Elsewhere: 'Ireland was very smart' - The Journal reports that Trump name checks Ireland as he pledges tariffs on pharmaceutical imports. Unemployment and inflation are forecast to rise under proposed tariffs against the EU, according to the ESRI, which anticipates “extremely high” risks to the Irish economy, and warns of increases in unemployment and inflation in the event of a trade war. 

We'll know next Wednesday (2nd April) about which way this is going to go, as the EU's automative industry considers the effects of Trump's new 25% tariff. Meanwhile, the ESRI also has a report out which says the State-wide system of rent pressure zones (RPZs) has been “effective” in controlling rents but has led to a fall in the supply of private rental accommodation.

In a week dominated by news of collective incompetence so rank they breach national security on a social media channel, the platforms and 'tools' created by the enablers and sycophants of the current US administration continue to be used to shame and terrify people. In this instance, a young student in the University of Limerick.

Zen 

"Flanagan has fallen out of love with the US. She’s hanging out in Ireland and intends to sell up in Los Angeles after more than 50 years, a new McCarthyism is brewing and “hooligans” have taken charge of the White House, she says. The country is not doing well..."But just wait until he takes away our [entertainment industry] unions, because they are full of people who, for the most part, disapproved of him and his policies.”

That's the cautionary from Irish Hollywood veteran Fionnula Flanagan. She's out doing the promotional rounds for a new Irish film, Four Mothers.

Have a lovely day. 

Niall Shanahan