SINN FEIN TO BE ALLOWED INTO REVIEW OF NORTHERN PEACE PROCESS: 

Despite attempts by the anti-agreement Unionist lobby
to remove them, Sinn Fein are to be allowed to take
their place in the 'review' of the Good Friday Agreement
next month. The review is critical to the success of the
Northern peace talks that have seriously stalled in recent
weeks and is seen very much as a final means to achieve
a peaceful end.

NEW GRANTS FOR THIRD LEVEL STUDENTS:

Up to 10000 students may benefit from new top-up grants
that will be worth between £500 and £1000 each in a major
new initiative planned by Michael Martin, the Minister
for Education and Science. The grants will be targeted
to those students who are from less well-off families.
This is part of a long term plan to make University
available to everyone. Currently only 14% of those from
unskilled and semi-skilled backgrounds attend college,
compared with 89% from higher professional backgrounds. 

SPORT SNAPS:

Soccer: In a vary good result that boosts Ireland's
prospects of reaching the European Championships in
Belgium and Holland next year, Yugoslavia and Croatia
played out a goal less in Belgrade. Ireland face both
of these teams as well as Malta in the next 4 weeks.

Soccer: Robbie Keane, the Irish soccer sensation from
Tallaght in County Dublin completed his transfer from
Wolves to Coventry for six million pounds. The teenager
duly obliged his new employers by scoring twice on his
debut in the Premiership.
July 99 News-Snaps

FORMER TAOISEACH TO GO TO TRIAL:
In yet more bad news for the former Taoiseach, Charles
Haughey, it has been decided that there is enough evidence
to justify a charge of obstruction by the former Fianna
Fail leader regarding his evidence to the McCracken
Tribunal. This tribunal was set up to investigate payments
made to Mr. Haughey by Ben Dunne, the head of the major
retailing chain, Dunnes Stores.

NORTHERN PEACE TALKS GO INTO 'REVIEW':
In a major blow to the peace initiative in Northern
Ireland the Good Friday Agreement has been put into
'review'. This follows the Ulster Unionists refusal to
form an assembly with Sinn Fein in it and was followed by
the resignation of the Deputy First Minister - Seamus Mallon.
The Unionists want the weapons destroyed by the IRA before
any Assembly can be established. Sinn Fein have maintained
that they cannot deliver this and that the terms of the Good
Friday agreement do not require it.
Tony Blair and Bertie Ahearn had attempted a compromise by
stating that an Assembly will be formed and that full
demilitarisation should commence by next year.

IRISH POVERTY RATE AMONG THE HIGHEST
The United Nations Human Development Report has indicated 
that Ireland has the second highest poverty rate among
seventeen Western nations surveyed.
Over 15% of the population live in what is described as
'human poverty'. Despite this, the report showed that
Ireland is still one of the most desirable places inthe World to live.
The United States topped the Poverty index with 16.5%
in poverty, followed by Ireland with 15.3% and Britain with 15.1%. 
The report also revealed that Ireland has the lowest
murder rate among Western countries and the lowest rateof recorded rapes. 

TELECOM SHARES FLOATED
Amid much fanfare the long awaited sell-off of the 
Governments silverware finally took place with the sale
of the national Telecommunications Company, Telecom Eireann.
The sale witnessed unprecedented public interest with
thousands of people borrowing heavily to invest in the 
shares. Initial appreciation of the stock has provided a
gain of between 12% and 18%.

SPORT SNAPS: 

Soccer: Irish international soccer team is fined by UEFA
and ordered to play the match against Yugoslavia that was
recently postponed. No points were docked from the Irish.

Motor-Racing: The Jordan motor-racing team has gone from
strength to strength this year with both drivers finishing
in the top 5 in the British Grand Prix at Silverstone.
Eddie Jordans team are now placed third in the Constructors
Championship in what is very unchartered territory for an
Irish motor-racing concern.



June 99 News-Snaps

IRELAND V YUGOSLAVIA MATCH ABANDONED
In a surprisingly pro-active stance taken by the Irish
Government, the Ireland versus Yugoslavia soccer match due
to be played in Dublin on June 5th. was abandoned as the
Serbs were refused travel visas and could not enter thecountry.
It is possible that the Irish Soccer Association may now
face sanctions, possibly as much as being thrown out of
the European championships but more likely a hefty fine.
Ireland defeated Macedonia 1-0 in Dublin on June 9th which
puts the Irish team on top of their group and well placed
to qualify for the finals due to be played in Belgium and
Holland next year.

FREE INTERNET ACCESS FOR FIRST TIME IN IRELAND
Much to the dismay of traditional Internet Service
Providers, Ireland now has free Internet access thanks to
Ocean Technologies. The Oceanfree.net service offers
services of a type similar to those that have been offered
in the UK for some time now. Further deregulation of the
telecommunications market should ensure even more players
in the freenet market with Gateway Computers already
announcing that they intend to be offering free services
by early next year.

PICTURES OF POLITICAL CANDIDATES TOP APPEAR ON BALLOT PAPERS 
A former 'Mayo person of the year' nominee by the name of
Ernie Sweeney has ensured that all  European elections
candidates will have their photographic image alongside
their names on the ballot papers. This has been the norm
in Europe for some time and has been introduced by the Irish
Government on a pilot basis. The purpose is to assist those
with literacy problems to make an informed choice. It has
been suggested by some observers that a Ouija Board might be
a better aid for the Irish electorate.

RELIGION TO BECOME A SCHOOL EXAMINATION SUBJECT
Religion is to be part of the examination process starting
from next year. Students who excel in the subject can get
'points' that go towards the acquisition of College and
University places. This development has the support of the
Catholic, Protestant, Jewish and Muslim faiths. It is
intended that the curriculum will provide for an
understanding of the diversity of different religions as
well as an understanding of the non-religious way of life.

FATHER FINED FOR SLAPPING HIS SON
The Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children
has welcomed a court ruling in which a Galway man was fined
IR£100 for severely slapping his 4-year old son across the face.
ISPCC director of services Paul Gilligan agreed with the
Court when it had viewed the incident as an assault.
'There is an exception in current law where a physical
assault can be justified as reasonable punishment and
used as a defence. We are looking for that to be changed,'he said.



May 99 News-Snaps

SINEAD O'CONNOR IS ORDAINED AS A PRIEST.

Irish music superstar shocked the world again when she was
ordained into the priesthood by a rebel North of Ireland
priest. Needless to say the Media and Clergy have been
equally disparaging of the Dublin singers latest attempt
at salvation.

IRISH GOVERNMENT APOLOGISES TO VICTIMS OF ABUSE IN STATE
INSTITUTIONS:

An Taoiseach Bertie Ahearn has satisfied public opinion
by finally issuing an apology to the many victims of
abuse who suffered at the hands of religious and State
run organisations since the foundation of the country.

This is a huge issue in Ireland at the moment and has
been for some time.

The revelations about the happenings in 'orphanages' such
as Madonna House, Goldenbridge and the world famous Artane
Industrial School have made for the very disturbing
realisation that Ireland during the 40s, 50s, 60s and even
beyond was the child-abuse capital of the civilised world.

The RTE trilogy of programmes entitled 'States of Fear' gave
an in-depth examination of the institutions as well as
interviews with some of the many unfortunate victims in the
orphanages. Calling the institutions 'orphanages' is a
complete misnomer as the majority of children who were
interned in these organisations were usually taken away from
their living parents because of financial circumstances or
because the situation of an unmarried mother in a small
Parish was simply untenable.

The Government has allocated £17 million to set up a number
of professional counselling services and has promised to
make all records that pertain to the running of the State
bodies available to those concerned. The Christian Brothers
order have issued a similar apology but it is truly tragic
that the various religious orders are refusing to release
the many records that they have in their possession to the
victims and families who have tried to put their lives back
together again after so many years.

Hopefully, they will reconsider and stop worrying about
the probability of legal action by doing the right thing.

BOXER STEVE COLLINS COLLAPSES - ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT:

The 'Celtic Warrior' from Cabra in Dublin collapsed during
a training bout in London prior to his planned first fight
since 1997. The 35 year old World Champion has always said
that he will return when he gets a fight with American Roy
Jones, but has now been forced to abandon his plans on
medical advice.

IRELAND v YUGOSLAVIA SOCCER MATCH TO GO AHEAD

In a bizarre and sad decision, UEFA, the governing body for
Soccer in Europe) has insisted that the European
Championships qualifier between Ireland and Yugoslavia is
to go ahead in June.

Regardless of the side of the Kosovo debate that UEFA or
anyone else endorses, it has been widely agreed that it is
very inappropriate that an international soccer match should
be played whilst people are dying in the conflict.

The Football Association of Ireland are stating that they
have to go along with the decision but the Irish Government
has already made clear to them that there will be no
official representative from the Government at the match,
which is usually the case.

It is expected that the Yugoslav players may try to make
some sort of political gesture before the world cameras
in what is sure to be a sombre occasion.

WORLDS LONGEST RUNNING TV TALK SHOW ENDS

It had to happen, (and some say that it should have happened
years ago) - 'The Late Late Show', hosted by Gay Byrne has
finally drawn to a close after a television presence spanning
3 decades.

No More:

    
	
  • Elderly country ladies waving into the camera as
	Gay Byrne interviewed someone in the crowd

	
  • Cheers of delight as Gay, after demonstrating the
	latest gadget or gizmo from Ballygobackward
	Inventions announces that he has 'one for everyone
	in the audience'.

	
  • Cutting edge examinations of peoples very souls and
	beliefs.

	
  • Gaybo saying to his producer prior to showing some
	TV footage: 'Will you roll it there Collette' 



Love it or loathe it, it was impossible to ignore the
premier flagship of Irish television that brought a very
particular brand of Irishness to millions of people in
Ireland, Europe and beyond.



April 99 News-Snaps

    TOO MANY LEARNER DRIVERS ON IRISH ROADS:
    The National Safety Council has severely criticized the number of 'learner' drivers that are on Irish roads. Chairman Cartan Finegan firmly stated that the total of 461 people killed on Irish roads in 1998 could be greatly reduced if the long period for a driving test was shortened. At present it can take up to a year to get a driving test. Worse still is that inexperienced drivers of motorcycles can take to the road on their vehicles at the age of sixteen without having ANY instruction whatsoever. The number of deaths on the reoads is threatening to return to the atrocious levels of the 1970s when over 600 people per year were being killed.

  • NORTHERN PEACE TALKS STALL:
    Sinn Fein and the PUP have both rejected the Hillsborough Declaration which was an attempt to break the impass over the decommissioning of weapons by the IRA. Gerry Adams of Sinn Fein has declared the agreement as 'dead in the water' if the Unionist position on decommissioning is maintained.

    Further meetings at Stormont are expected to try to come up with a formula which will allow for the creation of a new form of Government in the Northern Province arising on foot of the Good Friday agreement of 1998.

  • SCHOOL AT HOME CASE CONTINUES:
    The parents of a 13 year old Leitrim boy who has not attended school for 4 years have vowed to continue their fight to educate him at home, despite the threat of prosecution under the Child Care Act of 1991, and the possibility of the boy being taken intocare. The Duffy family have consistently argued that they have the Constitutional right to educate their child at home and have been to court on no less than 15 occasions. Thier son, Rory, had attended a number of schools previously and had been very unhappy. The State is actively pursuing the case, especially as their is another similar instance on the books arising from an action by a County Kerry family.

  • INFLATION:
    The annual rate of inflation in Ireland has fallen to 1.4%, the lowest rate since August 1997.

  • IRISH YOUTHS SOCCER FAIL:
    The Irish Youths team crashed out of the World Championships in Nigeria. Despite a couple of terrific performances to qualify for the last 16 (including a 4-0 demlition of Australia) the Irish youths, managed by Brian Kerr, were defeated on penalties after their match against host Nigeria was drawn 1-1.

  • IRISH THATCH INDUSTRY UNDER THREAT:
    A lack of native Irish Reed is causing Irish Thatchers to import reedds from as far away as Turkey and the Balkans. A new 35 bedroom hotel in County Kerry is experiencing dificulties in completing the building project because of the lack of the naturalresource. Irish Thatchers are said to be be up in arms over the matter and are likley to lobby Government. If the events of recent years are anything to go by the the current government had better watch out that that the issue does not cause their demise. One of the 'independent' supporters of the coalition government is from the Kerry region! Quite what Bertie Ahearn is expected to do about this grave lack of this vital natural resource is, as yet, unclear.


March 99 News-Snaps

  • ENTIRE EU COMMISSION RESIGNS:
    The European union is facing a severe crisis after all 20 members of the European Commission resigned after a report accused them of mismanagement and even fraud. The Irish commissioner, Padraig Flynn, was one of those who resigned although he was not criticised in the report.

    This is bad news for the Government with Bertie Ahearn already facing criticism relating to the 2 tribunals of enquiry that are taking place in Dublin Castle.

  • SPORT SNAPS:


    Soccer:
    Irish international Keith O'Neill is set to join Middlesboro in a knock-down one million pound deal. The injury-plagued striker is valued at six million but could walk out on his club, Norwich at the end of the season under the 'Bosman Ruling'.

    Horse-Racing:
    Istabraq wins the Smurfit Champion Hurdle atCheltenham.

    Rugby:
    Ireland defeat Wales but lose to England in the '5-nations' championship.

  • TOUTS TO BE TARGETED:
    In a new law to be enacted it will be illegal for anyone to sell tickets to football matches, music concerts or any other major event for more than the face value on the ticket. The problem of 'touting' or 'scalping' has grown rapidly in recent years and the Government has decided that it has seen enough of 25 pound tickets to All-Ireland finals being sold for over 600pounds. Hefty fines and/or imprisonment await those willing to take a chance but don't be surprised if lack of enforcement of this law is the norm.

  • WALKABOUT TODDLER FOUND SAFE AND WELL:
    An amazing 19-hour absence by Cork toddler (he is 2 years old) Emmet O'Gorman, resulted in one of the biggest searches ever conducted inCork. The infant disappeared from his Grandparents garden where he had been playing with his cousins. The alarm was immediately raised and volunteers joined the search with haste. The audience of a play being performed in a nearby village were press-ganged into service as fears for the safety of the youngster increased.

    He was missing all night whilst temperatures reached near freezing point. Needless to say his parents were delighted to have him returned to them after he was found the following day playing with cattle in a field, some 3 milesaway. Apparently he had slept in a hay-shed. When reunited with his parents he declared that he had 'been in Brazil'. Despite being soaked to the skin and in muddy clothes he was given a clean bill of health after a medical checkup at the nearby Cork University hospital. His mother appeared to suffer more than the child: "It's a miracle. It a sheer miracle that he's safe and well," she declared.

  • 87 YEAR OLD WIDOWER SHOCKS AUDIENCE AT THE ANNUAL ANCIENT ORDER OF HIBERNIANS LIMERICK CONTEST(BAY CITY, MI DIVISION):
    The audience at the annual 'Irish night' run by a chapter of the AOH in Bay City were surprised at a renditioning by an 87 year old widower of her entry into their Limerick competiton. The lady in question apparently sleeps naked and is well informed on the latest medical breakthroughs:

    'Who Needs Viagra'
    In a high-rise apartment lived John
    Who went to bed with nothing on.
    The fire bell sounded
    Into the hallway John bounded
    And excited the ladies thereon


February 99 News-Snaps

  • Bizarre events at the Flood Tribunal:
    The ongoing 'payments to politicians' tribunal has descended into farce with temper tantrums being thrown by witnesses, barristers and even the presiding judge.

    Justice Flood suspended proceedings last week when the counsel for JMSE Construction (who are accused of bribing politicians to gain favourable planning permission for new building projects), Mr. Cooney, declared that the Judge was biased towards the main witness, James Gogarty. Cooney stated that there was no way that his clients could get a fair hearing and that the would not continue to represent them. He later apologised to the Judge who had previously stormed out of the chamber in Dublin Castle to a round of applause from the packed but bewildered gallery.

    Gogarty is well capable of some amateur dramatics himself. On one occasion he simply left the witness stand because he did not like the way the questioning was going.

    All of this is costing the Irish taxpayer over £100,000 PER DAY, and the possibility of anyone being prosecuted as a result of any findings are minimal since the information will be in the public domain and consequently any jury could not be considered to be impartial. The Tribunal itself has no powers to imprison or fine anyone and will end up being a considerable drain on public revenue.

  • There really is a Housing Crisis: A sure sign that there really is a crisis in the housing market in Ireland is when the Government actually takes some action. The new proposal is to provide a cheap loan to anyone with an annual income of under £20000 (about US$30000).

  • Michelle de Bruin appeal receives a boost:
    The triple Olympic Gold Medal winner, swimmer Michelle de Bruin, has finally had some good news concerning her appeal against a 4 year ban imposed on her by the world swimming authority - FINA.

    Michele was accused of tampering with a urine sample by adding whiskey to it. No banned drugs of any kind have ever been found in any sample provided by Michelle de Bruin but despite this the powers that be banned here for 4 years, effectively ending her swimming career. Certain aspects of the Irish media disgracefully used the opportunity to vent their own frustrations and failures and further accused the European and Olympic champion.

    The good news for Michelle is that the laboratory who processed the urine samples have finally admitted that the samples COULD have been tampered with. Prior to this they dismissed the idea as impossible. There is a strong opinion that there is a general media conspiracy against the woman from Rathcoole because of the fact that she confined her in-depth reports during the Olympics to a single newspaper to whom she was contracted.

    The Irish are famous for being 'begrudgers' and this is a case in point. Although I predict that Michelle will be reinstated and allowed to compete in the Sydney Olympics it appears that severe damage to her reputation has already been done and that there will always be the hint of suspicion about her. So much for being innocent until proven guilty.

  • Anglo-Irish tourists arrested after mid-air brawl:
    In a story that hit the international headlines, a group of English tourists of Irish descent wee thrown off a flight from London to Jamaica for causing a mid-air brawl and endangering the aircraft. Despite repeatedely claiming their innocence their behaviour after departing the airplane did them no good whatsoever and there is very little sympathy for them in Ireland. It is possible that they may face a bill of up to IR£20000 to cover the extra fuel that the aircraft had to use by its diversion to Virginia.

  • Archbishop Desmond Connell attackes 'artificial' motherhood':
    In yet another example of just how far removed from public opinion the Catholic Church in Ireland really is, Archbishop Desmond Connell has caused an uproar.

    The religious leader stated that children born from artifical insemination or via test-tube treatment were mere 'products' and that these children were far more likely to be disruptive as teenagers and consequently are inferior to children born without the aid of fertilisation treatments.

    The Archbishop also attacked contraception saying that it demeaned womanhood and that only families who strictly followed the teachings of the Church could consider themselves Catholics.

    Needless to say, the response from media and the public alike has been swift.

  • Naked teenager assaults Garda:
    It is unclear if the young man who decided to brave the February cold and strip to this birthday suit knew quite what was in store form him when he was spotted by a Garda in Dublin recently.

    What is clear is that several other youths got involved and a number of arrests were made after a fracas. It is possible that this was the conclusion to a 'stag' party (a bachelor party prior to a wedding) and that the naked youth was simply in high spirits. It is also possible that his was simply a cry for help prior to his impending nuptials. He was last seen racing naked towards O'Connell Street at about 3am on February 28th. Any further sightings should be reported to Store Street Garda Station immediately.


January 99 News-Snaps


  • Flood Tribunal continues: The investigation into allegations of bribery and corruption in Irish politics continued in Dublin Castle in January and is unlikely to have a speedy outcome. Former Minister Ray Burke was forced to resign last year as it was alleged that he accepted fifty thousand pounds to secure planning permission for a building firm. The whistle was blown by James Gogarty, an elderly employee of the building firm who claims he was present at the cash handover. His main gripe is that the building firm did not give him an adequate pension.

  • Tallaght Hospital Row: Further to the row over Tallaght Hospital funding the CEO resigned this month, putting further pressure on Minister Brian Cowan to provide extra funding for the heavily in debt hospital.

  • House Prices rise by as much as 44% in some sectors during 1998: In another incredible year for property prices in Ireland, the demand once again far outstripped the supply. Despite the Government introducing tax measures to try to force investors out of the residential property market it seems that the measures have only worsened the availability of property for renting purposes. Growth of the at least 10% is expected again this year although only 10% growth was expected in 1998.

  • New National Soccer Stadium for Dublin City: The Football Association of Ireland have finally announced plans to have the long awaited soccer stadium built by 2002. The stadium is to have a removable roof so that it can be used for a variety of other functions besides soccer and will be located near the City-West development on the outskirts of the city, near Clondalkin.

  • Race to find replacement for TV personality Gay Byrne hots up: Speculation is mounting regarding possible replacments for the host of The Late Late Show (long since acknowledged as the longest running talk-show in international television history). Pat Kenny is widely tipped for the post although there are a number of outsiders including Gerry Ryan, the current Miss Ireland and Dustin, the talking Turkey puppet from Dublin. Dustin is the only one of the possibles who has received votes in a general election (he received over 200 votes in the last Dublin North constituency election despite not even being registered as a candidate). What exactly this says about the state of Irish politics and Irish television I will leave to the reader to decide.

  • Irish girl set to spurn Million dollar deal
    In a turn of events that will either horrify or delight you depending on your perspective, a 16 year old Cork schoolgirl named Susan Flannery is set to ignore the wooings of multinationals and local concerns alike by allowing her ground breaking invention to be published to the public domain. It's good to share your ideas with the science world. By patenting it I'd be hindering that process she is quoted as saying.

    Susan was the winner of the 'Young Scientist of the Year' Award, which is a competition run annually for schools and which has this year hit the international headlines. Her invention is a mathematical encryption formula based on a 2*2 matrix system and is up to 30 times faster than the current standard, RSA, which was invented by two MIT students in 1977. She has named the algorithm Cayley-Purser after the 19th century mathematician (Cayley) and the cryptographer (Purser). Her invention will, in theory, allow for a new form of computer security for the transmission of email and electronic data that is faster and at least as secure as the existing RSA standard.

    The mathematical whizkid demonstrated the process to an amazed board of judges at the competition and has since been innundated by offers from Computer firms worldwide who want to license her invention. It is even thought that Microsoft might have tried an approach, if only to prevent some other Company from getting one up on them (that dosen't sound like the sort of thing Bill Gates would do, does it?).

    On an RTE television interview only days after winning the competition the girls mother explained that they were receiving in excess of 70 telephone enquiries per day about Sarah's invention. RTE filmed the family in their home - I have hardly had a chance to peel the potatoes because the phone keeps ringing commented the mother.

    Despite the best attempts of the forces of big business, Sarah is determined that her invention be public property and intends publishing it on the internet at the earliest possibility.

    In true Irish fashion however, there is every chance that the Young Scientist Competition may be boycotted next year. This is because the current sponsors, ESAT Telecom, are refusing to recognise a particular staff union, and the ASTI Teachers Union are recommending to their members that they do not get involved in the competition as a gesture of support to their comrades in arms.

    This would be a shame indeed as the innovation of the young minds in Ireland is to be marvelled at. A previous winning entry in this competition studied Holy Water (and the effect of the transfer of e-coli and other infectious agents in the water through the constant dipping of hands into the water font).

    As for Sarah, she has won £1000 and entry into the European overal young scientist competition. It remains to be seen if her invention does indeed become public property.



December 98 News-Snaps

  • Haughey Probe Development: In an amazing development to the investigation by The Revenue Commissioners into the tax affairs of former Irish Taoiseach Charles Haughey, the bill for two million pounds in outstanding tax due was dropped by the Appeals Commissioner.

  • Tallaght Hospital Row:A major row has broken out between the board of management of the newly opened Tallaght Hospital and the Department of Health Minister, Brian Cowan.

    The Minister had commissioned a report which concluded that the severely in-debt hospital was not capable of being run by the current management. The Hospital in turn hit out at the lack of funding provided. All of this occurred on the same day that a Galway woman who had just given birth to twins was separated from her children due to a lack of hospital beds. The state of the nations health service is coming under ever more scrutiny.

  • Gazumped couple have a happy ending: A County Kildare couple who were gazumped by a builder have been finally able to move into their new house. Annette and Stephen Butler had originally placed a deposit of 1000 pounds towards the cost of their new 70 thousand pounds house. By the time the house was completed the builder had upped the price to 90 thousand pounds and there was nothing they could do about it.

    The practice of gazumping is increasing as house prices soared and even a visit to the courts by the Butlers could do nothing to legally stop the practice.

    A happy ending was secured however when the financial lending institution stepped in to offer a more flexible arrangement than might otherwise have been available.

    This has totally restored our faith in the human race. We are delighted with our new home, said the delighted Annette Butler.

  • United Airlines and Aer Lingus set to merge: The giant US airline United has emerged as the front-runner to secure a multi-million pound strategic alliance with Aer Lingus.

  • Cheaper Telephone Calls?:The Telecommunications market in Ireland has now deregulated. 19 Companies have been granted licenses to provide private and business services.






November 98 News-Snaps

  • Tony Blair visits Ireland: In an historic visit, the English Prime Minister, Tony Blair visited Ireland and addressed both houses of parliament, the Dail and the Seanad. This visit comes at a time when the peace process is being perceived as being deadlocked, especially about the process of decommissioning of paramilitary weapons. The visit took place only a few days after the Irish Taoiseach, Bertie Ahearn angered Unionists by making a speech at a 1798 Rebellion Commemoration and saying that he expected to see a United Ireland within his lifetime. It is the first time in the history of the State that an English PM has addressed the Dail. Mr. Blair even attempted a few Irish words to conclude his oration - 'Gur a maith agat' (Thank you).

  • Ireland lose to Yugoslavia: The Republic of Ireland Football team had yet another honourable defeat, this time in the European qualifier away to Yugoslavia. In all truth a draw would have been a very good result against the team that performed so well in France in the World Cup. ireland were without teenage sensation Robbie Keane as well as Keith O'Neill. Mick McCarthy opted to play the in-form Niall Quinn as a lone striker and try to counter-attack. Ireland performed well in the first half withour really threatening the Yugoslave goal but a goal mid-way through the second half after Breen and Staunton failed to clear allowed the Yugoslavs in for the only goal of the game. The defeat leaves Ireland with 6 popints out of 9 but with Croatia meeting Yugoslavia on the same day that Ireland travel to Macedonia early in the new year, there is still plenty of scope for optimism in the Irish camp.

  • Paul Ward trial concludes in Dublin: Paul Ward was found guilty of the murder of Veronica Guerin although it is accepted that he was not the actual killer, the state found that the evidence of Charles Bowden (now in the witness protection programme) was sufficient to convict. Ward is serving life imprisonment although an appeal is likely.

  • Pre-Budget submissions gather pace: Charlie McCreevey, the Minister for Finance, is in an unprescedented position in historical terms. The economy has never been in better shape and their is a huge fiscal surplus. He is widely expected therefore to significantly widen tax bands and possibly reduce the lower tax rate in the December budget. Organisations are queing up to make representatinos to the Minister as tho why their particular body should receive funding but it is unlikely that the Famers lobby wil be successful as Mr. McCreevey is of the opinion that the Farmers are well enough looked after in relative terms (and this despite the Farmers march on the city earlier in the month). Economists are warning that the good times cannot last forever and that some money should be put aside especially with the national Debt currently running at over 30 Billion pounds. It seems unlikely however that the Fianna Fail government will be able to resist the pressure from the PAYE sector for very significant tax reforms.

    Yes! It's a cone!
  • Dublins O'Connell Street to get a Cone: In what seems certain to join the litany of bizarre decisions made in recent years Dublin's O'Connell street is to get a 364 foot steel cone to usher in the new Millennium. At a cost of 3 million pounds the cone will be the highest structure in Ireland, being twice the height of Liberty Hall. A 'street' name for the proposal has yet to surface ('the nail in the pale'?) but no doubt a nick-name will be circulated soon similar to that given to the water fountain on O'Connell (the floozie in the Jacuzzi) or to the buxom statue of Molloy Malone at the bottom of Grafton Street (the tart with the cart) or to the now defunct clock that was placed in the river Liffey (the chime in the slime). One of the selectors of the structure quoted Plato as saying that beauty, style, harmony and grace all derived from simplicity. It seems that Dublin Corporation is composed of very simple people indeed.




October 98 News-Snaps

  • Irish Permanent and Irish Life in merger talks: Two of the countries most famous financial institutions are currently engaged in talks that, if successful, would see the formation of the third largest banking company in the country. Shares of both companies soared after the news. Irish Permanent shares climbed to 975p per share (quite near the all time high of 1045p). It remains unclear at this stage if the proposed merger will mean a windfall of shares for account holders. Certainly with any deal needing shareholder approval it is possible that a 'sweetener' may be offered. Abbey National, the UK mortgage lender who are widely expected to take over Irish Permanent in the future, are monitoring events with interest.

  • The Republic of Ireland Football match away to Yugoslavia was postponed until November (probably the 18th.) because of the trouble in Kosovo. Mick McCarthy, the Ireland manager is not bothered by this delay as it has given both Keith O'Neill (Norwich) and the teenage sensation Robbie Keane (Wolves), time to recouperate after recent injuries. The Irish team added to their claim for a place in the finals in Holland/Belgium by hammering Malta 5-0 at Landsdowne Road. The next match away to Yugoslavia will be a real benchmark of Irelands abilities to qualify with most observers estimating that a draw would be a very good result indeed.

  • Paul Ward trial continues in Dublin: The trial of the man accused of murdering crime journalist Veronica Guerin continues despite attempts by Wards legal team to have the charges dismissed because of irregularities with the arrest. The judge ruled against the defendants motion. Veronic Guerin was a noted crime journalist who to a large part exposed 'The General', Martin Cahill, who is now the subject of 2 Cinema releases.

  • Interest Rates start to fall: In what is expected to be only the beginning of interest rate cuts the majority of lending institutions have dropped their rates by at least three quarters of 1 per cent. Irish rates are expected to fall by another 2% by the end of the year.

  • Fine Gael retain seat in by-election in Cork: John Bruton the leader of Fine Gael maintains that the ballot indicates public dissatisfaction with Fianna Fail. An Taoiseach, Bertie Ahearn, was quick to point out that an Irish Government has not won a by-election of any description in nearly half a century.



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September 98 News-Snaps

  • Michelle DeBruin to appeal against 4 year ban imposed by FINA. The triple Olympic gold medal winner is confident that the ban imposed on her for alleged 'sample tampering' will be overturned.

  • Sonia O'Sullivan wins 2 Gold medals in the European championships at 10000 and 5000 metres.

  • Government introduces 'draconian' measures in the wake of the Omagh atrocity. Gerry Adams condemns the bombing.

  • Extensive review of the dreaded 'Points' system for entry to third level education is ordered by the Minister for Education and Science.

  • A major nationwide clampdown on dangerous driving is planned in the wake of the horrific crash in Wicklow which saw 2 children and a school bus driver killed by a speeding lorry.

  • Minister for Finance Charlie McCreevy is urged not to give too much away in the December budget as inflationary pressures build in the economy.

  • Mortgage interest rates expected to fall by the end of the year.


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Parliamentary parties

An Taoiseach, Bertie Ahearn
Fianna Fail, led by Bertie Ahearn are in government with the Progressive Democrats, led by Mary Harney. The government survives with the help of independent T.D.s who are committed to supporting the government. The former government was led by John Bruton of Fine Gael who were in coalition with Labour and Democratic Left in the so-called 'Rainbow' coalition. This alliance still represents the main threat to the FF/PD government.

The popularity of An Taoiseach (Prime Minister) reamins at a record level due to his involvement in the Good Friday agreement in Northern Ireland and to the continuing good health of the economy.


The distribution of the seats in the Dail (Parliament) are as follows:

Fianna Fail: 76, Progressive Democrats: 4
Fine Gael: 53, Labour: 17, Democratic Left: 4
Green Party: 2, Sinn Fein: 1, Socialist Party: 1, Others: 6


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The Good Friday Agreement

John Hume of the SDLP party David Thrimble and Seamus Mallon, a Unionist and a Nationalist, were elected as Minister and Deputy Minister respectively, of the new and historic Northern Ireland Assembly which sat for the first time on 1st July 1998. This was the first step in the building of a new form of government which, in the months to come, will take over much of the running of the six counties. The assembly is a result of the elections in both parts of Ireland which voted overwhelmingly to accept the agreement.

The change in attitude in Northern Ireland was symbolised for many when David Thrimble and John Hume appeared on stage at a benefit concert being given by Irish Rock band U2. They were applauded for having made a 'leap of faith'. Sinn Fein, led by Gerry Adams have taken their seats in the new assembly as have the DUP leadership who maintain that they will never sit in government with the Sinn Fein representatives whilst the issue of the decommissioning of paramilitary weapons remains unresolved.



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Property News

The incredible surge in property prices over the last 4 years shows no signs of abating as prices are set to rise by well over 10% again this year for the fourthe year running. Some experts predict that the appreciation in house values could be as high as 15%.

The booming economy, historically low interest rates and the availablility of money for lending (fuelled in no small part by the entry of banks into the home mortgage business) has led to a demand for houses unprecedented in the history of the state. ireland has one of the highest home-owner ratios in the world and this has led to a housing crisis, especially in the greater Dublin area.

£150 thousand was asked for this house requiring refurbishment but near Dublin city centre Nearness to the city centre is the key since the surge in the growth of the economy has seen traffic levels reach near crisis levels whilst politicians debate the value of an overground (Luas) or underground solution to the ever worsening public transport problem. This has resulted in a regeneration of the inner city with new apartment complexes being sold off the plans to eager investors and city dwellers.

The lack of adequate building land in Dublins hinterland has further contributed to the problem especially since the City and County Councils were split up into a number of independent authorities.

The government has attempted to curtail investor interest by implementing certain measures recommended by the Bacon report. These include the introduction of stamp duty on second houses being bought by people for investment purposes (typically anywhere between two and four thousand pounds) and the future treatment of rental income from residential properties bought after the April introduction date as personal taxable income. These measure make it less attractive for investors to buy a second home for rental purposes. The measure do not apply to properties bought before April 1998. It remains to be seen if the cost of renting houses and apartments will increase as a result.

Dublin new house prices are generally 15 to 30 thousand pounds ahead of other country locations, Cork, Galway and Limerick excepted. It is now unusual to be able to buy a new house for less than 100 Thousand pounds whereas only 3 years ago the typical asking price was about 60 thousand. Derelict houses and redundant artisan cottages anywhere near the city centre now change hands for well over 50 thousand pounds.

Galway house prices are also increasing greatly due in part to the situation of the town with the Atlantic ocean to the South and Lake Corrib to the North. These problems are not to be found in Cork or Limerick which has seen a great deal of suburban building in recent years.

The official figures at the end of December 1997 show that the average new house price nationally was IR£86,164. Dublin (IR£106,279), Cork (IR£78,413), Galway (IR£94,673), Limerick (IR£76,978), Waterford (IR£74,216). The average for other areas was IR£79,933.

Second hand house price figures were: National (IR£90,127), Dublin (IR£118,301), Cork (IR£74,614), Galway (IR£85,298), Limerick (IR£66,244), Waterford (IR£64,347) and other areas (IR£74,318).



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Getting Irish Citizenship

Getting Irish Citizenship has a number of advantages. For a start you will be able to pass Customs within the European Union much easier than before and if you are interested in working within the EU then having a passport of an EU country will make things a lot easier. There are potential Health and Welfare benefits also.

Eligiblity: If you have 1 or more Irish born parents then you are automatically considered a citizen and can apply for a Passport straight away. A person will be eligible if one of thier grandparents was Irish and possibly even if one of their great-grandparents was Irish. You can also apply for citizenship if you are the child of a naturalised Irish citizen, providing you were born after your parent was naturalized. Marrying an Irish citizen is another route whereby citizenship may possibly be obtained.

If you are a U.S. citizen you can apply directly to The Embassy of Ireland, 2234 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W., Washington, DC, 20008, (202) 462-3939 or to any of the Consulate Offices of Ireland, a full listing of which is avaible by clicking here.

Documentation: You will need to supply the long version of your Birth Certificate and those of any relatives that you are claiming citizenship through. Marraige and Death certificates where applicable will be required. You will also need to provide extensive proof of you own identity (Passport, Driving License, Work Identification card, etc.). You will need 2 Passport size photographs.

There is a fee of up to US$179 for adults, US$64 for applicants under 18 years of age. The hardest part of the process is collecting the required documentation, especially the Birth certificates of relatives (Grandparents who may be deceased, etc.). You will not in any way jeopardise your currently held Citizenship or Passport status by holding 'dual' citizenship. To get the process started, contact the Irish Consulate in your country, (details from here).



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