As a lifelong centrist, I fully support the European model of redistribution. But something is wrong in Ireland.
The welfare state should expand in recessionary times and shrink in boom times. As the chart below shows, over the decades this has worked in reverse in Ireland. Social expenditure, which includes welfare benefits and services provided for free by the state, more than doubled during the Celtic tiger. Then, during the post 2008 crash, when Ireland suffered one of the sharpest economic contractions ever recorded in a developed economy, social spending flatlined. From the middle of the last decade, when strong economic growth returned, the spend rose by 70%.
When the money is available, it is spent. I'm fed up with this unthinking use of my taxes. It's time for lower personal taxation and spending restraint. @thecurrency column coming on this topic.
🗞In this week's Clare Echo:
💊Drug drops happening along M18 claims ex Mayor
🥎Clare hurlers see off Waterford
🏐Interviews & news from Clare football camp ahead of visit of All-Ireland champions
👮♂️Cllr Dinny Gould (IND) calls out Gardaí
This & more in Clare's most read paper!
📰In this week's Clare Echo:
⛔Traffic chaos continues on Clare roads
🏆League glory for Clare hurlers
🚨Kilrush becoming a red zone for crime
🔍Search for justice continues 21 years after Emer O'Loughlin's murder
🗞This and more in Clare's most read newspaper.
In The Clare Echo this week, Clare's most read newspaper:
🕯Shannon scrambler tragedy
⛽Cutting excise on fuel 'a minuscule' measure
👨🍳Tribute to ever-innovative TJ McGuinnness
🤳One third of Clare schools have introduced phone pouches, .
Plus much more. available now!
🗞In Clare's most read newspaper:
☘Countywide coverage of the St Patrick's Day parades
🇺🇸Donald Trump hopes to visit Doonbeg in September
💔Tragedy hits in Lahinch
✈Taoiseach rejects 'false claims' on Shannon Airport
🏐Clare footballers miss out on promotion
This and more!
📰In this week's Clare Echo:
✈Shannon Airport cannot be launchpad for Iran attacks
🏥Clare failed by politicians on health services
⛳Rory McIlroy heading for Doonbeg
🇮🇪Ennis' Ben Lyne bags a brace on Irish debut
🟡🔵Clare's hurling Injuries healing
🗞This and more!!!
This is absolutely amazing performance art but he’s probably pushed it too far.
Even stupid people are in danger of realising that he’s just been taking the absolute piss for years.
🎉Celebrating 30 years of Shannon Chamber in this week's Clare Echo!
📝We've a bumper 24 page supplement included in our latest edition featuring interviews from Shannon Chamber CEO, Helen Downes, President Mark Nolan plus a host of industry leaders in Shannon.
📰In this week's Clare Echo:
🛍Supplement marking 30 years of Shannon Chamber
🚑Health Minister invited to Ennis public meeting
🥎We need to find new talent says Brian Lohan
🏐Paul Madden looks ahead to spicy local derby with Limerick
📸Photos from The Toughest Tribe
We're hiring! Apply by February 27th for the position of sub-editor/writer.
Join the team behind Clare's most read newspaper and leading online outlet!
#jobfairy
🤔Shane keeps the county guessing every week as the brains behind Spot the Difference and is a cool customer who is rarely fazed by the daily pressures of the newspaper industry.
🤝Support us in what we do by becoming a Clare Echo subscriber - https://t.co/QWPhEOdYRH
In this week’s Clare Echo, our first edition of 2026.
- Hundred of future Clare rural tourism jobs under threat
- Ballyea broken hearted with death of TJ
- News year in review
- Clare Echo’s sporting awards for 2025!
This and more in Clare’s most read newspaper, out now!
In this week's Clare Echo:
-Bolt out of the blue for Newmarket-on-Fergus to lose GP
-Cahercon gas reserve to create up to 300 jobs
-Suitable sites put forward by Council for hospital in Clare
-Travel bug catches the Clare football panel
This and more in Clare's most read paper