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Articles by Paul O’connell
Rebuilding the trade union movement: ‘Dare to struggle, dare to win’
From the archive: Originally published on January 16, 2023. The government’s proposals to compel workers in designated sectors to provide so called ‘minimum service levels’ on strike days is an attempt to make strikes ineffectual. The British Medical Association has stated that from a government which has gutted the National Health Service (NHS), introducing anti-worker legislation in the name of protecting patient safety is both laughable and dangerous.
4 changes Irish SMEs need to know about in the second half of 2026
Irish SMEs face major changes in 2026, says Xeinadin’s Paul O’Connell, from VAT and customs reforms to retirement legislation and pay transparency requirements. From VAT and customs changes to new employment rules and pay transparency requirements, Irish SMEs have plenty to consider in the second half of 2026. With Budget 2027 also looming, now is a good time for business owners to make sure their house is in order.
How SMEs can overcome payroll challenges
Paul O’Connell from Xeinadin on payroll pitfalls Irish employers face in the year ahead, how to avoid them, and navigate your business to financial health. At the start of a new business year, SMEs across the country will be implementing their plans for the year ahead. While we are optimistic about the future with the Irish economy remaining in rude health, the challenges for SMEs remain a constant thorn for growth.
The art of successful succession planning
Succession planning is key to ensuring a smooth transition and the continued success of your business, writes Paul O’Connell, partner, Xeinadin Ireland. Ireland is a nation of entrepreneurs. Latest figures show we have over 1.1 million Irish owned businesses, large and small. Despite our entrepreneurial success, demographics of owners are shifting, – with the majority of Irish managers aged over 45 and 55% aged between 45 and 64.
Water supply and sanitation as climate action: A finance agenda
Loading metrics Citation: O’Connell P (2023) Water supply and sanitation as climate action: A finance agenda. PLOS Water 2(3): e0000114. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pwat.0000114 Editor: Debora Walker, PLOS: Public Library of Science, UNITED STATES Published: March 29, 2023 Copyright: © 2023 Paul O’Connell.
Dare to struggle, dare to win: overcoming the latest assault on workers' rights
The government’s proposals to compel workers in designated sectors to provide so called ‘minimum service levels’ on strike days is an attempt to make strikes ineffectual. The British Medical Association has stated that from a government which has gutted the NHS, introducing anti-worker legislation in the name of protecting patient safety is both laughable and dangerous.
The Black Dollar Index is Holding Companies Accountable on Racial Justice
In the wake of last summer’s social unrest after the murders of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor and George Floyd, Black Americans witnessed a tidal wave of public statements of support and “we stand with” pledges from corporations that previously were never experienced. Nevertheless, much of corporate America still hasn’t matched their words with deeds.
Need a Boost in Local Tourism? Pay Visitors to Come.
Photo: The Santa Maria Inn, one hotel property along California's central coast currently benefitting from a local tourism stimulus program. Can the lure of a gift card to front the cost of meals, and a winery or two, nudge people to visit and boost local tourism?
Not Feeling the Corporate Love for Black History Month
We know Black History Month is supposed to be a time for renewed focus on the achievements and contributions of America’s Black community. But similar to how many in the LGBTQ community feel about Pride Month in June, this time is marked by more cringing than celebration for many people.
FERC Finally Empowers Environmental Justice Advocates and Public Health Experts
FERC (the Federal Energy Regulatory Agency) wields tremendous power in the environmental justice area, due to its leading role in approving interstate pipelines and transmission lines for gas, oil, and electricity. All too often that power has been shunted aside, but the agency finally appears ready to flex its justice muscles at the onset of the Biden administration.
For Black Women Entrepreneurs, Access to Resources is as Crucial as Cash
By just about every measure, Black women are the most entrepreneurial demographic group in the U.S. Yet companies led by women of color CEOs score far less than 1 percent of all venture capital funding. The numbers don’t add up, and in a very unfair way – leaving many black women entrepreneurs scrambling to find other sources of financing. The encouraging news is that more companies realize they can play a role in reversing inequities rampant across the U.S. economy.
In Colombia, Comuna 13 Shows How to Get Inclusive Tourism Done Right
Photo: A mural in Medellín’s Comuna 13. Elephants are a frequent image seen in Comuna 13, as they represent strength and a reminder to honor the memory of its people’s past. There’s no shortage of reasons to visit Medellín, Colombia’s second-largest city, once the world re-emerges from the global pandemic.
This Brand Is Out to Tackle Hunger and Racial Disparities in U.S. Agriculture
Long before the novel coronavirus pandemic, the U.S. was dealing with a pandemic of systemic racism, as TriplePundit has long reported. By expanding the market for Black farmers, the Hellmann’s Food Relief Fund, launched by the Unilever condiment brand sharing the same name, aims to tackle aspects of both pandemics: the COVID-related hunger crisis and the systemic bias against Black Americans working in agriculture.
Grocery companies switching to cage-free eggs
by Brian Collett Three large US grocery companies are to switch to cage-free eggs by 2025. Their decisions follow similar recent announcements from about 100 retailers, restaurants, manufacturers and service companies, apparently aimed at boosting reputations and business. Certainly, the changes are a reply to consumer pressure.
Dutch insert CSR into their governance code
The Netherlands government is to bring new requirements on corporate responsibility into the Tabaksblat, the country’s corporate governance code. Parliament has accepted the conclusions of a review of the national code, which includes a proposal that listed companies’ boards should have to take into account ‘relevant corporate social responsibility issues’ when running company affairs. The new clauses are likely to come into force some time this year, although no date has been set.
20 brands protest detention of garment industry trade union leaders in Bangladesh
By Brian Collett — More than 20 international brands have protested to the Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina over the detention of trade union leaders in the garment industry. The companies, including H&M, Next and Primark, emphasise that a rise in the cost of living has contributed to the garment workers’ discontent and urge the government to set up a wage board for the sector.
One in five businesses have social purpose
An estimated fifth of UK businesses want to make a ‘social difference’, according to new figures. They account for a turnover of nearly £100billion (£152bn, €110bn) and vastly outstrip government ‘social enterprise’ estimates. A report by the economic research consultancy Delta says about 230,000 UK companies have ‘primary triggers’ based around social objectives, and half of these plough back their surpluses and do not pay dividends to shareholders.
2020 in Review - The Most Popular Stories on TriplePundit
While the harsh realities much of 2020 has wrought upon us are poised to continue for several months into 2021, few of us will feel wistful about winding up this year. But it wasn’t all bad news: We took a look at 2020 in review to see what articles were the most popular with our readers on TriplePundit the past 12 months – the following articles are what clearly resonated with you. It’s the End of Recycling as We Know It (Tina Casey) Yes, 2020 has been a horrid year for many reasons.
Ford Places Its Future Bet on a Renewed Detroit
During the post-World War II era, U.S. automakers achieved far more than transforming the country’s transport systems and infrastructure (for better or worse). Companies like General Motors and Ford also had an impact on American architecture that reached its zenith during the 1950s and 1960s.
Water and Sanitation - Building Climate Change Resilience
The Greenland ice sheet, which is melting at the fastest rate since the end of the last ice age, sums up what we're witnessing worldwide due to climate change. The Northern Hemisphere has just recorded its hottest summer on record, a season that saw almost nine million acres in the American West turned to ash by wildfires. Devastating droughts and unprecedented heatwaves have kindled famines in Africa and South Asia, while record rainfall drenches Europe and Northern Asia.
Stephen Curry Shoots for a Purpose-Driven Athletic Apparel Brand
Today, Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry and Under Armour announced the launch of Curry Brand, which the NBA icon and athletic gear company describe as a purpose-driven athletic apparel brand focused on securing fair and equitable access to sports for any young person interested in athletics. According to a news release from Under Armour, Curry Brand is the first athletic brand that will integrate social impact into its bottom line.
Local residents enjoy gardening, raising animals
By ops@our-hometown.com | on July 13, 2020 By PAUL O’CONNELL One of the great pleasures of summertime in southwestern Pennsylvania is plucking that first red tomato from the vine in your garden and savoring its sweet flavor. From growing your own garden, to raising your own chickens, to attending local farmer’s markets, there are plenty of tasty options for obtaining locally grown, fresh vegetables and sustainably raised meats.
Trickle down Tax Policies do not work
Commentary: Here we go again. Trump and the Republicans want to cut taxes for Corporations and the rich, with the hope that it will boost the economy. Even though we have tried this dishonest policy many times in the past—it never works. In the Harding/Coolidge Administration in the 1920’s they reduced taxes and limited trade--leading to wild speculation in stocks. Rich got richer and poor got poorer—finally leading to the great depression in 1929.
Broward Police Chief, Task Force Wants Criminal Justice For All
Last week, in a stunning 96-hour period there was the Imperfect Storm. The officer involved shootings in Baton Rouge and St. Paul, followed by the massacre of police officers in Dallas. Those deaths brought to light, not for the first time or the last time, the gulf between law enforcement and the communities we serve. It is important that we acknowledge two critical failures. First, we have a broken society where those who feel left behind are frustrated to the point of violence.
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