Hope for the Celtic tiger

It was just starting to rain this morning when I went out for a walk. But it was impossible to be too downbeat. I was listening to the radio as I walked, and the airways were full of the historic decision by the Greens to go into government. Now I've always been a green supporter, although I wouldn't say I'm a big political head. I enjoy watching politics at election time, much like the fair-weather football fans who only watch the matches when Ireland makes it into something important.
I had been taken in a bit by all the talk of the day before, about how the Green Party membership might have voted down the coalition agreement, and I have to say, I was feeling a little peeved. It's great to see democracy in action of course, but I couldn't help feeling that those of us who voted Green (as opposed to the actual members of the party), weren't expecting to have our influence brushed away by someone in another constituency.
But in the end it all came out for the best, and the nay-sayers had to take a lot back because the motion passed with a huge majority, way more than the two thirds majority needed.
So back to my walk. The next thing up on the radio was the Tubridy Show. Ryan was interviewing Caroline Casey the founder of the O2 ability awards. The award ceremony last night was apparently a huge success, with plenty of business attendees and foreign businesses attending to see what they could learn.
So there it was, a nice warm feeling.-
Ireland being noticed in a positive light for once in regard to our treatment of the disabled (although of course there's still a long way to go.)
The Green Party in government, which will hopefully help us take a step in the right direction on climate change.
And last, but by no means least, last night a political party leader resigned. He had just led his party to a good election result. He had overseen the negotiation of a deal to bring his party into government for the first time. He had secured two ministerial positions for a parliamentary party of just six TD's. Hardly a failure. So why did he resign? Because he said he would. Weird? In Ireland? Maybe there's hope for us yet....