And From Ireland....We present!!

NEWS SNAPS FROM IRELAND
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IRISH POPULATION AT ITS HIGHEST SINCE 1871

A population census which will be carried out in
April is expected to confirm that the Irish
population has grown to over 4.2M, an increase
of over 300,000 since 2002. A high birth rate,
the huge numbers of migrant workers arriving
here, especially from Poland and the new EU
states, as well as the high volume of emigrants
who have returned home, are being cited as the
main reasons for the dramatic increase.

The population of Ireland before the 1845-1849
famine was 6.5M. As recently as 1961 the
population was only 2.1M.

GOVERNMENT TRIES TO WOO SSIA SAVERS TO PENSIONS

The pension 'time-bomb' that is ticking
throughout Europe in general and Ireland in
particular is a cause of huge concern for the
Irish Government. Former Finance Minister
Charlie McCreevey recognised the problem when
he set up the National Pension Reserve fund,
which is aimed at financing the cost of
Ireland's imminent pension costs.

Another Charlie McCreevey scheme, the SSIA
(a bonus-led savings scheme), is to be targeted
by the Government as it attempts to persuade
Irish people to take out their own pensions now,
rather than rely on a Government State pension
later in life.

The Government will give a bonus of EURO 2500 if
a SSIA holder invests EURO 7500 in their pension
scheme.

Over 15BN EURO will be released into the Irish
economy over the next year by the SSIA scheme.

EASTER RISING ANNIVERSARY TO GET A MILITARY PARADE

The 90th anniversary of the Easter Rising is to be
marked with a military parade and speeches on April
16th. Irish Taoiseach Bertie Ahearn has invited
members of the opposition political parties to
suggest ways in which the event can best be
commemorated. The parade will travel from Dame
Street to O'Connell street where the famous
'Proclamation of Independence' will again be read
outside the G.P.O.

IRISH SMOKING BAN ADOPTED BY ENGLAND

Smoking in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern
Ireland is to be banned in public places from next
year. Ireland was the first country in the world
to introduce a total smoking ban in pubs,
restaurants and clubs and this example is being
followed throughout Europe.

Despite dire predictions of the thousands of jobs
that would be lost the Irish people have adapted
very quickly to the new laws in what is being seen
as one of he most pro-active pieces of health
promoting legislation in history.

RANDOM BREATH-TESTING INTRODUCED

In the continuing battle to reduce the alarmingly
high fatality rates on Irish roads (one of the
highest in Europe), the Minister for Justice has
announced that random breath-testing may now be
carried out by the Garda Siochana (police force).

Previously only motorists who had been involved
in an accident or who were suspected of
drink-driving could be tested.

SALE OF MAGIC MUSHROOMS BANNED

The Minister for health has banned the sale and
possession of magic mushrooms with immediate effect.
The boom in health-food shops and exotic markets
had made access to the mushrooms much easier in
recent years. From now on the mushrooms will be
classed as a 'controlled substance' akin to other
banned drugs.

MORE WOMEN AVAIL OF 100% MORTGAGES

Single women in Ireland are taking advantage of
the newly available 100% mortgages in far greater
numbers than their male counterparts. In Dublin
up to 57% of women account for all applications
for the controversial mortgage product, including
joint-applications by couples.

STATOIL TO PULL OUT OF IRISH MARKET

Scandinavian oil company Statoil is to withdraw
from the Irish market. The entry into the
lucrative market by supermarket chain Tesco is
being cited as one of the main reasons the
company is leaving Irish shores.

GUINNESS FAILS TO LEARN ITS LESSONS

Those who forget the mistakes of the past are
doomed to repeat them. Tell that to Guinness!

Diageo, the company who own the Guinness brand,
are attempting to again launch an alternative to
the famous 'pint of plain'. Despite the disaster
that was 'Guinness Light' in the 1970's the
company is once more trying to steal some of the
lager market from its rivals by launching a
lighter version of its most famous brew.

'Guinness Mid-Strength' will have less alcohol
than regular Guinness but will look exactly the
same. It remains to be seen if history repeats
itself for the brewing giant.

NEW DUBLIN UNDERGROUND METRO LINK TO AIRPORT

The new Metro link from Dublin city centre to
Swords via the Airport is expected to take more
than 41,000 cars per day off the roads, with an
expected 30M passengers using the service
annually. The new rail link will run underground
in the city centre and emerge overground on the
outskirts of the city. The terminus will be
located at St. Stephens Green. The new service
will be a huge addition to the city's creaking
transport system and will be especially useful
for tourists arriving into Dublin Airport who up
until now have had to rely on buses and taxis.

IRISH DRAW TOUGH GROUP IN EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS

Newly appointed Irish soccer manager Steve
Staunton will get a baptism of fire when Ireland
face up to Germany in the opening qualifying match
for the European Championships which will be held
in Austria and Switzerland in 2008. The top 2
teams in each group qualify for the finals.

The away date with Germany in September will be
followed by a trip to Cyprus a month later before
home games to the Czech Republic and San Marino
in Landsdowne Road.

The first ever soccer match to be held at Croke
Park will take place in 2007 with Wales the
opposition. Slovakia are the seventh team in a
tough group, which ends with an away game in
Wales.


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