The Anatomy of a Crisis

Robert Sweeney 30/03/2020

A Look Back at the 2008 Crisis These are unchartered waters. Ireland is now in effective lockdown. As the dust settles on the enormity of the health crisis, the economic challenge we face is similarly formidable. The ESRI warns that unemployment could peak at 18% this year, that incomes over the year will fall by 7%, and that public finances will …

Coronavirus: It can’t be politics as usual if we are to survive

Shana Cohen 19/03/2020

Coronavirus has shown that there has never been a more important time to shift from the politics of me to the politics of us – but are our …

The EU’s Inane Fiscal Rules are finally relaxed

Paul Sweeney 18/03/2020

At last, the inane Fiscal Rules are to be relaxed. It took the Covid19 crisis to force this action by the EU leadership. In a recent blog I set out …

Agenda for a Progressive Finance Minister

Paul Sweeney 05/02/2020

The possibility of a progressive government allows us to dream of very serious reforms by a progressive Minister for Finance. These are some …

Housing 2020

Rory Hearne 05/02/2020

This election is fundamental for housing. Whoever gets elected on Saturday will implement policies that will shape our housing system for decades to …

Irish Dairy & the Sustainability of Rural Ireland

Conor Mulvihill 15/01/2020

Irish dairy is currently going through a renaissance period. It is currently seen as a ‘tiger’ economy in the global dairy industry, with one of …

Reforming the EU

Paul Sweeney 07/01/2020

An EU rule which must be radically reformed is the Stability and Growth Pact (SGP). It is a set of rules intended to ensure member states in the …