I again raised the issue of broadband in the Seanad today. A leaked document appeared in the Irish Times yesterday (June 24th) regarding the government’s “Next Generation” broadband strategy which is to be published on July 3rd. I told the Seanad that, while being a highly aspirational document, this was essentially all that it was- …
Monthly Archive
for: ‘June, 2008’
France U-turns on Corporate Tax Rate
I welcomed last week’s report in the Financial Times that French Finance Minister, Christine Lagarde has dropped any immediate French threats to Ireland’s 12.5% corporate tax rate. Speaking in the Seanad last week, I said that the government should take comfort and hope from the u-turn in France’s attitude less than a week after the …
Already Looking Forward To Lisbon Mark Two
I am looking forward to voting Yes in next year’s referendum. Two days after the No vote, Lisbon Mark Two is already a live runner. The despair in Government circles and the anger at the result in Europe is being replaced by realpolitik. Even on Friday as he conceded defeat, Taoiseach Brian Cowen refused to …
The Great Lisbon Tax Ambush
The Scene: the Elysee Palace, June 20 (next Saturday). A private breakfast celebration for five heads of state: Nicolas Sarkozy, Angela Merkel, Silvio Berlusconi and Gordon Brown are already seated. French flunkey: “Madame et Messieurs: Monsieur le premier ministre d’Irlande, Brian Cowen.” Applause as a triumphant Taoiseach enters the room.