Society

The Mad Hatter's tea party is in full swing in the Department of Finance. By Michael Taft.

We need to start a proper, public conversation about depression. By Alan Flanagan.

As many of you are probably well aware, the story of my old friend Kate Fitzgerald – who lost her battle with depression at the end of August – resurfaced over the past few days with an article in The Irish Times.

The Education and International Research Institute, on behalf of the Council of Global Unions has just released an important and comprehensive report into global corporate tax avoidance and evasion, and the consequences of such practices for both developed and developing nations.

Emails from the University of East Anglia’s Climatic Research Unit have once again been hacked and released on the internet. The timing is similar to the “climategate” scandal of 2009, with emails published just before an important UN climate conference. Does this mean the science is in doubt? Quite the opposite, says Stephan Lewandowsky.

Michael Noonan's version of "informed debate" seems to involve complete ignorance as to the effects of his proposed budgetary measures. By Michael Taft.

Austerity policies will lead to the eurozone's collapse if governments persist in following them. Should Ireland wait until the bitter end or start preparing to get out now? By Yanis Varoufakis.

The top 1% in Ireland own approximately €130.2 billion. For a tiny minority, wealth is a lifestyle choice. By Michael Taft.

It is surely more rational to have political control over the price of government debt than to leave price formation to the anarchy of the market. By Aidan Regan.

Four comprehensive pre-budget submissions have found, between them, ways of saving approximately €6 billion without eviscerating social protections and hammering the lower paid. What was that about there being no alternative? By Michael Taft.

Enda Kenny's assertion that "Budget cuts are designed to safeguard jobs" is demonstrable nonsense. By Michael Taft.

We’re into the great expectations-management game again. It happens once a year, just prior to the budget. “Proposals” are leaked or rumoured. The media – colluding in this annual exercise – chase around for stories. TDs, commentators, and people potentially affected are lined up for comment. No one is any wiser but it fills column inches and media minutes. And then the budget happens and finally we know. This ritual is getting tedious.