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Falling between two stools: Budget 2016 lacked one bold gesture

Falling between two stools: Budget 2016 lacked one bold gesture

THERE must have come a moment yesterday when the Taoiseach and his senior cabinet ministers asked themselves what more they can do to win the support and affection of the Irish electorate.

Thu, 15 Oct, 2015

Talk, not walk: Multiple industrial disputes

Talk, not walk: Multiple industrial disputes

COULD we be facing a winter of discontent? It is more probable than possible.

Thu, 15 Oct, 2015

BUDGET 2016: A process that exploits our naivety

BUDGET 2016: A process that exploits our naivety

THE finance minister’s annual budget speech is one of the grand dramas in our parliamentary landscape. It is a media-fest of almost endless speculation; leaks if the news is good but secrecy if the news is bad. The process is not perfect but it is how we do things and how we generate a momentum that may not always deliver the best long-term results. It has as little to do with vision as it has to do with accountability.

Wed, 14 Oct, 2015

International restaurant awards: Green gong

International restaurant awards: Green gong

IT may sit slightly uneasily with those charged with promoting Ireland’s wonderful beef and lamb that for the first time Travellers’ Choice Restaurants awards have named a vegetarian restaurant the best in a country — and in Ireland too.

Wed, 14 Oct, 2015

EU votes against state bans: Autonomy on GM feed vetoed

EU votes against state bans: Autonomy on GM feed vetoed

THE European Parliament’s Environment and Public Health Committee yesterday voted against proposals that would allow EU member states to control genetically modified (GM) food or feed in their country. 

Wed, 14 Oct, 2015

Paul O’Connell: A real leader

Paul O’Connell: A real leader

LEADERSHIP wears many faces. Some leaders rely on almost supernatural charisma and charm — Bill Clinton — to achieve their ends. Others manipulate by using fear — Charles Haughey — others still cajole and lead by making sure we recognise our responsibilities — Fr Peter McVerry.

Tue, 13 Oct, 2015

A garda murdered: Let’s end this legacy of evil and delusion

A garda murdered: Let’s end this legacy of evil and delusion

THE murder of Garda Tony Golden in Co Louth on Sunday night is in the first instance a tragedy and an outrage. In the second it is an attack on the integrity of this State, our democracy and the repeated and determined rejection of violence expressed by the vast majority of people on this island.

Tue, 13 Oct, 2015

Multinationals’ tax agility: Facebook friends indeed

Multinationals’ tax agility: Facebook friends indeed

ANYONE who clings to the increasingly threadbare we’re-all-in-this-together idea of society, and despite everything that’s probably most of us, will be outraged that Facebook UK paid just £4,327 (€5,840) in company taxes last year.

Tue, 13 Oct, 2015

Heartbreaking - Tragedy at Carrickmines

Heartbreaking - Tragedy at Carrickmines

ANYONE who believes that a family, no matter how it is shaped, is the primary construct of all good societies cannot but have been moved by Saturday morning’s terrible tragedy when 10 people died in a fire at a halting site in Carrickmines in Co Dublin.

Mon, 12 Oct, 2015

A clarification of sorts on date - When to go to the country?

A clarification of sorts on date - When to go to the country?

IT must be welcomed that Taoiseach Enda Kenny has brought clarity — though something just short of finality — over when the general election might be held. Speaking to RTÉ yesterday, the Taoiseach said: “My intention is to hold the election in the spring of 2016.” That sounds absolute but it leaves just enough wriggle room to keep the debate alive — and for Mr Kenny to change his mind should events intrude.

Mon, 12 Oct, 2015