Next Round

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 behind house price growth. New data also shows harmony between workers and employers. Has the WRC and Labour Court crushed the need for strikes?You’ve heard of the Coppers Gold Card, but what about one for America? That’s Trump’s latest idea. Many countries have similar schemes for a golden visa. You invest in a country, and citizenship rules are eased. But does it actually work?Follow us on social media: www.instagram.com/nextroundpod www.tiktok.com/@nextroundpod www.twitter.com/@nextround_pod Dale McDermott http://linktr.ee/dalemcdermott David W. Higgins https://linktr.ee/higginsdavidw WATCH & LISTEN TO THE PODCAST YouTube www.youtube.com/@NextRoundPod Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/0hz9Bub1DuatD6lC6fWMiM Apple https://podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/next-round/id1739658716 Amazon https://music.amazon.ca/podcasts/5b7d4187-ee8c-4494-bbf9-f6e5465d1ee9/next-round

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, sided with local right-wing parties, and called for more spending on defence. But is this hypocrisy from an administration which doesn’t believe it lost the 2020 election?Diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programmes are being rolled back across organisations. We debate whether this is right, or just perpetuating the same people hiring people like them. Maybe there’s some merit in organisations hiring staff that reflects their customers?Follow us on social media: www.instagram.com/nextroundpod  www.tiktok.com/@nextroundpod  www.twitter.com/@nextround_pod  Dale McDermott http://linktr.ee/dalemcdermott  David W. Higgins  https://linktr.ee/higginsdavidw WATCH & LISTEN TO THE PODCAST YouTube www.youtube.com/@NextRoundPod  Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/0hz9Bub1DuatD6lC6fWMiM Apple https://podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/next-round/id1739658716 Amazon https://music.amazon.ca/podcasts/5b7d4187-ee8c-4494-bbf9-f6e5465d1ee9/next-round

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 latest release of the Growing Up in Ireland (GUI) survey shows a challenging picture for 25-year-olds in Ireland. 7-in-10 report still living with their parents. But this is considerably higher than at the 2022 census. We discuss the different measures of this data and what is or isn’t included in each.The UK’s economic woes are once again on our minds. Their wide government deficit and current account deficit (twin deficits) paints a bleak picture. Growth remains sluggish and the Bank of England has cut by 25bps, citing this growth as a key concern. Some BoE members even voted for a 50bps cut. We discuss the bleak picture, but also consider ways for the UK to pull through.Follow us on social media: www.instagram.com/nextroundpod  www.tiktok.com/@nextroundpod  www.twitter.com/@nextround_pod  Dale McDermott http://linktr.ee/dalemcdermott  David W. Higgins  https://linktr.ee/higginsdavidw WATCH & LISTEN TO THE PODCAST YouTube www.youtube.com/@NextRoundPod  Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/0hz9Bub1DuatD6lC6fWMiM Apple https://podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/next-round/id1739658716 Amazon https://music.amazon.ca/podcasts/5b7d4187-ee8c-4494-bbf9-f6e5465d1ee9/next-round

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 Howard Lutnick’s philosophy could reshape U.S. trade policy.Plus, a major “vibe shift” in social media: Mark Zuckerberg is scrapping Meta’s fact-checkers in favour of an X-style community notes system. What does this mean for the future of online engagement?Follow us on social media: www.instagram.com/nextroundpod  www.tiktok.com/@nextroundpod  www.twitter.com/@nextround_pod  Dale McDermott http://linktr.ee/dalemcdermott  David W. Higgins  https://linktr.ee/higginsdavidw  WATCH & LISTEN TO THE PODCAST YouTube www.youtube.com/@nextroundpod  Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/0hz9Bub1DuatD6lC6fWMiM Apple https://podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/next-round/id1739658716 Amazon https://music.amazon.ca/podcasts/5b7d4187-ee8c-4494-bbf9-f6e5465d1ee9/next-round 

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 commodity prices and China's shifting economic model. With Dry January upon us, new research from Heineken and the University of Oxford reveals that while most consumers find it acceptable to choose no- or low-alcohol drinks when out, social pressure still leads many to opt for alcohol. We explore the rise of the zero-alcohol sector—could Gen Z be driving this trend with the help of "splitting the G"? Finally, we focus on the start of a new parliamentary term in Ireland, where the opposition’s priorities, particularly around housing and social issues, are becoming clearer on the left wing. At the same time, the right wing’s stance remains less defined amid ongoing coalition negotiations.Follow us on social media: www.instagram.com/nextroundpod  www.tiktok.com/@nextroundpod  www.twitter.com/@nextround_pod   Dale McDermott http://linktr.ee/dalemcdermott   David W. Higgins  https://linktr.ee/higginsdavidw  WATCH & LISTEN TO THE PODCAST YouTube www.youtube.com/@nextroundpod  Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/0hz9Bub1DuatD6lC6fWMiM Apple https://podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/next-round/id1739658716 Amazon https://music.amazon.ca/podcasts/5b7d4187-ee8c-4494-bbf9-f6e5465d1ee9/next-round

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 homelessness, the Aer Lingus strike and passenger cap.  We look forward to covering even more in 2025.  Follow us on social media: www.instagram.com/nextroundpod  www.tiktok.com/@nextroundpod  www.twitter.com/@nextround_pod  Dale McDermott http://linktr.ee/dalemcdermott  David W. Higgins  https://linktr.ee/higginsdavidw  WATCH & LISTEN TO THE PODCAST YouTube www.youtube.com/@nextroundpod  Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/0hz9Bub1DuatD6lC6fWMiM Apple https://podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/next-round/id1739658716 Amazon https://music.amazon.ca/podcasts/5b7d4187-ee8c-4494-bbf9-f6e5465d1ee9/next-round