This is how we have always done things

Justice at Dublin Castle. Image via https://www.flickr.com/photos/sparkle-motion/4136092578/

There’s a story in today’s Dublin Inquirer about delays in citizenship applications leading to legal action from applicants. Here’s a quote: “A spokesperson for the Department of Justice didn’t say whether it considers policy reform based on the issues highlighted in cases it settles out of court. But they said it considers court judgments when… Continue reading This is how we have always done things

Remember this?

Image via Morguefile.com

Brian Lenihan said the bank guarantee scheme was “a necessary first step” and “the cheapest bailout in the world so far” compared with bank rescues where “billions and billions of taxpayers’ money are being poured into financial institutions”. “It allows us to move on and examine other questions which may have to be addressed to… Continue reading Remember this?

Failure Is Good

Way back in September 2008, I wondered what had become of free market philosophy, as the US government scrambled to rescue crumbling banks. Two weeks later, Ireland guaranteed bank deposits and bondholders. A lot has happened since then. Back in 2008, I asked what happened to the belief in creative destruction. I’m still wondering. Capitalism… Continue reading Failure Is Good

Arithmetic of Hope

NAMA has prepared a ‘draft business plan‘. Or rather, the ‘interim NAMA team’ prepared a business plan, since the bill creating NAMA is not law yet. The interim team thinks NAMA will make a profit of €5.48 billion by 2020. It will do this while receiving €12 billion in interest, and paying out €16 billion… Continue reading Arithmetic of Hope

Long Term Value

So this evening, I went though various receipts, totaled up invoices paid, did some data entry into a spreadsheet, and looked at the total. Two hundred and seventy three euro. Tomorrow morning then, I will post off a cheque to the revenue commissioners, payment due for VAT collected over the last few months. I wrote… Continue reading Long Term Value