IN THE PAPERS
In The Papers 24 November
24-11-2008
by Sylvia Leatham
Government investigates electric car grid | Tanaiste leads trade mission to UAE
The Irish Independent reports that the Government is to issue a call this week to companies to come to Ireland to investigate how to build a network to cater for electric cars. As part of plans to have 10 percent of vehicles powered by electricity by 2020, Energy Minister Eamon Ryan and transport colleague Noel Dempsey will call on companies with expertise to investigate how the proposal could become reality. Israel and Denmark are developing electric grid systems to cater for large amounts of electric vehicles with one company, Better Place, which is reported to have met the ESB and Minister Ryan about the issue.
The Irish Examiner reports that an online campaign to reinstate the anti-cancer vaccine for schoolgirls is attracting widespread attention. A group on the social networking site Facebook has attracted nearly 8,000 members in its bid to reverse the controversial government decision to abandon the vaccine. The internet group is targeting Mary Harney, insisting the Health Minister must go back on her decision not to give the cervical cancer vaccine free of charge to 12-year-olds.
The paper also notes that Tanaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Mary Coughlan is leading a four-day visit of 82 Irish companies on an Enterprise Ireland trade mission to the United Arab Emirates. The aim of the mission is to build on the links that have already been made by Irish firms in this increasingly important market for Irish businesses. "It holds significant opportunities for Irish companies in a broad range of sectors, in particular construction, telecoms software, education, financial services and IT for e-learning, e-government and tourism," the Minister said.
The Wall Street Journal says that US online retailers plan to offer more deals and promotions to drive spending on the Monday after Thanksgiving this year, according to a new study. A survey commissioned by Shop.org says that 83.7 percent of retailers will have special promotions on the day, known as 'Cyber Monday', up from 72.2 percent a year ago. Of those promotions, one-off deals, e-mail campaigns and one-day sales are expected to be popular.
The Financial Times reports that internet fraud is becoming a "recession-proof economy" with all the sophistication of a legitimate business model, according to a new study by security software firm Symantec. The industry is worth a potential USD7 billion, according to the report, with stolen bank account information starting at STG6.50 and credit card numbers selling for as little as STG0.07 each. The report, which quantifies the scale of global cybercrime for the first time, calculated the value of the industry on the assumption that all fraudulent credit card limits were reached and bank accounts emptied.
The paper also notes that Spain's Telefonica and France's Vivendi have held discussions about a possible joint bid for Digital Plus, the satellite pay-TV business being sold by Spanish media group Prisa to reduce debt. According to sources, Telefonica has emerged as a front-runner in the sale process, although it had still not lodged a binding bid on Sunday, nearly two weeks after Prisa's own deadline. Vivendi also remains interested. The two have discussed a joint bid to ease competition concerns.
The Sunday Tribune reports that the National Parents Council has called for the age of the 3V credit card voucher to be raised to 18 after it emerged Irish teenagers can go online to buy porn, knives and alcohol using the voucher. The 3V credit card voucher has a minimum user age of 16, but the websites reporters bought hardcore porn, alcohol and hunting knives from did not require any proof of age. The virtual credit cards are used in a similar manner to phone top-ups and are aimed at those who either do not have a credit card or who don't want to use it online for fear of fraud. The paper supplied a fake e-mail address and date of birth when registering the credit card voucher. The National Parents Council called for the minimum age for the card to be raised to 18.
The same paper reports that one of the men believed to have driven the car used in the murder of rugby player Shane Geoghegan is still updating his Bebo webpage, keeping in contact with family, friends and giving advice on how to deal with Gardai. The teenager, who has gone on the run, is believed to be hiding in Liverpool. The page contains photos of more than a dozen guns, pornography and clips of violent films.
The Sunday Business Post reports that Cork firm Firecomms is planning to raise new funding to develop its products and bankroll expansion. The company develops photonic technology and in its 2007 accounts it reported accumulated losses in excess of EUR12.4 million. The company did not specify how much funding it would be seeking, but said it would be "significant" and raised through private placements.
The same paper reports that Dublin-based MicroPro, which makes environmentally friendly computers, is seeking to capitalise on EU green procurement laws to boost sales. The company makes computers from biodegradable wood panels made from waste products generated in the lumber and pulp industry. The firm said it was close to being awarded the EU's Eco-label, which identifies products that are as environmentally friendly as "current technology allows". A recent EU directive on public procurement orders State bodies to take environmental considerations into account when awarding contracts put out to tender.
The paper also writes that Dublin software firm SoftCo made an operating profit of EUR3.2 million last year. Accumulated profits at the company now stand at EUR12.9 million. Last year, the company made a gross profit of EUR8.3 million. Turnover figures were not disclosed.
The paper also briefly reports that discount life assurance website Onequote.ie was launched last week, promising to quote the lowest cost policies on the market and offering refunds to customers.
The Sunday Times reports that the BBC iPlayer service could reduce funding for the public broadcaster, as people can still watch TV online without the need for a TV licence. Shows are broadcast an hour after their live transmission and can be watched on a laptop computer, eliminating the need for a licence. Other stations, such as Channel 4 and ITV, are also available online.
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Caped Koala Studios has built a virtual world for kids, combining education and social networking 