With Ireland as the focal point, David McWilliams’s latest commentary raises questions about the spent national resources with seemingly negligible visible benefits. This situation points towards a significant problem in the country’s macroeconomics – the increasing disparity between demand and supply.
Lack of sufficient housing, an insubstantial transport infrastructure as compared to other affluent nations, congested hospitals, and a stark contrast between private wealth and public decadence depict a lack of emphasis on supply, according to McWilliams.
In terms of the housing and public infrastructure, he provides a blueprint for the succeeding government to ensure an adequate supply. It entails radically lowering the hindrances to development, which requires a paradigm shift in our building practices, planning, and balancing the rights of opponents with societal obligations.
McWilliams foresees a bleak future for Ireland’s economy if the status quo is maintained. The upcoming October 1st budget, the first for Mr Harris and the coalition government’s last, manifests this anticipation. Harris reveals plans for a budget consisting of tax cuts, perpetual spending increments (social welfare rates inclusive), and a set of one-time giveaways for the third successive year. In his view, these measures will be put into action this year to alleviate the severe cost of living pressures.
Corinna Hardgrave, in her recent exploration of Ireland’s food scene, dropped by Coppinger. A revived version of the past favourite Coppinger Row based in Dublin, which according to our critic, surpasses the original. While all dishes didn’t impress equally, they offered a refreshing change from the uniformity of bigger chains. Despite challenging times in the restaurant business, Hardgrave doesn’t hold back, issuing Coppinger a four-star rating.
Our columnists, Trish Murphy and Roe McDermott, are on hand this week to address reader’s dilemmas. Murphy responds to a concerned parent whose daughter’s 15-year-old friend is finding it hard to deal with an online relationship, causing her anxiety. Meanwhile, McDermott discusses a case of a reader who has abandoned an abusive relationship and wants to investigate their frightful ex’s history: the reader is contemplating whether a confirmed history of their ex maltreating women would alleviate their torment.
Moving on to sports, this weekend features Denis Walsh in conversation with Lukasz Kirszenstein. In Walsh’s article, he highlights that Kirszenstein, most recently, had been the strength and conditioning coach for the All-Ireland Hurling Champions, marking his third time in eight years with different county teams. This accomplishment is unprecedented.
The On the Money newsletter this week, overseen by Joanne Hunt, is focusing on banking data and how this information can act as a tool for customers. This can provide invaluable insights; from notifying you about upcoming bill payments to alerting you if you are likely to go into debt.