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Dispelling the seasonal cheer
The Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) has dispelled some of the seasonal cheer with its forecast today that the rate of economic growth in 2008 is shaping up to be the slowest since 1992. The principal cause of the slowing national growth rate is the steep decline in house building activity. House completions are now forecast to fall from a peak of 88,000 in 2006 to 55,000 next year. Since house building accounts for 15% of total activity in the economy, a sharp decline in building output acts to drag down national economic performance. p
Mr Zuma's election
Jacob Zuma's election as president of the ruling African National Congress was a victory fair and square over his opponent Thabo Mbeki, South Africa's current president. For all his shortcomings, there have been no voices within the ANC saying Mr Zuma rigged the contest. That augurs well for a relatively stable transfer of power after elections in 2009 when Mr Zuma will take over. The ANC remains a disciplined political organisation even though the vehemence and intolerance of this campaign dismayed such notable long-standing leaders as Nelson Mandela, Desmond Tutu and Kader Asmal. p
Opinion
Education an acid test for North
Modernising the North's secondary education system should be a greater imperative than harmonising corporation tax with the Republic, argues Robin Wilson pWhy Bertie needs a girlfriend
The time has come for Bertie to go out with Carla Bruni. He needs her. Carla seems like a nice girl. Bertie could do with a bit of diversion; at this stage we all could, writes Ann Marie Hourihane. pMbeki's failure heralds Zuma's Lazarus-like return
The rise of South Africa's 'Teflon politician' Jacob Zuma as leader of the African National Congress may herald its breakup, writes William Gumede. pBringing national maritime policy back into line
The Government's new marine scheme flies in the face of what other European nations are already doing, suggests Ronán Long. p
An Irishman's Diary
The constitutional crisis in a core EU member-state is, of course, unfortunate. But Belgium's difficulty is Ireland's opportunity. Which is why I propose that we take advantage of the current confusion there by unilaterally refusing to eat Brussels sprouts this Christmas, writes Frank McNally. p
