Capital Gains Tax and Local Property Tax are in need of radical reform
At this time of year, officials in the Department of Finance survey the entire horizon of taxable activity in the hope of finding some low-hanging fruit which would help fund increased expenditure, lowering of other taxes, or debt reduction, or all three. As this activity coincides with the media silly season, the potential for scare […]
Trump is itching to use America’s military might
When I wrote last week about the sudden departure of Sean Spicer as Trump’s press spokesman and the advent of Anthony Scaramucci, I sensed yet another looming crisis in the White House hothouse. But the events of this week have been mind-boggling even by the “standards” of Trump’s presidency. Now we know for sure that […]
Trump’s political freefall casts doubt on his capacity to remain as president
While this column has been a Trump-Free Zone for a week or two, there are clear signs that his behaviour is continuing its downward spiral in complete political free-fall which must raise real doubts over his capacity to remain as president of the United States for the entirety of the four year term, one eighth […]
Appointing a Chief Justice is a right and a duty of Government alone
In a grubby capitulation to the ill-informed obsession of one minister, our weak-kneed, frightened Government has decided to appoint a three person committee, consisting of the President of the Court of Appeal, the Attorney General and the chairperson of the Public Appointments Commission, to advise it on the issue as to who should succeed the […]
Latest poll shows a weak-kneed government in office but not in power
Unless something very dramatic happens, we are looking towards another minority government led either by Fianna Fáil or Fine Gael and dependent upon a rag-bag of left and far left TDs for its existence after the next General Election. Today’s Sunday Business Post Red C poll has the “civil war” parties each enjoying the support […]
Trump in office is finding it hard to make America great again
There is abundant evidence that Donald J Trump’s presidency is coming apart at the seams. He has failed to bring his healthcare package designed to repeal Obamacare through the Houses of Congress. His 90-day ban on certain Muslims travelling to the United States from certain States has been watered down, and is generally regarded as […]