Ireland Most Open Economy in Western World - Wall St Journal

[Maximus]

It has been reported that Ireland has been ranked as the third most-open economy in the world in the Wall Street Journal's latest index of economic freedom.

The index, compiled in conjunction with the conservative Heritage Foundation, shows Ireland has jumped two places from fifth last year thanks to its low corporate taxes, unrestrictive labour force regulation and minimal barriers to foreign investment.

Hong Kong and Singapore are the only two countries in the world with more open economies than Ireland, while Burma, Iran and North Korea were ranked as the world's least-free economies.

[Dáiler]

"low corporate taxes, unrestrictive labour force regulation and minimal barriers to foreign investment. "

Wont be the case if Enda. Pat & Trevor have their way. The cracks are beginning to show already

[laughingcow]

It has been reported that Ireland has been ranked as the third most-open economy in the world in the Wall Street Journal's latest index of economic freedom.

The index, compiled in conjunction with the conservative Heritage Foundation, shows Ireland has jumped two places from fifth last year thanks to its low corporate taxes, unrestrictive labour force regulation and minimal barriers to foreign investment.

Hong Kong and Singapore are the only two countries in the world with more open economies than Ireland, while Burma, Iran and North Korea were ranked as the world's least-free economies.

Great news!
Let's hope oue European neighbours take note and copy us :!:

[Gladstone]

"low corporate taxes, unrestrictive labour force regulation and minimal barriers to foreign investment. "

Wont be the case if Enda. Pat & Trevor have their way. The cracks are beginning to show already

Yes, with Enda and Pats published plans to return corpo tax to 50% and all! ...oh no wait it was them that agreed with the EU to lower it to 12.5%...

Laughing cow lets hope they don't!!!!

The only thing we have offsetting out infarstructre disadvantage is out corpo tax rate, if they go the same way were screwed.

[Rocky]

"low corporate taxes, unrestrictive labour force regulation and minimal barriers to foreign investment. "

Wont be the case if Enda. Pat & Trevor have their way. The cracks are beginning to show already

FG/Lab or the Greens don't want to change any of that. So what are you talking about?

[setanta]

Yes, with Enda and Pats published plans to return corpo tax to 50% and all! ...oh no wait it was them that agreed with the EU to lower it to 12.5%...

Laughing cow lets hope they don't!!!!

The only thing we have offsetting out infarstructre disadvantage is out corpo tax rate, if they go the same way were screwed.

Errr - when exactly have either FG or the Labour Party said they intend to raise Corporation Tax at all, never mind raise it to 50%?

[Gladstone]

They havn't thats my point.

FF can't manage public services, and our infarstructure is still in ************************e, so they will paint the next election as good economy (which can only happen under FF-PD) AND bad economy (which of coursse...happens under FG-Lab you see).

They'll talk about high tax rainbow despite them not wanting tax increaces.

You will also notice, if you listen to FFers talk them throw in Joe Higgins alot saying something like "a blue green red coaltion of FG labour greens and joe higgins wont' work" I've noticed FFers say this 3 times on TV now and not be challenged for it.

[setanta]

Oh I see what you meant.

[Maximus]

They havn't thats my point.

FF can't manage public services, and our infarstructure is still in ************************e, so they will paint the next election as good economy (which can only happen under FF-PD) AND bad economy (which of coursse...happens under FG-Lab you see).

They'll talk about high tax rainbow despite them not wanting tax increaces.

You will also notice, if you listen to FFers talk them throw in Joe Higgins alot saying something like "a blue green red coaltion of FG labour greens and joe higgins wont' work" I've noticed FFers say this 3 times on TV now and not be challenged for it.

Lets take a look at your points:

“FF can't manage public services”
Ireland today has one of the best education systems in the world, we have an excellent primary health care system, we have the most generous social welfare and tax system for people on lower incomes in Europe, non-homicidal violent crime is at an all time low and we have one of the cleanest environments in Western Europe, etc etc.

“Our infrastructure is still in ************************e”
The Government has just finished a major upgrade of the entire rail network, capacity on the DART line has been boosted by 40%, travel times between major urban centres have been cut by up to 35% as a result of an unprecedented expansion of our motor way network, LUAS carries almost 100,000 people per day, no citizen is more than 30km from a serviced airport… etc etc

Don’t lecture the present Government; the last time your crowd were in ye gave pensioners a scandalous £1.50 a week! Thankfully the public have a long memory!

[pluralist]

Ireland today has one of the best education systems in the world

Debatable. According to a recent international survey of universities, only one Irish university (Trinity) was considered world class.