Taylor Swift tops the economic charts, electoral victory for Centrist Dads and Apple’s awkward €13bn
If the 2024 election result marked stability, safety and conservatism, the biggest gig of the year underscored that same middle-brow innocuousness
David McWilliams
David McWilliams columns
Europe has lost its mojo. Thankfully Ireland is in bed with the US
Europeans are afraid of the future, saving for the rainy day, while America has overtaken all the major advanced economies of the EU
Ireland needs a major housing reset and this will discommode many. It has to
Just to keep up with present demand for housing, we require to build a city the size of Waterford every year for decades
The potential threats to Ireland now come in four guises
Ireland is depicted as a hellhole when in fact it’s one of the world’s most successful economies
In a too-hot Irish economy, politicians are treating voters like children in a sweet shop
This increasing infantilisation of the population means that every policy is directed towards a short-term electoral sugar rush
Can Trumponomics work? Partly yes. Ultimately no
In the end, the financial markets, now celebrating his victory, will push Trumpism towards bankruptcy
American politics has become the fiefdom of billionaires
Today’s Democrats are in the pockets of big business as much as Republicans are
Why a Donald Trump election win could signal the end of Ireland’s golden years
A Trump victory in the US presidential election would constitute a seismic shift in our overall international strategy
Dublin’s O’Connell Street has just one resident left. What the area lacks most is not guards, it is people
Dublin’s north inner city could become one of Europe’s most happening addresses in a reasonably short space of time
I don’t think sanctions on Israel are imminent, but things can change quickly in times of war
At the moment Europe appears powerless, an ineffectual bystander, but that might not remain the case if the slaughter of innocent people continues
Irish electricity prices have almost tripled in 12 years, in Scandinavian countries they pay half, why?
With this week’s budget, the Government is treating the symptoms rather than tackling the causes of high energy prices
Here’s an ‘epic’ idea to unlock Cork’s potential
We must stimulate the creation of urban centres of excellence exuding quality of life as counterweights to the capital
Ireland is ‘dangerously lopsided’. Galway and Limerick are essential to its future
The likely unification of Ireland will mean a greater economic role for the west but we need to plan for development like the Dutch have done
Ireland should have Apple houses as well as Guinness homes
Ireland is a country with first-world income but third-world infrastructure. We have the opportunity to rectify this. Our problem is not a lack of cash, it’s a lack of courage
Ireland should not be blocking data centres, we need more of them
We need to find a win-win solution based on engineering which is far more ingenious than a simple black and white, yes or no to data centres
David McWilliams: Leave things as they are, and Ireland’s economy will stumble and fall in the years ahead
Post-election, the new government must sweep away any impediments constraining development. Land must be made available to build on, and builders must be encouraged to build
We get electronics and cars from China, so why not let them build our trainlines?
The Italians have proved to be the most efficient and cost-effective builders on infrastructure in Europe. Why do we lag so far behind?
After 30 years of relative success, is Dublin city going backwards again?
Our capital is no exception to the rule that cities are fragile ecosystems that can go into decline rapidly
Today’s children could be worse-off than their parents
Amid global turmoil, the standard patterns of social mobility are shifting. Career choices are being recalibrated as financial and other rewards rise and fall
Inheritance is not just a family affair – it’s a critical societal issue
Despite wealth inequality, when it comes to social uplift, the past few decades in Ireland have been truly remarkable
So we’re going to have a 7m population. I’ve got a plan
The huge productivity gap between the local and foreign business sectors must be bridged by creating a closed-circuit economy
Ireland has an almost embarrassing abundance of revenue compared with the UK’s budgetary problems
The problems of Ireland are ones the new UK Labour administration would love: too much money, large tax surpluses and politicians choosing where to spend
Many ‘real jobs’ of the past are extinct, replaced with roles nobody could have imagined
Fathers and mothers of many of today’s Irish adults have no idea what their 20-something children are going to do for a living
Aer Lingus pilots are unlikely revolution leaders but wages will have to rise for social peace
David McWilliams: We may be entering a new world of industrial turmoil after years of relative peace
Fundamental differences over economics may damage EU-wide right-wing alliance
Economics, although important, tend to be trumped by culture
David Baddiel in Dalkey: ‘My mother wanted us to know about her affair’
British author says we must be honest about our loved ones’ flaws to truly remember them
France is politically goosed if Macron’s big gamble on a snap election fails
Le Pen could repeat her EU election performance in two weeks’ time, leaving French politics in gridlock. There could be consequences for Ireland
Ireland has a bigger welfare state than almost anywhere in the world
The biggest opponents of neoliberalism are also, inexplicably, the biggest opponents of a wealth tax on land and property
Populists have the environmental movement in their sights
There is emerging alliance in Europe of farmers and new right-wingers against environmental movement
One place where Britain remains truly a global player is the empire of the Premier League
One place where Britain remains truly a global player is the empire of football
Apocalyptic scenes could await us if opioid pandemic hits amid housing crisis
The economics of opioids is fairly straightforward and if they flood into Ireland in the same volumes as seen in North America, God help us
In today’s Ireland, the rich live in houses that were built for the poor
In Ireland today, the only people who can live in houses originally built for poor labourers are rich people and, in some cases, really rich people
A small town in Co Kerry and a formula for rejuvenating rural Ireland
A town is a highly sensitive ecosystem of shops, bars, cafes, restaurants, residents, local leaders, workers, professionals, schools, churches, sports clubs – something we call community
One sector of Ireland endures housing as a crippling monthly cost while another enjoys it as an appreciating asset
When it comes to housing, the world of Bertie Ahern compared with that of Simon Harris are radically different
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE...
Crosswords & Puzzles
Crosswords & puzzles to keep you challenged and entertained
Election 2024
Full general election coverage including analysis and results for all 43 constituencies
Common Ground
How does a post-Brexit world shape the identity and relationship of these islands
Family NoticesOpens in new window
Weddings, Births, Deaths and other family notices