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
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