Economic and political commentators Fintan O'Toole, Nick Webb, David McWilliams and Shane Ross, otherwise known as ‘Four Angry Men’ will join forces with broadcaster Olivia O’Leary in the Radisson Hotel on December 2, to debate the state of the nation.

They will examine the current crisis in Ireland, lift the lid on who was really responsible and will debate where the country should go from here. For those who are sick of the usual arguments put forward by politicians on all sides, this should be an informative evening, although one likely to enrage!

One of the people who had long claimed that Ireland’s prosperity was built on shifting sands is economist David McWilliams, a columnist for The Irish Independent and The Sunday Business Post.
He is the author of the bestsellers The Pope's Children, The Generation Game, and Follow the Money. His new book, The Good Room explains the bizarre economics behind Ireland's current predicament, and illuminates a radically different path for this country.

He illustrates also the consequences of debt and austerity on ordinary Irish people and explains why austerity can't work. But he also shows that history offers numerous useful models for Irish recovery.

Fintan O'Toole has been a columnist and critic with The Irish Times since 1988. His previous books, Ship of Fools and Enough is Enough were bestsellers. Up the Republic! is edited by O’Toole. In this book, some of Ireland’s leading scholars, writers and journalists suggest provocative answers to questions about whether Ireland really is a republic. They question if Ireland ever been a republic and if Irish people really know what a republic is.

Shane Ross is an independent TD for Dublin South, and columnist in The Sunday Independent. He wrote The Bankers, a number one bestselling title, in 2009

Nick Webb is business editor of The Sunday Independent. He and Shane Ross co-authored Wasters, 2010's top-selling Irish current affairs title. Their new book, The Untouchables shines a light into dark corners of official Ireland to show that the blame for running the country into the ground goes well beyond Fianna Fáil, and that a dismaying number of the people who should share the blame are still in positions of power.

The discussion will be chaired by political journalist and columnist Olivia O’Leary, who is best known these days for her Diary for RTÉ 1’s Five-Seven Live radio show.

Four Angry Men starts at 7.30pm on December 2 and tickets from €25 plus booking fees are available at the Town Hall Theatre, tht.ie or 091-569777.