Article

2026-08-24 Britain

Tech Monopolies Threaten the Irish Economy (video)

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Posted by Besoeker 2026-08-24 09:14|| E-Mail|| Front Page|| [267 views ] Top

1 Entirely possible, or currently ongoing ?

Posted by Besoeker 2026-08-24 09:29|| 2026-08-24 09:29|| Front Page Top

2 Mark Zuckerberg buys an Irish castle

[AI]
Meta maintains its **international headquarters** in Ireland, operating across three primary locations: a campus in **Ballsbridge, Dublin**, a data center in **County Meath**, and **Reality Labs** facilities in **Cork**. The company’s Irish subsidiary, **Meta Platforms Ireland Ltd**, was established in 2008, and as of 2026, it employs approximately **1,800 people**, a significant reduction from its post-pandemic peak of around 3,000.

Recent major developments include **significant job cuts**, with reports in May 2026 indicating that up to **350 roles** in Ireland are under threat as part of a global restructuring aimed at offsetting heavy investments in **Artificial Intelligence**. Concurrently, **Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg** and his wife Priscilla Chan acquired **Strancally Castle** in County Waterford in August 2026, a historic estate valued between €20 million and €30 million, which they intend to use as a base during visits to Ireland.

Regulatory and operational challenges also persist, with Ireland’s media regulator opening probes in May 2026 into **Facebook** and **Instagram** over concerns regarding **algorithmic content controls** and user manipulation. The company’s financial footprint remains substantial, having paid **€366 million** in corporation tax in 2024 on profits of **€2.9 billion**, underscoring Ireland’s continued role as a critical hub for Meta’s global operations.

Pretty much already done.

Posted by Skidmark 2026-08-24 10:46|| 2026-08-24 10:46|| Front Page Top

3 Ireland has an economy?!?

Posted by Grom the Reflective 2026-08-24 12:40|| 2026-08-24 12:40|| Front Page Top

Posted by chris 2026-08-24 13:00|| 2026-08-24 13:00|| Front Page Top

5 Yes.

[AI]
**Ireland** maintains one of the world's most robust yet volatile economies, characterized by exceptionally high GDP figures driven by multinational corporations, particularly in pharmaceuticals and technology. In **2025**, the country recorded a massive **12.3% real GDP growth**, largely due to front-loaded pharmaceutical exports ahead of US tariffs, while its **GDP per capita** reached approximately **$131,592**, ranking it among the wealthiest nations globally.

**Domestic economic indicators** remain strong, with **modified domestic demand** growing by nearly **5%** in 2025, supported by a tight labor market with unemployment below **5%** and rising private consumption. However, the economy is expected to face a **contraction in 2026** (projected between -1% and -1.2%) as the base effect of export front-loading unwinds, though **domestically-driven activity** is forecast to expand by **2.8% to 3.0%**.

**Key Economic Indicators (2025-2026 Projections):**

* **GDP Growth:** Surged **12.3%** in 2025; projected to contract by **~1%** in 2026 before stabilizing.
* **GDP Per Capita:** Approximately **$130,000 - $131,592** (nominal), significantly above the global average.
* **Unemployment:** Remained low at **4.3% - 4.7%** in 2025, with employment hitting record highs.
* **Inflation:** Expected to rise to **2.1% - 3.1%** in 2025/2026 due to energy price shocks.
* **Public Debt:** Low and manageable, projected at **32.9%** of GDP in 2025, decreasing to **31.6%** by 2026.
* **Primary Drivers:** High-value foreign direct investment (FDI), a low corporate tax regime, and a skilled, English-speaking workforce within the EU Single Market.

Posted by Skidmark 2026-08-24 13:08|| 2026-08-24 13:08|| Front Page Top

6 Well, they wouldnt be able to drink as much if they didnt have an economy.

"Pissing the night away...."

Posted by Thing From Snowy Mountain 2026-08-24 14:20|| 2026-08-24 14:20|| Front Page Top

Posted by chris 2026-08-24 17:01|| 2026-08-24 17:01|| Front Page Top

23:09 Whiskey Mike
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