Ireland's political and cultural magazine
In recent months there have been many references by politicians and economic commentators to Ireland having one of the most progressive tax systems in the OECD. These statements reference data from the OECD Taxing Wages database which provides “…an insight into the levels of progressivity in the income tax systems of OECD countries”. However, progressivity […]
The Dutch Presidency of the European Union released on Thursday, January 21 at the European Commission in Brussels a new ranking of public integrity for the 28 EU Member States. The ranking represents the first objective measurement of public integrity in the EU. It is part of a report on trust and integrity commissioned […]
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In 1991 I was elected as a councillor onto Dublin City Council. Before we took our seats on the new City Council we were deferentially issued with robes to wear for the formal first meeting. As a councillor my robes were green and blue. Councillors first elected in their ward were referred to as aldermen […]
Hundreds of people line up in a queue as soon as the doors of the van open, each hoping to get a pair of warm trousers. It is a cold November day in Calais, but some of them are wearing just shorts and slippers. In the queue I recognise a Syrian man that I met in […]
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At the end of last September, under the shadow of the glimmering New York skyline overhead, the world celebrated the dawn of a new era. The UN Summit on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) concluded with a massive party in Central Park, graced by the presence of superstars such as Ed Sheerin and Beyonce. The […]
John Bruton (Taoiseach 1994-7, Minister for Finance 1981-2, 1986-7) has a book out. His publisher, Currach Press, suggested journalists might like to interview the lively former Taoiseach. I signed up and an appointment was arranged. The morning of our interview the man from Currach texted to say Bruton was concerned it should be primarily about the […]