Friday, April 18, 2008
Conditions.. and investments..
As BBC NI political editor, Mark Devenport, indicates on his blog, the New York City comptroller, William Thompson, has indicated that he has some expectations of projects selected by the Emerald Fund - “I think that they understand that we are still committed to the MacBride Principles and I think that they’ll make that clear to anybody they’re going to do business with.” Presumably those 9 principles will also apply to projects in the Republic of Ireland and in the US.. Meanwhile, in the Irish News, Newton Emerson points out that the Fund’s target area, infrastructure, “are all public or public-private utilities so American investors must be paid back through higher bills and fares.” And, in an Irish Echo editorial, Sinn Féin’s Gerry Adams tells us potential US investors
Sinn Féin is determined to ensure that those who are living in the most deprived and divided areas of the North do not end up getting the least out of increased prosperity and peace. That is why for example new guidelines for public procurement policy are being prepared to ensure that socially beneficial outcomes are delivered for communities.
Public procurement would, of course, be a policy area of the Minister of Finance and Personnel..
Pete Baker @ 10:42 AM
THE ONE THAT GOT AWAY
One area that does not seem to have been actioned according to EU commissioner Huber is a loan fund from European Investment Bank called JESSICA which can be used for inner city regeneration or social housing.Interest would have to be paid but a lot less than PFI.The programe runs 2007 to 2013 so still time to sort something out.If anyone wants to look at the programe i got it by googling european investment bank jessica.Posted by on Apr 19, 2008 @ 10:59 AMThe MacBride Principles — consisting of nine fair employment principles — are a corporate code of conduct for companies doing business in Northern Ireland and have become the Congressional standard for all US aid to, or for economic dealings with, Northern Ireland.
They have no standing in the US. Minorities have much more hand holding, pocket filling protection. Hell, you don’t even have to be a citizen, let alone a minority, to get your ass wiped around here.
White men need not apply.Posted by on Apr 19, 2008 @ 11:19 AMWhat is an equality expert? It’s a career path I think I want to follow.
Posted by on Apr 20, 2008 @ 02:30 AM
