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Ireland's goods exports to Canada fall by more than 50%
Ireland's goods exports to Canada fall by more than 50%

Irish Examiner

time3 days ago

  • Business
  • Irish Examiner

Ireland's goods exports to Canada fall by more than 50%

At the EU-Canada summit in Brussels last week, Canadian prime minister Mark Carney, anxious to offset the loss in trade with the US following the bruising exchanges with president Donald Trump in recent months, seized the opportunity to push to enhance the current strategic trade partnership with the EU. Under the current Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), Ireland has gained enormously since its initial signing in 2017. Ireland's exports to Canada rose from €1.7bn in 2017 to €5.2bn in 2024. But the market has crashed in the current year, with Irish goods exports to Canada reduced by over 50% in the first four months of this year, which are now forecast to be €2.2bn for 2025 — a heavy loss of €3bn on the prior year. Much of the lost sales were in the pharmaceutical and medical devices sector, which were affected by companies in the sector in Ireland prioritising shipments to the US to get ahead of expected tariffs in April. Also affecting the market was a fall-off in demand from Canadian companies due to lost sales into their main market in the US as the tariff war increased in the early months of the year. This 54% reduction in Irish exports to the Canadian market was not reflected in Ireland's exports to its other markets in the US or the EU, which showed an increase. This is a worrying development for Ireland's goods exporters to Canada. Boost for services However, there are potential gains to be had in the market for services, if the plan to negotiate a digital tech agreement proceeds, which both parties agree would 'enhance cooperation on AI innovation, including collaboration on AI factories, to link our high-performance computing infrastructure and to deepen research cooperation in strategic technology areas such as AI and quantum'. Many Canadian firms that have set up in Ireland come from sectors such as financial services, information technology, and industrial tech. This has boosted Ireland's services exports to close to €5bn, based on the latest estimates from Canadian government statistics. Eight of the top 10 Canadian companies have a presence in Ireland. Four of the top six Canadian banks have operations in Ireland, as do four of the five leading Canadian software companies. Top Canadian insurance companies in IDA's portfolio include Sun Life, which celebrated 25 years in Waterford in 2023, Fairfax, and Canada Life, the parent company of Irish Life. Other familiar names include Scotiabank, National Bank of Canada, TD Global Finance, Bank of Montreal Europe, Brookfield Renewable, Celestica, Greenfield Global, OpenText, Constellation Software, Couche Tard, and Descartes. The services industry exporters are likely to be the big gainers from future trade development with Canada but it awaits the full implementation of the CETA agreement, which has been blocked by Sinn Féin over investor protection clauses that are to be given to Canadian investors in Ireland. However, minister of state for international development Neale Richmond, answering questions in the Dáil, said the Government would move to fully ratify the CETA trade deal, which includes the investor protection clauses, in the coming weeks, despite the misgivings of Sinn Féin. Security and defence The EU had other issues to tackle and were anxious to secure a security and defence agreement with Canada, responding to the political and commercial shock created by their main partner, the US, in threatening to pull out of Nato and demanding a minimum defence expenditure of 5% of GDP by EU member states. 'The partnership will launch work towards a bilateral agreement related to the Security Action For Europe (SAFE) instrument and give access to a €150bn loan mechanism dedicated to joint defence procurement and explore the possibility of establishing an administrative arrangement between Canada and the European Defence Agency,' a joint statement said. The document made specific mention of enhanced coordinated naval activities as a key priority as well as boosting industrial cooperation, which will benefit Ireland as it pursues the expansion of its naval fleet. The statement on security and defence issued as the summit concluded is seen as a key step in a new EU-Canada strategic partnership of the future. For EU Commission president Ursula von der Leyen, there was the added benefit that the deal would aid Europe with one of its greatest needs: critical raw materials that the EU lacks. Read More New markets elude Ireland and EU as reliance on agriculture stalls deals

Calls for Minister Nkabane's resignation grow as MKP joins the fray
Calls for Minister Nkabane's resignation grow as MKP joins the fray

IOL News

time24-06-2025

  • Politics
  • IOL News

Calls for Minister Nkabane's resignation grow as MKP joins the fray

Calls for President Cyril Ramaphosa to remove Higher Education Minister Nobuhle Nkabane have been escalated amid allegations of corruption at the Construction Sector Education and Training Authority (CETA) and claims that she misled Parliament. Image: X The umKhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) has joined calls for the removal of Higher Education Minister Nobuhle Nkabane, saying she is not fit to hold the position. The party was responding to the calls for President Cyril Ramaphosa to remove Nkabane amid allegations of corruption at the Construction Sector Education and Training Authority (CETA) and claims that she misled Parliament. Nkabane is already under scrutiny for misleading the Portfolio Committee on Higher Education about the composition of the panel responsible for recommending appointments to the boards of Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs), which appointed ANC-aligned individuals. This week, fresh revelations emerged in reports that she allegedly ignored whistleblower reports detailing tender fraud and governance irregularities at CETA, which has a budget exceeding R20 billion. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ The whistleblower, Tumiso Mphuthi, a suspended CETA senior manager, claimed that Nkabane repeatedly ignored her corruption complaints against CEO Malusi Shezi. Mphuthi alleged that Shezi rigged tenders awarding contracts to unqualified bidders, yet no investigation was launched despite her submitting evidence to multiple authorities. MKP MP, Mnqobi Msenzane, said these activities show that Nkabane was not fit for the office, adding that she has displayed a serious level of incompetence. He said the challenges at CETA were not an island, adding that they include other institutions such as the Services SETA, which date back prior to the arrival of the current CEO. 'Due to pressures exerted by MK Party MPs and other committee members, the Minister has since withdrawn the corrupt appointments. "As if nothing worse could have tragically visited the SETAs, the Minister proceeded by misleading the Portfolio Committee on the existence of the so-called Independent Panel, which the Minister must still come and answer to the Committee for her shocking transgressions.' Msenzane said Nkabane also delayed the appointments of the SETA board for two months, adding that this has placed the SETAs in disarray, there is a corporate governance breakdown that have seen Auditor General (AG) reports delayed. 'There will be high surpluses in revenues, spending will be less, leading to a hindrance to economic growth. Some stipends and bursaries will not be paid. As things stand, SETAs are similarly under administration currently,' he said. Nkabane's spokesperson, Camagwini Mavovana, said questions should be referred to Ramaphosa's spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, who did not respond. Meanwhile, the DA said it has also filed a complaint with the Public Protector, following the revelation that Nkabane allegedly misled Parliament. Cape Argus

Investigation clears CETA of board manipulation accusation
Investigation clears CETA of board manipulation accusation

IOL News

time23-06-2025

  • Business
  • IOL News

Investigation clears CETA of board manipulation accusation

The Construction Education and Training Authority Sector Education and Training Authority is adamant that there has been no manipulation of board members. Image: CETA/Facebook The Construction Education and Training Authority (CETA) Sector Education and Training Authority (SETA) is adamant that there has been no manipulation of board members. This, it argued, is backed up by the Department of Higher Education and Training, which it said in a statement, undertook an investigation into the allegations of board manipulation at CETA and 'found no evidence of such wrongdoing'. Its statement followed articles that stated that there was corruption at the CETA. This comes after a Sunday Times article arguing that there was corruption and 'rigging' of board appointments. The Sunday Times piece was preceded by an IOL investigation, which was based on leaked paperwork that detailed alleged irregular disciplinary hearings, as well as allegations of financial misconduct. Pages of letters from the National Education Health and Allied Workers' Union to Nobuhle Nkabane, Minister of Higher Education, shared with IOL showed that CEO Malusi Shezi allegedly interfered in procurement processes as well as instigated disciplinary action against those who questioned him. Late on Sunday, CETA issued a statement in which it said that there had been no board manipulation. 'The allegations against the CETA officials are false and malicious. SETA Boards are appointed by the Minister of Higher Education and Training… with limited input for the SETAS or their CEOs,' it said. It also said that each tender awarded is audited by external auditors who are registered with the Independent Regulatory Board of Auditors. 'That is the highest level of assurance and conclusions about processes compliance with section 217 of the Constitution, the Section 51 of the PFMA and the related CETA policies; one can rely on in this regard,' it said. However, the Minister has, herself, come under fire. In the first week of this month, Nkabane, publicly apologised for her behaviour in a Parliamentary Committee on Higher Education session held earlier this week after being lambasted by President Cyril Ramaphosa. In a post on X, she said that she had reflected and acknowledged 'that the situation could have been handled differently'. This followed her meeting with the Committee to, in theory, explain why she appointed certain people as chairmen of 21 SETAs then withdrew those appointments. MPs accused Nkabane of not providing a detailed explanation or being transparent over her withdrawal of the appointments, and said any process needed to ensure that it was not victim to state capture or be dominated by any one political party when it came to political allegiance of those chosen for the role. She was also accused of not listening and telling Members of Parliament that, even though she withdrew appointments of chairmen, that process was not flawed. One member went as far as to say that no-one would believe her. Ramaphosa indirectly said the Minister had called the process, and Parliament into ill repute. Recently, CETA was given the go-ahead to proceed with disciplinary action against a senior employee who had claimed whistleblower protection. These developments come just days after the employee, identified as Tumi, appeared on a podcast with the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse during which she made allegations of corruption within CETA. 'From the time I assumed office in 2021, one of my key goals has been to eliminate corrupt practices and malfeasance and bring clean governance and administration at CETA. This ruling not only vindicates us but gives us confidence to proceed with action we believe will help clean up the rot and cancer plaguing the Sector Education Training Authorities,' Shezi said at the time of a Commission for Conciliation Mediation and Arbitration decision that Tumi had not made her disclosures 'sincerely, honestly and in good faith and thus cannot be regarded as protected disclosures to be protected against occupational detriment'. IOL

Investigation clears CETA of board manipulation accusation
Investigation clears CETA of board manipulation accusation

IOL News

time23-06-2025

  • Business
  • IOL News

Investigation clears CETA of board manipulation accusation

The Construction Education and Training Authority Sector Education and Training Authority is adamant that there has been no manipulation of board members. Image: CETA/Facebook The Construction Education and Training Authority (CETA) Sector Education and Training Authority (SETA) is adamant that there has been no manipulation of board members. This, it argued, is backed up by the Department of Higher Education and Training, which it said in a statement, undertook an investigation into the allegations of board manipulation at CETA and 'found no evidence of such wrongdoing'. Its statement followed articles that stated that there was corruption at the CETA. This comes after a Sunday Times article arguing that there was corruption and 'rigging' of board appointments. The Sunday Times piece was preceded by an IOL investigation, which was based on leaked paperwork that detailed alleged irregular disciplinary hearings, as well as allegations of financial misconduct. Pages of letters from the National Education Health and Allied Workers' Union to Nobuhle Nkabane, Minister of Higher Education, shared with IOL showed that CEO Malusi Shezi allegedly interfered in procurement processes as well as instigated disciplinary action against those who questioned him. Late on Sunday, CETA issued a statement in which it said that there had been no board manipulation. 'The allegations against the CETA officials are false and malicious. SETA Boards are appointed by the Minister of Higher Education and Training… with limited input for the SETAS or their CEOs,' it said. It also said that each tender awarded is audited by external auditors who are registered with the Independent Regulatory Board of Auditors. 'That is the highest level of assurance and conclusions about processes compliance with section 217 of the Constitution, the Section 51 of the PFMA and the related CETA policies; one can rely on in this regard,' it said. However, the Minister has, herself, come under fire. In the first week of this month, Nkabane, publicly apologised for her behaviour in a Parliamentary Committee on Higher Education session held earlier this week after being lambasted by President Cyril Ramaphosa. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ In a post on X, she said that she had reflected and acknowledged 'that the situation could have been handled differently'. This followed her meeting with the Committee to, in theory, explain why she appointed certain people as chairmen of 21 SETAs then withdrew those appointments. MPs accused Nkabane of not providing a detailed explanation or being transparent over her withdrawal of the appointments, and said any process needed to ensure that it was not victim to state capture or be dominated by any one political party when it came to political allegiance of those chosen for the role. She was also accused of not listening and telling Members of Parliament that, even though she withdrew appointments of chairmen, that process was not flawed. One member went as far as to say that no-one would believe her. Ramaphosa's indirectly said the Minister had called the process, and Parliament into ill repute. Recently, CETA was given the go-ahead to proceed with disciplinary action against a senior employee who had claimed whistleblower protection. These developments come just days after the employee, identified as Tumi, appeared on a podcast with the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse during which she made allegations of corruption within CETA. 'From the time I assumed office in 2021, one of my key goals has been to eliminate corrupt practices and malfeasance and bring clean governance and administration at CETA. This ruling not only vindicates us but gives us confidence to proceed with action we believe will help clean up the rot and cancer plaguing the Sector Education Training Authorities,' Shezi said at the time of a Commission for Conciliation Mediation and Arbitration decision that Tumi had not made her disclosures 'sincerely, honestly and in good faith and thus cannot be regarded as protected disclosures to be protected against occupational detriment'. IOL

MKP joins escalating call for higher education Minister Nkabane to resign
MKP joins escalating call for higher education Minister Nkabane to resign

IOL News

time23-06-2025

  • Politics
  • IOL News

MKP joins escalating call for higher education Minister Nkabane to resign

Calls for President Cyril Ramaphosa to remove Higher Education Minister Nobuhle Nkabane have been escalated amid allegations of corruption at the Construction Sector Education and Training Authority (CETA) and claims that she misled Parliament. Image: GCIS The umKhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) has joined the calls for the removal of Higher Education Minister Nobuhle Nkabane, saying she is not fit to hold the position. The party was responding to the calls for President Cyril Ramaphosa to remove Nkabane amid allegations of corruption at the Construction Sector Education and Training Authority (CETA) and claims that she misled Parliament. Nkabane is already under scrutiny for misleading the Portfolio Committee on Higher Education about the composition of the panel responsible for recommending appointments to the boards of Sector Education & Training Authorities (SETAs), which appointed ANC-aligned individuals. This week, fresh revelations emerged in reports that she ignored whistleblower reports detailing tender fraud and governance irregularities at CETA, which has a budget exceeding R20 billion. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ The whistleblower, Tumiso Mphuthi, a suspended CETA senior manager, claimed that Nkabane repeatedly ignored her corruption complaints against CEO Malusi Shezi. Mphuthi alleged that Shezi rigged tenders awarding contracts to unqualified bidders, yet no investigation was launched despite her submitting evidence to multiple authorities. MKP MP, Mnqobi Msenzane, said these activities show that Nkabane was not fit for the office, adding that she has displayed a serious level of incompetence. He said the challenges at CETA were not an island, adding that they include other institutions such as the Services SETA, which date back prior to the arrival of the current CEO. Msenzane said Nkabane created chaos in all SETAs, including her attempt to appoint highly political, conflicted individuals to be board chairpersons of SETAs, and her closest friends who were board members of the Energy and Water SETA (EWSETA). 'Due to pressures exerted by MK Party MPs and other committee members, the Minister has since withdrawn the corrupt appointments. "As if nothing worse could have tragically visited the SETAs, the Minister proceeded by misleading the Portfolio Committee on the existence of the so-called Independent Panel, which the Minister must still come and answer to the Committee for her shocking transgressions.' He said Nkabane also delayed the appointments of the SETA board for two months, adding that this has placed the SETAs in disarray, there is a corporate governance breakdown that have seen Auditor General (AG) reports delayed. He said this would delay the strategic planning and directions of the SETAs, as well as mandatory grant approval. 'There will be high surpluses in revenues, spending will be less, leading to a hindrance to economic growth. Some stipends and bursaries will not be paid. As things stand, SETAs are similarly under administration currently,' he said. Nkabane's spokesperson, Camagwini Mavovana, said questions should be referred to Ramaphosa's spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, who did not respond. Meanwhile, the DA said it has also filed a complaint with the Public Protector, following the revelation that Nkabane misled Parliament. 'The DA also believes that the level of deceit and misleading of Parliament violates the Executive Members Ethics Code, for which the Public Protector has jurisdiction to investigate and make findings – and therefore the DA has reported Minister Nkabane to the Public Protector for investigation into the serious breach of the Executive Members Ethics Code in numerous counts of misleading Parliament,' the party said. Prominent academic Prof Malegapuru Makgoba has joined calls for her resignation. In an opinion piece published in the Sunday Times, former University of KwaZulu-Natal vice-chancellor and national health ombud, Makgoba said the only honourable course for Nkabane was to quit, adding that she had disgraced Ramaphosa and publicly embarrassed him, the higher education and her department. 'She brought this sector into disrepute and her continued presence in the position of Minister continues to damage this vulnerable sector, he said.

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