In the light of current difficulties in Afghanistan, it is ironic that the country was very much in the news in 1980, because forces from the Soviet Union were occupying the country.

IRELAND’S relationship with the United States is such that it would be extremely difficult for the Government to take the “extraordinary step” of inspecting US flights through Shannon airport, a former top Irish diplomat said yesterday.

British and Irish relations have never been so good, despite gripes about English football fans, superior attitudes and programmes such as Big Brother, according to research published today.

EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT President Pat Cox yesterday voiced his opposition to any unilateral action against Iraq, as he was named European of the Year 2002.