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A crash course in everything Economics – Part 1

Stephen Kinsella’s new book, QuickWin ECONOMICS, answers 100 questions you might have on the subject. In this excerpt: Why don’t Big Macs cost the same in every country?

ECONOMICS, ECONOMICS EVERYWHERE – and not a person to explain them.

Economics lecturer Stephen Kinsella has decided to wade through the terminology to create a layman’s primer to help us understand the economic factors that are shaping our present – and our future. His new book, Quickwin ECONOMICS: Answers to your top 100 Economics Questions does exactly that.

TheJournal.ie brings you two of the questions and answers in the book today to get you started – and will bring you two more tomorrow.

Q: Why don’t Big Macs cost the same in every country?

A: Purchasing power parity exists when two countries’ exchange rates for currency equalise the difference in purchasing power between the two countries.

Think about two currencies, mediated by a flexible exchange rate, which means that, on any given day, the price of euros in terms of dollars changes with the demand for products denominated in the other currency. If we in Europe buy more goods and services from the US relative to their purchases of our goods and services, then the price of that foreign exchange – the exchange rate – will go up.

Now, the higher the price and costs levels are in Europe relative to the US, the greater our imports from the US. High EU prices and low US prices usually means a high price for foreign exchange. The relative change in the exchange rate is in fact proportional to the change in the price levels in the two trading countries. This is purchasing power parity at work, so that, all things being equal, the EU/US exchange rate is given by:

EU / US exchange rate = EU prices / US prices

What has this got to do with Big Macs? If you could buy a Big Mac in Europe for €2 and the exchange rate between the euro and the US dollar was €0.50 for every $1, then if purchasing power parity holds, you should be able to buy a Big Mac in the USA for $1. The Economist magazine routinely publishes the prices of Big Macs from all over the world to check for purchasing power parity. The Big Mac is sold in about 120 countries, so the Big Mac purchasing power parity indicator is the exchange rate that would mean hamburgers cost the same in America as abroad, if purchasing power parity held. Comparing actual exchange rates with those implied by the purchasing power parity exchange rate above can help us decide whether a currency is under-valued or over-valued.

It is precisely because currency exchange rates are subject to other pressures, not just purchasing power parity, that sometimes Big Macs do not cost the same in every country.

Q: If the government devalues the currency, will this help my business?

A: Governments sometimes have control over the exchange rates at which their currencies trade at relative to other countries. It may make sense to decide to devalue the currency in times of economic difficulty. A devaluation is just a downward movement in a country’s exchange rate relative to other countries’ exchange rates.

If there is a balance of payments deficit, then by devaluing the country makes its imports more expensive (since its currency buys less of other currencies), and its exports cheaper (since other currencies buy more of its goods and services for the same amount of their own currency), thus boosting demand at home and abroad for locally-produced goods.

If the economy is small and open, then the types of goods it imports and exports will be very important, because imports and exports will make up a large proportion of the total goods and services consumed in the economy. Any change in the exchange rate will affect the types of goods and services produced and consumed.

The domestic inflation rate is also very important – an increase in inflation over time could remove all of the gains that a devaluation brings by making locally-produced goods relatively more expensive.

Typically, a country’s balance of payments deficit tends to get worse immediately after a currency devaluation, since imports already contracted for and existing debt denominated in foreign currency become more expensive. However, once the prices of imports and exports adjust to the new currency exchange, the effects of the devaluation increase overseas demand for the country’s goods, causing the economy to move into a balance of payments surplus. The ‘j-curve’ shows the lagged effect of monetary policy changes on the real economy, especially with regard to export and import pricing.

So whether a devaluation will help your business depends on whether it is exporting (Yes), importing (No) or producing and selling locally (probably Yes).

Stephen Kinsella is a lecturer in economics at the University of Limerick. He holds a BA (Mod) from Trinity College, Dublin, in economics, an MEconSc and PhD from NUI Galway and an MA, MPhil and PhD from the New School for Social Research, New York, all in economics. He is interested in computable economics, experimental economics and Irish public policy.

QuickWin Economics is published by Oak Tree Press. It is also available as an iPhone app and an e-book.

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    Mute Leopold Dedalus
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    Nov 13th 2014, 4:12 PM

    Someone doing a half-arsed job in Ireland? Never heard the like.

    738
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    Mute John Deegan
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    Nov 13th 2014, 4:41 PM

    It gets far worse. Check out the 1916 promo vid that fails to mention 1916 or any of those who took part, but manages to get in the queen, David Cameron and Ian Paisley. This isn’t a joke our history is being airbrushed out.
    http://www.irishtimes.com/culture/heritage/don-t-mention-the-war-1916-video-fails-to-mention-rising-1.1999460

    565
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    Mute Dave O Keeffe
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    Nov 13th 2014, 4:50 PM

    Ad seems to be more about preventing trouble. Which is a genuine concern.

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    Mute Dermot Ryan
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    Nov 13th 2014, 4:50 PM

    at least history repeats itself – “Brits out !”
    if that’s the way they want play it like –
    The monarchy must go -
    Occupy Dail Street !

    118
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    Mute Dermot Ryan
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    Nov 13th 2014, 4:54 PM

    Only to those who deserve it Dave !
    I n order to lance the boil one must first perform a little cut ……

    17
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    Mute skin flint
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    Nov 13th 2014, 7:01 PM

    Everything this government seems touch turns to $h1t€.

    241
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    Mute Wexford pikeman
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    Nov 13th 2014, 7:21 PM

    This government is casting so many long shadows, only means the sun is setting…

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    Mute Genius
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    Nov 13th 2014, 7:22 PM

    Tá sé bad job.

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    Mute skin flint
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    Nov 13th 2014, 9:15 PM

    What is that ad about????!

    51
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    Mute Elizabeth Gibson
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    Nov 13th 2014, 9:35 PM

    Well Skin, apparently it’s about remembering 2016, says so a few seconds in. I’m rightly fecked so, I can hardly remember last week so what chance have I of remembering events that happen more than a year in the future. Anyone got a time machine? :(

    53
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    Mute Michael Mulvihill
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    Nov 14th 2014, 12:19 AM

    Fine Gael blueshirts at work. West British

    44
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    Mute Sheik Yahbouti
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    Nov 14th 2014, 2:31 AM

    It’s about “the Grabbing ” Mark 2. Government in this country, but particularly THIS government, merely seek to attract visitors and money. It would actually be an embarrassment to draw attention to how far short of the ideals of the rebels of 1916 this country is. Also it wouldn’t do to be giving the current population ideas ; hence the virtual news blackout on protests and resistance in other eu countries.

    20
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    Mute Inntalitarian
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    Nov 13th 2014, 4:05 PM

    Wonder was it the Minister for the Gaeltacht?

    354
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    Mute Seán Gallagher
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    Nov 13th 2014, 4:08 PM

    He’s only learnin’ bless his cotton socks.

    251
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    Mute TheLoneHurler
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    Nov 13th 2014, 4:09 PM

    Let one of those complaining translate it free of charge… patriotism and all that.

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    Mute Gerry Ryan deG
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    Nov 13th 2014, 4:12 PM

    Form a Quango quick

    187
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    Mute Petyr Baelish
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    Nov 13th 2014, 4:24 PM

    Yeah and bill the taxpayer for 100 million to pay for consultants to advise on setting it up ;-)

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    Mute Ronan Stokes
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    Nov 13th 2014, 4:37 PM

    “Type translate.google.com”, that’ll be €50,000,000.00 thank you!

    136
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    Mute Conchubhair MacLochlainn
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    Nov 13th 2014, 4:43 PM

    Only too happy to. Help me suggest it to the powers that be.

    84
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    Mute kevin daly
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    Nov 13th 2014, 8:17 PM

    True to me this language is dead for many decades, ever since the Christian brothers beat it into me.

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    Mute FearCiarraioch
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    Nov 13th 2014, 9:40 PM

    What would this present shower of Gangsters know about 1916 ?
    Their predecessors were the shower that sold out Ireland over every Generation since 1916 !

    Joan Burton couldn’t lie straight in bed, being Enda’s Poodle and An Ceann Comhairle is so twisted and Biased , he is only bursting to give the Nazi Blueshirt Fascist salute in An Dáil !

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    Mute Shínner Ó Bhot
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    Nov 13th 2014, 10:16 PM

    The only true ancestors of 1916 are Gerry Adams, Mary Lou and Sinn Féin. Everyone else are frauds.

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    Mute FearCiarraioch
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    Nov 13th 2014, 10:53 PM

    Shinner O’Bhot = The Fine Gael Fake Twitter Troll !

    35
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    Mute Shínner Ó Bhot
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    Nov 13th 2014, 11:23 PM

    Fearc, mo chomhghleacaí uasal.

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    Mute Ryan Clarke
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    Nov 14th 2014, 8:21 AM

    So an entire language is dead JUST because YOU had a bad experience with it ?

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    Mute John Ward
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    Nov 14th 2014, 2:05 PM

    @Shinner:
    They don’t look that old!

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    Mute Rob Vance
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    Nov 19th 2014, 3:21 PM

    Do you by any chance mean descendants?

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    Mute Snorre Sturleson
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    Nov 13th 2014, 4:21 PM

    The anti national bile from this FG/LAB West Brit government reaches a new low. Translations using google and a 1916 video with the English Queen and Cameron and no mention of the Rising. Curry my coca cola as you would say gleefully Inda you race traitor

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    Mute Isaac Smyth
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    Nov 13th 2014, 4:45 PM

    Sorry ti burst your nationalist bubble but the British and the Irish are genetically identical.

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    Mute Lad
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    Nov 13th 2014, 4:49 PM

    He didn’t say they weren’t. It’s out culture and beliefs that make us who we are, not genetics..

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    Mute Dave O Keeffe
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    Nov 13th 2014, 4:55 PM

    2016 could be a hugely divisive year on this island. The video is about putting aside our differences to honour a common history. Whether you like it or not it’s everyone’s history.

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    Mute Shane Cal
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    Nov 13th 2014, 4:59 PM

    Sorry to burst your bubble but no human being on earth is genetically identical, that’s what make us individuals.

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    Mute Dermot Ryan
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    Nov 13th 2014, 5:01 PM

    Maybe Isaac isn’t feeling too well – a virus or something !
    Endola is particularly severe I hear !

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    Mute Snorre Sturleson
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    Nov 13th 2014, 5:15 PM

    Nah that was just in your case Llyod George hopping into your grandmas kennel

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    Mute John Moylan
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    Nov 13th 2014, 5:53 PM

    @dermot……Endola. …. Very good !

    51
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    Mute thejynxeffect
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    Nov 13th 2014, 6:57 PM

    Who cares about genetics?

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    Mute Peter Pan
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    Nov 13th 2014, 7:04 PM

    The English are Saxons who arrived here about1500 years ago and the Irish are Celts. There has been a lot of mixing but we are not the same race

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    Mute Peter Pan
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    Nov 13th 2014, 7:07 PM

    Home rule was Rome rule.

    The rising was a power grab that handed the nation over to a bunch of pedophiles and blue shirts who didn’t rate the intelligents Of the peasants they ruled.

    Its the same today.

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    Mute Lad
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    Nov 13th 2014, 7:22 PM

    Says a lot about the crowd they were trying to get rid of peeta

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    Mute Sinabhfuil
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    Nov 13th 2014, 7:36 PM

    So… in France they should bring the Germans in on celebrating the Résistance? In Finland they should bring the Russians in? The Americans should be sure to include the British in their commemorations of 1776 on July 4?
    Inclusiveness is good. Betraying your country’s fight for freedom is not. And it’s absolutely possible to be inclusive while still celebrating our War of Independence.

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    Mute Leviathan
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    Nov 13th 2014, 7:37 PM

    You lot are some pack of idiots. No wonder Ireland is doomed with paddies bickering over stupid crap. Anyone who uses the term “west Brit” these days is one of these w@ nkers that refuses to recognise the free state as they call it and supports terrorism.

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    Mute Dermot Ryan
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    Nov 13th 2014, 11:01 PM

    Cheers John- I have to say I was inspired by our great leader – was watching a few videos today though and I am beginning to look at Enda differently – He’s from that age profile in our country where one never knows how the childhood was ……..
    And Michael Noonan believe it or not …
    But In my opinion Howlin is the snake on the E.M..C !

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    Mute Cathal Billings
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    Nov 13th 2014, 11:11 PM

    Intelligents … Very well said

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    Mute Kevin Lynch
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    Nov 13th 2014, 11:34 PM

    The celebration is as far as I’m aware not about independence but the Easter Rising which was the beginning of the path to independence. As usual this government and previous ones get everything arse about face. Pearse, Connolly, and all should be spinning in their graves so fast we could connect them to the grid and have free electricity for a generation. To think the sacrificed their lives so we could end up like this. It’s pitiful

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    Mute damien mac aodha
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    Nov 13th 2014, 4:12 PM

    This is not a translation, its an insult.

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    Mute Stephen Walsh
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    Nov 13th 2014, 4:36 PM

    Has anyone got Heather Humphries direct Line or email?? I have loads of really Good ideas for the commemoration. Once such idea is to allow free entry to both Kilmainham Gaol and Glasnevin Cemetery for 6 months around the celebration. Also have Building Wraps around all the significant buildings involved in the Rising each depicting a picture of the leader of the building with a biog of that person. Instead of Callimg it Ireland 2016 it should be Called HoRISING 2016. A play on the word Horizon and Rising. The meaning of this is that we as a Nation are looking to the HoRISING and be at peace with our past and hopeful for our Future. It’s a more Snappy Name anyways and the Ireland 2016 banner can still be used alongside it. Also there should be a State Funded Film about the Rising and its players. Also a FREE festival commemorating our Patriots with Theatre, Film, Music, Arts etc.

    It’s part of what this nation has become. We need to Celebrate the courage and bravery of those who fought for our Freedom. We also should embrace The New Irish who have chosen to make Ireland their home. This is Our One Chance to really make a Mark and pay proper meaningful remembrance to our Past and to our Future. Another Idea is to have a NEW Patriots Park with monuments to the Signatories of the Declaration that is used as a Muicipal Park (this doesn’t have to be in Dublin). Also make it a National Holiday too.

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    Mute Biscuits Patinkin
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    Nov 13th 2014, 4:52 PM

    Ho-rising? Seriously?? Can’t decide if it sounds like and army of angry prostitutes, or a rebellion with Christmas cheer.

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    Mute Dermot Ryan
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    Nov 13th 2014, 4:59 PM

    Stephen you should go into politics – you seem perfectly suited for it !
    Based on current trends of course !

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    Mute Stephen Walsh
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    Nov 13th 2014, 5:25 PM

    Have you a better name?? I’m open to ideas we need to get the discussion going. If we leave it to the Government they’ll no doubt mess it up completely!!

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    Mute Stephen Walsh
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    Nov 13th 2014, 5:26 PM

    Dermot. I’m too honest to be a politician. I’d be thrown out of politics for speaking the truth and not towing the line if I don’t believe in it!!

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    Mute mikey G
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    Nov 13th 2014, 8:55 PM

    Great idea, you should give her a call I’m sure should would love to meet up with you and get the ball rolling on all your Plans :)

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    Mute Stephen Walsh
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    Nov 13th 2014, 9:43 PM

    Sarcasm???

    12
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    Mute Ryan Ash
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    Nov 13th 2014, 10:16 PM

    At least he has ideas. Most of those on this site have nothing to offer as to how the future of this country should look like. They complain about the government having no vision yet have none themselves either.

    Try the Department of Arts website to get an email address for the Minister Stephen.

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    Mute Stephen Walsh
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    Nov 13th 2014, 10:37 PM

    Thanks Ryan.

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    Mute Dermot Ryan
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    Nov 13th 2014, 10:42 PM

    It was a little bit of both Stephen – but since your reply about honesty there is actually a growing market in that area in politics – Paul Murphy , Martin Fitzmaurice – The Dossier , etc.
    Go for it man if you think it should – the bar is very low – and I am not insulting you with that contention – Ho is not a good choice of words though – just for future reference ….

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    Mute Sheik Yahbouti
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    Nov 14th 2014, 2:37 AM

    Government website or the telephone directory.

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    Mute Sheik Yahbouti
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    Nov 14th 2014, 2:38 AM

    Surely that would be the ho ho ho rising?

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    Mute BHJFT96
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    Nov 13th 2014, 4:27 PM

    Why was there a need to translate it as it was originally published in Irish and English…. the original should apply irrespective of any grammatical errors (sa leagan Bearla)

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    Mute Alien8
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    Nov 13th 2014, 5:22 PM

    Was the original document in Irish as well? I thought the whole insurrection was in English.

    Apart from the video highlights in Mise Eire.

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    Mute thetruth
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    Nov 13th 2014, 4:08 PM

    Quick order an expensive enquiry, then expensive report after report. Then set up a commission to oversee the creating of a new quango. A quango that translates everything for the government. And it’ll be run by another one of their cronies

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    Mute Paddy Hannigan
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    Nov 13th 2014, 7:34 PM

    You forgot to mention to ‘ circle the wagons’ and accuse SF of something as a dirversion.

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    Mute Trevor Beale
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    Nov 13th 2014, 4:38 PM

    This really is getting more and more embarrassing.

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    Mute Laura Doherty
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    Nov 13th 2014, 6:29 PM

    Yet another stupid move from our ridiculous excuse for a government.

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    Mute Eoin Ó Riain
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    Nov 13th 2014, 4:48 PM

    The English on this site does not correspond to the Irish. For instance “Fórsa Coimeádta Síochána an AE.” is translated as “UN Peace Keeping element!”

    Indeed the whole effort from the flashy video (the music is great though) to the lacklustre programme lack a real feeling for what happened in that historic period of our history started it cannot be denied by the work of our first President and his collegues in the early eighteen nineties.

    I as a citizen of this nation am both ashamed, dishonoured, dismayed, angry but hardly surprised at this travesty from a Government who repeatedly fail to understand her people and whose short-sighted and sometimes illegal decisions on civil service recruitment are costing money needlessly!

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    Mute Ryan Ash
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    Nov 13th 2014, 5:26 PM

    Oh come on – the government is not responsible for every single mistake by either an external contractor or a civil servant.

    Have some perspective.

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    Mute mart_n
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    Nov 13th 2014, 5:33 PM

    “the government is not responsible”

    What a load of crap. If they are not responsible for the people they give contracts and employment to then who is?

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    Mute Ryan Ash
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    Nov 13th 2014, 5:59 PM

    Indeed they are responsible for giving them the contracts.

    As I said above they are “not responsible for every single mistake.”

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    Mute Dermot Ryan
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    Nov 13th 2014, 10:44 PM

    Who signed off on it after it was reviewed ? “Hello Ryan, Planet Eire to Ryan” – you have just made a total mockery of your notion of politics !

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    Mute Sam
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    Nov 13th 2014, 9:17 PM

    What the feck was that video about? Promoting Irish tourism? That had nothing to do with 1916. What an insult

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    Mute Ciaran McQuaid
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    Nov 13th 2014, 9:21 PM

    Revisionist shite afraid of the revolutionary message of Easter 1916

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    Mute Dermot Ryan
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    Nov 13th 2014, 4:57 PM

    All the queens horses and all the queens endas
    couldn’t put dail eireann together again !

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    Mute Dara McGann
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    Nov 13th 2014, 4:12 PM

    How much do we spend on Irish language translations every year? How many people actually read the Irish language versions? Is it worth it?

    For the sake of a few grammatical errors just use Google and let the three people who read the Irish language version give out all they like

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    Mute Philip Kenna
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    Nov 13th 2014, 4:25 PM

    I don’t think that it’s about how many read it, it’s about the fact that some gimp is being paid a shedload of money to construct and maintain the site and couldn’t be arsed to even try and make an effort at being professional. Google translate! Really!!

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    Mute Dermot Ryan
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    Nov 13th 2014, 4:55 PM

    cen fath ?

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    Mute Dermot Ryan
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    Nov 13th 2014, 4:55 PM

    …. ahhh
    an dtuigeann tu Gobshiite Dara ?

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    Mute Conchubhair MacLochlainn
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    Nov 13th 2014, 5:22 PM

    Hi Dara. About 0.07c per man, woman and child. Which comes for the most part from a centralised European kitty, covering all 24 official languages of the EU.

    It gets paid into by every EU member state each and every year, whether their language is on the official list or not. Personally, seeing as I’m already paying for it, and have zero chance of circumventing it, I’d really rather see the work actually getting done.

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    Mute Dermot Ryan
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    Nov 13th 2014, 10:52 PM

    So it’s one 1/5000 of what we paid too put a machine on a cold rock – Surely the past is worth that – not to mention there is a constitutional obligation and the European also agree with us on a secondary basis through their laws as well so they do !

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    Mute Ella Polinina
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    Nov 13th 2014, 7:01 PM

    its an insult.

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    Mute Larry Doherty
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    Nov 13th 2014, 10:01 PM

    Lets face it. Enda Kenny and Fine Gael are embarrassed by 1916. I see that he attended the Remembrance commemoration event in Enniskillen on Sunday for the third year in a row. I have no problem with that but wonder when we will see him at a Bloody Sunday or event commemorating nationalist victims. Perhaps he might do something to get the truth about British involvement in the Dublin bombings. However, I would n’t hold my breath. As far as Enda and Fine Gael are concerned, Irish victims have no political mileage, are an embarrassment to them and are better forgotten.

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    Mute Martin Byrne
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    Nov 13th 2014, 4:19 PM

    I don’t think there is a more culturally cringed bunch than the Irish.

    Shocking really.

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    Mute Dermot Ryan
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    Nov 13th 2014, 4:37 PM

    Proove that on any hurling pitch in the country …You can wear a helmet if you like !

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    Mute Sinabhfuil
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    Nov 13th 2014, 7:37 PM

    Word missing, there, Martin: “…than the Irish government”.

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    Mute I LOVE MY COUNTY
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    Nov 13th 2014, 4:11 PM

    Cue mass amounts of hypocrisy, irony and misplaced patriotism…..

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    Mute Chief
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    Nov 13th 2014, 7:35 PM

    Cue you saying Cue blah blah blah

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    Mute gavin delves
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    Nov 13th 2014, 10:18 PM

    It never said anything about the rising what are Fine Gael up to and having that stupid woman humphreys organize it she can’t even speak Irish they really need to admit all there lies and mistakes and step down the leader of 1916 would turn in there graves if they knew what that shower are doing to this country time to go enda Kenny F off back to mayo

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    Mute Stephen Walsh
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    Nov 13th 2014, 5:20 PM

    We need Sense of National Pride! A reason to be proud to be Irish and I’m not talking about Paddy’s Day either. We have one chance to show the World that we are a vibrant, progressive and forward thinking Nation. Unfortunately we are also a Nation of begrudgers and love slating ourselves and putting ourselves down. This has the potential to be either a massive Success or an unmitigated failure. We have a year and 5 months to make this the most memorable event of our Generation. Let’s not mess it up!

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    Mute Leviathan
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    Nov 13th 2014, 7:43 PM

    Nobody else in the world really gives a shite mate. It was a failed independence experiment. We couldn’t hack it on our own without the Brits so being typical thick paddies we sign away even more sovereignty and join up with ze EU and the fuhrer.

    1916 should be remembered. Remember as the year we let a group of traitors influence the nation into leaving a good thing.

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    Mute Daniel fell
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    Nov 13th 2014, 9:23 PM

    Larding a good thing? You really are a clown

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    Mute Gordon Kennedy
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    Nov 13th 2014, 11:23 PM

    Yeah, it was paradise here with the Brits in charge.. Slums and a higher infant mortality rate than Calcutta. A dash of famine and misrule added. Those were the days alright.

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    Mute El Dolor
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    Nov 13th 2014, 9:48 PM

    Nauseating.
    It’s like Liberation Day in France being celebrated with a video extolling the nazi party.

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    Mute John Walsh
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    Nov 13th 2014, 10:19 PM

    1916 the year FG are sh##ing themselves that SF might stand a chance of getting into government. They have the queen in the clip but no Pearse! A joke.

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    Mute Big Yellow Crane
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    Nov 13th 2014, 10:37 PM

    I was pretty sure I saw Martin McGuinness there and Ardoyne girl Mary McAleese was showing the Queen around a memorial to Pearce and others. One look at the back of Enda Kenny’s head and you lot really lose your sense your of humour.

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    Mute Tony Hartigan
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    Nov 13th 2014, 9:29 PM

    Unfortunately this Government is incapable of doing anything right. Dumass gobsh-tes.

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    Mute Alan Ryan
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    Nov 13th 2014, 4:54 PM

    Pure laziness. Post this, the plebs won’t notice, their too busy protesting about Irish water.

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    Mute Marko Burns
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    Nov 13th 2014, 10:25 PM

    Come on, what did you expect? they want history out of the school system as it is.
    This is now a very conservative, narrow minded, civil servant led country – not these bunch of weirdo hopped up poets and intellectuals who changed a nation.

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    Mute Ryan Ash
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    Nov 13th 2014, 4:47 PM

    Two points:

    1) Having worked on websites sometimes placeholder text does make it through to the final version seen by the public. Most likely the person checking the website before launch didn’t have Irish and so didn’t spot the mistake.

    2) I would much rather the money spent translating this site and many other thousands of websites and documents which will be barely read was spent on upgrading a Gaelscoil somewhere in the country. That’d do much more for the language in the long run.

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    Mute Dermot Ryan
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    Nov 13th 2014, 4:48 PM

    don’t bother with the bluff -

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    Mute Ryan Ash
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    Nov 13th 2014, 5:25 PM

    Don’t bother with your guff…

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    Mute Pearse Mc Mullen
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    Nov 13th 2014, 7:47 PM

    Surely Ryan the the person most likely checking it SHOULD have had irish, seeing as it was being written that language, I`d hate to see a website you produce if that is the standard of your argument,
    go back to who ever taught you about designing websites and ask for your money back, you were fleeced.

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    Mute Ryan Ash
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    Nov 13th 2014, 8:39 PM

    Not really – the webmaster doesn’t necessarily produce content.

    By the way – no need for personal insults towards me because you disagree with me Pearse.

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    Mute Pearse Mc Mullen
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    Nov 13th 2014, 8:48 PM

    point out the personal insult ryan

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    Mute Joan Murphy
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    Nov 13th 2014, 9:13 PM

    I didn’t see any insults either ?

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    Mute winding_down
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    Nov 13th 2014, 4:13 PM

    Disagree with Conradh na Gaeilge.

    Whilst the name of the State may in fact be “Éire” under the Constitution, the term has been hijacked by the British media and it’s meaning is completely unclear to those outside of Ireland.

    Much better that the celebrations should be known nationally and internationally as “Ireland 2016″, rather than “Éire 2016″. There are plenty of people globally who missed the news cycles in 1916 and 1920-1922 and who still believe Ireland is part of the UK. This will be a good opportunity to clarify things for them.

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    Mute Tír Eoghain Gael
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    Nov 13th 2014, 10:59 PM

    Seems to me that FGs interest in the centenary of the 1916 Rising extends no further than making sure the queen of England will be coming. Even the very thought of the partitionist cretins and hypocrits of FG/Lab/FF just uttering the names of genuine republican patriots of 1916 would be enough to make me feel ill. They are the antithesis of everything the proclamation stands for.

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    Mute Big Yellow Crane
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    Nov 14th 2014, 10:04 AM

    Not sure you’re on firm ground there Tir Eoghain. Sinn Fein’s in government in NI. You’ve got the culture ministry for goodness sake. But I can’t find a single mention of the rising on the department of culture website and nothing relating to remembrance in Northern Ireland on SF’s website. What have you got organised for us? Mabel Washington McConnell was a prod, a Bangor girl and a Queens student. How about a bit of grown up consideration of what would have led someone like her to be at the GPO or in 1916? Or do you just want to stick to the sloganising, rattle Pearce’s bones and chase your careers in the South?

    Get the historians involved. University College Cork did a thing in 2006 that produced the 1916 – A Long Revolution collection of essays. How about something like that from a Northern perspective.

    I’m with the younger Connolly by the way “We do not think that the old heart of the earth needs to be warmed with the red wine of millions of lives. We think anyone who does is a blithering idiot”.

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    Mute Rob Vance
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    Nov 19th 2014, 3:32 PM

    1916 ensured that the partition of Ireland would be permanent by destroying the work of a generation of real patriots. It allowed the unionists to say ‘we told you so’ and made sure partition would be the future of the island through the creation of a mono-culture, mono-religious backwater. Fianna Fail, who came to power through gathering the disaffected, did nothing about partition for 40 years.. Britain wanted a 32 county Ireland and Home Rule was the route that might have delivered.

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    Mute Dermot Ryan
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    Nov 13th 2014, 4:20 PM

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u4IHEOjHNiA

    above is one member of our caring E.M..C

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    Mute Owen Kennedy
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    Nov 13th 2014, 10:27 PM

    There is a sign outside Redwood housing estate in D15 with the following translation. ….Redwood/Dearg Adhmad. Shocking. Residents should demand change…

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    Mute Marie Duffin
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    Nov 13th 2014, 10:53 PM

    The Rising was a minority decision. It was only when the British began executing the leaders that public opinion changed. As it was, we were left with the scrapings of the barrel in De Valera. He was an utter disgrace and he and McQuaid left a legacy that will take another century to eradicate.

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    Mute Big Yellow Crane
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    Nov 13th 2014, 9:28 PM

    Dunno anything about Irish but I liked the video. Different journeys, national reconciliation, self confidence, techy, happy future. I thought that was what 1916 was about. Did I misread the proclamation?

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    Mute Ciarán Driver
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    Nov 13th 2014, 10:12 PM

    Sounds like it

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    Mute Big Yellow Crane
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    Nov 13th 2014, 10:23 PM

    Lol. Maybe I prefer the bits about happiness, prosperity and being oblivious to difference. You stick with all the macho mandate claiming in the preamble if that’s your thing.

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    Mute Bartle D'Arcy
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    Nov 13th 2014, 11:41 PM

    That’s not original video. The first one started with half a proclamation and straight into Sir Ernest Shackleton. Irony is last Wednesday the leaders of an Irish Government not recognised by its people, under siege in the G.P.O had to leave through a side door towards Moore St a 1916 battlefield site they won’t recognise. History repeats itself.

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    Mute Paul Parsons
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    Nov 13th 2014, 4:55 PM

    ciúnas bóthar cailín bainne

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    Mute Biscuits Patinkin
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    Nov 13th 2014, 4:58 PM

    Excellent Paul. Now. Do you need the potty?

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    Mute Paul Parsons
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    Nov 13th 2014, 6:27 PM

    Oh my god, a typing dog!

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    Mute Biscuits Patinkin
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    Nov 13th 2014, 8:20 PM

    Grrrrrrrrrrr

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    Mute Declan Noonan
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    Nov 13th 2014, 9:57 PM

    What do you mean when you say it fails to mention 1916. It starts off with a picture of the GPO in 1916 and the proclamation of independence! Then it fast forwards through the last 100 years with a series of pictures of how far we’ve come. It’s as simple as that. Is it a great video? It doesn’t do much for me but I’m sure it’s not going to be the only video for the upcoming centenary of 1916.

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    Mute Big Yellow Crane
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    Nov 13th 2014, 10:11 PM

    It’s a bit like the St Patrick’s day Ireland inspires video. Who’s the band?

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    Mute Dermot Ryan
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    Nov 13th 2014, 10:58 PM

    And David Noonan looses all credibility in Erie !

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    Mute James McNamara
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    Nov 13th 2014, 10:43 PM

    Is the add about 1916 or what Ireland will be 2016??

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    Mute Snorre Sturleson
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    Nov 14th 2014, 12:02 AM

    Race traitor Inda …Iw

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    Mute The Hooded Biscuit
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    Nov 13th 2014, 6:20 PM

    Plebs

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    Mute Dermot Ryan
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    Nov 13th 2014, 10:57 PM

    Yes that’s what the British have always thought of us – it’s the roman blood and the orgies – it ruined them as a people – the british now – not the English the welsh or the Scottish – the British !

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    Mute Ciaran Scally
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    Nov 14th 2014, 4:25 AM

    More like an advertisement for tourism rather than commemorating a revolution and the men and women who sacrificed everything for the yet to be established ” Republic”.

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    Mute Rory Layden
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    Nov 14th 2014, 5:34 AM

    Can we not face it that Heather Humphries is out of her depth – was picked only for gender reasons – and has shown an inability to grasp any of the issues, her relatively unchallenging cabinet brief has offered her … there are many other female TD’s that would have shown some understanding and nuance of the issues ….

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    Mute Gazjon
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    Nov 13th 2014, 10:54 PM

    Really enjoyed that……

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    Mute Ivon Itchie Saq
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    Nov 13th 2014, 6:55 PM

    Cut backs

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    Mute Daniel Heath
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    Nov 14th 2014, 9:06 AM

    A piece of propaganda that Joseph Goebbels himself would be proud of. No mention of the people that died in 1916 fighting for Irish freedom. All credit to reconciliation but they are the real heroes of 1916, and they will be remembered.

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    Mute Amy Ni Dhaltuin
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    Nov 14th 2014, 8:05 AM

    Why do we have to rely on the government to make a commemoration for the people who fought for us 100 years ago? We can do it ourselves. This is the perfect opportunity for the Irish people to take back control of what goes on in this country. We should do stuff ourself, promote it ourselves (we have social media at our fingertips) and tell the government where they can stuff their money making promotional rubbish. As a nation we could do this!! We could celebrate it ourselves, and make it clear we are doing it ourselves. There are hundreds of ways and they dont involve politicians.

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    Mute Big Yellow Crane
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    Nov 14th 2014, 9:18 AM

    Ok then. What would you like to see Amy?

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    Mute Dermot Ryan
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    Nov 13th 2014, 4:41 PM

    here is another member of the E.M..C who when they come under pressure describes what they are physically doing rather than answer the question –

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1fLi–wsxP8

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    Mute Dermot Ryan
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    Nov 14th 2014, 1:36 AM

    Sorry Mr. Noonan I had a think about that … most sincere apologies ….but if I was you I’d retire – we are clearly not worth it !
    *weren’t ……

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    Mute Dermot Ryan
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    Nov 14th 2014, 1:37 AM

    One word – Poppycock !

    (ney – optional addition)

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    Mute Michael Igoe
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    Nov 14th 2014, 3:14 PM

    The video is alright in cinematic terms but the message seems to be “time to move on …very quickly”. And it builds to a crescendo with an image of BOD , which is utterly risible. A bland Anglo-Saxon wannabe with the most tedious mid-Atlantic accent imaginable. Mind you , the patriots might empathise with the rugger-bugger mindset a lot more than we might care to admit. 1916 – a bourgeois insurrection for the benefit of the catholic merchant class , you might think.

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    Mute Big Yellow Crane
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    Nov 14th 2014, 4:52 PM

    Brave. A dig at Irish Rugby and the 1916 people for.

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    Mute John Ward
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    Nov 14th 2014, 1:56 PM

    The message I got was:
    you might as well chuck yourself off a cliff into the sea!

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    Mute Johnj Mullins
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    Nov 14th 2014, 11:38 AM

    pure and utter bollox

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    Mute Nicko Farrell
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    Nov 16th 2014, 12:06 PM

    Think the government need a talk on disrespecting the dead. Another shambles on behalf of the taoiseach that doesn’t speak.

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    Mute Bobby Fox
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    Nov 14th 2014, 2:47 PM

    Disgusting ..was 1916 a carnival or something? Depressing glimpse into the ruling ,”mind”…

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    Mute Eric Davies
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    Nov 14th 2014, 11:37 AM

    seen better adverts for nappies !

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