Publications

Ireland's labour force grew by 2.1 % (or 40,000 people) in 2003. It seems likely that the current year will see further growth of 1.8% (or 33,000 people). These are indicators of a solid, well-managed economy, attractive to foreign investors.

Mason Hayes & Curran in 2005

The constant aspiration of Mason Hayes & Curran is intelligently to align itself and its services with the economy and the market. Our current judgement is that Ireland's attractiveness as an international investment destination will persist. Our New York-resident lawyer, Dan Walsh, reports a stream of enquiries about Ireland as a business location, a trend replicated by enquiries we are receiving from the UK and elsewhere. We also judge that the Irish domestic market will continue to require a widening range of sophisticated legal services. In particular, we observe high demand from the government and public sectors, from participants in financial services, and also from those involved in infrastructural development. MHC has positioned itself accordingly.

Shipping News

The Irish government recognises that the further development of the shipping industry can be of appreciable economic benefit to this country as an island nation. Significant infrastructural development of ports has occurred, together with changes in legislation, to enhance Ireland's competitiveness in the sector. A particularly important change has been the introduction of the Irish tonnage tax regime. This, coupled with our attractive corporate tax rate of 12.5%, is set to make Ireland's shipping environment ultra­competitive. Mason Hayes & Curran is delighted to announce the recent recruitment of shipping lawyer, Helen Noble. Previously based in London, Helen joins us from one of the world's leading international shipping firms.

Infrastructure and Construction

Visitors to Ireland remark on the level of activity in highway and tunnel construction. A lot of work is underway, with seemingly endless scope for future development, making up for years of minimal infrastructural investment. There is also huge activity in private development of office, industrial and residential projects. Looking over Dublin, one sees a forest of cranes!

In response to the market, Mason Hayes & Curran has recruited a new partner, Rory Kirrane, who is a specialist construction lawyer with an impressive track record with a leading UK law firm in that sector. Rory is already immersed in serving a very active MHC client base in his practice area.

Promotions

One of a managing partner's great pleasures is to facilitate and announce the promotion of outstanding lawyers. Last month, six of our brightest and best young lawyers achieved promotion to the rank of senior associate, an important stepping stone on the Mason Hayes & Curran career path. I again offer my personal congratulations to Will Carmody, Paul Convery, Melanie Crowley, Susan Frisby, James Moran and Ronnie Neville. Our people are our currency, and these outstanding lawyers represent precisely what we are about.

New Headquarters

In the last issue of MHC TIMES, I reportedhat we would relocate to a brand new, state­of-the-art headquarters in Dublin's docklands district. Work has now commenced on our building, to be called South Bank House. We aim to make this an outstanding, functional and striking headquarters. It will symbolise our philosophy and our positioning, and will enhance our service to our market. It has been designed with our staffs welfare and comfort in mind, the better to serve our clients and constantly to improve the quality and sophistication of our services and their delivery