The economic and political situations of troubled France and confident Ireland could not be more different. Or are they?
Scale Ireland hosted its annual pre-budget gathering with finance minister Paschal Donohoe on hand but anyone hoping for a tease of significant policy changes was left wanting.
The clamour for more equal treatment from childless people only adds to the economic and social reality that allowing children to inherit €400,000 or more tax-free from their parents has no benefits.
The timing could hardly be worse to make decisions on the fiscal space or capital commitments. The Government’s big announcements are really just holding positions.
The State’s commitment to fund Metrolink before its cost is known illustrates the abandonment of project selection on the basis of their business case.
The latest iteration of the National Development Plan sets funding allocations first, leaving project prioritisation for later – except for three Dublin infrastructure mammoths.
The initial proposal for the next EU budget includes small but unprecedented direct taxation of large businesses by Brussels.
The expansion of Heathrow appeared in stark contrast to the situation around Dublin Airport, which has seen its growth held by the ongoing row around the passenger cap. But can the UK government deliver the project?
Recent comments by Revolut's Nik Storonsky will only add to the malaise that has gripped the London Stock Exchange and the AIM market.
The State pays as much to access a private hospital bed during demand peaks as it costs to run a public one for the full year, ministerial correspondence suggests.
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