Thomas M
@tmeilveis.bsky.social
As an Irish person, it makes me grateful for our Celtic Tiger baby boom (a record high of 77k births in 2010); Ireland & Sweden are the only 2 European countries in the OECD that will have a significant increase in their working age populations in the coming decades (excluding tiny Lux & Iceland).
August 22, 2025 at 12:51 PM
As an Irish person, it makes me grateful for our Celtic Tiger baby boom (a record high of 77k births in 2010); Ireland & Sweden are the only 2 European countries in the OECD that will have a significant increase in their working age populations in the coming decades (excluding tiny Lux & Iceland).
(3/3)
There are legitimate criticisms of BEPS but the UK has benefitted hugely from its increased trade with Ireland since the establishment of Single Market in 1993. From 1997 to 2022, UK exports to Ireland more than quadrupled & their trade surplus with us increased tenfold (UK govt stats).
There are legitimate criticisms of BEPS but the UK has benefitted hugely from its increased trade with Ireland since the establishment of Single Market in 1993. From 1997 to 2022, UK exports to Ireland more than quadrupled & their trade surplus with us increased tenfold (UK govt stats).
July 22, 2025 at 11:28 AM
(3/3)
There are legitimate criticisms of BEPS but the UK has benefitted hugely from its increased trade with Ireland since the establishment of Single Market in 1993. From 1997 to 2022, UK exports to Ireland more than quadrupled & their trade surplus with us increased tenfold (UK govt stats).
There are legitimate criticisms of BEPS but the UK has benefitted hugely from its increased trade with Ireland since the establishment of Single Market in 1993. From 1997 to 2022, UK exports to Ireland more than quadrupled & their trade surplus with us increased tenfold (UK govt stats).
The delusions of grandeur of exceptionalist Brexiteers extend to believing that EU MSs alignment with the UK trumps their authentic economic & political interests within the EU. There are several regional groups of MSs based on shared geopolitical interests. Which one would the UK fit in to today?
June 6, 2025 at 8:56 AM
The delusions of grandeur of exceptionalist Brexiteers extend to believing that EU MSs alignment with the UK trumps their authentic economic & political interests within the EU. There are several regional groups of MSs based on shared geopolitical interests. Which one would the UK fit in to today?
🇬🇧 is no longer a rich country either. 🇮🇪 compensates for disparities in wealth through social transfers but it helps that most of 🇮🇪's population lives within an hour's drive of the M50 orbital motorway (in the richest region). Only a small % of the population live in the Midlands (poorest region).
May 29, 2025 at 9:31 PM
🇬🇧 is no longer a rich country either. 🇮🇪 compensates for disparities in wealth through social transfers but it helps that most of 🇮🇪's population lives within an hour's drive of the M50 orbital motorway (in the richest region). Only a small % of the population live in the Midlands (poorest region).
Indeed, a recent study indicates that the real incomes (taking into account cost of living differences) of most UK regions are lower than that of the Vilnius metropolitan area. A huge obstacle to increasing living standards in the UK is regional inequality, it has the biggest in Europe.
May 29, 2025 at 9:15 PM
Indeed, a recent study indicates that the real incomes (taking into account cost of living differences) of most UK regions are lower than that of the Vilnius metropolitan area. A huge obstacle to increasing living standards in the UK is regional inequality, it has the biggest in Europe.
I must admit my assumption was based on Andalucía being the most popular mainland-🇪🇸 destination for 🇮🇪 tourists (🇮🇪&🇬🇧: culturally similar). From what I can gather, ~ 2.5m Brits visit Andalucía & ~ 2m Brits visit Catalonía annually (2nd most popular mainland region)
www.surinenglish.com/andalucia/an...
www.surinenglish.com/andalucia/an...
March 24, 2025 at 11:31 AM
I must admit my assumption was based on Andalucía being the most popular mainland-🇪🇸 destination for 🇮🇪 tourists (🇮🇪&🇬🇧: culturally similar). From what I can gather, ~ 2.5m Brits visit Andalucía & ~ 2m Brits visit Catalonía annually (2nd most popular mainland region)
www.surinenglish.com/andalucia/an...
www.surinenglish.com/andalucia/an...
It's great to see the global greening back for this St. Patrick's Day (it started in 2010). This year is a first for Longyearbyen, Svalbard; the world's northernmost settlement with a population greater than 1,000 people.
March 17, 2025 at 11:12 PM
It's great to see the global greening back for this St. Patrick's Day (it started in 2010). This year is a first for Longyearbyen, Svalbard; the world's northernmost settlement with a population greater than 1,000 people.
It looks like Дyблин has already been used for Dublin for quite some time now. The below map is from the Red Army "Officers’ Atlas", published in Moscow in 1984 "Map of Great Britain and Ireland".
March 17, 2025 at 1:42 PM
It looks like Дyблин has already been used for Dublin for quite some time now. The below map is from the Red Army "Officers’ Atlas", published in Moscow in 1984 "Map of Great Britain and Ireland".
I can imagine you're quite keen for a quick change in your status all right. But that won't be possible, especially given the current geopolitical circumstances. Any UK application to join 🇪🇺 can't be expedited & the normal application process must be followed.
Just accept it.
There's a good lad.
Just accept it.
There's a good lad.
March 14, 2025 at 9:29 PM
I can imagine you're quite keen for a quick change in your status all right. But that won't be possible, especially given the current geopolitical circumstances. Any UK application to join 🇪🇺 can't be expedited & the normal application process must be followed.
Just accept it.
There's a good lad.
Just accept it.
There's a good lad.
Our prime minister Micheál Martin met Donald Trump at the White House today. Trump isn't happy with America's huge trade deficit with Ireland but it went as well as could be expected. I just hope Martin was able to at least talk some sense in to him on his trade policy(if you can even call it that)
March 12, 2025 at 10:38 PM
Our prime minister Micheál Martin met Donald Trump at the White House today. Trump isn't happy with America's huge trade deficit with Ireland but it went as well as could be expected. I just hope Martin was able to at least talk some sense in to him on his trade policy(if you can even call it that)
(3/3) Nevertheless, 🇬🇧-🇮🇪 relations have improved with the new UK Labour govt,although the relationship will never be the same again. We now have to get used to having France 🇫🇷 as our closest EU neighbour; we've a new electricity interconnector with 🇫🇷 launching in 2028 & more direct ferry routes to 🇫🇷
March 5, 2025 at 10:06 PM
(3/3) Nevertheless, 🇬🇧-🇮🇪 relations have improved with the new UK Labour govt,although the relationship will never be the same again. We now have to get used to having France 🇫🇷 as our closest EU neighbour; we've a new electricity interconnector with 🇫🇷 launching in 2028 & more direct ferry routes to 🇫🇷
(1/3) Yes, we're the only EU member state that has gone from the poorest in 1973 to exceeding the average core EU15 in living standards. We've increased in confidence as a nation & our post-colonial inferiority complex is gone. It's now normal for 🇮🇪 to outperform 🇬🇧 on several socio-economic metrics
March 5, 2025 at 8:51 PM
(1/3) Yes, we're the only EU member state that has gone from the poorest in 1973 to exceeding the average core EU15 in living standards. We've increased in confidence as a nation & our post-colonial inferiority complex is gone. It's now normal for 🇮🇪 to outperform 🇬🇧 on several socio-economic metrics
Most Irish people are pro-EU & appreciate its benefits, especially the single market. The EU funds we received were wiped out by 2010 EC-ECB-IMF bailout but this loss has largely been mitigated by the increase in corporation tax receipts due to BEPS profit-shifting (were a net EU contributor).
March 5, 2025 at 8:06 PM
Most Irish people are pro-EU & appreciate its benefits, especially the single market. The EU funds we received were wiped out by 2010 EC-ECB-IMF bailout but this loss has largely been mitigated by the increase in corporation tax receipts due to BEPS profit-shifting (were a net EU contributor).
No doubt Czechoslovakia had many challenges. But Czechia ditched Slovakia in 1993 (poorer part) & after 20 years of EU membership, living standards are still below the EU average; they only increased from 80% to 90% of the EU average in that 2 decade period. This isn't very impressive at all.
March 3, 2025 at 11:04 PM
No doubt Czechoslovakia had many challenges. But Czechia ditched Slovakia in 1993 (poorer part) & after 20 years of EU membership, living standards are still below the EU average; they only increased from 80% to 90% of the EU average in that 2 decade period. This isn't very impressive at all.
Melbourne's tram network is impressive at 250km but it's only feasible because the metro area is density population (unusual in the Anglosphere). Also, unlike Berlin (similar population) Melbourne has no metro line. Berlin has suburban rail, bus, metro & tram (189km: not much less than Melbourne).
March 3, 2025 at 11:23 AM
Melbourne's tram network is impressive at 250km but it's only feasible because the metro area is density population (unusual in the Anglosphere). Also, unlike Berlin (similar population) Melbourne has no metro line. Berlin has suburban rail, bus, metro & tram (189km: not much less than Melbourne).
5,000 in IE is very high! Given that we have ~ 12,000 Germans here, we should have no more than 1500 Czechs in Ireland (Czechia's population = roughly 12½% of that of Germany).
A large user base? That isn't good enough. I prefer deferring to objective impartial data, like that from Eurostat.
A large user base? That isn't good enough. I prefer deferring to objective impartial data, like that from Eurostat.
March 3, 2025 at 10:38 AM
5,000 in IE is very high! Given that we have ~ 12,000 Germans here, we should have no more than 1500 Czechs in Ireland (Czechia's population = roughly 12½% of that of Germany).
A large user base? That isn't good enough. I prefer deferring to objective impartial data, like that from Eurostat.
A large user base? That isn't good enough. I prefer deferring to objective impartial data, like that from Eurostat.
(2/2) In the same way that 3 of the world's top-10 biggest economies border CH & some of the richest regions in the EU lie very close to CH. CH exporters have the ideal customers right on their doorstep & privileged SM access. The Swiss don't appreciate just how lucky & privileged they are.
March 3, 2025 at 10:16 AM
(2/2) In the same way that 3 of the world's top-10 biggest economies border CH & some of the richest regions in the EU lie very close to CH. CH exporters have the ideal customers right on their doorstep & privileged SM access. The Swiss don't appreciate just how lucky & privileged they are.
Yes I've been to 🇨🇿. Your deluded belief that 🇨🇿 has higher living standards than 🇮🇪 stems from an inferiority complex & insecurity. Of course there are pressures on our healthcare, childcare & public transport because we've had the biggest increase in population in Europe since 1990 (exl microstates)
March 3, 2025 at 10:00 AM
Yes I've been to 🇨🇿. Your deluded belief that 🇨🇿 has higher living standards than 🇮🇪 stems from an inferiority complex & insecurity. Of course there are pressures on our healthcare, childcare & public transport because we've had the biggest increase in population in Europe since 1990 (exl microstates)
Oh it's you again! How enlightening it is for a citizen of a CEE state benefitting from Ireland's high standard of living & wages to bash the very country that has been so generous to him/her. What inherent culture are you referring to exactly?
March 3, 2025 at 9:26 AM
Oh it's you again! How enlightening it is for a citizen of a CEE state benefitting from Ireland's high standard of living & wages to bash the very country that has been so generous to him/her. What inherent culture are you referring to exactly?
Trade is the least of our worries. Since Ukraine will never cede territory to Russia & with Trump emboldening the Kremlin, Ukraine would be one of two occupied EU MSs, with all the hassle that'll bring. Then there's the huge rebuilding project, demographic collapse, chronic corruption, PTSD/trauma.
February 25, 2025 at 8:48 PM
Trade is the least of our worries. Since Ukraine will never cede territory to Russia & with Trump emboldening the Kremlin, Ukraine would be one of two occupied EU MSs, with all the hassle that'll bring. Then there's the huge rebuilding project, demographic collapse, chronic corruption, PTSD/trauma.
The amazing thing is that last year, Ireland's exports to China came to €10bn, not much lower than our exports to GB (€15.7bn), especially given that our total exports were a record high of €224bn. It would hurt the UK since Ireland is their 3rd-biggest export market (& 2nd-biggest trade surplus).
February 18, 2025 at 1:11 AM
The amazing thing is that last year, Ireland's exports to China came to €10bn, not much lower than our exports to GB (€15.7bn), especially given that our total exports were a record high of €224bn. It would hurt the UK since Ireland is their 3rd-biggest export market (& 2nd-biggest trade surplus).
The harsh reality is that the UK is now in such dire economic straits, that it can't afford to sacrifice any advantage it has in services (esp fin srvs & city of London) since the rest of the UK has become so dependent on fiscal transfers from the tax revenue generated in London & southeast England
February 13, 2025 at 2:03 PM
The harsh reality is that the UK is now in such dire economic straits, that it can't afford to sacrifice any advantage it has in services (esp fin srvs & city of London) since the rest of the UK has become so dependent on fiscal transfers from the tax revenue generated in London & southeast England
Yes but their application process is frozen at the moment & the Republic of Cyprus will want a complete Turkish withdrawal from Northern Cyprus as a precondition for approving Turkey's membership (it will have to be approved by the parliament in Nicosia along with the 26 other MS parliaments).
February 12, 2025 at 3:55 PM
Yes but their application process is frozen at the moment & the Republic of Cyprus will want a complete Turkish withdrawal from Northern Cyprus as a precondition for approving Turkey's membership (it will have to be approved by the parliament in Nicosia along with the 26 other MS parliaments).
(2/2) In addition, Switzerland is dependent on sea access from EU ports for its substantial trade with the US (its biggest export market), China & India. Being highly productive & economically competitive helps to compensate Switzerland for this significant disadvantage.
February 8, 2025 at 1:09 PM
(2/2) In addition, Switzerland is dependent on sea access from EU ports for its substantial trade with the US (its biggest export market), China & India. Being highly productive & economically competitive helps to compensate Switzerland for this significant disadvantage.
Good for you! But it's going to be a very long road for the UK to join the EU. Just getting candidate status isn't guaranteed; it will be subject to the opinion of the European Commission & the unanimous decision of the European Council. You'll be at the back of the queue, behind Albania & Moldova.
January 22, 2025 at 11:58 AM
Good for you! But it's going to be a very long road for the UK to join the EU. Just getting candidate status isn't guaranteed; it will be subject to the opinion of the European Commission & the unanimous decision of the European Council. You'll be at the back of the queue, behind Albania & Moldova.