The Economy of the Republic of Ireland is modern, relatively small, and trade-dependent with growth averaging a robust 10% in 1995–2000. Agriculture, once the most important sector, is now dwarfed by industry. Although exports remain the primary engine for Ireland's robust growth, the economy is also benefiting from a rise in consumer spending and recovery in both construction and business investment. Rapidly rising inflation (between 4% and 5%) – particularly of house prices and service charges (utilities, insurance, healthcare, legal representation, etc.) – is the main economic concern at present. Dublin, the nation's capital, was ranked 22nd in a worldwide cost of living survey in 2004

Read the rest of this article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economy_of_the_Republic_of_Ireland

_______________________________ Today's selected anniversaries:

1873: King Amadeo I of Spain abdicated, proclaimed at the Cortes that Spanish people were "ungovernable", and left the country. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amadeo_of_Spain)

1919: Friedrich Ebert became the first Reich President of the Weimar Republic. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friedrich_Ebert)

1929: The first Lateran treaty was signed, establishing Vatican City as an independent sovereign state within Italy. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vatican_City)

1963: The Beatles began recording for their first album, Please Please Me. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Please_Please_Me)

1979: Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini seized power in Iran, and eventually became the Supreme Leader of the Islamic republic. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ruhollah_Khomeini)

_____________________ Wikiquote of the day:

"If one knows only what one is told, one does not know enough to be able to arrive at a well-balanced decision." -- Leó Szilárd (http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Le%C3%B3_Szil%C3%A1rd)