In the overall scheme of things, the Republic of Ireland is a tiny state with a population of just 4.7m people, albeit a population that is rising strongly.

It is mad that Ireland should still be running budget deficits at this stage of the economic cycle, writes Jim Power

US equity markets have passed the point which signified the longest bull run since the Second World War, writes Jim Power.

Economics is basically the study of how to allocate scarce resources to achieve the best possible outcomes. The problem is that resources are by definition limited in supply and demands are virtually insatiable, writes Jim Power

While the Irish economy is performing very strongly on the surface, it is clear on closer examination that the country does have a significant concentration risk.

The world of geo-politics is in a state of chaos with each day bringing fresh challenges to the global order, writes Jim Power

We generally tend to be very critical of the Irish political system and frequently criticise our very diluted form of democracy, writes Jim Power.

There was a story out of Chicago this week that such is the extent of labour shortages there, that employers are waiving drug tests and hiring ex-convicts to fill vacancies as the region heads towards full employment.

Despite what some media commentators have suggested about the lack of detail contained therein, the Summer Economic Statement released by the Department of Finance this week is not meant to be a detailed breakdown of what the minister for finance will deliver on the fiscal front, writes Jim Power.

Over the past few weeks we have come back down to earth with a bang, writes Jim Power