The Celtic Tiger has brought this State roaring into the 21st Century, bringing in its train a booming economy, unprecedented growth and development (especially in the technological sector), a drop in interest rates, and a higher disposable income. We have never had it so good.
One offshoot of this success has been a sharp rise in inflation - for which finance minister Charlie McCreevy had his knuckles rapped by the EU! There has been a spiraling growth in property prices. And many would argue that some sectors, such as the teaching and nursing professions, have declined as others did well.
However, in recent weeks we have witnessed an unprecedented fall of share prices in the Nasdaq index, and uncertainty in the US and Japanese markets. This, together with EMU changeovers, a BSE crisis, followed by foot-and-mouth disaster in Britain, which has now spread to Ireland, would appear to spell catastrophe. The obvious knock-on effect to agriculture, export markets, tourism, travel - not to mention ASTI strikes - has many of us wonder if the Celtic Tiger can possibly survive so many crises?
Tonight marks the start of a timely lecture series entitled Celtic Tiger - where do we go from here? sponsored by EL. The lectures begin tonight at 8 p.m. in Plunket College (opposite the Regency Hotel, Swords Road), Whitehall, Dublin. Harry Browne, desk editor of the EL supplement, will introduce the first lecturer in the series, Professor Tom Garvin, department of politics, UCD. Tom is author of The Evolution of Irish Nationalist Politics; Nationalist Revolutionaries in Ireland, and 1922, The Birth of Irish Democracy. Professor Garvin will examine the historical origins of the Celtic Tiger and look at the way the State has developed economically and politically.
Garvin says that the attempts by some to construct a political order morally superior to that of a century ago has had the consequence of repressing much of Irish social and cultural energy after independence. "We overreact to success and we overreact to failure," he says.
Garvin is optimistic about the future and says: "Our cultural change over the last few years has been too great for a reversal or a depression. And because of our highly literate, numerate and educated workforce, we are flexible enough to adapt or withstand whatever changes may ensue over time."
In the second lecture next Tuesday, Jim O'Leary of Davy's Stockbrokers will offer an economic perspective in terms of unprecendented economic growth and where this is leading.
The third lecture, on April 10th, Father Peter McVerry SJ will examine exclusion and homelessness in society - the other face of the Celtic Tiger.
On April 24th, Professor Kathleen Lynch of the Equality Studies Centre, UCD, examines whether women and men are still treated differently in the workplace and at home.
In the fifth lecture (on May 1st) Mountjoy governor John Lonergan looks at whether the Celtic Tiger reaches the poorest in Irish society and at the knock-on affects with rising crime and increasing drug supply.
The final lecture, on May 8th will be given by Carmel Foley, Director of Consumer Affairs, who will discuss what she calls "the Counter Revolution - a consumer's guide to getting your own back", as well as the increased cost of living during the Celtic Tiger.
Plunket College principal Kevin O'Meara sees this lecture series as an extension of the colleges adult and community education programme and hopes it will become an annual event.
The lectures are free and all are welcome. You can attend all or as many as you like. Each lecture is complete in itself, so if you miss a week don't worry.
Rosemary Dawson is PR consultant, director and publicist for World Book Week, former editor/marketing manager of several book-publishing houses.
