Optimistic Stephen: Progress is possible, and I have seen it in my lifetime. The data don’t lie. Despite its many booms and busts, the Irish economy has delivered increased living standards for its increasing population. The census we have just completed will show we have over 5 million people in the Republic, a level not seen since before the foundation of the State. In just 20 years, the life expectancy of people born in Ireland has gone from 76.6 years to 82.6 years, one of the EU’s biggest increases. You can expect the population to get bigger and its life…

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