Columns - Irish Examiner

Mick Clifford

Apple tax ruling means a decision must be made

The ruling that Apple should pay to the State €13bn in back taxes means the Cabinet in now burdened with having to make a decision, a situation that sees the political system divided down the middle yet again, writes Michael Clifford

Thu, 01 Sep, 2016

Apple ruling: High farce hovering just on the right side of tragedy

AT LEAST we got value for money. We, the citizens, forked out, on the last count, €776,000 in legal fees to fight the EU competition commission’s attempts to give us money, writes Michael Clifford. 

Tue, 30 Aug, 2016

We need a change of culture for An Garda Síochána, not a new code

The Policing Authority’s efforts to establish a code of ethics for An Garda Síochána are a waste of resources when more serious issues need to be addressed, writes Michael Clifford

Mon, 29 Aug, 2016

Peter Barry: A key architect of peace and king amongst Cork’s merchant princes

Michael Clifford reflects on the life Cork politician and businessman Peter Barry on his death at the age of 88, and says that while he never led his country or party, his contribution as a vital cog in Northern diplomacy will be the shining light of his legacy.

Sat, 27 Aug, 2016

Where does employment contract flexibility drift across the line into exploitation?

Candidates for jobs these days might celebrate when they get it, but they might not always have the rights of other employees, writes Michael Clifford.

Sat, 27 Aug, 2016

Rio tickets scandal set to run and run

Michael Clifford says with the Brazilian ‘cast the net wide’ process and the limited Irish probe, it will be a while before we have answers.

Tue, 23 Aug, 2016

Cost of going to court reinforces inequalities

Like a posh hotel, the civil courts are open to everyone, but only the wealthy can afford to go   there. Michael Clifford highlights some recent cases that show the prohibitive cost of justice

Mon, 22 Aug, 2016

Olympic achievements not dulled by controversy

Where there’s money and sport, there will continue to be corruption of one form or another, writes Michael Clifford

Sat, 20 Aug, 2016

Suffering shellshock and schadenfreude after arrest of Pat Hickey in Rio

It is inevitable that the arrest of Pat Hickey in Rio de Janeiro will give rise to schadenfreude among more than a few people, writes Michael Clifford

Thu, 18 Aug, 2016

Shane Ross left red faced but you gotta love Pat Hickey’s chutzpah

Great rivalries are made at the Olympic Games. We have Michael Phelps and Chad le Clos in swimming, Bolt and Gatlin in the 100m sprint, the O’Donovan brothers and those très cool French dudes in the rowing. But you ain’t seen nothin’ like Ross and Hickey in the egos.

Tue, 16 Aug, 2016