Apple, Europe and how “boxing above our weight” includes throwing the odd punch
The Commission ruling on Apple handed down by Commissioner Margrethe Verstager is a disgraceful and unedifying abuse of power by the institutions of the EU. Its brazen character is stark but is in character with the soul of the federalist behemoth in Brussels. I carry no candle for multinational capitalists who preach corporate ethics and […]
Local Property Tax is a ticking political time bomb – but there is an alternative
Mark my words, the so-called Local Property Tax is a ticking political time bomb that will play a central part in the next General Election, particularly in the greater Dublin area. You don’t need a crystal ball to see why. Anyone who comes up with a proposal to abolish it and to replace it with […]
From Frodo to Mojo – why Enda Kenny is in no hurry to vacate the top job
Like Frodo standing at the precipice on Mount Doom, torn apart by simultaneous, conflicting emotions about casting the Ring into the inferno (no reference to Michael Ring intended!), Enda Kenny stands on the political ledge of Government Buildings, eyeing the mob below, a large portion of which is shouting “Jump!”. But will he? Or will […]
No more political fudges on Seanad reform
Today the NUI have informed me that, of 103,000 ballot papers issued by registered post, only 15,000 completed ballots have been returned so far. A further 18,600 have been returned to the NUI as undeliverable, of which 600 have been re-posted to voters on request. This leaves around 70,000 votes which have yet to be […]
Our government and diplomats have their work cut out now
Avoiding clichés such as “seismic”. “historic” and “game-changing” is difficult when describing or analysing the democratic decision of the people of the United Kingdom to leave the EU. The legal and political process of withdrawal will take years – years of uncertainty. Uncertainty is bad for our economic growth and investment. Until the UK’s trading […]
Is there any way back from the Brexit brink?
Apparently, nobody, but nobody, is willing to publicly contemplate a re-running of the Brexit referendum in the same way the Nice and Lisbon treaties referendums were re-run in Ireland. As of now, the idea is toxic. And no contender for political high office is willing even to mention a re-run as a possibility. And so […]