Would a certain commentator in the SBP be so scrupulous about preaching caution with respect to cutting certain other taxes?

Another policy response requires caution. Cutting excise and Vat on energy products is popular. It is a tempting response to soaring inflation, and one that has been resorted to by many governments. Its further use should not be ruled out in even more extreme circumstances than those which currently pertain. But a better response would be for governments to target direct payments towards low-income households. This would be more cost effective – cutting taxes for everyone is more expensive than targeting direct payments at a needy minority. It would also allow the price mechanism to work its magic: reducing both consumption and emissions.

In the same paper and speaking of taxes someone is not happy with pension auto-enrolment and mandatory sick pay:

It seems extraordinary then, as companies emerge from the disruptive and devastating pandemic, that the government plans to legislate to load even greater costs on businesses. It became apparent last week that the costs of a new pension auto-enrolment scheme will be, to a large extent, footed by employers. Likewise, the new mandatory sick pay obligations on firms means companies will assume even more costs.

Is it really so extraordinary that this state would be running to catch up with provision that is seen as basic elsewhere?

Peak Guardian/Irish Times?:

10 dishes to get you fighting fit after an illness, from ramen noodles to spicy tom yum soup

Whether you're getting over Covid, or just a nasty cold, these comforting recipes from top chefs will lift your spirits...Sadly, there is no miracle dish to provide a quick fix when you are sick. But, with Covid cases on the rise once again, and seasonal lurgies still doing the rounds too, we asked chefs about the meals they turn to when they are unwell.

How many people were in ICU during the week?

This seems an overstatement from Stephen Collins:

[The invasion of Ukraine] has been a rude wake-up call for this country and the signs are that the recent report of the Commission on the Defence Forces will end the shameful political neglect that has befallen them. Hopefully it will also spark a realistic discussion about Ireland's approach to defence. The major political parties have for far too long allowed self-proclaimed defenders of Irish neutrality, who are often anti-western and pro-Russian, to have an undue influence in dictating defence policy.

That last seems unlikely. It would be interesting to see what actual examples across the lifetime of the state he can actually point to.

Meanwhile entertainment news...

Speaking on US TV on Tuesday, Jim Carrey said that had he been in Chris Rock's position on Sunday, he would have sued Will Smith for $200m, and that Smith should have been arrested.

The standing ovation which met Smith's best actor award later the same evening left Carrey feeling "sickened", he said. "Hollywood is just spineless en masse and it really felt like this is a really clear indication that we aren't the cool club any more."

Any more?

Someone omits a crucial element of the timeline around Winter 2020/21 in the Examiner...

While Micheál Martin floundered, Leo Varadkar's Fine Gael thrived, still riding high from the strong public support they got in the early stages of the pandemic. Martin drove his troops round the bend with his slow and steady approach and it seemed the public were not buying it either.

The chaos around December 2020 and the opening up of society, only to reverse into a savagely long and painful lockdown, was perhaps his lowest ebb. 

INDO

SBP?

On a more positive note, Finn McRedmond, not unknown on this site actually makes a good point here.