Ireland vs Scotland
Discussion
Lots of good news for Ireland economically at the moment - is that something Scotland could emulate, either now or in a mythical independent world? Similar population size, and probably a similar urban/rural spread.
I know very little about the country, so what has Ireland got going for it - it has seemed to attract high profile international and technology companies in the past, is that because of cheap facilities, highly skilled workforce, low taxes or what?
How much unemployment/poverty is there?
I know very little about the country, so what has Ireland got going for it - it has seemed to attract high profile international and technology companies in the past, is that because of cheap facilities, highly skilled workforce, low taxes or what?
How much unemployment/poverty is there?
The Irish are much more laid back than Scots and were a bit more chilled and philosophical about the economic problems they encountered. I recall reading an article a little while back where the general consensus seemed to be “well, that was a great craic while it lasted (the economic boom), but I suppose now we’re just going to have to get used to being poor again”.
They are differnent in many important ways though, plus we like the larger public sector / NHS spending up here, which the Irish don't have.
We also have Scot Nats / SNP'ers who believe we can have Irish / Celtic Tiger levels of foreign investment due to an attractive low tax environment, but still have Scandanavian levels of public expenditure.
They often start mumbling incoherently about Tories when this is pointed out to them
Politics in the Irish Republic is very different to politics in the UK. The two main parties, Finé Gael and Fíanna Fáil, are not split along fundamental ideological grounds (i.e. capitalism v' socialism) - but are split along a historical issue (agreement or non-agreement with the 1921 Anglo-Irish Treaty - which has very little relevance for the vast bulk of Irish voters). Indeed, it has very little relevance today for the vast bulk of the members of these two parties.
Because of this, when either party is in power, you don't get massive lurches from one style of economic policy to another - more a "more of the same" approach.
Now, some may say this is not really good as it does not offer the electorate much of a choice. Lack of choice is actually true, but it does tend to result in stable economic policies.
There are plenty of other issues about Irish politics that are far from rosy.
Because of this, when either party is in power, you don't get massive lurches from one style of economic policy to another - more a "more of the same" approach.
Now, some may say this is not really good as it does not offer the electorate much of a choice. Lack of choice is actually true, but it does tend to result in stable economic policies.
There are plenty of other issues about Irish politics that are far from rosy.
Twilkes said:
Lots of good news for Ireland economically at the moment - is that something Scotland could emulate, either now or in a mythical independent world? Similar population size, and probably a similar urban/rural spread.
I know very little about the country, so what has Ireland got going for it - it has seemed to attract high profile international and technology companies in the past, is that because of cheap facilities, highly skilled workforce, low taxes or what?
How much unemployment/poverty is there?
Mostly down to a combination of a well educated work force with specific skill sets that the tech companies want, and a relatively low corporation tax rate. Dublin has managed to develop a reasonable tech ecosystem. The unemployment rate is just under 10%.I know very little about the country, so what has Ireland got going for it - it has seemed to attract high profile international and technology companies in the past, is that because of cheap facilities, highly skilled workforce, low taxes or what?
How much unemployment/poverty is there?
The Scottish economy isn't as well placed, not least because of the overall quality of education, and the possible affordability of a low corporation tax rate in a post independence world.
IMO Scotland has way more potential economically than Ireland.
However in it's favour Ireland: has low corporation tax; is a happy hunting ground for global corporations and their complex tax dodges; has a total brass neck when it comes to corruption and backhanders; and a willingness to be bent over and f
ked up the arse by Germany (aka the EU). As far as the race to the bottom goes, Ireland also has a huge head start over Scotland.
However in it's favour Ireland: has low corporation tax; is a happy hunting ground for global corporations and their complex tax dodges; has a total brass neck when it comes to corruption and backhanders; and a willingness to be bent over and f
ked up the arse by Germany (aka the EU). As far as the race to the bottom goes, Ireland also has a huge head start over Scotland.
Eric Mc said:
Guinness.
Val Doonican
The Bachelors
Bono
Bob Geldof
Dana
Henry Kelly
Terry Wogan
Graham Norton
Des Lynam
Peter O'Sullevan
Riverdance
Father Ted
Mrs Brown's Boys
Val Doonican
The Bachelors
Bono
Bob Geldof
Dana
Henry Kelly
Terry Wogan
Graham Norton
Des Lynam
Peter O'Sullevan
Riverdance
Father Ted
Mrs Brown's Boys
Eric don't forget the milk....
Most of your suggestions aren't really bringing anything into Ireland at the moment. (Guinness accepted).
OpulentBob said:
Is Galtee bacon a bigger brand than Famous Grouse or Speyside or the battered Mars bar?
I'm not sure, but my sister that lives in Texas was gutted to find the meat was coming from a meat farm in South America.She was buying a brand not the product.
Galtee bacon is quite popular over here, and to be honest, it's good, but my point was in Texas your Galtee bacon, ant no f
king way that came from Ireland.Eric Mc said:
TheExcession said:
Eric don't forget the milk....
Most of your suggestions aren't really bringing anything into Ireland at the moment. (Guinness accepted).
Regarding the tax issues, I'd be interested to hear your opinion on why DEC (Digital Equipment Corporation) and DELL jumped ship.
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