John Looby: Why Ireland’s complex housing deserves better than simple words

Prime Minister Keir Starmer's successful courting of the American president amid a plethora of landmines will go down as a win. He desperately needed it as he contends with high-profile exits, looming tax hikes, and the rise of Nigel Farage's Reform.

Amid a boardroom rift, complaints that were not upheld, and "unsettling speculation", we still don't know what is happening inside the semi-state responsible for Ireland's largest airports that has led to reports of its CEO's departure.

While the Irish economy continues to thrive, it presents no justification for runaway budget spending and remains exposed to US risks – but still offers a healthier picture than those of its neighbours.

Decades in the making, the airport’s second runway was delivered on time and on budget — only to be hobbled by passenger caps and night-flight limits. Ireland now faces calls for bigger projects like MetroLink without the same scrutiny. Why build it, if we won’t plan to use it?

The tax treatment of share options given to workers joining start-ups is a significant barrier to recruitment at a critical stage. It must be adjusted if new companies are to compete with multinationals for talent.

Private equity's push further into the realm of continuation funds increasingly looks like a Ponzi scheme. Matched with US efforts to open PE assets to retail investors, it has the potential for disaster.

Financial services companies are finding it increasingly difficult to retain staff they have recruited and trained, and some American banks have introduced loyalty requirements. Employee retention is an on-going battle.

The economic and political situations of troubled France and confident Ireland could not be more different. Or are they?

The Women’s World Cup has showcased a sport breaking into the mainstream, with sold-out stadiums and prime-time slots. For Ireland, it has also been a reminder that building world-class teams requires patience, investment, and painful lessons along the way.

The C919 is Beijing’s bold attempt to break into commercial aviation. With lessons learned from cars, ships and trains, China has shown scale and patience — but the Airbus-Boeing duopoly won’t be easy to unseat.