Next Round

Canada is once again the focus of the new US administration. The threat of tariffs lingers, and there's a more sinister suggestion of border changes around the Great Lakes. Is Canada being pushed to become the 51st state? Forecasts for recession in the United States are picking up, driven by the government slowdown. The new administration is talking about excluding the government from its GDP cal...

Europe is now scrambling. The decades-long US security guarantee is falling apart. The US is siding with Russia and elbowing out its ally in Ukraine. Must Europe now build a common military force to fill the void? What’s Ireland’s role in all this? The CSO reports that wage growth remains high. As inflation has lowered, we’re now in a period of real wage growth. However, wage growth is still behin...

With Irish government spending surpassing €100bn this year, we ask whether a body for “government efficiency” is needed. David fills us in on an article he wrote in the Irish Independent this week. DOGE may not be the best fit for Ireland, but something is needed. US Vice President JD Vance spoke at the Munich Security Conference this week. In a landmark speech, he attacked democracy in Europe, si...

Make Ireland Poor Again. David tells us why he now uses this phrase to describe a new group of people in Ireland. They’re the voices that have resurfaced to once again call on the Taoiseach to boycott a meeting with the US President on St. Patrick’s Day. With thousands of jobs on the line from tariffs, the last thing any country should consider is ignoring the new US administration. The CSO’s late...

What’s really happening in Ireland’s housing market? Despite a flood of recent data—housing starts rising, completions falling, and mortgage approvals surging—the picture remains murky.  Meanwhile, the Trump administration is turning the heat on its closest neighbours with fresh tariff threats against Canada and Mexico. We dive into what this means and how incoming Secretary of Commerce Howar...

As we kick off the new year, we dive into the Australian property market, exploring the potential for a bubble as prices slow after years of growth. With many young Irish choosing to move Down Under for a better life, we discuss David W. Higgins’ recent article in The Irish Times , which warns that Australia’s economic prosperity, largely driven by mining, may be unsustainable due to falling commo...

We review the exciting year that was 2024. Ireland kept the Apple money, budget surplus, UK election, France legislative election, Hate speech bill dropped, Euro/local elections, family / care referendums, Bambi Thug, the New York portal, inflation quashed, rates lowered, wages high, Leo resignation, Harris new Taoiseach, Micheál Martin's great survival, 10pc house price growth, record homelessnes...

With the dust settling after Ireland’s 2024 general election, we unpack its fractured results and the intricate coalition negotiations now underway as Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael navigate options against the backdrop of pressing challenges like housing, healthcare, and climate action.   We also spotlight the 20th anniversary of the Residential Tenancies Board, exploring the regulators' role in...

With just two days until voters in Ireland head to the polls, we dive into the shifting dynamics revealed by this week’s surprising poll results and analyse last night’s debate between the leaders of Ireland's three main parties. We also explore Fine Gael's new proposal—the Acorn Savings Account policy—introduced in their 2024 General Election manifesto. This policy promises to give every child bo...

Eoghan Murphy was Ireland’s housing minister between 2017 and 2020. He faced the most difficult challenge in government at the time, the challenge of rapidly growing homeless numbers, a dormant construction industry, and rising rents. His departure from cabinet was soon followed by his full exit from politics in 2021. He has spent the time since writing his memoirs.  Running From Office: Conf...

You’ve seen the reaction to Trump’s win this side of the Atlantic, but what about Canada? We’re honoured this week to be joined by John Baird, former Foreign Minister of Canada and Senior Advisor at Eurasia Group.  We discuss the fallout to the Trump win, why Kamala lost, and how countries can deal with the new administration. We also touch on other foreign policy issues including the war in...

The UK’s first Labour budget in 14 years and its first by a female chancellor. Rachel Reeves has raised taxes, spending and borrowing. We discuss the main budget items and contrast it to Ireland. The markets are cautious on the approach and the rise in borrowing costs means less room is available in the next budget.  The CSO’s Vital Statistics Yearly Summary has been released for 2022. It sho...

According to a new Financial Times poll, Donald Trump has now overtaken Kamala Harris as the candidate most trusted by Americans to manage the economy. Could the former president be on track for an unprecedented return to the White House? We dive into the shifting polls and explore the factors behind Trump’s resurgence.  Meanwhile, Ireland’s housing crisis continues as new home completions fo...

The Irish general election, it’s happening, right? We discuss the delicate steps to orchestrate an end to the 33rd Dáil. Micheál Martin remains the key player and his recent appearance on the Irish Times Inside Politics Podcast holds clues.    Driverless cars are in their infancy, but they’re on the road today in 4 US cities. We discuss a revolutionary technology that will cause disrupti...

We are joined by Seán Keyes, Executive Director of Progress Ireland, who leads the organisation's infrastructure policy initiatives. Seán previously served as Finance Editor at The Currency, Managing Editor at MoneyWeek, and Editor of an equity research newsletter. Together, we delve into the launch of Progress Ireland, an independent think tank dedicated to connecting Ireland with innovative poli...

Who lost out from Budget 2025? Maybe no one! As the government announces the last budget before the next general election, we discuss the main points. Are the income tax changes a cut or just relief? Have we done enough to support the expansion of infrastructure? And how are young people looked after?    Follow us on social media:  www.instagram.com/nextroundpod    www.tik...

As the U.N. General Assembly wraps up, President Higgins’ recent comments have sparked controversy, raising questions about how far he has stretched the boundaries of his role. In this episode, we examine the evolving nature of the presidency and look ahead to next year’s election, discussing what the office could represent and the key challenges it faces. Former Taoiseach Leo Varadkar emphasises...

A new long-read article from Bloomberg draws attention to the “dating recession”, how 13.3m extra singles emerged from the COVID-19 pandemic and are now adding to an “epidemic of loneliness” in the US. We discuss the decline in social and group activities, the implications for Ireland, and how it can turn around.  https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-09-10/us-economy-is-reshaped-...

The European Court of Justice ruled that Apple’s tax structure in Ireland amounted to illegal state aid and Ireland will receive over €13 billion in unpaid taxes. We analyse the fallout; what does it mean for Ireland’s industrial policy, should the government save it or spend it on the key challenges facing the country? Mario Draghi's report The Future of European Competitiveness presents a compre...

David attended the launch of Progress Ireland, a new think tank launched by Sean Keyes and a team of colleagues. The think tank believes in “unlocking Ireland’s potential” in the areas of housing, infrastructure and innovation.   We discuss the wider issue of Ireland’s budget surplus, termed a “luxury problem” recently in the Financial Times. Corporate tax posted another set of strong re...

As high-profile restaurants shutter their doors and price gouging concerns rise with the upcoming Oasis concert, we delve into the state of Ireland’s hospitality sector. With calls for a return of the 9% VAT rate, we debate whether it should be reinstated. Is this tax break crucial for the industry's survival, or is it enabling unfair pricing practices? Ireland’s population has surged by 98,700 in...

As Olympic athletes celebrate their homecomings, Dale raises the topic of OnlyFans, a platform used by many athletes to supplement their incomes and fund their dreams. Is this a tragedy or a triumph? We discuss the wider porn industry and the high engagement from creators and users.  Fianna Fáil Senator Malcolm Byrne has suggested that Ireland could host the 2072 Olympics, nearly 5 decades fr...

Amid recent market turmoil across the world, we dive into last week’s stock market turbulence and its implications. We discuss the fallout from speculative yen borrowing, disappointing jobs data, missed earnings from AI and the "Magnificent 7," and the Fed's decision to hold off on interest rate cuts. Is this the perfect storm or just August jitters? Plus, Kamala Harris picks Tim Walz as her VP no...

Daragh Cassidy is the current Head of Communications at bonkers.ie, the price comparison and switching website. Before joining bonkers.ie Daragh had over 10 years’ experience working in the banking and insurance industry. In his current role, Daragh regularly writes for the company’s popular blog and has appeared on numerous local and national radio and TV show to discuss personal finance matters,...

Shoplifting in England and Wales has soared to a 20-year peak, with a staggering 60% increase in just two years. This alarming trend, coupled with a surge in street thefts, underscores a growing crisis highlighted by ONS data. We delve into the underlying causes and far-reaching impacts. We also explore how home size correlates with fertility rates worldwide. In the housing market, Local Authoriti...