Archive for January, 2008

Of all the big questions facing rich societies like Ireland, immigration is perhaps one of the most vexatious.

Davos people going about their business may have more to teach us than the rich and powerful.

Spin masters continue to tell us that our economic fundamentals are sound, but they keep changing the fundamentals.

The collapse of the global housing bubble, leading to a banking crisis was so well flagged that to suggest we have been taken by surprise by the huge falls in stock markets is simply not credible.

The Gulf States are looking round to spend their money and Ireland’s banks are looking good value right now.

Have you noticed the Barnardos ad on bus shelters with a picture of a little boy staring out at you under the caption “It’s only poverty, he’ll grow out of it”?

‘Robopaddy’ has suddenly realised that buying property abroad doesn’t spread the risk.

Back in 2005 a strange creature emerged out of the Irish property boom. He could be seen at regional airports all around Europe, but particularly in Britain.

At first you do a double-take. The look is both familiar and unmistakable. Here in the parched Pampas, south of Buenos Aires, deep in gaucho territory, the strangest sight is the Irish gaucho.

We must use all means at our disposal to continue our economic success.

I am writing this from the beautiful city of Mendoza in western Argentina. The city lies at the edge of the great Argentinian plain, just before the flatlands are shockingly interrupted by the vertiginous Andes which erupt out of the plateau, throwing up an immense natural wall between the pampas and the Pacific.

Part 3 of the David’s recently aired TV series, Ireland’s Generation Game.
Please note the video clips are over 30MB in size and may take some time to view/download over slow Internet connection.
Part 1

Part 2