Category Archives: Bureaucracy

Waiting: The Naturalization Shuffle

Apologies for the six-month delay in posting, but I’ve been waiting for my citizenship paperwork to go through, and hoped to be able to write about being a citizen for my next post. Alas, it was not to be.  I’m … Continue reading

Posted in Bureaucracy, Dublin Life, Emigrant/Immigrant Life, Expat Living, Immigration & Emigration | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

A Better World: The Refugee Crisis and What It Says About Us

I regularly refer to immigrants, emigrants, migrants, and refugees in this blog. And, to some extent that last category has always been a somewhat obligatory attempt to cover all bases. And to my mind, true refugees have, until recently, seemed … Continue reading

Posted in Bureaucracy, Emigrant/Immigrant Life, Europe, Home & A Sense of Place, Immigration & Emigration, Irish Life & Society, Modern Life, Politics | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Foreign & Domestic: Expat Loyalty & The European Union

Shortly after moving to Dublin, as I started to learn more about the EU, I began to hear locals speak of the U.S. and its Federal Reserve banking system in lofty terms. It seems that out here on the fringes … Continue reading

Posted in Bureaucracy, Emigrant/Immigrant Life, Europe, Irish Economy, Irish Life & Society | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Low Corporate Tax Rates & Attracting Foreign Investment: Is Ireland’s Greatest Asset Its Willingness To Be Controlled By Outsiders

In a recent post about land “ownership”, I remarked that in a country with few resources, Ireland’s land may be its greatest asset. Since that post I’ve questioned that assumption, and done a great deal of thinking about what Ireland, … Continue reading

Posted in Bureaucracy, Immigration & Emigration, International Moving, Irish Economy, Irish Life & Society, Politics | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Pets Abroad: Moving Overseas With Pets

For many of us, whether we have children or not, our pets are like our children. And, right, wrong, or indifferent, the thought of leaving them behind when moving overseas is unthinkable.  Fortunately, in recent years airlines seem to have … Continue reading

Posted in Bureaucracy, Dublin Life, Immigration & Emigration, International Moving, Modern Life, Pets | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Calling The Euro Home

In the lead up to this week when Ireland votes on the Austerity package, I’ve given a lot of thought to the things that hold the EU together, and it occurs to me that, as much as Ireland is in … Continue reading

Posted in Bureaucracy, Dublin Life, Friends & Family, Home & A Sense of Place, Irish Life & Society, Politics | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Taxed In Two Places

Disclaimer: I am not a tax expert, and make no claim that the information listed below is accurate.  Readers are strongly encouraged to consult with a certified tax accountant, or the revenue collection agency in their country of residence, and … Continue reading

Posted in Bureaucracy, Dublin Life, Immigration & Emigration, International Moving | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Love of City Not Country – Dublin vs. Ireland

Ever since the controversial Five Things I Hate About Dublin, Ireland post, numerous well meaning (I’m sure) people have asked me why we don’t just leave.  The simple answer is, Dublin.  The post, I now realize, was misnamed.  Most of … Continue reading

Posted in Bureaucracy, Dublin Life, Home & A Sense of Place, Immigration & Emigration, Irish Life & Society | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 16 Comments

Take Two And Call…..? A Look At Irish Health Care

Caveat – What follows is all entirely my assessment, because nobody, even the Irish Government’s website, can give you a lucid, easy to digest description of what is and is not covered, when, by who, and for how much. One … Continue reading

Posted in Bureaucracy, Health Care, Irish Life & Society | Tagged , , | 13 Comments