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
Irish Economy and Society
Of Morality And Corruption
(IPR, January 2011) "The root cause of the crisis is to be found in the moral bankruptcy of Irish political culture. As a result we became accustomed to regarding the marketplace and the forces within it, plus the entire commercial sphere, as moral free zones" — that is the view of T.P. O'Mahony in a … Continue reading Of Morality And Corruption
Simplistic Approaches To Taxes Will Ultimately Hurt Workers
Organised Labour There is a rich irony in the Government saying the budget will focus on making work pay, while also pledging to increase inherited wealth, writes Owen Reidy, Secretary General of the Irish Congress of Trade Union (14.9.2026). OVER recent weeks and months, Government Ministers have said that Budget 2027 will be one that … Continue reading Simplistic Approaches To Taxes Will Ultimately Hurt Workers
Education Reforms in Northern Ireland Part 2
In part 1 of this article, Mark Langhammer explored the Michael Gove education reforms in England, 2010-14, and their ‘philosophical’ or ideological underpinnings. This article considers the education reforms currently proposed by the DUP Education Minister, Paul Givan for Northern Ireland—widely seen as a “cut and paste” version of the Gove reforms. What is Paul … Continue reading Education Reforms in Northern Ireland Part 2
Gove Reforms: What Now In England? And Northern Ireland?
As Northern Ireland, through the DUP Education Minister Paul Givan, faces the prospect of a programme of radical education reform (widely parodied by opponents as a “Cut and Paste” job akin to the 2010-14 “Gove Reforms” in England), England appears set to 'row back' from Gove. A case of 'one step forward, two steps back' ! Below, in the first of … Continue reading Gove Reforms: What Now In England? And Northern Ireland?
ORGANISED LABOUR
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% ALMOST 100,000 households will pay more Tax this year following the Government’s decision in Budget 2026 not to increase tax credits or bands. According to calculations by Revenue, 23,000 taxpayer units—individuals or couples—who did not have a tax liability last year will have one in 2026. An additional 76,400 taxpayer units will be pushed … Continue reading ORGANISED LABOUR
THE FIRST 50 YEARS OF THE AUBANE COMMUNITY CENTRE
[The following article will appear in the March issue of Irish Political Review on paper] THE FIRST 50 YEARS OF THE AUBANE COMMUNITY CENTRE. Jack Lane A story of a townland The people of the townland of Aubane celebrated 50 years of their Community Centre last year and an account of it includes the following item: It … Continue reading THE FIRST 50 YEARS OF THE AUBANE COMMUNITY CENTRE
Herzog In The Spotlight!
Brendan Clifford Oliver Sears, who is a spokesman for the segment of the Jewish nation located in Ireland, takes issue with the popular demand for the renaming of Herzog Park in Dublin: "Seven councillors accused Israel, its security services and/or its agents of pressurising the Irish Government to intervene in the process to cancel the … Continue reading Herzog In The Spotlight!
Budget 2026—Editorial
The Irish economy continues to be buoyant, notwithstanding the uncertain global economic environment. GDP growth rates are expected to be 10%, 1% and 4% for 2025, 2026 and 2027 respectively. (The large growth rate in 2025 and low rate in 2026 reflects multi-nationals bringing forward production and sales in 2025 to avoid Trump’s tariffs.) There … Continue reading Budget 2026—Editorial
Connolly In The Park A Wise Choice:
Anatomy & Post-Mortem of a Landslide Election What a difference a year makes. In December 2024, Pat Leahy of the Irish Times proclaimed Micheal Martin as a Resurrection Man (at the time, I begged to differ describing him as not the Messiah but a very lucky boy). Leahy described him as “starting another chapter in a long political odyssey that has seen … Continue reading Connolly In The Park A Wise Choice:
