• Social effects of the Celtic Tiger

  In a world where bad news secures undue publicity, it is important to take stock at regular intervals and to count your blessings. The effects of the Celtic Tiger have transformed Irish society. Emigration is a thing of the past. Levels of poverty have been greatly reduced. And while shortfalls and failings exist in the provision of services, significant advances have been made and a more egalitarian society beckons. In all of these matters, the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) has reported positive findings. p
  

• The EU charter

  The enthusiasm for the EU's Charter of Fundamental Rights manifested in the Dáil on Wednesday by Taoiseach Bertie Ahern was welcome and has provided some reassurance that Ireland will not seek to dilute its application in this jurisdiction. Mr Ahern insisted that Ireland's formal reservations on protocols to the charter, which it registered last weekend in the mandate for the negotiation of the EU treaty, were merely precautionary and intended to give lawyers a proper chance to look over the effect late-night British textual additions might have on our legal system. "We have no difficulty with the scope and application of the charter," he told TDs. p
  

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