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?
Politics
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
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
Imperialist Anarchy
Israel is the only democracy in the Middle East. We are told that on authority. It is a pragmatic truth of authority. Authority is power established in the medium of freedom. Freedom is the market. Israel was thoroughly immersed in the market before it existed. It was conceived as an ideal and brought into existence … Continue reading Imperialist Anarchy
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
