Ahern unleashes new `Celtic Tiger'

Much of the Irish diplomatic circuit, captains of industry and the great and the good of the Oireachtas gathered in Dublin Castle last night to hear the Taoiseach launch The Making of the Celtic Tiger: the inside Story of Ireland's Boom Economy.

The book, from the pens of former finance minister and EU commissioner Mr Ray Mac Sharry and former managing director of the Industrial Development Authority Mr Padraic White, was given the highest level launch in the stately St Patrick's Hall.

The attendance included the ambassadors of 12 countries including Canada, America, Russia and Switzerland and businessmen including financier Mr Dermot Desmond and Eircom chief executive Mr Alfie Kane of Eircom. Politicians included the Minister for Public Enterprise, Mrs O'Rourke, and the former Taoiseach Mr Albert Reynolds.

Assuring the gathering that he had read the book "on a 13- hour flight from Sydney to Los Angeles" Mr Ahern said he was gratified to note the historical vindication of much of Fianna Fail policy in the book.

The book acknowledged the success of collective bargaining its contribution to a stable economy, he said, and the "passionate" work of former Taoiseach Mr Reynolds who had spoken with conviction promoting the Republic's case for investment around the world.

"I suppose if you were to do it now they would set up a tribunal to ask why you were doing it," quipped the Taoiseach.