Ireland: returning to earth
After spending most of the nineties in the stratosphere for growth the Celtic Tiger has comeback to earth...well...maybe to the himalayas. EU subsidies, good tax policy, an educated workforce and an enlightened government ....oh yes and the great work of businessmen led the emerald isle to extreme heights...11% was recorded in 96'...but since it has fallen back to about 3.5% this year...which is still tops (i believe) in the EU..(like that's much of an accomplishment though)..and a leader in the OECD.

Still, a rebounding world economy and the removal of shroeder in Germany plus a rebounding japanese and american econommy should do the isle wonders...if the US would just increase IT/R&D spending, the isle would be back on fire...(it contains a lot of US business, as it is in the EU but has the lowest taxes anywhere...its the foothold of europe for america.)