A COUPLE of years ago we were bombarded with coverage about rip-off Ireland which culminated in the politically populist but flawed decision to abolish the groceries order.

FOR investors in the Irish equity market, 2007 was a dreadful year. Share prices fell heavily across the board as a wall of international selling reflected a total loss of international belief in the Irish economic story.

NAPOLEON had a preference for lucky generals. Our outgoing Taoiseach was certainly such a general.

BACK in 1986, Ireland’s economy and society were in deep crisis. Incorrect decisions made then would have resulted in more decades of economic and social stagnation.

IN theory there is a strong commitment in this country to achieve more balanced regional economic development.

WE CONTINUE to live in interesting times, which are becoming more interesting and confusing by the day. The global equity market performance continues to be pretty dreadful, news of the US economy is still awful, and the ongoing stream of news relating to the subprime crisis is anything but positive.

AS WE move towards the final hours of 2007 and look forward to 2008, one can look back on the year past with mixed feelings and look forward with a greater level of trepidation than we have seen for some time.

WE CONTINUE to live through uncertain times in global financial markets.

THE global economy is emerging from three years of solid economic growth. This benign economic background proved supportive of global equity markets and investors have enjoyed good returns.

AT THE time of the flotation of Aer Lingus I argued that investment in a company operating within the straitjacket of a significant government shareholding and strong trade union input would not represent a particularly dynamic investment bet.