By Harry Keaney
Imagine a world trade center in Dublin. If the Boston-based Drew Company has its way, such a scenario may in time become reality.
Ireland’s Business & Finance magazine reports that, according to written proposals submitted to Irish government ministers, a copy of which the magazine has seen, the proposed world trade center would be Ireland’s most prominent site for trade promotion.
The proposal says that the center is designed to "bring together, in one place, government, industry councils and private companies that promote Irish products abroad, provide local intelligence to local companies, facilitate inbound investment and assist Irish firms in opening new markets."
The favored location for the new center is the 24-acre former gasworks site in Dublin’s South Docks area. Although the developers are not looking for grant aid, Business & Finance points out that a Docklands location would allow it to benefit from tax breaks, rent relief and rates remissions that are expected to accrue to the planned National Convention Center in Dublin.
Those close to the project say it could be anything from a major conference center with exhibition space to a hub for all trade in and out of Europe. As regards size, reports suggest three office buildings of between 100,000 square feet and 200,000 square feet each, with the finished project comprising as much as one million square feet of space.
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The Drew Company’s president is John Drew, vice-president of the World Trade Centers Association. He was also a member of the U.S. board of the Michael Smurfit Graduate School of Business at University College, Dublin, as well as a member of the Boston 2000 Millennium Commission, the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Boston Convention.
The Drew Company is a real-estate development and management firm, the crown jewel of which is the World Trade Center Boston, a joint venture with Fidelity Investments.
Drew is also under contract to manage the International Trade Center at the Ronald Reagan Building in Washington, D.C.
Ask for licenses
Where’s there’s money, there’s crooks. And Ireland’s Celtic Tiger economy is no different.
The booming private house renting market has led to an upsurge in unlicensed letting agencies who are doing business illegally, according to Liam O’Donnell, executive secretary of the Institute of Professional Auctioneers and Valuers.
O’Donnell said these people "are handling large amounts of money and are totally unregulated. Their clients have no comeback. It is a scandal and a disaster waiting to happen. We would be warning people very strongly when dealing with any agency to request sight of its licence before handing over deposits."
According to reports in Ireland, much of the concern centers on the recent increase in accommodation referral agencies. These agencies supply lists of available properties, for a fee, which is legal. However, there have been reports that some agencies are handling deposits without a licence, and this is illegal.
The Irish Auctioneers and Valuers Institute advises anyone renting or buying property through an auctioneer or letting agent in Ireland to check for a current license. Licenses are due for renewal on July 6 each year.
Got no health insurance?
Are you one of 1.8 million people living in New York City without health insurance? The Commission on the Public Health System, a city-wide community-based health advocacy coalition, is currently preparing a report on the city’s uninsured population. The commission is asking that those who are uninsured and are willing to share their story to call Elena Acosta at (212) 749-1227.
"Your story could make a difference in influencing policy-makers responsible for ensuring that all New Yorkers have health insurance coverage and access to the healthcare services they need," a statement from the commission said.
IBO news
A New Jersey business networking breakfast will take place Sept. 8 at 8 a.m. in the Grasshopper Restaurant, in Carlstadt. At 7 p.m., also on Sept. 8, a general monthly meeting of the Irish Business Organization of New York will take place in the Shelburne Hotel, 303 Lexington Ave. NYC.
Travel tip
From Oct. 1 to Dec. 13, CIE Tours International is offering a seven-night self-drive trip to Ireland, priced from $591 per person including air fare from New York, Newark or Boston. Those who book and pay at least 90 days in advance pay only $531. Details, call a travel agent, or (800) CIE-TOUR, or log onto www.cietours.com.