Author Archives: Simon McGarr

National Digital Research Centre responds to my post on ROI

Amy Neale of the NDRC has been good enough to come back to me with a graciously worded response to my self-admitted numeracy-challenged efforts to make sense of the Return on Investment for the public money invested by the Centre. Continue reading

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Researching ROI at the National Digital Research Centre

I recently found myself rummaging in the online records of the National Digital Research centre. This body is a workplace neighbour of mine, and describes itself like so; NDRC is an independent enterprise dedicated to accelerating research from idea to … Continue reading

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Why Budget Coverage Is Bad News

The past few years have seen the budget loom up out of the news calendar, casting its shadow over the news weeks before it actually arrives. It occurred to me that these acres of newsprint can be explained by two … Continue reading

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The Journalistic Standards of Newstalk

Denis O’Brien has an opinion piece in today’s Irish Times defending himself (and by extension his journalists) against the charge that he “despises” journalism. He cites, as evidence of his support for quality journalism, the fact that he has spent … Continue reading

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The Future Imperfect, Tense

Did you know that disco record sales were up 400% for the year ending 1976? If these trends continues… AAY!” -Disco Stu, The Simpsons In the Summer of 2007, Bank of Ireland produced a report entitled “The Wealth of the … Continue reading

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The 27 route: When the going gets tough, the bus doesn’t show up

complaint Dear Sirs, I write further to the below matters; 1) To complain regarding the failure of three scheduled 27 buses to appear at the Central Bank (Northbound) stop between 6.20 and 6.50. 2) To complain about the behaviour of … Continue reading

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NNI free footage deal: Appeal of RTE FOI refusal to Information Commissioner

To: The Information Commissioner 17 October 2011 APPLICATION FOR REVIEW OF REFUSAL BY RTÉ TO REFUSE A REQUEST MADE UNDER THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACTS 1997 AND 2003 (THE ACTS) RTÉ ref.: FOI 2011/051 My client: Simon McGarr Dear Commissioner, … Continue reading

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One job, no implementation: Why Your Country, Your Call was still a success

Readers will know that I have been following the looking-glass world of Your Country, Your Call for some time. I’ve lots of posts with facts and figures about the company. But there was a report in the Irish Examiner by … Continue reading

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Life in the Internal Devaluation Zone

Hey, you! Yes, you there. No, not that woman over there. You! Do you know what the hell is going on? Have you any idea what’s happening to you? You do? That is reassuring. But, out of respect for that … Continue reading

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The 27 bus route has not been improved

The New 27 Bus Route Dear Sirs I write further to my telephone conversation with Phelim of your office today. I write to complain regarding the dramatic drop in quality of service on the 27 route since Monday, when the … Continue reading

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