Opacity

• Another chapter in that history has played out in the form of resounding defeats for two government proposals aimed at modernising the constitution.
• One sought to remove a reference to a “woman’s” life “within the home” and recognise the value of “care” provided to others within the home.
• Referendums were usually just a procedural requirement, imposed by the constitution, for making certain types of legal changes.

The ‘post-crash referendums’

• Amid a national crisis of confidence, following a crash of historic proportions, a degree of soul-searching was in evidence.
• Themes of rebirth and renewal came to prominence within what was historically a conservative (and very stable) political system.
• A series of high-profile disputes between the church and the state followed over the country’s reckoning with this legacy.
• Beginning in around 2012, referendums came to be used as part of a distinctive project of constitutional modernisation.
• The blasphemy referendum removed an arcane criminal offence which some regarded as having been effectively impossible to prosecute anyway.

End of an era

• Again, this was understood as liberalising and modernising a constitutional framework where only traditional marital families were given constitutional recognition.
• These referendums showed the limits of the project of constitutional liberalisation that has been conducted since the great recession.
• It seems unlikely that the problem lay in this liberalisation “going too far”, or in a decisive conservative shift in public opinion.
• These referendum defeats are therefore likely to draw a line under a recent pattern of symbolic and “expressive” referendum use in Ireland.

Eoin Daly does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

• dv01 , a leading capital markets fintech company, has today announced a strategic collaboration with Fitch Ratings , a globally recognized leader in credit ratings and research, to enhance RMBS benchmark offerings.
• The Fitch-dv01 Non-Agency RMBS Benchmarks constitute two benchmarks that focus on Non-QM and Prime Jumbo markets, aiming to redefine market analysis with the most comprehensive representation.
• This announcement marks the second initiative in a series of collaborations between dv01 and Fitch Ratings, following Fitch Group’s acquisition of the capital markets fintech company.
• The Fitch-dv01 Non-Agency RMBS Benchmarks bring a new level of transparency, providing stakeholders with unprecedented insights into the intricate details of the non-agency mortgage markets.

• DUBLIN, Feb. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Nano Calcium Carbonate - Global Strategic Business Report" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.
• The report highlights the significant role of material innovation, particularly in nanotechnology and nanomaterials, in driving the growth of the nano calcium carbonate market.
• It discusses how the strong focus on material innovation has paved the way for advancements in nanotechnology, which in turn positively impacts the nano calcium carbonate market.
• The report also includes influencer insights and technology perspectives to offer a comprehensive understanding of the market dynamics and emerging trends in nano calcium carbonate.

• Regulators from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) have verified the results of independent stack testing at Smith Foundry and confirmed that Smith Foundry’s air emissions are in compliance with its Minnesota air permit and applicable limits.
• View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240212923502/en/
  Reported testing Dec. 2022 comparison to actual testing Dec. 2023 (Graphic: Business Wire)
  From the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency:
  “The test results, which MPCA shared in late January, verify that Smith Foundry is not emitting more particulate matter than allowed by its permit.
• “The test results, in addition to the surprise MPCA inspection we passed in November, confirm that Smith Foundry is meeting the state and federal standards for air quality,” said Adolfo Quiroga, president of Smith Foundry.
• I believe that the test results and the repairs, improvements, and investments we’ve made since purchasing Smith Foundry 13 months ago demonstrate that commitment.