lured by the promise of eternal beauty, but what they found there was something far darker – a fraudster who made a career out of lies, treachery and the false hopes of her victims.

Helen Rappaport, author of Beautiful Forever, joined Pat this morning

Value Menus

Well before Easter Lucinda O’Sullivan came in to tell us about some of the best deals that hotels around the country had on offer. She was back with Pat this morning, but this time the Sunday Independent’s restaurant reviewer has been investigating some of the good deals available in the nation’s restaurants.

Lucinda O’Sullivan’s Value menu recommendations this week were:

The Chameleon Restaurant, Temple Bar, Dublin

Two early bird menus (“Land” menu and “Sea” menu) at €18 – available all evening Tues – Thurs and up to 6.30 Friday They also have an 8 course komodo menu at €25

Rasam Restaurant, Glasthule, Dublin

Early bird at €19.95 from 5.30 – 7 pm. Every day except Saturday

Ananda, Dundrum, Dublin

2/3 course menu at €18/€22

2 course value menu at €20 rice.

Indian Summer, Stillorgan, Dublin

2 course menu at €19.95 Monday to Thursday

Boardwalk Bar & Grill, Cork

3 course early bird at €22.50 available mon – wed 5-8 pm, thurs – friday 5 – 7 sat 5 – 6pm.

O’Connor’s Seafood Restaurant, Bantry

Early bird menu €20 main course, €26 2 courses, €30 3 courses, monday to thursdya 6-8 pm, friday and saturday 6 – 7 pm

Crews, Dungarvan

Early bird 5.30 – 7 p.m. runs from wednesday to saturday with 4 courses at €24.99

Paul Flynn’s Tannery Restaurant, Dungarvan

Easy evening menu all evening tues – friday at €28.50 i

An Seanachai, Dungarvan

3 course menu of irish food at €25

Bates Restaurant, Rathdrum, Co Wicklow

2/3 course menu €19.50/€24.50 tues – sunday apart from

The Arch Bistro, Churchtown, Dublin

Excellent early bird 2 courses €15/3 courses €18

Gathering

In our gathering our three guests picked their top stories of the week. Pat was joined by Breda O’Brien, teacher and Irish Times columnist, Joe Higgins MEP, and John Drennan of the Sunday Independent.