Chinese interest in Ireland seems, on the surface, to be the answer to all our financial problems. It’s a dream come true for the Government yet shouldn’t China’s previous development track record be prompting us all to ask many critical questions on how they do business abroad? Here’s some food for thought LAND ACQUISITIONS Iceland: [...]
This story was originally published in The Irish Times on October 29, 1996. My Grandmother died the next day soon after it had been read to her. STORIES FROM MY GRANDMOTHER By MARGARET E. WARD (note: spelling incorrect in Irish Times archive) 1482 Words 29 October 1996 Irish Times GRANDMA was a jailbird. The confirmation [...]
How do you solve a problem like the bank system? (based on “How do you solve a problem like Maria?” from the Sound of Music) By Margaret E. Ward They climb the market and scrape their pocket The Armani suits have got a tear They waltz on their way to bank guarantees And whistle at [...]
From Reuters Dec 10, 2011:
Empty homes were the target of this latest protest by the Occupy Wall Street Movement. In this case their attention was focussed on four homes abandoned or foreclosed in an area of New York they say is among the worst hit by the financial crisis. SOUNDBITE: Senia Barragan, protest organiser, saying (English): “The foreclosure and underwater rates in this particular community is three times higher and any other region of Brooklyn and five times higher than New York state and so really we’re bringing the Occupy movement to ground Zero.” Alfredo Carrasquillo and his family were among the protesters. They’ve taken up residence in one of the district’s vacant properties. The protesters threw a housewarming party to press home their demands for fewer repossessions and more affordable housing. SOUNDBITE: Alfredo Carrasquillo, protester, saying (English) “We took matters into our own hands and claimed back property that was taken away from the community.” Some of the residents in this Brooklyn neighbourhood were happy to see the protesters. SOUNDBITE: George Herivaux, resident, saying (English): “I think it’s great, I love it, I think it’s great. Yes, more often because we need it out here. People are losing their homes, the cops are out here dogging us, we need it out here.” The Occupy Wall Street movement began staging demonstrations in September in a backlash against the billions of dollars given to banks. They say the banks are raking in huge profits again while average Americans have no relief from high unemployment and a struggling economy. Paul Chapman, Reuters
BBC World Service “World Business Report” asked me “What will Ireland say if EU leaders insists it increases its corporation tax rate in line with other European countries?” BBC World Service “World Business Report” (mp3)
Gossip-powered product endorsement is a marketer’s dream but, if you don’t want your product to be the subject of neighbourhood tittle-tattle, then forget about relying on word of mouth promotion says Margaret E. Ward. “Do you have an iPhone?” and “Have you seen this cool new app?” are phrases that have the relentless pester power [...]
Last night’s Leviathan debate was an interesting one – despite the egg-throwing – and it showed even more clearly that Nama is not fit for its purpose and that the politicans have no idea what they are doing. They are truly making it up as they go along. Nama, according to its website, is an independent commerical [...]
Assisted suicide: a right to choose?
In everymonday.ie’s new “Getting Notions” column, journalist Margaret E. Ward asks if you legally take away a person’s right to die then, as a society, shouldn’t you take responsibility for the dignity of their natural death?
Health claims are a feature of food marketing but legislators are biting down hard on “better for you” sugary and fat-filled foods writes Margaret E. Ward
Originally published as a business column in The Irish Times, May 5 , 2009 PLATFORM:Catholicism’s senior management must explain and atone for its questionable actions, writes MARGARET E WARD It’s a multi-billion euro business with properties and offices throughout the world. The company’s services are used by a huge percentage of the global population and [...]
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