Spending on infrastructure makes sense, cutting VAT on hospitality is madness
However, unless the planning system is reformed, I’m unlikely during my lifetime to ride the metro or drink Shannon water from my tap
What US economic madness means for the rest of the world
Tariffs and a weaker dollar spell trouble for Irish exporters
Irish economy needs to take a break
Either we increase spending to develop infrastructure substantially or we need to slow the economy so it can fit into its old clothes
There is a strong logic for US firms to continue making drugs in Ireland for non-US markets
Whatever strategy the US adopts, there are serious risks to Government revenue from the sector after 2026
Farm incomes are up but EU subsidies are likely to fall, along with beef farming
Prospect of reduced EU subsidies and climate rules cloud the future for farmers
There are several ingenious tacks we can take to help cut our emissions
We should raise the cost of fossil fuel cars through higher taxes, while timber housing would reduce emissions from concrete production
The numbers say we need private rental investment to address housing crisis
Latest Government proposals don’t deal effectively with the challenge of encouraging private investment in homes to rent
Can belated economic sanity save the US from a Liz Truss-style fiasco?
The art of the tariff deal may prove far more damaging to the US than Europe
Governments must act fast when the economic winds turn
A short, sharp shock is far more preferable than a prolonged slump
Pity the EU negotiator seeking a US trade agreement with minimal damage
Even 60 years ago, in a much simpler world with a much less global supply chain, deals took a long time to iron out
Trump’s tariffs could endanger vital drug research so EU may have to step in
Someone will have to fund research if US president follows through on stated aim of cutting drug prices
A numbers game: Why are there so few cross-Border romances?
Could relative lack of north-south relationships reflect the separate development of society in the two jurisdictions?
How to fix the Northern Ireland economy
After years of economic underperformance, the North needs drastic change
John FitzGerald: Irish unification would hit South harder than 2008 crash
Republic’s prosperity may make a united Ireland look attractive to many in the North but but the cost would be very high for southerners
Failure to connect electricity systems on island of Ireland has led to higher prices and greater emissions
Given our dependence on electric power, delivery of modern interconnector should be faster than one built in wartime