Survey shows money burned hole in Irish pockets

TIMES were good never better in fact in the late '90s. Cash was flush and people surely gave it a lash.

They went from the traditional Sunday round roast to sirloin; from the small economy car to the saloon or estate, from the cheque book to plastic money and from the B&B to the hotel when they went away for a short break.

They also spent money on their homes, installing more computers, dishwashers and stereos than ever before, while they went mad altogether on mobile phones.