The idea of Ireland leaving the EU is a non-issue in Irish politics and likely to remain so for the foreseeable future. However, what is worth considering is whether the EU has left Ireland? To refresh our memories: joining was a very attractive prospect for Ireland: it helped remove us from the shadow of the … Continue reading Ireland and the EU — Who is leaving Whom?
Author: lefroggy01
Some Thoughts On The Mecca Agreement
The Mecca Joint Defence Agreement—the pact between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye signed in August— has been described inaccurately by Andrew Korybko and others as “the Muslim NATO”. This is nonsense, since its orientation and its rationale have little to do with Russia. Tariq Ali has described it as an anti-Houthi alliance. George Friedman, more … Continue reading Some Thoughts On The Mecca Agreement
Budget 2027
Overview The 2027 Budget was framed in the context of a buoyant economy. The Modified Domestic Demand measure of National Income, which excludes the profits of Multi-Nationals, indicates that the economy will grow by 3% next year. There is a record number of people employed in the economy at 2.8 million. We have had 4½ … Continue reading Budget 2027
The Drumcree Replay
It looks like some Ulsterish elements have decided upon a replay at Drumcree and a “once more to the breach [or brink!] dear friends” event. John Finucane MP summed up the collective will of the Catholic community in relation to that when he announced: “No Going Back!”Nationalists duly flooded into the Garvaghy Road in defence … Continue reading The Drumcree Replay
Pay Parity: Northern Ireland And England
Since the Belfast Agreement there have been increasing problems with pay parity in the public sector—apart from local government, where the north is covered by England and Wales pay agreements. However, this has not been the subject of separate industrial action. On this issue Chat GPT states: "The key to understanding this is that direct rule … Continue reading Pay Parity: Northern Ireland And England
The Brian P. Murphy OSB Archive.
(Series 9) The Evolution Of British Policy And The Emergence Of A Sinn Fein Publicity Department In The Years After The Easter Rising. Mss notes, Part 33 Ireland at the end of May 1920 Surveying the scene in Ireland at the end of May, General Macready was not a happy man. That the Irish Bulletin … Continue reading The Brian P. Murphy OSB Archive.
Roger Casement : Letters to the Editor
Dear Irish Political Review Editor, I wish to deal with just a couple of points of accuracy in the Casement articles in October’s Irish Political Review where I get a dozen mentions - partly because I had a letter published. In defence of President Connolly from Paul Hyde’s many, often intemperate, attacks, I will only … Continue reading Roger Casement : Letters to the Editor
A Journalist And A Functionary!
Book Review Famous Trials 9: Roger Casement, Penguin Books, 1964, by H. Montgomery Hyde H. Montgomery Hyde (1907-1989) was an Ulster Unionist MP and officer of Military Intelligence, rising to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. With that background, it is perhaps not surprising that the book is biased against Casement. But there are no rants … Continue reading A Journalist And A Functionary!
Roger Casement — Omertà
A free press is what makes a democracy free and distinguishes it from autocratic states. When the press complies with propaganda on any issue, a vital freedom is compromised and the people are betrayed. This process is known as ‘the manufacture of consent’. The refusal by the press in Ireland to challenge the Casement propaganda … Continue reading Roger Casement — Omertà
Iceland’s Rejection Of Talks About EU Membership
The incomprehension of Irish europhiles at Iceland's decisive rejection of European Union membership talks reveals a fundamental unwillingness to confront the historical record and undemocratic character of the European integration project. When 52.8% of Icelandic voters rejected the government's proposal to reopen accession negotiations, the reaction from europhile quarters in Dublin—where the EU has been … Continue reading Iceland’s Rejection Of Talks About EU Membership
