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
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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)
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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)