From a more ambiguous perspective, Ireland also possesses what politicians describe as “a small open economy”, which means our financial fortunes are largely dependent on global markets. When tempests threaten the world economy, then the waters around us turn shark-infested and treacherous. Thankfully, we possess an abundant amount of an ingredient that greases the axle of this open economy: a dollop of diplomacy. The notion that Irish people have “the gift of the gab” is not entirely inaccurate. Every native son and daughter understands the meaning of “plámás”, even though it defies…

Source: The Times January 08, 2019 00:00 UTC