Economy – Page 78 – Slugger O'Toole

Plan B: leave Northern Ireland to fester…

Mick Fealty on November 21, 2006, 3:58 pm

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Interesting piece from John O’Farrell in the New Statesman last week (though you’ll have to scroll down). He quotes Reg Empey on the substance of the British Exchequer’s threat to Northern Ireland: “If we don’t sort it out, we’ll be left to hang. There’s a growing impatience over there with Northern Ireland. If we fail to make the grade politically, they’ll leave us to fester.”O’Farrell goes on to note: One of the richest and most productive parts of the UK …

Pressing on with the Corporation Tax campaign…

Mick Fealty on November 17, 2006, 2:52 pm

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Interesting piece in the Irish Times business section today on George Quigley’s campaign to set a separate corporation tax rate. However, she thinks Northern Ireland’s long game of Peace Processing, may have worn compassion levels very thin (subs needed) where it counts. Still: The campaign to cut corporation tax has been well marketed locally. The Industrial Task Force’s report, published this week, said that such a cut would mean 180,000 new jobs and £17.5 billion (€30 billion) in revenues – …

Northern Ireland: the new Beirut?

Mick Fealty on November 15, 2006, 9:47 pm

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After Ireland got a rough ride in the Rough Guide, the Lonely Planet is signing the praises of Belfast! And there’s Dennis Murray’s upbeat report (video) too. You can try the BBC library pictures. But we recommend our own Northern Ireland Flickr Group, or the excellent Landscape Group. Mick FealtyMick is founding editor of Slugger. He has written papers on the impacts of the Internet on politics and the wider media and is a regular guest and speaking events across …

Big run on George Best banknotes…

Mick Fealty on November 14, 2006, 7:58 pm

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Clare Regan with a particular brand of Ulster Bank fivers that are in world wide demand. It seems to be doing a roaring trade, though the asking price seems to have dropped radically since Clare put the piece together. Mick FealtyMick is founding editor of Slugger. He has written papers on the impacts of the Internet on politics and the wider media and is a regular guest and speaking events across Ireland, the UK and Europe. Twitter: @MickFealty

NI most improved in regional competitiveness

Pete Baker on November 13, 2006, 6:15 pm

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A Press Association report on the UTV website spots some apparent good news for the oft-maligned Northern Ireland economy – “According to the UK Competitiveness Index – an annual measure of the competitiveness of different regions and locations in the nation – Northern Ireland tops the list of regions that have gained most in competitiveness since last year, improving by 4.4% overall.” It’s not all rosy, NI is still listed as 10th most competitive region out of 12, only Wales …

Brown will not cut Corporation Tax for NI

Mick Fealty on November 6, 2006, 7:25 pm

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It looks like one of the few policies on which there is some degree of broad agreement in Northern Ireland is just not going to happen under a future Gordon Brown government. Corporation Tax is likely to be tied in perpetuity to the UK rate. Little chance of bringing down to the Republic’s low level then. Unless? Well, cue: George Osborne! Mick FealtyMick is founding editor of Slugger. He has written papers on the impacts of the Internet on politics …

The Pope’s Children tomorrow…

Mick Fealty on November 6, 2006, 1:17 am

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David McWilliams is bringing his fascinating snapshot of prosperous Ireland (thanks TCL) to the screens of RTE 1 on Monday evening. HIs bestselling book, The Pope’s Children is a fascinating mash of economic and demographic metrics, sociological insight and lively contemporary anecdote of a country that has changed out of all recognition even (and maybe most especially) to its own citizenry. Whereas the book was mostly upbeat, McWilliams has been brooding on the potentially flimsy base for the Republic’s new …

Cross-border business is alive, profitable and expanding

Pete Baker on November 4, 2006, 7:38 pm

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An interesting article on the BBC website by Northern Ireland economist John Simpson on the increasing cross-border investment by business, mainly one way but not entirely, and his conclusion is worth noting too Cross-border business is alive, profitable and expanding but don’t tell the politicians; they’ll only take all the credit! Pete Baker

ISNI for slow learners?

Pete Baker on November 2, 2006, 2:57 pm

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Prior to the meeting with the Prime Minister Chancellor Gordon Brown it had been said he would be in listening mode, that this was only the first step in bidding for a “peace dividend”. After all, what do you give an economy already overly dependent on public funds? More public funds? Maybe not. Update below£50billion may be the headline but, looking closer, Brown stated “I also said today that we would be prepared to have a 10 year agreement about …

Ferry fails with no politicians at home…

Mick Fealty on October 13, 2006, 4:45 pm

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In another of a series of decisions as part of an NIO strategy to point up the political deficit of having no Assembly, Ballycastle is not going to get its subsidised ferry service to Cambeltown in Argyll (Earra Ghàidheal). Mick FealtyMick is founding editor of Slugger. He has written papers on the impacts of the Internet on politics and the wider media and is a regular guest and speaking events across Ireland, the UK and Europe. Twitter: @MickFealty

Michael O’Leary and his plans for Aer Lingus…

Mick Fealty on October 9, 2006, 6:26 pm

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Fewer business stories outline the changes in the Republic’s society than what has happened to it’s national air carrier, Aer Lingus. When I was growing up, it was largely the preserve of Ireland’s wealthy elite or the prosperous American relative ‘home’ for their regular ten yearly visit. Ryanair on the other hand is mostly short haul, and much loved by the ‘everyman’ traveller for not having to trek through Holyhead every time they go abroad. On Sunday Richard Delevan cut …

O’Leary bid for Aer Lingus…

Mick Fealty on October 6, 2006, 1:24 pm

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Interesting prospective figures in any future merger between the Republic’s two biggest airlines. The combined group would operate on about 500 routes, competing on only 17. Ryanair would combine purchasing with Aer Lingus to drive down fares and costs. Together, Ryanair and Aer Lingus handle about 70% of the passengers at Dublin Airport. The takeover would face scrutiny from Irish and European regulators. So far the board and the Ahern government are saying no to a hostile bid from Ryanair. …

Tory instinct will take it down the Irish route…

Mick Fealty on October 5, 2006, 4:30 pm

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Despite all the re-packaging, in amongst the spin and anti spin the Tories have at least one big idea… Mick FealtyMick is founding editor of Slugger. He has written papers on the impacts of the Internet on politics and the wider media and is a regular guest and speaking events across Ireland, the UK and Europe. Twitter: @MickFealty

“If you have ambition in Poland, you come to Ireland”

Mick Fealty on September 28, 2006, 2:18 pm

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The old northern narrative that the Republic got rich purely on the consumption of large grants from the EU is long since busted, though sadly that is probably more true to Northern Ireland’s Peace Process™’s bias towards short term ‘keep the peace’ projects which by and large confer limited lasting value for the local communities invested in. Reuven Brenner with a breezy account of how they did it, and why being a favoured destination for ambitious immigrants is good for …

Manufacturing slump drags INI’s performance

Mick Fealty on September 26, 2006, 4:23 pm

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There was another great quote from one of our commenters recently, that ran (and apologies for paraphrasing): ‘there is no shortage of people looking for power, but they all disappear when it comes to taking responsibility”. The nine year talking shop in Stormont has done little to address the ebb and flows of the local economy, though there is no shortage of constitutional arguments of over same. The Newsletter today notes that despite Invest Northern Ireland spending “over £400 million …

Renewal on the Crumlin Road?

Mick Fealty on September 26, 2006, 3:39 pm

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There’s a flickr group set up for photographs of buildings in Northern Ireland that are in deep neglect. One of them is the old Criminal Courthouse on the Crumlin Road: though it looks like it may have a future as a hotel. News clip from RTE. Mick FealtyMick is founding editor of Slugger. He has written papers on the impacts of the Internet on politics and the wider media and is a regular guest and speaking events across Ireland, the …

NIR Watch Blog…

Mick Fealty on September 22, 2006, 3:45 pm

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Just spotted from the address of one of our commenters. It’s a NIR watch site. It’s been going for over a year, chuntering away with fine detail on the issue, so the blogger in question has got the art of blogging down pat. Lots of detail, but perhaps could do with an occasional analysis piece. Definately another one for the Slugger blogroll! Mick FealtyMick is founding editor of Slugger. He has written papers on the impacts of the Internet on …

UK’s twin track economy…

Mick Fealty on September 20, 2006, 3:04 pm

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There’s an excellent series of articles in the FT this week under the heading of New Britain. Yesterday’s piece focused on the Tees Valley of the North East, and the Thames Valley in the south. Middlesbrough and Slough in fact. The stats they have compiled show two quite separate economic realities: one flexible and outward looking, the other inward looking and experiencing negative growth. Perhaps more worryingly (see graph), the wealth creation capacity of the poorest in society has dropped …

On forming an orderly queue..

Pete Baker on September 7, 2006, 3:47 pm

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I’m fairly certain the legal advice to Eamonn McCann would be to resist the temptation… but, my previous arguments aside, it’s not difficult to understand the impulse[added link] Anybody want to punch Peter Hain on the nose? OK. Form a queue. Not that we’d condone violence. But Mr Hain made it clear on Tuesday that meeting a Minister in the company of your MP and offering a rational argument is no way to try to influence the Government. More from …

Rate your solicitor…

Mick Fealty on September 6, 2006, 7:42 pm

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Once, becoming a lawyer in Northern Ireland was a ticket to a big house in Cultra, or the Malone Road. Now in post-conflict Northern Ireland, the work is getting scarce and competition tight. And to making it even tighter, here’s a nice wee site where you can rate your solicitor… and find out about others… Mick FealtyMick is founding editor of Slugger. He has written papers on the impacts of the Internet on politics and the wider media and is …