News

In 2007, the chairman of the Revenue Commissioners was Frank Daly, now head of NAMA, and it might be instructive to have his view on how a tax ruling by his officials threatens the government, in 2016

Newish Northern Ireland First Minister Arlene Foster is in the middle of a successful charm offensive. She is popular, even with some Nationalists. The vortex into normality engulfs ever more of the increasingly hateless political classes despite themselves. We have recently emerged from one of the quietest marching seasons since the Troubles began. Any friction […]

Reading a Pulitzer-winning New York biography over the summer it was difficult not to think of Pat Hickey and his control of the Olympic Council of Ireland (OCI). Hickey’s ego and ability to run rings around ministers is reminiscent, on a much smaller scale, of the way Robert Moses domineered in New York from the […]

Shane Ross knows a thing or two about US multi-national corporations and the way they operate in this globalised economy. They avoid tax, in particular the 35% rate that applies in the US. No amount of huffing and puffing by Tim Cook, Michael Noonan or anyone else can alter that fact, and Ross knows it. […]

On a Saturday in April Republican Sinn Féin (RSF) gathered outside the Garden of Remembrance at Parnell Square in Dublin for their national centenary commemoration. As Garda Special branch approached members and onlookers from the public for their names and addresses, the RSF colour party formed up in front of the garden. To the music […]

The World Giving Index consistently ranked Ireland in the top five until 2015, when it dropped to its lowest rank of ninth perhaps due to certain scandals in the Irish charity sector. Before the recent revelations concerning Console there had been a number of high-profile scandals over the last five years, affecting the reputation of […]

JUNE 2016 The day before Brexit, Permanent TSB shares soared amid speculation that the 75%-state-owned bank may eventually merge with another lender. Shares surged by 10 per cent though they had fallen by more than half since the government sold shares last year. Michael Noonan said: “The share price has been under pressure for a […]