Is Enterprise Ireland and the ISA corrupt?

I’m getting really tired of hearing about Irish initiatives that aren’t inclusive. What’s worse, are initiatives that are backed by tax payers money and EU funding that appear to be organised behind closed doors between people who obviously play golf together and live in Dublin 4.

Developed by Enterprise Ireland in association with the Irish Software Association (ISA), Stanford Graduate School of Business is delivering a prestigious programme in the US and Ireland.

According to the Enterprise Ireland Web site

The Growth programme, which offers Irish high-growth company CEOs an opportunity to enhance their ambition, mindset and world class leadership capabilities was launched in October 2006.

I don’t recognize one name on the list of attendees. I’m not saying they don’t deserve to be there. I’m sure they do. I’m just highlighting the fact that not only are the CEOs who I think have potential not on the list, they’re probably not aware of the initiative.

Moreover, I didn’t even know it existed and I’ve been previously invited to present to MBA students in the UK.

Can someone from Enterprise Ireland or the Irish Software Association please publish how they choose the CEOs? I’d like to know what the success criterion was/is.

If you’re a CEO in Ireland, did you know about this initiative? Do you know someone on the list?

Why can’t Enterprise Ireland make it easy for its clients to keep up to speed on the work it’s doing? Why do we have to stumble upon a Web page by accident or hear about an initiative along the grapevine because one or two individuals go out of their way to search and discover.

I’m meeting with Enterprise Ireland before Christmas. It will either be the very last time I meet them, or it’ll be 100 times more productive than I expect based on my past experience with them. As far as I’m concerned, they’re in the last chance saloon.

Source Fergus Burns

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Conor O'Neill

November 30, 2007 @ 6:38 pm

I wasn’t given any information on this. I believe EI do it by invitation only. You can’t even register your interest in attending.
Fergus Burns

December 1, 2007 @ 1:33 am

I was made aware my one of the participants - i didn’t realize that this programme was happening again [footnote: i applied last year - before the deadline date - but after the people were selected... go figure that one out]

not much information @ L4G initiative - i would have guessed under normal guidelines this would be an “open application”.

Obviously the selection process was on a par with the English FA [smoky backrooms]

A bit more transparency, communications and some diversity [from the regions, sectors, etc] would help a lot - anybody listening.

I guess with all this attention we can forget about next years programme as well - back to biz…
Dennis Howlett

December 1, 2007 @ 3:05 am

Where does the ‘corrupt’ bit come into this?
Paul Walsh

December 1, 2007 @ 11:57 am

@Dennis - Read Fergus’ comment “[footnote: i applied last year - before the deadline date - but after the people were selected… go figure that one out]”

Also, there’s no information about this on the ISA Web site and Enterprise Ireland doesn’t say on its Web site, how you can apply. It’s all behind closed doors…

I’m asking the question, not making a statement.
Dennis Howlett

December 1, 2007 @ 12:02 pm

I see what you’re saying. If it is corrupt then would anyone who trades on reputation want to be involved anyway?
Paul Walsh

December 1, 2007 @ 3:02 pm

Probably not Dennis. I’m not concerned or me or ‘Segala’. But I do care about others who could benefit from a better setup in Ireland.
Dennis Howlett

December 1, 2007 @ 3:18 pm

Ach - Paul - you’re losing sight of the wider picture: check http:tansprarency.org to see where I’m coming from.
Paul Walsh

December 1, 2007 @ 6:21 pm

Dennis I’m not sure I know what you mean… would it make the conversation easier if we just ignore the word ‘corrupt’ and go with the rest of the post? Would you double check that URL again mate as it doesn’t work for me.
Dennis Howlett

December 1, 2007 @ 7:11 pm

@Paul: you can wish word ever way you you want. You can’t walk away from the Eire corrupt way of doing business that easily. You want the international measured? Easy - join our side, If not then be prepared to be treated as a market parahia. Your choice.
Paul Walsh

December 1, 2007 @ 8:25 pm

Dennis you’re picking me up wrong. I think there is a little corruption in Ireland when it comes to doing business. I thought you were saying I was a little harsh - hence why I asked if what I was saying would make more sense if I removed the word ‘corrupt’.

I think it would be a little harsh to brand ‘Ireland’ as corrupt as that’s like saying every company, including Segala, is corrupt.
Dennis Howlett

December 2, 2007 @ 2:11 pm

@Paul - missed the www: http://www.transparency.org/ works

The Flood and Moriarty Tribunals - ongoing since 1997, Morris enquiry, Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust report on political corruption as a ‘central theme’ in Ireland…and that’s before we get to the issue of Ireland as a tax haven and the corrosive effect that has on life. (I have some numbers on this: eg MSFT - washes $400mill taxes via Ireland despite employing relatively few people.)

The fact you’ve chosen to use the word leads me to assume that there is a sense among those who are trying to operate out of Ireland that ‘corruption’ exists in at least this one small part of the economy.

Point is that anywhere where process is opaque - you’ve got to ask the question: why?

Is Enterprise Ireland and the ISA corrupt?

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