Irish Times

We are no happier today than 50 years ago, despite all the economic growth, a conference in Dublin heard.

Dr Adolfo Morrone from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development in Paris said there was evidence to show people trusted each other – and their governments – less than before. He was speaking at Social Justice Ireland’s annual conference in Dublin on Tuesday.

The group’s directors, Fr Seán Healy and Sr Brigid Reynolds, said the excesses of the Celtic Tiger could have been avoided if Ireland’s development model focused on the common good rather than on economic growth.