Brussels Briefing - A lighter look at European events

Get a taste of some of the interesting and quirky happenings in Europe from our Europe correspondent, Ann Cahill.

Our love affair with the euro goes on

Ireland’s love affair with the euro continues unabated. A full three quarters told Eurostat last month that it was definitely a good thing for them – almost none of them convert prices back to the punt – unlike Belgium where half do every time they purchase something.

The currency has made us feel more European and we agree almost unanimously that it has made travelling abroad easier, and cut banking charges when on holidays. The Irish are the second most enthusiastic about having the government save more today because of the ageing population, and the most enthusiastic at 40% at rising the retirement age.

They are in the top three for opening up sectors like electricity for privatisation –- no body asked them about water. But given that two thirds overestimated the inflation rate, perhaps they did not all know what they were talking about.