Ruadhán Mac Cormaic

2 weeks ago | irishtimes.com | Ruadhán Mac Cormaic

The economic storm clouds that have been gathering since the start of this year show no signs of going away soon. It is not that the economy itself is losing momentum. Figures for the first part of the year show all the traditional indicators remain quite positive. Inflation is at 2 per cent. Employment and tax receipts remain on target. But far from abating, the notes of caution or even pessimism emanating from the Departments of Finance and Public Expenditure have risen slightly.

1 month ago | irishtimes.com | Ruadhán Mac Cormaic

A shadow has hung over this Government since its formation. The inaccurate projections for housing completions in 2024 promoted by Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael during the general election were a blow to the credibility of the targets set for the next five years in their programme for government. Further blows came with bleak reports on the numbers of apartments being built and social housing being units completed. Within weeks, the Government’s projections had lost nearly all credibility.

1 month ago | irishtimes.com | Ruadhán Mac Cormaic

On Wednesday, Donald Trump blinked and financial markets, along with much of the wider world, breathed a sigh of relief. It would, however, be overly optimistic to think the danger has passed with the United States president’s decision to postpone tariffs on imports for 90 days. Not least because the world’s two largest economies remain locked in a titanic trade war.

2 months ago | irishtimes.com | Ruadhán Mac Cormaic

It is hard to overstate the implications for Ireland and the world of Donald Trump’s tariff announcement, made at a characteristically bizarre event in the White House rose garden on Wednesday. The immediate impact was felt on Wall Street, where $6 trillion was wiped off the value of shares in three days with more losses feared when the markets open on Monday.

2 months ago | irishtimes.com | Ruadhán Mac Cormaic

A fractious week in Irish politics came to a close with the focus firmly on the figure of Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy. To the fury of Opposition parties, she refused to suspend Dáil proceedings on Tuesday despite chaotic scenes in the chamber as the Government’s new rules on speaking rights were passed. Murphy was accused of acting in a partisan manner in her handling of the issue.