ATHLONE CHINESE HUB

blowtorch

Old Blowtorch's Alamanac 2015. 40 new jobs created in Athlone by FG Security Company who have been contracted to protect the empty industrial area known as Chinatown.

LLU

More proof that there are still people who believe that our problems can be solved by building yet more industrial/retail units. Never mind that we have hundreds of thousands of square feet of industrial units already lying idle having never been occupied or earned a euro.

Still, at least it's not a mega casino or tacky Whitehouse replica, and as long as the Irish taxpayer doesn't get stung for the bill let's fire up the frying pan for the breakfast rolls and party on...

blowtorch

blowtorch wrote: »

Old Blowtorch's Alamanac 2015. 40 new jobs created in Athlone by FG Security Company who have been contracted to protect the empty industrial area known as Chinatown.

Chances are, that the only thing that gets erected will be the "Chinatown" sign and a gate!

zom

@dolanbaker - don't you thing it is surprisingly suspicious that they trying keep it silent as possible? If they really want to trick someone and fake building this estate shouldn't they widely advertise development and talk about it all the time?
This is just clear situation - Chinese are investing lot of money but nothing really big for them - to get some field for further European development. And that's fine - I just don't like the form of that development. It seems like closed ghetto in the middle of nowhere - labor camp with no way to escape. If they would build something like that in i.e. Lexlip there will be chance to blend and integrate it into Dublin urban fabric.

zom

zom wrote: »

@dolanbaker - don't you thing it is surprisingly suspicious that they trying keep it silent as possible? If they really want to trick someone and fake building this estate shouldn't they widely advertise development and talk about it all the time?
This is just clear situation - Chinese are investing lot of money but nothing really big for them - to get some field for further European development. And that's fine - I just don't like the form of that development. It seems like closed ghetto in the middle of nowhere - labor camp with no way to escape. If they would build something like that in i.e. Lexlip there will be chance to blend and integrate it into Dublin urban fabric.

I'm not even sure the Chinese are actually interested in this at all, the location is completely wrong for their trading model. All the promotion is coming from the local developers who probably own the land it's to be sited on.

As others have already said (on another thread about this) any Chinese trading hub would be in western Europe in easy reach of several capital cities, not way out west.

You have the hub in the centre not near the rim!

Milk & Honey

Deleted User wrote: »

I'm not even sure the Chinese are actually interested in this at all, the location is completely wrong for their trading model. All the promotion is coming from the local developers who probably own the land it's to be sited on.

As others have already said (on another thread about this) any Chinese trading hub would be in western Europe in easy reach of several capital cities, not way out west.

You have the hub in the centre not near the rim!

The centre is being built to attract Americans. We are the nearest English speaking country in Europe to the USA.

Milk & Honey

Milk & Honey wrote: »

The centre is being built to attract Americans. We are the nearest English speaking country in Europe to the USA.

America is closer to China than Ireland!

athlonelad

Not the east coast.

athlonelad

athlonelad wrote: »

Not the east coast.

True, but why would an American trader come to Ireland to visit an exhibition centre for Chinese goods when there are plenty of exhibition centres in the US?

Edit: a quick google finds this one amongst others.
http://www.cccct.com/english/english_list.asp?id=99

athlonelad

dolanbaker wrote: »

athlonelad wrote: »

Not the east coast.

True, but why would an American trader come to Ireland to visit an exhibition centre for Chinese goods when there are plenty of exhibition centres in the US?

Maybe they heard about the Cookhouse and want to try chips with EVERYTHING

boredatwork82

Or for the legendary Athlone Night life.

SilverScreen

I still don't see this being built, or at least not the entire project. They may have got planning permission but that doesn't mean that they definitely going to go ahead and build it at that location.

youngblood

I know there is a lot of talk about if they are going to build this thing

But for one second,

Just imagine if they did????

It would totally transform the midlands!

athlonelad

All the dubs will be relocating again, house prices will rise by 50% and Athlone will be featured on megastructures on the discovery channel

walrusgumble

darokane wrote: »

some awful racist comments in here
It doesn't matter who will be working at it,

Eh, it does matter who will be working here. Why should a foreign country avail of cheap corportation tax if it won't employ skilled and suitable Irish Citizens? It would be a complete and utter waste of time for Ireland if the work force only consisted of 30-40 % Irish Citizens.

darokane wrote: »

It will still create jobs and generate more income in Athlone.

Eh, jobs for who? Chinese and other EU / Non Irish citizens who will send their pay packages home (rightly so, it's their money), while the Irish go and emigrate.

darokane wrote: »

People will still be paying tax to the government.

Let it be Irish Citizens paying the tax so.

darokane wrote: »

Who cares of that is from an Irishman, Chinaman or a chimpanzee, Revenue is revenue!

You are an idiot. Must be a landlord or a business person hoping to get cheap labour.

In case you have not noticed, the Chinese do not spend money unless it is within its own community.

Foreigners come and go and will certainly do so if or when the crap hits the fan. This is Irish people's country, they need jobs in order to stay in their country of birth.

Revenue is revenue, good man, not much good if that revenue has to then be spilled into the Social Welfare coffers to provide assistance to employed Irish people.

Next time, think before opening your mouth


For the record, this fear that Irish won't be employed is nonsense and should be ignored.

walrusgumble

Deleted User wrote: »

Chances are, that the only thing that gets erected will be the "Chinatown" sign and a gate!

I don't think The Good People of Athlone would be cultured enough to tolerate that. This ain't "liberal" Dublin

walrusgumble

athlonelad wrote: »

All the dubs will be relocating again, house prices will rise by 50% and Athlone will be featured on megastructures on the discovery channel

Think of the cocaine parties!

Maybe Coppers in Church Street will morph into the Real Copper Face Jacks

Jesus Shaves

walrusgumble wrote: »

Eh, it does matter who will be working here. Why should a foreign country avail of cheap corportation tax if it won't employ skilled and suitable Irish Citizens? It would be a complete and utter waste of time for Ireland if the work force only consisted of 30-40 % Irish Citizens.



Eh, jobs for who? Chinese and other EU / Non Irish citizens who will send their pay packages home (rightly so, it's their money), while the Irish go and emigrate.




Let it be Irish Citizens paying the tax so.



You are an idiot. Must be a landlord or a business person hoping to get cheap labour.

In case you have not noticed, the Chinese do not spend money unless it is within its own community.

Foreigners come and go and will certainly do so if or when the crap hits the fan. This is Irish people's country, they need jobs in order to stay in their country of birth.

Revenue is revenue, good man, not much good if that revenue has to then be spilled into the Social Welfare coffers to provide assistance to employed Irish people.

Next time, think before opening your mouth


For the record, this fear that Irish won't be employed is nonsense and should be ignored.

And you are a racist.

Dr. Kenneth Noisewater

walrusgumble wrote: »

Eh, it does matter who will be working here. Why should a foreign country avail of cheap corportation tax if it won't employ skilled and suitable Irish Citizens? It would be a complete and utter waste of time for Ireland if the work force only consisted of 30-40 % Irish Citizens.

I'm sorry if I've got the wrong end of the stick, but am I missing something here? How can 30-40% of a workforce of c. 2,000 people be a complete and utter waste of time for Ireland? Is that not better than 30-40% of sweet f*** all? Even if it was 30%, that's 600 people less on the dole surely?

walrusgumble

darokane wrote: »

And you are a racist.

You do not even know what that word means. You have clearly lost the argument.

Now, be a good boy or girl and point out what statements made by me are racist. Not to mention not knowing anything about the issue of immigration



Maybe your the racist. Along with being stupid (you probably think open borders are a de facto thing - they are not) you probably have no qualms with discriminating at Irish people in their own country - why? For money? Dislike of Irish people?

Where, by the way did I say I am against foreigners coming to work, so long as it is by proper procedures? Oh wait, I never even suggested it.

You should be reported on for incorrect and slanderous comments, but what is the point, Boards.ie has become extremely keen on censoring any views that go against the grain of the minority who are stiffling discussion.


If you have nothing to say, go back to bed, chief

walrusgumble

deccurley wrote: »

I'm sorry if I've got the wrong end of the stick, but am I missing something here? How can 30-40% of a workforce of c. 2,000 people be a complete and utter waste of time for Ireland? Is that not better than 30-40% of sweet f*** all? Even if it was 30%, that's 600 people less on the dole surely?

Compared to the very generous corporation tax and location, IDA and any other group has no business attracting workers , unless and until the business intends to employ at least 50 % Irish and EU workers.

You do realise that the Work Permit and Green Card Scheme has greatly being closed off to many jobs, as it is due to protect spaces for Irish and EU workers

On of the biggest black holes in the Irish economy in the last while was the opening up a dozens of call centers. Ireland was not picky or selective enough. They brought in industries that had no intention of staying for more than 7 years. They fecked off.

You seem to be very easily pleased. Another who does not realize the potential problems when they bring their families over (and NO, not this crap about one loosing their Irishness, or identity or turning into China Town or ghetto towns)

We need industries that intend to stay , so long as there are skilled workers and the councils etc can persuade them to stay. We don't need people who will feck off a few years later, and we need to ensure that people in the area , so long as they are skilled and qualified to take up the jobs, not have blows ins.

Dell, why was the call centers packed off to India, when the intended customers were European and often English speakers.?


Again, it is nonsense to say that the Chinese hub will not employ Irish people in whatever form. The actual reports (found on the Westmeath CC site) states that at least 50 per cent of jobs will be offered to Irish / EU people. (can't discriminate, no point whinging). Of course non eu people will be NEEDED. But it is not necessary to have them if


Any Government who fails to ensure that new companies who come here will not be attracting 50 % work force being local (whether Irish, EU , Irish resident who don't need permits), and providing generous tax breaks etc are clearly failing any state.

So no, 30 - 40 % is worthless, where do you think the work permits are going to come from? Great get a few off the dole, while we see possibly double than that (of people who are no more qualified than the Irish person - as oppose to the essential people) come into Ireland, get set up and get status and have the jobs.


Bottom line, the fear of the China Town syndrome is nonsense. Irish people will get jobs building. If they want more jobs, they need to up skill and learn Mandarian and climb the ladder.

You think these type of priorities are any different in other EU States, you are very naive

Jesus Shaves

walrusgumble wrote: »

You do not even know what that word means. You have clearly lost the argument.

Now, be a good boy or girl and point out what statements made by me are racist. Not to mention not knowing anything about the issue of immigration



Maybe your the racist. Along with being stupid (you probably think open borders are a de facto thing - they are not) you probably have no qualms with discriminating at Irish people in their own country - why? For money? Dislike of Irish people?

Where, by the way did I say I am against foreigners coming to work, so long as it is by proper procedures? Oh wait, I never even suggested it.

You should be reported on for incorrect and slanderous comments, but what is the point, Boards.ie has become extremely keen on censoring any views that go against the grain of the minority who are stiffling discussion.


If you have nothing to say, go back to bed, chief

I refuse to get into an argument with someone who cannot spell simple words

walrusgumble

darokane wrote: »

I refuse to get into an argument with someone who cannot spell simple words

Your in absolutely no position to argue.

You can't even understand what a simply word " racist" means.

You have no knowledge or understanding of the Immigration System, on legal and social fronts.

Your clearly have an issue with the notion of immigration control

You dishonestly attempt to classify my statements as being against foreign workers in general.

Your are no more than a small towner who is just happy that they "fixed the roads". Maybe you are a foreigner who has interests to worry about and refuse to enter discussion honestly.

If all you can do is resort to petty squabbles of badly typed statements (on a mobile) as oppose to spellings, then you are going down a cul de sac, or maybe you are trolling. You understood what was said, when it suited you, there is absolutely no way you can rebut what was said.


Just walk away, this is one issue you are utterly ignorant on.

Jog on and learn what the word racist means . You lost all credibility the moment you uttered that word. (Well, actually from another post, that showed the mind of a 15 year old, you lost it ages ago)

Jesus Shaves

walrusgumble wrote: »

Your in absolutely no position to argue.

You can't even understand what a simply word " racist" means.

You have no knowledge or understanding of the Immigration System, on legal and social fronts.

Your clearly have an issue with the notion of immigration control

You dishonestly attempt to classify my statements as being against foreign workers in general.

Your are no more than a small towner who is just happy that they "fixed the roads". Maybe you are a foreigner who has interests to worry about and refuse to enter discussion honestly.

If all you can do is resort to petty squabbles of badly typed statements (on a mobile) as oppose to spellings, then you are going down a cul de sac, or maybe you are trolling. You understood what was said, when it suited you, there is absolutely no way you can rebut what was said.


Just walk away, this is one issue you are utterly ignorant on.

Jog on and learn what the word racist means . You lost all credibility the moment you uttered that word. (Well, actually from another post, that showed the mind of a 15 year old, you lost it ages ago)

Like i said in my previous reply to you, i will not argue with you when you cannot grasp the basic concept of grammar

walrusgumble

darokane wrote: »

Like i said in my previous reply to you, i will not argue with you when you cannot grasp the basic concept of grammar

You have nothing to say, and you know it.

You will not be able to make one credible counter argument to what has being said. Why reply? It does not make you smart.




You have also made a libelous comment ; the reason for not bothering to report you is because you clearly are utterly ignorant as to its meaning and you are not worth it. (Also, Boards Mods will ignore it, suits them too)

Dr. Kenneth Noisewater

walrusgumble wrote: »

You seem to be very easily pleased. Another who does not realize the potential problems when they bring their families over (and NO, not this crap about one loosing their Irishness, or identity or turning into China Town or ghetto towns)

You think these type of priorities are any different in other EU States, you are very naive

walrusgumble, I agree with some of what you say, but if you could get down off of your high horse without breaking your two legs that'd be just dandy. No need for the condescension.

I think that some people here are forgetting that all that has been achieved in planning approval for the concept of a Chinese trading hub, that's all.

Whether anything is ever constructed is highly unlikely due to the fact that investors haven't come forward with any money yet!

Steven81

After reading a bit in the Westmeath about the same plan in Liverpool i dont think it will take off so prob a waste of someones money whose i dont know to even get it this far, it is something that should be pushed from the point of view of getting people off the dole to creating jobs both direct and indirect. The midlands needs these jobs and tourism would receive a major boost as a bit of sightseeing combined with business would be on a Yanks mind

Jesus Shaves

walrusgumble wrote: »

You have also made a libelous comment ;

Which comment was libellous?

athlonelad

Things are getting heavy here. Accusations flying all round the place like Judge Judy.