So long 2010

We find ourselves yet again at the annual cusp, the last breaths of 2010 will soon be drawn and the dawn of 2011 will break. As is customary at such times, one is invited (perhaps compelled) to reflect on what the year has taught us or at the very least, what is has presented to …

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Don’t panic! (unless you want to)

So, #budget11 has been released from its cage and set free amongst the unsuspecting public. Terror hit the streets of Dublin as news of this cash gobbling monster spread. People flocked to ATMs in an attempt to claw back any money they could from the bricks and motar that retained their savings. Bank of Ireland …

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It’s cold outside, inside, it will always be cold!

We stand in the eve of what is predicted to be the worst (most austere) budget in Irish history. Based on information leaked so far, the prediction for an average single income household, earning about €35,000 per annum will see a reduction of roughly €600 per annum in take home pay (for single people on …

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Out in the cold

Yes, many things aired today, out in the cold. Amongst those stories of note we recognise the sad passing of Leslie Nielsen (legendary comedic actor, including Airplane! and the Naked Gun movies) and Ivrin Kershner (legendary director, including The Empire Strikes Back). It seems fitting that in such a day, where the world has lost …

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The Essence of the Problem

Yesterday I overheard a conversation while trying to shake off some stress at the gym. This conversation captured perfectly why this country is in such a mess. It started with a moan about how everyone has lied to us and then how it was time for them to be ousted from power. It culminated in …

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This is what the SAR Helicopter means to the Southeast

Kayaker rescued off Wexford coast Tuesday, 30 March 2010 17:37 A man who was reported missing while kayaking off the coast of Co Wexford has been rescued by helicopter this evening. The Waterford Rescue Helicopter rescued the man, who had been missing for a number of hours, off Slade, Co Wexford. He has been transferred …

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Lisbon: A Final Word

This Friday the people of Ireland will go to the polls and at this moment in time I have no doubt that the Lisbon Treaty will be approved by a majority YES vote. Yes, I advocate the NO vote but so too am I realistic with respect to the current state of play. Without offence …

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“Dire-land” – FT.com

A clever and appropriate nomenclature coined by John Murray Brown of FT.com to summarise Ireland at the moment. Our Emerald Isle is looking more like a junk shop, jade dragon – cheap, useless, outdated, and fragile. On one hand our country is fighting the evil of wreckless developers and their associated debts while on the …

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Lisbon II – What’s Changed?

Last October the Irish people went to the polling booth to have their say on the Lisbon Treaty – the result was a definite NO. The path is now being paved for a second vote on the treaty; So, what’s changed? Before the first Lisbon vote, many people had a great number of concerns about …

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Scrap the Dublin Metro Project!

Join the Facebook group. Despite Ireland being in recession and despite an emergency, early budget to try to deal with the crisis, and despite a projected shortfall in taxes of €7.5 billion the government of Ireland still sees fit to proceed with a €4 billion plan to develop a small metro system in Dublin. This …

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