Opinion
World Cup blues… and how to be charming
FURTHERMORE By Gerry Moran I am in Wales visiting family. I am in Wales on Friday, November 25 in my son’s sitting-room watching the World Cup, Wales versus Iran with my grandson and granddaughter, ages three months and three years respectively, along with my daughter-in-law, a tad older! I am waving a Welsh flag. I’m …
So, just how fair is our tax system?
BY JOHN ELLIS, FINANCIAL ADVISOR The most recent tax statistics for the year 2021 have been released by the Central Statistics Office (CSO). According to the report COVID-19 restrictions impacted some tax revenues in 2020 but in 2021 we see a return to more normal tax receipts. A total of €93 billion in tax was collected …
Feel confident in your skin with Trilogy clean natural beauty
BY CLAIR WHITTY I think most of you know that I love Trilogy skin care products, they work for my skin and I keep going back to them. Every year Trilogy bring out some lovely gift sets for Christmas and they are always fantastic value. This year is no different, they have several limited-edition gift …
Sinn Fein: why it’s time for second thoughts
AS I SEE IT MARIANNE HERON Sinn Fein are the most popular party with the prize of forming part of the next Government. However, last weekend a poll revealed that the party’s support had dropped four percentage points. Could it be that voters are having second thoughts? The drop coincides with the playing of taped …
There will be light at the end of this tunnel
THE FACT OF THE MATTER PAUL HOPKINS Okay, so the bad news is that the EU is about to enter recession as growth forecasts for 2023 are slashed due to prolonged inflation and the war in Ukraine. The EU Commission’s Autumn Economic Forecast projects GDP to fall this quarter with the contraction to continue in …
In Jail with John Lacey
BY NED EGAN Part 2 “What am I in for, Ned?” he exclaimed, almost in shock – “I’m in here ‘cause I’m a bloody thief, that’s why, just like all these other chancers!” So Shelton was not, after all, a hot spot on the Amnesty books; nor need we fear recruiting teams from Maynooth making …
Crocks and Beauties
By John Fitzgerald The sideline activities at the Beer Festival are worth a mention too. The Queen of the Land competition attracted hundreds of women, each of them put forward by committees of adoring townspeople, villagers, or the occupants of obscure country lanes, woodlands, and hillsides around the county. With their sixties hairstyles and dresses, …
Back to the future with Madame Helena
FURTHERMORE By Gerry Moran I am walking down the Castle Road towards the Parade when I see a little camper van parked up, outside Rinuccinis restaurant. The notice on the window caught my eye: ‘Madame Helena. Palm Reading. Crystal Ball. Tarot Cards. Step in.’ And in I stepped. Madame Helena is low-sized, blondish, sallow complexion …
Pensions, company profits… and private wealth
BY JOHN ELLIS, FINANCIAL ADVISOR After all the recent upheaval in the pensions market with the embargo being put-on one-man pension schemes by the pensions authority, insurance providers have at last put in place executive pension arrangements under what is called a Master Trust. Executive pensions continue to be perhaps the most tax efficient method …
Practical Christmas gifts
BY CLAIR WHITTY Do you, like me, prefer to get practical gifts that are bought from local shops or from an Irish company online? For example, Tisserand’s Gift of Sleep, is a limited-edition gift set that’s perfect for someone who can’t sleep. It contains Sleep Better Massage & Body Oil, Sleep Better Pillow Mist, and …
