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March 31st, 2009
Ireland does not need socialism at all to get economically better!!!!
My name is Joe Crill! I am from Ruskin, Florida, USA. If I were a citizen of the Republic of Ireland, I would probably be a loyal supporter of Fianna Fail! But I do not think Fianna Fail has the answers to the current fiscal crisis nor does any one in Ireland [...]
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March 31st, 2009
Small Business Booster
A simple idea designed to slow the rate of job losses, reduce the cost of social welfare, boost competitiveness and put more money back into consumer spending!
Starting out with goals like those above you would imagine this would be a far fetched, costly idea.. its not.
Create a scheme for employers to allow them claim back [...] -
March 30th, 2009
Green Technology
With the huge number of technological, engineering and construction industry lay-offs, and great headway being made internationally in the development of green technology, funds (preferably from the NDP’s transport budget of around 6billion for the Dublin Metro) might be better put to use developing green alternatives to energy production.
Tidal energy production, in particular, would be [...] -
March 30th, 2009
The Icelandic conundrum
Greenhouses ripening bananas are one thing you don’t expect to see dotted about the freezing Icelandic plains where the glaciers sweep down to the volcanic plateau. The greenhouses, which shelter the hardy Icelandic ponies from the bitter east wind, are powered by geothermal heat, which bubbles away under the lava.
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March 25th, 2009
Getting Back to Work…
We have gone astray, and we all know it. To right this wrong is simpler to do now than later. We have the benefit of necessity and the opportunity which this presents cannot be passed over.
Our cost-base has gone pear-shaped. This is why the multi-nationals are packing their bags.
The government has shaped these costs so [...] -
March 25th, 2009
Funding Small Businesses in Ireland – A Partial Solution
Ireland is full of entrepreneurs who are planning to set up small businesses, but simply cannot find the capital to get things moving. The same questions keep coming up, “How can I get angel investments?” “What government agencies will provide me with grant assistance or seed capital?”
The majority of people aren’t looking for large scale [...] -
March 25th, 2009
Intellectual Property…?
Hi David,
My idea is one based around technology companies that have gone bust and laid off engineers/developers etc……
Wouldn’t it be good if a government fund was created that could allow these former workers to purchase the IPR and all previous development of the projects they worked on and continue with this development in Ireland?
Less [...] -
March 25th, 2009
BES not ISEQ
Investing 101 – IPO’s raise funds for companies in the so called Primary Market.
The Secondary market (i.e. post-IPO) doesn’t directly help companies fund expansions etc.
Instead of encouraging speculation on the secondary market, the government should incentivize people to get involved in schemes such as BES (Business Expansion Scheme). This is already quite tax efficient for [...] -
March 25th, 2009
Instant allotments for the elderly. Mobilising the army of the unemployed and single parents.
The current financial nosedive shows every sign of sliding off The Recession Richter Scale. We have staggered from Celtic tiger to Celtic cripple in one short year; but unless we grasp the sheer scale of what is coming down the tracks, then we will soon become a banana republic – without the bananas. Fortunately we [...]
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March 25th, 2009
We need a complete break from the ideas of the past
Bar myself, a few dour looking cod fishermen, a delegation from the IMF and the tell-tale opportunistic financier looking for bargains, Icelandair 275 from Heathrow to Reykjavik is empty. This is hardly surprising when you consider we are bound for a bankrupt country on a Monday afternoon.
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March 23rd, 2009
Free facilities for Mini Startups
Provide a place where the unemployed can make use of desks, IT equipment, phones consultants, tutorials and mentors.
If someone wants to avail of the free facilities they submit a business plan, if they are accepted, they must sit down with their mentor each week to discuss direction. Their startup company will remain property of the [...] -
March 23rd, 2009
VAT – Imports
Imports into Ireland are VAT free – locally produced products incur VAT. In a business environment where cash is all important – if a product is same price imported or home produced – the purchaser will be better of by the amount of the VAT – 21.5% in cash flow – if they import. [...]
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March 23rd, 2009
Education
The answer to the funding of Education is very simple. Remove the “fat” from the curriculum – ie make the likes of algebra, English Prose & Poetry, Irish, etc optional extras. Reduce history to basic with more detailed an optional extra. Reduce(increase) languages to TEFL type standard where the emphasis is on speaking and grammar. [...]
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March 22nd, 2009
We need workfare, not welfare
The video shop in Monaghan town is packed with young men. This is where local people come to go online. There are three banks of computers, all busy. The two lads beside me have their CVs out, trying to send them to as many prospective employers as possible. They’ve both been on the dole since Christmas.
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March 20th, 2009
Making Ireland Inc Cheaper to do Business
My idea that would be used with others, is to raise the base rate of tax by 3%-5%, which would be a pay cut for all, I know, even the worst off in society.
This money would then be used to offer companies who have not made any layoffs or redundancies a tax break on employees [...] -
March 18th, 2009
Zero tax on new Irish businesses
Zero tax on all new Irish businesses.
Give new Irish businesses a fighting chance by not taxing them anything for the first 3 years.
This post was submitted by Dave. -
March 18th, 2009
Abolish Transition Year
Why not abolish transition year? This would automatically free up about 7-10% of teachers. Either save money on their Salaries or redeploy them to special needs and remedial teaching. Transition year can be very disruptive to serious students.
Donal
This post was submitted by Donal. -
March 18th, 2009
Encouraging spending
David,
I note alot of the current problem is people are not spending in the economy. I know it is necessary that the goverent need to collect taxes and need money urgently but is it not more beneficial to get people to spend money in Ireland which might help retain jobs and give a higher return [...] -
March 18th, 2009
Going tribal will save us from economic oblivion
Last St Patrick’s Day, the ‘New York Post’ published an article I wrote for them about the rejuvenating power of the diaspora.
A few years back, it seemed to me that the great Irish tribe was an unbelievable asset to the country. Yet just 18 months ago, when we thought we were invincible, such ideas were [...] -
March 16th, 2009
Compare prices across EU
Why not compare prices by website for products across EU. Pick top 200 products and show on which products we are bring ripped off. Similar comparison for goods per major retailer.
This post was submitted by Donal. -
March 16th, 2009
Sell second terminal at Cork
Cork has a new terminal at very high cost. Why not sell off the previous terminal to the private sector and introduce competition as well as generating some cash + prospect of more tourists visiting Munster Region.
This post was submitted by Donal. -
March 16th, 2009
energy 2
Make it possible for people to reduce further their electricity and heating bills and the carbon tax for the country as a whole
Make the night time tarif compulsory so we can actually use electricity at night time and pay less for it
at the moment there is no incentive to do this
We have a quango called [...] -
March 15th, 2009
Start with the Wealthiest…
Start with the wealthiest Irish citizen. Tax them the difference in wealth between them and the 2nd wealthiest Irish Citizen. Then take the 2nd wealthiest citizen and tax them the difference between them and the 3rd wealthiest Irish citizen. Then take the 3rd wealthiest Irish citizen and tax them the difference between them and the [...]
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March 15th, 2009
Confiscate land
Confiscate the land needed for capital development projects,required to build our motorways both north and south.Pay a nominal fee,a minimum re-location fee,if need be. prices paid to date have been too high.Its in the national interest.Call it nationalisation or whatever,its needed now and fast-track all planning requirements.After all there are plenty of engineers,architects and [...]
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