We should thank the central bankers for not easing mortgage rules years ago
If the rules had been loosened sooner or, worse, not adopted at all, house prices would now be even higher with many borrowers in bigger trouble as rates rise
Caveat
Irish trade unions edge closer to Holy Grail of mandatory recognition by employers - but issues remain
A working group has told the Government that employers should be forced by court order to deal with trade unions. But turning that into a reality is still some way away
Debate over 9% VAT is Irish tourism’s Neverending Story and it isn’t finished yet
Leo Varadkar’s intervention after the budget this week seemed calculated to keep the issue on the table
Mark Paul: Runaway public spenders are like climate change deniers who want our kids to pick up the tab
It is as wrong to spend tomorrow's public cash today as it is to leave future generations the job of fixing the planet
Tax report has something to suit every political hue, but will ultimately amount to nothing
The Commission on Taxation and Welfare’s eye-catching proposals push the boundaries of what the public will accept
Post-Covid spending spree is set to end as a harsh winter looms for Irish consumers
The spending phoney war will soon be over and retail and hospitality had better watch out
Cashless society would give banks way too much power
AIB’s U-turn and recent Aviva chaos are two examples of why cash may still be some kind of king
Leave alcohol taxes alone until the hangover clears from minimum unit pricing
Cutting alcohol excise or raising alcohol levies will make it harder to judge if MUP has actually worked
Hydrocarbons may eventually kill us but the economy could die first
Ireland is playing both sides by importing oil and gas from despots while refusing to drill it from our own backyard
Caveat: Commercial long Covid is speeding death of customer service
Standards and staffing were hit in the pandemic but companies must stop using the disruption as an excuse
Tourism is a €9.5bn industry, not just a bit of fun
The chaos around travel is emblematic of how the sector is viewed by those in power
Lifting caps on banker pay now would be a bicycle kick of a political own goal
It remains in the public interest for the State to keep a grip on institutions that continue to show signs of rot
Hotel room excessive price hikes may cost tourism its 9% VAT rate
Hoteliers claim room prices are up because refugees are occupying much of their stock. But taxpayers pay them for these and sector is profiteering on remaining supply
Workers are being urged to show pay restraint but, in all fairness, why should they?
Less of the wage-price spiral doom-mongering. Employers can't hold off on pay rises with inflation above 8% and, as the IMF says, they could always accept lower profits
C&C aims to restore Magners’ sparkle in the British market
The Irish company has emerged from the pandemic with a desire to keep it simple
Caveat: Donohoe boxes clever this time round on tourism’s special 9% VAT rate
Dragging out debate around restoring the higher rate would be a mistake – either leave it as it is or be decisive about the timeline
Caveat: €58m bonus play of Boohoo’s Irish chief could become a crying game
Inflation has slowed the online fast fashion retailer’s growth
Climate agenda brings real challenges for international tourism
There is a limit to how green discretionary travel can ever be
Caveat: Ireland needs to be careful it doesn’t end up dancing to TikTok’s tune
The Chinese-controlled social media giant potentially could be even more troublesome for the State than its US Silicon Valley peers
Football clubs are influencers and need to cut their crypto ties
Clubs have a different social role from other companies and should not encourage fans to take financial risks
Kerry Group’s desperate attempts to keep its Russian food factory leave a bad taste
Caveat: Kerry is the only Irish multinational keeping alive its links with Putin’s fetid regime
Self-inflicted problems threaten to take off at Dublin Airport
From drop-off charges to dire security queues and deals with autocratic regimes, DAA has made several missteps
P&O’s barbaric sackings share ‘Hall of Infamy’ with Clerys
Sheer scale of the ferry group’s managerial incompetence is a sight to behold
Irish eyes will not be smiling if war in Europe stops US tourists from travelling
Towns such as Killarney are heavily dependent on the US market but all is not lost just yet
John FitzGerald: Ukraine shock waves to be felt for some time
Role of government not to try stop inevitable, but to protect vulnerable against high prices
DAA needs its wings clipped over plan to charge for airport drop-off
Everybody can see through authority’s spurious ‘sustainability’ rationale; it clearly will be a revenue raiser
Russia and China cast darker shadows now for Irish investors than during days of Brics buzz
Caveat: Moscow’s invasion reveals risk of investing in the non-western economies
Direct provision sees State prop up swathe of Irish hotels
Caveat: State asylum system readies for €500m splurge before decommissioning
Coronavirus: On masks and vaccines, we must respect each other
A trip to a packed pub can tell you a lot about where your attitude to virus risk lies
The Government cannot solve everybody’s problems. The nation is addicted to the State
Individuals and businesses should not be made to feel powerless
Caveat: We can't forget the necessity of Covid restrictions but don't dismiss what they cost us
This week’s public health data suggests a brighter future for business and society
Enniskerry planning battles are a microcosm of State’s housing challenges
Crisis won’t be solved without massive construction, but try telling locals they have to sit back and say nothing
A top tip for hospitality employers: treat your staff as well as you can
As industry prepares for a new phase of pandemic, the State is devising new laws to boost workers’ rights to gratuities
Mark Paul: Irish pubs will be changed forever by the pandemic
On future nights out we are likely to seek out better ventilation and thinner crowds
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE...
Crosswords & Puzzles
Crosswords & puzzles to keep you challenged and entertained
Common Ground
How does a post-Brexit world shape the identity and relationship of these islands
Stardust
Inquests into the nightclub fire that led to the deaths of 48 people
Family NoticesOpens in new window
Weddings, Births, Deaths and other family notices