Banks

Where do you think the financial markets assess Irish risk? What countries are we compared against? Surely we are still regarded as a European developed nation when it comes to risk? Think again. After – or more likely because of – our recapitalisations and bailouts, the world regards us as a bigger default risk than…

Driving up the east coast on a beautiful sunny day, looking out, you can almost see Wales. I wondered was the weather so beautiful on this day in 1169,whenthe first Normans set sail from Wales to invade Ireland. Did they get a fair wind, a bright sunshine for the short hop over to Wexford bearing…

To stroll around the old walled city of Dubrovnik on the Croatian coast is to savour one of Europe’s gems. From its marbled streets to the immense baroque cathedral, the heavily fortified harbour and the oldest pharmacy in the world, ancient Dubrovnik exudes affluence. In fact, many of the cities of Dalmatia’s coastline — where…

Contrary to the spin, we do have a choice. In fact, it is probably the most important choice for years Do you feel like you are sleepwalking into yet another banking disaster? Tomorrow’s stress tests are likely to result in you and me lumbered with another €20bn bill for Ireland’s dysfunctional banks. Why? Will this…

I belong to an oppressed sect. Like every sect, we are bonded by strange rituals, unusual texts, strange chants and ferociously long memories. Past adventures gel us together, as do journeys made and risks taken. We know that we are on the true path and that, unlike the other imitators, we are in possession of…

A castle, like Ireland’s biggest Norman keep at Trim has many layers of defence. So too have the banks. But eventually those huddling inside the castle come under threat. A few years back, while researching The Pope’s Children, I headed out To Kells in Co Meath. Kells had seen its population grow by 25 per…

I am writing this on the New York subway hurtling downtown from the Upper East Side towards Wall Street. The old Jewish lady, all coiffed and nailed, is putting on her lipstick intently, oblivious to the rest of the crowded train. Two students chat away about the film, The Jersey Shore, while the rest of…

Yer man never stands his round. He does normally. But he’s not doing it now. ‘Cause he is broke. I don’t care; a man has got to stand his round. What are ye havin? I’m buyin’. Good Man. I knew you’d always cough up. Never let it be said I wasn’t good for me round….

The only question that matters in this election is whether we should continue paying out money to people who invested in our banks and got their bet wrong. The more money we pay these bank ‘investors’ – who have no right to be paid, because the banks they invested in are insolvent – the less…

No wonder the Greeks are upset. Yesterday, the IMF and the EU were busy trying to limit the damage following their mission to Greece. One auditor, also the EC representative, Servaas Deroose, encouraged the Greeks to “sell beaches” to pay back the IMF/EU loan. We should take heed, because we are next. What would you…