The Commission on Taxation and Social Welfare’s recommendations should be at the centre of a progressive programme to increase resources for a strong social state.  While there will be disagreements…

Understandably, a lot of attention has been paid to the job losses and hiring freezes among tech companies, especially given the treatment of Twitter workers.   This is a high-profile and…

The share of wages in the economy is falling as profits are rising. While measuring wages (labour’s share) is difficult due to the distorting effects of multi-nationals, the CSO provides…

We all know that Ireland has a high level of living costs – second highest in the EU.  Irish prices (living costs) are 40 percent above the EU average.  However,…

The Government is digging itself or, more properly, hundreds of thousands of households, into a big hole.  By opting for significant once-off payments in Budget 2023, there is a danger…

There were two major projections from the government on budget day that have not yet entered the public debate.  First, the economy is projected to flat-line next year.  The government…

[The following post is a big number heavy – and others may have better estimates) John Fitzgerald is pessimistic: ‘ . . these [energy’ price increases will probably drive the…

No one doubts we need to act urgently if we are to avoid climate armageddon.  While the debate has focused on sectoral targets, especially agriculture, we need to move to…

With the Exchequer awash with revenue (much of it potentially unsustainable corporate tax revenue) there is no shortage of proposals for the upcoming ‘cost-of-living’ budget.  Social protection increases, tax cuts,…

It is beyond time to start implementing price controls on energy products.  We have a few months left before the winter and another big price increase.  To those who claim…

Public finances are, so far, holding up reasonably well.  Tax revenues are rising on the back of economic activity and higher prices.  For instance, as prices rise, so do indirect…

Here is a link to my presentation to the Nevin Economic Reserch Institute Labour Market Conference which was held on Tuesday, June 14th: Modelling a New Collective Bargaining Framework.  …

Ibec’s Danny McCoy stated: ‘The most catastrophic mistake would be to try to index wage increases to price increases.’ Why?  I suppose it has something to do with that wage-price…

There is an emerging transformation in the workplace.  Whether that transformation will be realised, even partially, cannot yet be determined. It is still early days. New trends, new demands, new…

Greg Bensinger has some strong words. ‘Twitter’s board of directors [decision] to accept a takeover bid from Elon Musk means the company thinks the social media company would be best…

Pat Leahy, in describing the ‘intricate dance of the pay deal’ (referring to the upcoming negotiations over a new public sector pay deal), refers to the ‘hefty public sector (pay)…

The Government is proposing to reduce the VAT rate on domestic energy products.  This is likely to lead to more cash handouts to higher income groups as energy consumption increases…

Unsurprisingly, wages are struggling to keep up with inflation.  Despite pay rises over the last year, inflation is running so high that, after inflation, wages are falling.  This is called…

(I’m stealing this title from Gavan Titley’s thoughtful contribution on the Ukrainian crisis) At times, the debate over the Russian invasion of Ukraine reaches the bottom of the rhetorical barrel. …

With inflation projected to climb to 4.5 percent next year, and continuing at levels in excess of pre-pandemic trends, it is time to assess the varying impacts on income groups. …