Ireland is at a crossroads with its €14 billion Apple tax windfall. This once-in-a-generation opportunity has the potential to transform the country—if used wisely. Much like The Simpsons infamous monorail episode, we must avoid flashy, short-term solutions that look good but fail to deliver real value. Instead, Ireland needs smart, well-planned investments that can truly benefit future generations. The big question is, will we take a visionary approach, or risk repeating the mistakes of Springfield?

As the world evolves, so too must our perspectives. Ireland’s neutrality, once a cornerstone of our national identity, may no longer serve us in an increasingly interconnected and dangerous world. While the public continues to support neutrality, the reality is that behind the scenes, Ireland has been strengthening its ties with NATO. From intelligence sharing to maritime security, Ireland is already benefiting from NATO’s protection without fully joining the alliance. But can we continue to reap the benefits without sharing the responsibility? It’s time to reconsider whether neutrality still fits in the 21st century.