• More on the Innovation Taskforce It is not surprising that economists raise a cynical eyebrow at corporate-speak-filled innovation reports.   Last week we had the IDA?s Horizon 2020; this week it was the turn of the Innovation Taskforce with its Innovation Ireland.   But it would be a mistake for Irish economists to disengage from the debate given the impressive body of literature [...]..more

• Eurozone quote of the week From Wolfgang Schäuble, in the FT: Should a eurozone member ultimately find itself unable to consolidate its budgets or restore its competitiveness, this country should, as a last resort, exit the monetary union while being able to remain a member of the EU. If you wanted to set up a system which maximised the [...]..more

• When Sports Help Economies Score The new issue of FInance&Development looks at the impact of sporting events on economic activity - the link is here. ..more

• Setting a standard in fiscal reform and oversight I return to the case for a new fiscal framework in today’s Irish Times: you can read the column here. ..more

• Elderfield Speech on Financial Regulation The Central Bank’s new Head of Financial Regulation, Matthew Elderfield, delivered his first public speech today at the Leinster Society of Chartered Accountants (text here.). The speech is an impressive statement of intent and forms a very clear break from the past. I was particularly pleased to read this passage: High impact firms and those with [...]..more

• Cullen - more stumbling through valleys than scaling high mountains? Martin Cullen quoted Woodrow Wilson when announcing his resignation last nigh (Richard Nixon also liked the phrase and possibly made it more famous): “Only if you have been in the deepest valley, can you ever know how magnificent it is to be on the highest mountain.” Share This ..more

• Martin Cullen, ex-minister, ex-TD Take a look at this press statement just issued by the Government Information Service. Martin Cullen has resigned, not just as Arts Minister, but as a TD. This presumably means a Waterford by-election. Interesting times indeed! Share This ..more

• Green jobs that are not very smart The Green Party, its chairman Senator Dan Boyle argued this week, is not about individuals and personalities, rather about policies.   The phrase is a compelling one and the thinking behind it may be laudable. Indeed, it has been common currency among Green members for almost three decades, ever since the Irish ecological and green [...]..more

• Thank God it?s Thursday Having written a piece in Tuesday’s paper that the cabinet “reshuffle” would not take place that day and probably not the next, I feel a certain sense of relief at being proved right. Thank God it’s Thursday! Share This ..more

• Greens rotating the crop If John Gormley stands down as Minister for the Environment and as party leader to honour a rotation agreement brokered two years ago, it’s not going to do the Greens much good. Share This ..more

• Varadkar calls for Govt action to bring down commercial rents FG to question Coughlan on commercial rents in Minister?s Questions today   Speaking in the Dáil during Enterprise Questions this afternoon, Fine Gael Enterprise Spokesman Leo Varadkar TD will call on the Government to bring in new measures to level the playing field between commercial landlords and their business tenants.   ?Ireland is uncompetitive and costs are too high. [...]..more

• Varadkar proposes new form of Social Partnership Image by Conor Pendergrast via Flickr A new type of social partnership offering universal health care, State-backed pensions and targeted welfare in return for public and private sector reforms is being proposed by Fine Gael Enterprise, Trade and Employment Spokesman Leo Varadkar TD today (Thursday).   Addressing the Industrial Relations News conference in the O?Reilly Hall in UCD [.....more

• Parking System in Connolly Hospital must be changed Image via Wikipedia Fine Gael TD for Dublin West, Leo Varadkar, has called on the management of Connolly Hospital to change the pay-and-display parking system which is causing problems for patients and visitors. The pay-and-display car parking system is similar to that used for on-street parking in the City Centre. Drivers have to guess [...]..more

• No amount of IDA reports can fix a broken economy Image by via Wikipedia It?s time for Govt action, not ?old rope?   ?While I very much respect and value the work that has been done by the IDA over the years, no amount of reports, task forces, or strategy documents will fix our broken economy and get Ireland back to work,? Fine Gael Enterprise, Trade & [...]..more

• Green Light for traffic calming in Tyrrelstown and Diswellstown Fine Gael TD for Dublin West, Leo Varadkar, has welcomed confirmation that traffic calming for the Diswellstown Road and the Tyrrelstown Boulevards will be provided this calendar year.    The traffic calming on the Diswellstown Road will be provided from council funds.  It is proposed to consist of twelve speed cushions and traffic islands along the [...]..more