Here are some notes (google doc) from the talk I gave at NUI, Galway, yesterday. Thanks to the Lit and Deb society for inviting me down, and to Senator Boyle for the chance to debate with him. I learned a lot, I won, and it was a laugh. Of course I based a fair amount of [...]
Also tagged Add new tag, Debate, Galway, National University of Ireland Galway, NUI, Public Speaking, Social Sciences, SpeechTomorrow Fintan O’Toole, Irish Times Deputy Editor, Author, Angry chap, and all-around ledge-bag will be giving a seminar from 4.30 to 6 in GL1-01 in the Library. Everyone interested in Irish public policy and public life should head along, it will be well worth it.
Update: A recording of the seminar is here.
The smart economy is a nice idea, perhaps even a good idea. But like most nice ideas, when exposed to reality, the smart economy just breaks down. The smart economy as a concept takes no notice of the detail: who is looking for what type of job right now, and how long will it take [...]
Also tagged Add new tag, Business, Construction, Financial services, Limerick, Mid-West, Organisations, UnemploymentThis headline from the Irish Times, for some reason, gives me images of grannies in camouflage with AK47s and grenades storming the Dáil. The subject is ageing, and the effect an older population will have on economics, politics, and society. The UN Population Division has issued a report showing just how trends in the average [...]
Also tagged Add new tag, Economic, Health care, Pharmaceutical industry, Politics, Population, Research and development, United StatesToday marks a year since the announcement of Dell’s closure in Limerick. Unemployment has since soared in the region, particularly among young men. The (interim) findings of the Dell Taskforce have not been implemented, the 21 million Euros earmarked by the EU and the Irish government for Dell workers has not, to my knowledge, made [...]
Also tagged Add new tag, Business, Business and Economy, European Union, Flood, Government of Ireland, Limerick, OrganisationsGet a more considered and data-heavy presentation of the key issues surrounding today’s crucial budget at Ronan Lyons’ blog and of course Irish Economy. Here’s a list of ten things Minister Lenihan has to get right.
Oddly, for me, I’d like to rein in the rant on this budget. It’s crucial we do so, because the [...]
This is going to be well worth going to folks, organised by ISKS at UL.
Following on from the first ISKS conversation between Professor Ruth Levitas and Michael D. Higgins on transformative tools for a better Ireland, the second conversation focuses on the options now facing Irish society before what is likely to be the most [...]
Ireland’s recent flooding is only a taste of things to come. Few towns in Ireland even have a flood defence scheme, much less a system of levees. One challenge facing Ireland by the year 2050 is the persistent risk of rainfall. Increased rainfall brings with it an increased risk of floods, as well as storms [...]
Also tagged Celbridge, Climate change, Cork, Earth Sciences, Flood, Hurricane Charlie, Natural Disasters and HazardsImage by féileacán via Flickr
Published in The Dubliner.
Not changed utterly. Things will change in Dublin, but they will not change utterly. Dublin in 1970 was similar to Dublin in 2009, and Dublin in 2050 will be outwardly similar. The intervening days between today and 2050 – about 15,000 of them – offer us the opportunity [...]
Image by PienJoris via Flickr
Just published in Verbal Magazine.
Ireland has a reputation as a land where artists can thrive. Often, Ireland don’t deserve that reputation. I believe it makes long term economic, social, and cultural sense to ensure we keep funding the arts in Ireland for two reasons. First, the arts are an end in [...]