dsmooney

Has #GDPR just become a way to penalise business?

March 3, 2023March 3, 2023 by dsmooney, posted in data protection, EU, GDPR

This is commentary was written jointly by: Tom Hayes and Derek Mooney write: Is the purpose of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) to create a legal framework to ensure that the personal data of EU citizens is properly protected or is it a mechanism to find ways to sue multinational companies, particularly US companies, for multimillion amounts of Euros?

You’d be hard pressed to know.

When the GDPR was first mooted, the person in charge of introducing it, Commission Vice President, Viviane Reding (photo above), said that one of the main benefits of the Regulation, if not the main one, would be the “one stop shop” concept. Continue reading “Has #GDPR just become a way to penalise business?” →

The Irish Sunday newspaper #frontpages (updated) for Feb 26

February 25, 2023March 3, 2023 by dsmooney, posted in frontpages, Politics

Today’s Irish Sunday newspaper #frontpages – Feb 19th #buyapaper

February 18, 2023March 3, 2023 by dsmooney, posted in frontpages, Politics

The Irish Sunday newspaper #frontpages for Feb 12th #buyapaper

February 11, 2023March 3, 2023 by dsmooney, posted in frontpages, Politics

I was interviewed on RTÉ Drivetime (Fri Feb 10th) about Bertie Ahern rejoining Fianna Fáil

February 11, 2023February 11, 2023 by dsmooney, posted in Fianna Fáil, Good Friday Agreement, Jim O'Callaghan, Politics

I was interviewed on RTÉ Radio One’s Drivetime programme by both Sarah McInerney and Cormac Ó hEadhra about the former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern rejoining Fianna Fáil, and his speech at the Good Friday Agreement event organised and hosted by Jim O’Callaghan T.D.

Clip of my Drivetime interview – full online version via link above

The Irish Sunday newspaper #frontpages – For Feb 5th #buyapaper

February 4, 2023March 3, 2023 by dsmooney, posted in frontpages, Politics

The #Irish Sunday newspaper #frontpages – Jan 29th #buyapaper

January 28, 2023March 3, 2023 by dsmooney, posted in frontpages, Politics

Fine Gael reckons when they are explaining, you are snoozing

January 26, 2023June 8, 2023 by dsmooney, posted in Fine Gael, GE2020, Leo Varadkar, Paschal Donohoe, Politics, Sinn Féin, Tanaiste, Taoiseach

In my first post of 2023 (apologies for the delay) I look back at the first few weeks of the Donohoe #Postergate saga and explore how Fine Gael has taken the old political dictum: when you are explaining, you are losing, and turned it on its head. Though they may feel it is working in the short-term… I believe that in the longer term, it will not. I do not see Minister Donohoe resigning – even post SIPO investigation – but I think his value (commercial or otherwise) to Fine Gael is now considerably diminished.

If you are explaining, you are losing.

So ubiquitous is this political truism that its authorship is variously ascribed to such election campaigning greats as Ronald Reagan or Karl Rove.

The idea underpinning the phrase is appropriately straight forward. If you want to win voters over to your cause you must sound confident and convinced. You do this best by having a message that is clear and concise. Spend too much time explaining your position and you come off looking desperate to convince. Continue reading “Fine Gael reckons when they are explaining, you are snoozing” →