Shows
Next Round40| Canada is Not for Sale! US recession and RPZ rent control reformsCanada is once again the focus of the new US administration. The threat of tariffs lingers, and there's a more sinister suggestion of border changes around the Great Lakes. Is Canada being pushed to become the 51st state?Forecasts for recession in the United States are picking up, driven by the government slowdown. The new administration is talking about excluding the government from its GDP calculation. But does this really work?The Irish housing crisis continues to bubble in the background amid all this global tension. David has a new article in the Ir...2025-03-0946 min
Next Round39| An End to Europe’s Peace? Wages on the Move Higher. Trump’s Gold CardEurope 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?...2025-02-2737 min
Next Round38| DOGE for Ireland? Vance in Munich. Must DEI die?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?Di...2025-02-1549 min
Next Round37| Make Ireland Poor Again (MIPA), Living at Home Data, UK’s WoesMake 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 t...2025-02-0843 min
Next Round36| Housing Confusion, Trump’s Tariff Gamble & Zuck’s Free Speech Shake-UpWhat’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 me...2025-02-0148 min
Next Round35| New Year, Same Bubble, The Rise of Zero-Alcohol and an Unclear OppositionAs 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...2025-01-0448 min
Next Round34| 2024 Year in Review - Economy, Politics and SocietyWe 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 w...2024-12-171h 12
Next Round33| Irish Election Fallout, Regulating Rents, Trump’s TariffsWith the dust settling after Ireland’s 2024 general election, we unpack its fractured results and the intricate coalition negotiations now underway as Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael navigate options against the backdrop of pressing challenges like housing, healthcare, and climate action. We also spotlight the 20th anniversary of the Residential Tenancies Board, exploring the regulators' role in the context of soaring rents, newly designated Rent Pressure Zones and its role in Ireland’s rental market. Lastly, we turn to President-elect Trump’s proposed tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China, analysing historical lessons and the p...2024-12-0642 min
Next Round32| Irish Election Uncertainty, Baby Bonds, Modern MasculinityWith just two days until voters in Ireland head to the polls, we dive into the shifting dynamics revealed by this week’s surprising poll results and analyse last night’s debate between the leaders of Ireland's three main parties.We also explore Fine Gael's new proposal—the Acorn Savings Account policy—introduced in their 2024 General Election manifesto. This policy promises to give every child born in Ireland a financial head start, but critics argue that it may exacerbate existing inequalities, as families with more significant financial means are more likely to make additional contributions, leading to large...2024-11-2741 min
Next Round31| The Real MurphEoghan Murphy was Ireland’s housing minister between 2017 and 2020. He faced the most difficult challenge in government at the time, the challenge of rapidly growing homeless numbers, a dormant construction industry, and rising rents. His departure from cabinet was soon followed by his full exit from politics in 2021. He has spent the time since writing his memoirs. Running From Office: Confessions of Ambition and Failure in Politics is his account of that time, and the period after his entry to politics at the 2009 local elections. In this episode, we get to know the real “Murph” (the nicknam...2024-11-1144 min
Next Round30| Canada and Trump with Former Foreign Minister John BairdYou’ve seen the reaction to Trump’s win this side of the Atlantic, but what about Canada? We’re honoured this week to be joined by John Baird, former Foreign Minister of Canada and Senior Advisor at Eurasia Group. We discuss the fallout to the Trump win, why Kamala lost, and how countries can deal with the new administration. We also touch on other foreign policy issues including the war in Ukraine. Biography: John Baird is a Senior Advisor at Bennett Jones LLP and a former Senior Cabinet Minister in the Go...2024-11-0740 min
Next Round29| UK Budget Gilt Drama, Fertility Falls Further, US Election Night PlaybookThe UK’s first Labour budget in 14 years and its first by a female chancellor. Rachel Reeves has raised taxes, spending and borrowing. We discuss the main budget items and contrast it to Ireland. The markets are cautious on the approach and the rise in borrowing costs means less room is available in the next budget. The CSO’s Vital Statistics Yearly Summary has been released for 2022. It shows a 10.1% fall in births in Ireland, with the fertility rate hitting a new low of 1.5 (far below the replacement rate of 2.1). This follows a similar report in the U...2024-11-0142 min
Next Round28| US Election Knife Edge, Housing Delivery Down, Irish Election 2020 LookbackAccording to a new Financial Times poll, Donald Trump has now overtaken Kamala Harris as the candidate most trusted by Americans to manage the economy. Could the former president be on track for an unprecedented return to the White House? We dive into the shifting polls and explore the factors behind Trump’s resurgence. Meanwhile, Ireland’s housing crisis continues as new home completions for the first nine months of this year have dropped by over 3% compared to the same period last year—well short of the government’s 2024 target of 40,000. Is this an actual drop and what...2024-10-2641 min
Next Round27| Dude, Where’s my Election? Driverless Cars and UK Investment SummitThe Irish general election, it’s happening, right? We discuss the delicate steps to orchestrate an end to the 33rd Dáil. Micheál Martin remains the key player and his recent appearance on the Irish Times Inside Politics Podcast holds clues. Driverless cars are in their infancy, but they’re on the road today in 4 US cities. We discuss a revolutionary technology that will cause disruption to labour markets and our urban landscape. Could Dublin be a cleaner city if we had no more road signs? The UK has just held an invest...2024-10-1844 min
Next Round26| Seán Keyes on Progress Ireland – Policy, Infrastructure and HousingWe are joined by Seán Keyes, Executive Director of Progress Ireland, who leads the organisation's infrastructure policy initiatives. Seán previously served as Finance Editor at The Currency, Managing Editor at MoneyWeek, and Editor of an equity research newsletter.Together, we delve into the launch of Progress Ireland, an independent think tank dedicated to connecting Ireland with innovative policy solutions from around the world. With the country facing significant challenges in areas such as infrastructure and housing, Seán shares insights on the urgent need to adopt global best practices. We also discuss strategies for att...2024-10-1138 min
Next Round25| Budget 2025 Winners and Losers (Just Winners Actually)Who lost out from Budget 2025? Maybe no one! As the government announces the last budget before the next general election, we discuss the main points. Are the income tax changes a cut or just relief? Have we done enough to support the expansion of infrastructure? And how are young people looked after? Follow us on social media: www.instagram.com/nextroundpod www.tiktok.com/@nextroundpod www.twitter.com/@nextround_pod Dale McDermott http://linktr.ee/dalemcdermott 2024-10-0148 min
Next Round24| Higgins’ U.N. Meltdown, United Ireland, Job ChurnAs the U.N. General Assembly wraps up, President Higgins’ recent comments have sparked controversy, raising questions about how far he has stretched the boundaries of his role. In this episode, we examine the evolving nature of the presidency and look ahead to next year’s election, discussing what the office could represent and the key challenges it faces.Former Taoiseach Leo Varadkar emphasises that a united Ireland should be seen as an "objective" rather than merely an "aspiration" for the political establishment in the Republic. We take a closer look at Northern Ireland’s economy and ex...2024-09-2742 min
Next Round23| The Dating Recession, Fed cuts 50bps and a new Irish election pollA new long-read article from Bloomberg draws attention to the “dating recession”, how 13.3m extra singles emerged from the COVID-19 pandemic and are now adding to an “epidemic of loneliness” in the US. We discuss the decline in social and group activities, the implications for Ireland, and how it can turn around. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-09-10/us-economy-is-reshaped-by-covid-fueled-dating-recession The US Federal Reserve delivered a 50 basis points (0.5%) cut in interest rates this week, while the Bank of England held rates unchanged. We contrast the two economies and ask if central bank independenc...2024-09-2046 min
Next Round22| Apple’s Taxes, EU Competitiveness, US Election DebateThe European Court of Justice ruled that Apple’s tax structure in Ireland amounted to illegal state aid and Ireland will receive over €13 billion in unpaid taxes. We analyse the fallout; what does it mean for Ireland’s industrial policy, should the government save it or spend it on the key challenges facing the country?Mario Draghi's report The Future of European Competitiveness presents a comprehensive assessment of the EU's current economic challenges, and a set of recommendations aimed at restoring its competitiveness on the global stage. We discuss the 400-page report and ask where to for Eu...2024-09-1142 min
Next Round21| Progress Ireland Launch, the Luxury Problem and SF HousingDavid attended the launch of Progress Ireland, a new think tank launched by Sean Keyes and a team of colleagues. The think tank believes in “unlocking Ireland’s potential” in the areas of housing, infrastructure and innovation. We discuss the wider issue of Ireland’s budget surplus, termed a “luxury problem” recently in the Financial Times. Corporate tax posted another set of strong receipts in August, giving the government room in the budget. Sinn Féin has launched its new housing policy. Government critics say it’s not real home ownership if the state owns the lan...2024-09-0642 min
Next Round20| Hospitality 9% VAT & Oasis Gouging, Record Immigration, 250K Home Deficit, Earnings Up, CPI DownAs high-profile restaurants shutter their doors and price gouging concerns rise with the upcoming Oasis concert, we delve into the state of Ireland’s hospitality sector. With calls for a return of the 9% VAT rate, we debate whether it should be reinstated. Is this tax break crucial for the industry's survival, or is it enabling unfair pricing practices? Ireland’s population has surged by 98,700 in the past year, marking the largest increase since 2008. However, with a pre-existing deficit of 256,000 homes as of 2022, we ask: Are we doing enough to build the infrastructure needed to support this...2024-08-2846 min
Next Round19| Olympics and OnlyFans, Can Ireland Host 2072, and New Data on Industrial DisputesAs Olympic athletes celebrate their homecomings, Dale raises the topic of OnlyFans, a platform used by many athletes to supplement their incomes and fund their dreams. Is this a tragedy or a triumph? We discuss the wider porn industry and the high engagement from creators and users. Fianna Fáil Senator Malcolm Byrne has suggested that Ireland could host the 2072 Olympics, nearly 5 decades from now. Is this too grand an ambition or just right for a small country to aim for? Finally, David talks through some new data on industrial relations. All is at...2024-08-1338 min
Next Round18| Global Market Turmoil, Harris’s VP Pick and UK Riot UnrestAmid recent market turmoil across the world, we dive into last week’s stock market turbulence and its implications. We discuss the fallout from speculative yen borrowing, disappointing jobs data, missed earnings from AI and the "Magnificent 7," and the Fed's decision to hold off on interest rate cuts. Is this the perfect storm or just August jitters? Plus, Kamala Harris picks Tim Walz as her VP nominee—was it a mistake reminiscent of 2016? We analyse the electoral map, focusing on key states. In the UK, riots erupt over far-right misinformation. What’s fueling the unrest, and how does social media...2024-08-0740 min
Next Round17| “Bonkers” not to switch, with Daragh Cassidy. Mortgages, savings, energy, and more.Daragh Cassidy is the current Head of Communications at bonkers.ie, the price comparison and switching website. Before joining bonkers.ie Daragh had over 10 years’ experience working in the banking and insurance industry. In his current role, Daragh regularly writes for the company’s popular blog and has appeared on numerous local and national radio and TV show to discuss personal finance matters, energy related topics, and consumer affairs. We start by asking Daragh his journey to bonkers and the work he does there. Mortgages are a topic we discuss deeply, as the ECB now faces the c...2024-08-011h 00
Next Round16| UK Shoplifting and Crime Surge, Home Size and Fertility Rates, Councils Dominate Housing MarketShoplifting in England and Wales has soared to a 20-year peak, with a staggering 60% increase in just two years. This alarming trend, coupled with a surge in street thefts, underscores a growing crisis highlighted by ONS data. We delve into the underlying causes and far-reaching impacts. We also explore how home size correlates with fertility rates worldwide. In the housing market, Local Authorities and Approved Housing Bodies are outbidding first-time buyers and dominating over "vulture funds," raising questions about the future of the social contract. Follow us on social media:www.instagram.com/nextroundpod 2024-07-2539 min
Next Round15| The Gay Economy and How Marriage Benefits All. Ireland’s 7 million Population in 2057Boston Consulting Group has released new research showing how marriage equality has bolstered wealth and wellbeing. We discuss the findings, including a higher net worth and spending for married same-sex couples. The “durable relationships” debate gets a mention. We also look at the latest CSO population projections (2023-2057). It shows a range of projections for a population as high as 7 million people by 2057. The heavy reliance on net migration, with acceptance of low fertility, is debated. Follow us on social media: www.instagram.com/nextroundpod www.tiktok.com/@next...2024-07-1741 min
Next Round14| New UK government – challenges for growth. French election quagmire. Ireland’s Inheritance Tax Debate.After years of political uncertainty, the UK has decisively voted in a new Labour government with a supermajority. We delve into the election results and scrutinise the First Past the Post voting system—has it outlived its usefulness? The new administration hit the ground running, but decades of historically low investment present significant economic challenges for the new Chancellor, Rachel Reeves. Meanwhile, France's recent elections yielded no clear winner, marked by a resounding defeat for Macron and a surge in Far-Right support. We examine the current political landscape in France. Additionally, Ireland's Summer Economic Statement outlines the budget parameters fo...2024-07-1042 min
Next Round13| US economic data – what matters for the November election. New ESRI report on Ireland’s housing needs.When the US economy sneezes, the world catches a cold. For a change, we focus this episode on the US economy and the various data points that reveal its strength. The post-COVID years have seen a solid US recovery, and if it continues, it will give a strong incumbency advantage to the US Democrats into the November election. However, all recoveries eventually wane, and the US will be no different. The ESRI has released a new report on Ireland’s housing supply needs. It produces much lower numbers than the Housing Commission. We discuss the key issue of pent-up de...2024-07-0444 min
Next Round12| House prices strike back, Irish election date, and a UK Labour supermajority is all but assuredDaft.ie released their Quarterly House Prices report for Q2 of 2024, showing housing prices nationally rising again! With housing inflation on the radar, we look at house prices in the context of loans and prices – how do ratios compare with the world? Ireland is on an election footing, and we speculate (or place a bet like in the UK!) when we are going to the polls – pre- or post-budget? It’s less than ten days until polling in the UK; we look at how certain a Labour supermajority is and whether Reform UK will make an impact. And Taylor Swift...2024-06-2439 min
Next Round11| Election 2024 Review Special – Winners and LosersHugh O’Connell is Political Editor for The Sunday Times in Ireland. Having spent more than a decade reporting and writing on politics in Ireland, we discuss with Hugh the fallout from the 2024 local and European elections. With a mixed bag of results, did the government win? Did the opposition lose? Or a bit of both? What made things go completely wrong for Sinn Fein, is Mary Lou a busted flush? With an increase in online “TikTok” campaigning and celebrity candidates, will politics change for better or worse? The far-right made gains, should we be worried? And are we only weeks...2024-06-1440 min
Next Round10| Decision Time – your guide to the Irish, EU and UK elections (and ECB inflation!)It’s D-Day (literally) and tomorrow and over the weekend Ireland and Europe decides in crucial elections. We look at how the elections will logistically unfold. With underwhelming performance by Sinn Fein in the polls and an uptick for Fine Gael, will there be sweeping change? We look at how social media affects campaigning. Nigel Farage returns and Reform UK surges in the polls, are the Conservatives doomed? Interest rates in Europe are on the decline with the ECB’s first cut since 2019, but inflation is stubbornly high. Is higher inflation going to stick around? And David explains why doves and...2024-06-0639 min
Next Round9| National Service - the best the Tories can offer young people? Ireland’s far-right fizzle. Stock markets participation and ways for more people to partake in wealth appreciation.As the UK general election campaign unfolds, national service is the big Tory policy offering to the young electorate. The UK Labour Party picks up significant business support. We look at how this compared to Sinn Féin in Ireland, which has traditionally lacked such support. Ireland’s far-right is a real movement, but the local elections might reveal it to be a movement absent from the doorsteps. We discuss this and the European elections which show increased support for right-of-government candidates. Finally, how can we all participate in stock markets? Ireland has a low participation rate relative to other cou...2024-05-2938 min
Next Round8| Sunak plunges the UK into an election betting on low inflation, is it enough? The Housing Commission calls for a radical reset on policy, but what should the target be? Ireland’s population growth has surged, what does that mean for immigration?With inflation “beaten”, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has called a general election for 4th of July (Independence Day!). We look at the numbers and examine what are the indicators that may spell trouble for his gamble. The Housing Commission has said the Government’s housing policy needs a “radical” reset; we examine what the ideal housing target is. Ireland is world leading in population growth for 2023, we look to history for past instances and ask what considerations are needed for policy going forward. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.2024-05-2337 minNext Round7| Mortgage War heats up for lower interest rates, but will house prices increase further? OpenAI and Google release the next generation of AI products. Are most workers destined for the scrap heap, and what about our dating lives?PTSB announces a large cut in mortgage interest rates and more could be ahead. We compare the Irish and UK markets and explore if this (unfortunately!) will lead to house prices increasing again.It’s been a busy week in Silicon Valley with the next generation of artificial intelligence products being released, we explore the impact AI might have on jobs and the economy, and will it be a net positive or negative? We also look at how it might affect how we date one another and if our virtual assistants can find the perfect match. 2024-05-1537 minNext Round6| Elon Musk cares about birth rates, why should we? Good news on Dublin rents but are rent controls causing trouble? And is Labour truly certain to win the UK election, or is a hung parliament ahead?With Elon Musk sounding the alarm on the birth rate crisis that affected the Roman Empire and now our generation, we examine the causes and possible solutions and if history is doomed to repeat itself. Good news might finally be on the horizon for the Dublin rental market and we examine the increase in housing stock while also looking at the effect of rent controls on the housing market and their unintended consequences. We also review the recent UK local and mayoral elections and discuss if Labour’s fait accompli general election win may be just a little bit premature?2024-05-0741 minNext Round5| Housing, hate and the pursuit of happiness! Are dual mortgages needed to buy a home? What will happen with the latest UK-Ireland immigration spat over Rwanda? Is the rise of hate in the country about to boil over?Do you need to have a partner or significant other to buy a home? We examine the rise of dual income mortgages and has there been correlation or causation to higher house prices in Ireland and across the world. With asylum seekers reportedly heading to Ireland en masse because of the UK’s ‘Rwanda Bill’, which has earmarked the country as safe for deportation, we look at where does the spat go from here – is it a bun right or something much bigger? And finally with the abuse of politicians ever increasing (including the former Taoiseach Leo Varadkar this week), we exami...2024-04-3038 minNext Round4| Referendum Rewind - From Family definitions to asylum trends. Is corporate welfare here to stay? Can our politicians wake up to our generation's needs? And the Gen Zs are richer (but are having a lot less fun).What did the government know before proposing to widen the definition of the family at the March referendums? We look ahead to what asylum applications might do in the coming quarters, and how it feeds into politics. As Paschal Donohoe takes to Instagram to share the latest business grant, we discuss if corporate welfare is the new norm in the Irish economy. We respond to a listener who asks if politicians have woken up yet to Ireland’s rising population and the need for the infrastructure to match it. Finally, we discuss an Economist article on Gen-Z and their economic an...2024-04-2342 minNext Round3| Only 8% of young Irish have high mental wellbeing. UK jobs data sends a warning. Maybe we all move to Australia? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.2024-04-1637 min
Things That Move MeRenowned Economist David W. Higgins Shares His Secrets to Inspiration and Predicting the Future!David W. Higgins is an economist based in Dublin also the co-host of the Next Round podcast that he co-hosts with Dale McDermott. He recently finished a 9-year stint at Carraighill, an independent financial research firm with clients in New York and London.David studied statistics in college where he nurtured a passion for understanding the world of data analysis and predictions. In 2016 he ran "Irish Election Stats", a website which attempted to predict seat results at Irish elections. In recent years he grew a following on twitter, sharing his analysis of data o...2024-04-141h 00Next Round2| 250,000 homes to empty Ireland's box rooms? New Zealand and Canada turn on migration. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.2024-04-1029 minNext Round1| What's going on in Fine Gael? Can housing be solved by the next election? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.2024-04-0434 min