It is growing ever clearer that Irish policy has experienced profound change over the last ten years. The pessimism which prevailed during the 1980s has given way to an overwhelming political enthusiasm, explained by the concept of our times: the Celtic Tiger. Amid the enthusiasm for embracing all that is now 'particularly Irish', it is hardly surprising to find that dissenting voices should be few and far between.

This intoxicating political elixir, formulated around the state's alleged capacity to reconcile economic growth with political consensus, is an incredible feat when we consider that it has taken place against a political backdrop of electoral defeats for a succession of coalition governments. Although this startling economic growth has been welcomed, it seems that the Celtic Tiger has not delivered its financial promises.

Despite criticism of individual elements of successive budgets, the content and ideological stance of policy have received only scant attention. Debate on Irish public policy has been conspicuous only by its absence. It is this omission which forms the basis for this edited collection.