Simon Harris claims his focus in the upcoming budget is on supporting people ‘who get up early every morning and go to work’. Yet: One of the first things his government did on taking office was to…

Simon Harris claims his focus in the upcoming budget is on supporting people ‘who get up early every morning and go to work’. Yet: One of the first things his government did on taking office was to…

The study also suggests that nearly 50,000 homes could have been built if the resources in the data centre build-out were directed elsewhere.

Apartment living was historically seen as ‘unnatural’ in Ireland. But attitudes won’t change until standards do

The Government is expected to remove the need for environmental assessments for housing developments of up to 250 units by the end of the month in a bid to speed up house building.

James Browne pushing for massive increase to bridge affordability gap

Using Revenue Commissioners data, Cliff Taylor shows there are a lot of taxpayers on very high incomes. ‘The number of taxpayers earning more than €150,000 will rise to close to 200,000 next year, …

Retrofitting targets set by Government unlikely to be met, suggests latest report

Using Revenue Commissioners data, Cliff Taylor shows there are a lot of taxpayers on very high incomes. ‘The number of taxpayers earning more than €150,000 will rise to close to 200,000 next year, …

It’s that time of year again.  Media leaks suggest the Low Pay Commission has recommended an increase in the National Minimum Wage of 79 cent. This would raise the wage floor from €14.15 to €1…

It’s that time of year again.  Media leaks suggest the Low Pay Commission has recommended an increase in the National Minimum Wage of 79 cent. This would raise the wage floor from €14.15 to €1…

Here are four stories about childcare provision in Ireland today. The first comes from Elaine Dunne, a childcare provider and spokesperson for the Federation of Early Childcare Providers.  She…

Here are four stories about childcare provision in Ireland today. The first comes from Elaine Dunne, a childcare provider and spokesperson for the Federation of Early Childcare Providers.  She…

The new figures from Apple, showing almost €15bn in corporate tax paid to Ireland last year, are a reminder of how chronically dependent we are on multinationals for health, schools and big projects

The only point of the Summer Economic Statement is to provide four numbers: 1. The total fiscal package for 2027 will be €8.5 billion 2. Current (day-to-day) spending will rise by €5.9 billion 3. C…

The only point of the Summer Economic Statement is to provide four numbers: 1. The total fiscal package for 2027 will be €8.5 billion 2. Current (day-to-day) spending will rise by €5.9 billion 3. C…

Bank bosses all received pay hikes while Ryanair chief Michael O’Leary recently extended his contract with a big package of share options

You know we’re getting closer to budget day.  Misinformation and ill-informed commentary about tax rates proliferate.  In particular, the claims that middle-income earners are highly-taxed, more th…

You know we’re getting closer to budget day.  Misinformation and ill-informed commentary about tax rates proliferate.  In particular, the claims that middle-income earners are highly-taxed, more th…

The economy benefits from productive companies:  investment, wages, pricing and environmental sustainability.  In times of crisis they are more resilient with fiscal buffers, reliable sources of ca…

Taoiseach Micheal Martin wants to ‘slash’ capital gains tax. On the front page of the Business Post: ‘Capital gains tax should be slashed to encourage more Irish people to invest, Taoiseach Micheal…

Demands for cutting taxes on energy are growing. And the Government appears to be listening. ‘The Taoiseach has strongly hinted that cuts to excise duty on fuel are being considered to help househo…

Demands for cutting taxes on energy are growing. And the Government appears to be listening. ‘The Taoiseach has strongly hinted that cuts to excise duty on fuel are being considered to help househo…

It’s not as if the Government didn’t have time.  With Covid and subsequent supply-chain interruptions, the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the 12-day bombing of Iran last year – there are any num…

Raising economic growth requires the government to defeat some vested interests.

Minister Peter Bourke was out recently lauding the record of job creation.  However, the Irish Times took a more nuanced approach: ‘ . . . there is a risk here of looking in the rear-view mirr…

Minister Peter Bourke was out recently lauding the record of job creation.  However, the Irish Times took a more nuanced approach: ‘ . . . there is a risk here of looking in the rear-view mirr…

Progressive parties and civil society groups should jointly campaign to force the Government to drop the annual St. Patrick Day’s visit to the White House.  There is almost nothing to gain fro…

Progressive parties and civil society groups should jointly campaign to force the Government to drop the annual St. Patrick Day’s visit to the White House.  There is almost nothing to gain fro…

The Taoiseach recently criticised the demand for new electricity credits.  Addressing Sinn Fein in the Dail: “You want to add another €2 billion to it in terms of a short-term intervention [el…

The Taoiseach recently criticised the demand for new electricity credits.  Addressing Sinn Fein in the Dail: “You want to add another €2 billion to it in terms of a short-term intervention [el…

The Government’s narrative is that asylum seekers are a cost that must be reduced – by making Ireland an unattractive place for those seeking international protection.  This ignores that fact …

The Government’s narrative is that asylum seekers are a cost that must be reduced – by making Ireland an unattractive place for those seeking international protection.  This ignores that fact …

Some 57,212 acres of agricultural land were sold nationally last year, which represented a decrease of 8.9% on 2023

Raising military spending is economically and politically damaging

We have an affordability deficit.  Even with low unemployment, solid job creation, relatively low inflation and reasonable economic growth, nearly half of households are finding it difficult making…

We have an affordability deficit.  Even with low unemployment, solid job creation, relatively low inflation and reasonable economic growth, nearly half of households are finding it difficult making…