The rapidly growing Islamic finance sector presents an opportunity to bring new, high value-added activity to Ireland and, in the process, revitalise the IFSC and help restore Ireland's self-confidence. Islamic finance covers any financing arrangement that is compliant with the principles of sharia law, which include a ban on paying or receiving interest and promotion of ethical investments that enhance society. Finance Minister Brian Lenihan recently referred to Islamic finance as "not only the fastest growing segment of international financial services but it is also perhaps the most 'ethical' form of international finance as it sets out strict rules regarding the nature and type of investments that may be made." In the shadow of the 'Great Recession' and the negative connotations linked to the world of finance, being associated with what is generally perceived as an 'ethical' form of finance is a positive association that will prove inspirational to the Irish people and be benefi More...

Ireland has an incredible abundance of potential to grow its renewable energy sources. This will be tapped into over the next number of years, through both private and public investment in various ways. My idea is set up a simple structure where citizens can invest in energy projects (creating renewable energy, direct/indirect jobs, financial opportunity,) and receiving dividend type payments for the fullness of the energy projects life. It creates a way where all people can invest in their future(similar to a pension plan) is a more positive/sound way. Renewable energy projects such as offshore wind-farms are a prime example as they are sound investments because 'the wind will always blow' and technology/experience is well established. An example is attached is of the numerical potential of such projects.

Financial Investment By Foreign Investors Utilise Existing Free Resources

Your building contractor asks you for a 50% deposit of €20,000.00 up front for the window manufacturer on your new house project. What do you do? What if the builder goes out of business after you give him the money? What if the window manufacturer goes out of business? The window manufacturer doesn’t trust you or the builder and won’t even order materials until he has a 50% deposit as security. The builder doesn’t trust anyone, he’s suspicious of the Employer’s reticence in parting with his money and doesn’t want to pay his sub-contractors until he secures his own payments. Welcome to the post “Celtic Tiger” world of Irish Construction.

This proposal aims to empower our nation again through a joint venture scheme between the Department of Social and Family Affairs and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. The scheme will aim to deliver jobs to the unemployed on the ground locally. This will be done by using the extensive enterprise network that is already in existence in Ireland by getting all the industries more active in the network to create jobs and bring Irish business closer together. The end goal of the proposal is support new and existing jobs to prepare Ireland for the future.

My idea is create a for-profit, privately managed special fund (The Fund) (jointly owned by Government through taxpayer support and members of the Public through direct investment) to promote recovery through direct investment (special loan or equity financing) mainly in Ireland small and medium enterprises (SMEs), to promote jobs maintenance by acting as “first aid” to companies in distress (provide cash investment and management support), to create jobs by investing and encouraging new business formation and growth in Ireland, and to provide profitable, sustainable and ethical investments/wealth creation opportunity to the Irish people.

Create a State sponsored investment fund to finance start up enterprises, research & development and ‘riskier investments’. With traditional financial options more difficult than ever to access this fund will allow companies to proceed with their investments.

€nterprize Island couples the fun of an X factor voyeur type show, where the mentors/panel and Business players are key characters themselves, with Dragon Den or First Tuesday Club - whilst leveraging the “Wisdom of Crowds” principles to determine the strongest set of Business opportunities. The government get funds to allocate to: investments, prizes, Mentor payments. The winning Businesses get the investments and mentoring they require. The Public has the ability to participate in a fun and financially favourable program. How?: Give every registered Irish voter the opportunity to subscribe and contribute to a national enterprise fund, over which they can influence where the investments go. Each month the subscriber has the opportunity to: analyse, interact and vote for their favourite Business. The subscriber has to pay a nominal fee for each vote which entitles the individual to an €nterprize Bond. These bonds have to be vested for a minimum period of time and will pr More...

Ireland has the natural resources and the intellectual and spiritual history to make this country a beacon of light in the post-recession world. We will set up 'Centers of Excellence in Spiritual Capital', encouraging people to look within and find that place of connection to Spirit, to each other, and to ourselves. We have a chance here to really 'be the change we want to see in the world'. The focus on Capital allows for the Spiritual and the Material to intersect, allowing for the two camps to contribute the best of what each has to offer. Irish people are made for song, story, ideas music, brilliance, passion, spirituality and love. We have shared those qualities in great measure with the world, and now it is time to invite the world here to see this beautiful land that has given birth to all those lovely gifts. We are so rich in places of spiritual significance , that allowing them to shine in an industry that is much more than mere tourism would be mind-blowing in its potent More...

Ireland’s competitiveness has improved since the beginning of the economic downturn. We propose to undertake a complete branding exercise and a number of advertising initiatives that aim to accentuate the positive characteristics of Ireland for targeted high-value industries. These positive attributes will be summarised as ‘key brand benefits’ and used consistently in international advertising campaigns. They will be brought to life through engaging creative applications to be summarised in a full set of national brand guidelines to include a national logo, subset logos for different industries, key brand benefits, brand personality, brand tone of voice, brand colour scheme, brand values and core brand messages. Within the brand guidelines will be a subset for each type of industry as well as a complete marketing plan to target international investors. The ultimate goal of this is to boost our image internationally and increase the quality and quantity of foreign direct investme More...