Ireland is the third freest economy in the world.

[TradCat]

Ireland's economy is 82.4 percent free, according to our 2008 assessment, which makes it the world's 3rd freest economy. Its overall score is slightly lower than last year. Ireland is ranked 1st out of 41 countries in the European region, and its overall score is much higher than the regional average.
Ireland has high levels of business freedom, investment freedom, financial freedom, property rights, and freedom from corruption. Government regulation is light. Inflation is low, but Ireland's monetary score suffers somewhat from distortionary EU agricultural subsidies. Foreign investment is restricted only in a few sectors. Financial markets are transparent and open to foreign competition. Property rights are well protected by an efficient, independent judiciary.

Ireland's economy is significantly free, with only two categories slightly below the average world score. Fiscal freedom and government size both score 3 percentage points below average. Government spending as a proportion of GDP is just over one-third, and the top individual income tax rate is a high 42 percent.



http://www.heritage.org/Index/topten.cfm

[TradCat]

Cuba ranked 156 in case any of its many fans are wondering.

[Ard-Taoiseach]

This is great news, and is an excellent showing for the Republic. We must maintain our ranking and aim to reach the number 1 position.

We fell to seventh last year, so it is quite encouraging to see a resurgence to the very top of the chart.

Another reason to look on the bright side.

[pluralist]

We must maintain our ranking and aim to reach the number 1 position.

You see an unrestricted free market as desirable, then?

[CJH]

An interesting retort to those boring people who like to argue (ludicrously) that we are some sort of a banana republic.

Not they'll be interested in, like, actual evidence and stuff

[Ard-Taoiseach]

We must maintain our ranking and aim to reach the number 1 position.

You see an unrestricted free market as desirable, then?

As much as possible, it allows the economy to operate at a much more efficient level, with transparency and fair prices the norm.

[pluralist]

An interesting retort to those boring people who like to argue (ludicrously) that we are some sort of a banana republic.

Not they'll be interested in, like, actual evidence and stuff

Well, there are certainly people that have a grass is always greener on the other side of the fence mentality.

However, twelve years of an economic boom and we have two short non-interconnecting (and slow-moving) tram lines to serve a city with a population of 1.5 million?

I think we can do better.

[pluralist]

[quote=Ard-Taoiseach]

We must maintain our ranking and aim to reach the number 1 position.

You see an unrestricted free market as desirable, then?

As much as possible, it allows the economy to operate at a much more efficient level, with transparency and fair prices the norm.[/quote:gqwfm61g]

How far are you prepared to take this?

There are bus lines that don't turn a profit - should Dublin Bus be ordered to cease operating them? Or should public transport be privatised for that matter?

[certain_people]

Freedom from corruption: 74. Hmmmm.......

[Podolski]

What about freedom from exploitation?