On Friday there will be several events to mark this occasion - the first Eurozone country to exit a bailout program successfully. But I think we all knew this would be the case many months a go. On Friday the IMF will leave this country and as the Taoiseach said he will see them to the plane.
The most important thing is that this never happens again and that the incompetent should not be allowed to bring us to the edge of the abyss like they did.
Three years ago this country was in free fall economically. There was a feeling no one was in charge and that chaos reigned. Property prices were plunging, tax revenues diving, banks bust and unemployment soaring. Let's be honest and say hell was just around the corner.
Today property prices are rising, exports are at record levels, employment is surging and unemployment is falling rapidly, bond yields are at record lows, consumer confidence is high, the banks are paying back what we put in, PMI's are the highest in Europe, revenues are surging, we have connected with the overseas diaspora that are desperate to help like never before etc.
A complete turnaround and I have to say this government has surprised me. I think they have done a very good job. But so have the Irish people. We had none of the strike chaos they had in Greece or Spain. We had no social unrest. I think pragmatism won the day and i'm proud of the stoicism with which Irish people have met adversity.
It's not over yet. But Friday and Sunday will both be historic days and whilst there is more correction to come I think we should be proud of how we met this challenge and have seemingly won against all odds.
Onwards and upwards - Celtic Tiger 2. No amount of tapering by the Fed can stop us :banana:
If this experience has taught us anything it is that nothing can stop us when we work together and stick together for a common goal.
The most important thing is that this never happens again and that the incompetent should not be allowed to bring us to the edge of the abyss like they did.
Three years ago this country was in free fall economically. There was a feeling no one was in charge and that chaos reigned. Property prices were plunging, tax revenues diving, banks bust and unemployment soaring. Let's be honest and say hell was just around the corner.
Today property prices are rising, exports are at record levels, employment is surging and unemployment is falling rapidly, bond yields are at record lows, consumer confidence is high, the banks are paying back what we put in, PMI's are the highest in Europe, revenues are surging, we have connected with the overseas diaspora that are desperate to help like never before etc.
A complete turnaround and I have to say this government has surprised me. I think they have done a very good job. But so have the Irish people. We had none of the strike chaos they had in Greece or Spain. We had no social unrest. I think pragmatism won the day and i'm proud of the stoicism with which Irish people have met adversity.
It's not over yet. But Friday and Sunday will both be historic days and whilst there is more correction to come I think we should be proud of how we met this challenge and have seemingly won against all odds.
Onwards and upwards - Celtic Tiger 2. No amount of tapering by the Fed can stop us :banana:
If this experience has taught us anything it is that nothing can stop us when we work together and stick together for a common goal.