NEW ENERGY

Energy revolution promises to transform East Africa

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-21549380An energy revolution is taking place in East Africa as the price of solar technology tumbles and huge resources of geothermal steam beneath the Great Rift Valley start to be exploited, moves which have the potential to lift millions out of poverty and cut greenhouse gas emissions.

Flying High

EU blocks Aer Lingus takeover, Ryanair says it will appeal

http://businessetc.thejournal.ie/ryanair-aer-lingus-takeover-blocked-eu-811909-Feb2013/

Everyone would be travelling off this island on ferries or have to travel to Belfast international airport if OLeary had a monopoly. He’ll charge whatever he can get away with.

Questions and answers on Denis O'Brien and his tax

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/opinion/2013/0227/1224330566787.html?via=mr

When I read about behaviour like this the only word that comes to mind is greed!  
 
Ireland has been very good indeed to Denis O'Brien, he was granted a mobile phone franchise by our elected representatives which made him an extremely wealthy man. A 20% tax charge £63million out of a £317million capital gain is not unreasonable. But such is the sheer greed of this man that he wants to avoid it.  
 
After tax he would still have £254 million but this isn't enough, he must have more!  

Irish exports at highest levels since 2002

Figures from the CSO show there was a trade surplus of €42.98 billion last year.

In 2012, the United States (20 per cent), Belgium (15 per cent), Great Britain (15 per cent) and Germany (8 per cent) were Ireland’s main export markets.

GREAT SIGN!

S&P upgrades Irish debt outlook

Link Below:
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2013/0212/breaking5.html

S&P says things are getting better for Ireland, based on their past inability to forecast anything - can we believe them?

So S&P reaffirmed the credit rating. If the deal was so good . Why didn't they give a higher rating.

These agencies are paid by financial institutions for their ratings. This is not a secret. In fact they are quite open about it. Yet we still follow it like the gospel. We always were good church goers...

German economist Prof. Dr. Günther Gruhn from the ECB on the final solution to the euro crisis

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GEJaJL_Huh0

The link here takes an interesting perspective on the crisis which was bestowed on us.

I advise everyone to take a look

James

After Greece: Ireland's next move

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/weekend/2012/1201/1224327333640.html?via=rel

The link above gives a detailed analysis on the challenges faced, and the best options which would tackle the debt issue most effectively. It also gives a synopsis on warning signs for the future and a description  on the new deal Greece received. These facts and figures are endemic wheh trying to deduce the best possible outcome for our "next move"

An important point to note is 

"If Europe’s joint pledge with the IMF to bring that below 110 per cent by 2022 is to be met, euro-zone countries may have to take losses on their loans to Greece".

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