Good News on the Economy from Europe but a Warning?

Paul Sweeney: There is some good news on the Irish economy from Eurostat. But hidden in the text is a warning to another member state, Luxembourg, that may threaten us in the next quarter, if the European statistical police, based in Luxembourg, find out how lavish and spendthrift the government has been, and intends to continue to be, with certain public assets.

Policing Costs €1.6bn in 2017

Paul Sweeney: With the many controversies around the very poor management of the Guards,  it is worth seeing what the Irish policing service costs . This cost is of course not the same as attempting to see if we are getting value for money. It is up to you, the public to decide if we are getting value for money from the €1.6bn which will be spent on policing in Ireland in 2017. There is a further €39m spent on the Department of Justice and Equality which also oversees the prisons, courts, equality, etc. too.

Much Progress on Costly and Wasteful Tax Breaks but Radical Change is now Needed.

Paul Sweeney: There has been much progress in getting rid of the most wasteful and destructive tax breaks, but many remain. 

Indeed a radical approach to tax breaks must be taken by government because they are a fierce waste of money. The many references to “Value for Money” by the public service is empty and really should be used unless this issue is seriously addressed.

The issue is that many tax breaks suddenly arise, which were never planned, which cost a fortune and do nothing for the economy or society.