Review of 2007 - Season’s greetings to our readers

The review of the year reminds people that there were many positive events throughout 2007.

The sight of Ian Paisley rushing to shake hands with Taoiseach Bertie Ahern at the Boyne Centre and the smiling double act that Mr Paisley has been forming with Martin McGuinness have been as welcome as they have been uplifting.

No doubt many people never thought they would see the day. In the last week there was a grim reminder of the horrors of the Omagh bombing with the collapse of the trial in Belfast. Even that had its positive side, however, when people recall the many miscarriages of justice that took place in the aftermath of other bombings.

Some of our biggest problems during the year were consequences of our unprecedented affluence, especially the drug-related tragedies. That does not make those tragedies of any less significance.

Economic forecasts for 2008 are not as optimistic as recently, but the projections are still for growth.

Hence, there is much for which we can be truly thankful and the Irish Examiner would like to wish everyone a peaceful, happy and fulfilling Christmas.