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Irish
Democracy at risk in media meltdown
Ireland’s international reputation is in tatters thanks to strange goings on in business, government and regulatory circles. Now, more than ever, we need a strong investigative media committed to shining a light in all those dark places. Who dares to fund it?
Students’ advice for Irish government
Lectured some university students today in News Reporting and asked them to talk directly to the government – using Post-It notes. After class, I was going on BBC2 NI’s show Hearts and Minds as a guest along with Martin Mansergh. I told them I would give them to him after the show. It didn’t happen [...]
Name that party
I’ve been thinking about the name for the new political party that must/ will/ might overthrow the government in a few days and was wondering if you have any suggestions?
Wanted: a maverick gunslinger to save us from the cowboys
WANTED: MAVERICK gunslinger to cut down enemies of the State. Year 2010: Tumbleweed blows through the empty streets of the International Financial Services Centre. The once proud little place in the wild west of Europe is almost abandoned. A few nervous survivors squint through cracked glass at the young, fair-haired woman outside. She is wearing [...]
Frustrated customer speaks out
Dear Strong Language, No one understands me! What can I do? I’m a good customer, really I am, but sometimes when my bank, solicitor and other service providers contact me, I feel like they’re talking another language. My post-box is jammed with letters that say things like: “I acknowledge receipt of your letter dated September [...]
Beware the legalese virus
EUROPEAN SCIENTISTS are concerned about the rapid spread of an aggressive virus known as legalese LT08. A close relative of jargonitis, academicspeakis and gobbledegook, the malady has taken hold of European laws and infected civil servants throughout the EU. The virus, mostly found in EU legislation and government publications, attacks the human mind and hijacks [...]
Welfare as tragi-farce
Friday, July 13, 2007 Scene: A social welfare office in Ballythisis- progress. Ten staffed customer-service hatches line the far wall. The first person in the queue, a very nervous, bald, middle-aged man, looks down at his wet, scuffed shoes. Behind a shiny glass partition, two Government ministers sit back-to-back to ensure a full view of [...]
House swap
Irish Times Business This Week 20/4/07 Strangers slept in our bed last week and we slept in theirs. As the latest contestants in the Big Bedbugs reality TV show, we were experimenting with life in others’ homes, writes Margaret E. Ward It was our first appearance in a home exchange or house swap and thankfully [...]
Paying for jargon
If you remember the first time you received pocket money, or had a warm coin pressed into your palm by a relative, you’ll remember the thrill of spending it.
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