Lots of teeth gnashing over how to manage cuts to the budgetary provision allocated by London for running Northern Ireland. Regardless of their real value, at least some proposals have been produced by Sinn Féin and the DUP. Meanwhile, the UUP and SDLP have yet to wake up to the fact that they are not actually in opposition, though, and are yet to grace the public domain with some constructive suggestions.
While Brian has noted that a few modest balloons have went up for revenue raising, nothing can actually paper over the fact that fiscal policy and cuts are being directed from London (which, after all, pays handsomely for the privilege of retaining 5345 square miles of real estate on the island of Ireland). While the Republic ponders transfusions of frontloaded austerity (and the markets appear to fear the reaper man), at least the Dublin web summit last weekend managed to bring the founders of YouTube, Skype and Twitter together with key figures from the worlds of technology, innovation and venture capital. Green shoots, maybe not of recovery yet but possibly pointing to where recovery will come from.
Judging by the limited media coverage in Belfast, one wonders whether the business and political leadership in Northern Ireland noticed? I mean, it’s not like anyone would want to try and kickstart an economic recovery when it’s easier to just sit back, take a reduced handout, and make cuts. Right?
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