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Turning point for economy
The long boom in the Irish economy is drawing to a close. The growth forecasts published yesterday by the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance indicate that the economy has reached a turning point. Over the next three years, the economy will take a step downwards, to an average growth rate of 3.5 per cent a year. p
Wrong medicine
Members of the Irish Pharmaceutical Union (IPU) should be ashamed of the tactics being used on their behalf in a dispute with the Health Service Executive (HSE). The withdrawal of methadone dispensing arrangements for an estimated 3,000 recovering heroin addicts in the Dublin and Wicklow areas represents an assault on one of the most vulnerable and marginalised groups in society. p
Opinion
Days of wine and roses over
Many of the pledges in FF's election manifesto may have to be deferred, writes Paul Tansey , Economics Editor pUDA stand-off tests the power-sharers
SDLP Minister Margaret Ritchie's stance on UDA decommissioning has spiralled into a battle with the DUP which threatens the Stormont Executive, writes Dan Keenan , Northern News Editor pWhen the smiling stopped
She would not be bullied by the DUP, said Margaret Ritchie, defending her decision to stop that grant negotiated with direct rule ministers by the UDA. Lost control of herself, said Peter Robinson, DUP deputy leader. And this was a day away from their original clash in public, writes Fionnuala O Connor p
An Irishman's Diary
Lonely Planet's choice of Ireland as the world's friendliest country will come as a surprise to many of us who live here, writes Frank McNally p
