Annette's Short Stories Publications:

1.Featured Blogger Front Page Online IrelandAbroad.com Christmas December 2008  (Blogging)

2.Regret in Evening Echo Newspaper  17th Jan p20-21 2009 (Short Fiction)

3.Goodbye in Carrigdhoun Newspaper 24th Jan p5&6 2009 (Short Fiction)

4.Looking In  the Carrigdhoun Newspaper 7th Feb 2009 (Short Fiction)

5.My Valentine Day's Gift in Carrigdhoun Newspaper Feb 14th p12 2009 (Short Fiction)

6.The Recession: Awaken The Giant Within in the Carrigdhoun Newspaper p6 28th Feb 2009  (Satire)

7.Paradise in Evening Echo on Feb 28th 2009 p20 & 21 (Short Fiction)

8.Tasha's Christmas Tale by Annette J Dunlea 26th Dec 2009 in Carrigdhoun Newspaper p.6 (Kids Fiction)

9. Cork Takes Home Trophies From BT Scientists Exhibition 20th Jan 2010 in Carrigdhoun Newspaper (Journalism)

10. Global Warming News by Annette J Dunlea In Carrigdhoun Newspaper 13th Feb 2010 p.6 (Journalism)

11. Regret by Annette J Dunlea in Carrigdhoun Newspaper Feb 27th 2010 p 24 (Short Fiction)

12.An Irish Economic Update by Annette J Dunlea in Carrigdhoun Newspaper  20th March 2010 p.24 (Journalism)

13. Irish Crime by Annette J Dunlea in Carrigdhoun Newspaper 3rdApril 2010 p.24  (Journalism)

14. The Civil Partnership Bill: Explained by Annette J Dunlea in Carrigdhoun Newspaper p.24 1st May 2010 (Journalism)

15. Exam Tips by Annette J Dunlea In The Carrigdhoun Newspaper 22nd May 2010 p.24 (Journalism)

16. Our Impressive Local Library by Annette J Dunlea in The Carrigdhoun Newspaper 5T June 2010 p.6 (Journalism)

17.Eco Gardening at Bloom Festival : A Huge Success by Annette J Dunlea in the Carrigdhoun Newspaper 26th June 2010 p.24 (Journalism)

18. Alzheimers: The Facts by Annette J Dunlea in The Carrigdhoun Newspaper 3rd July 2010 p.24 (Journalism)

19. West Cork Literary Festival by Annette J Dunlea in The Carrigdhoun Newspaper 10th July 2010 p.24 (Journalism)

20. Building Energy Rating by Annette J Dunlea in The Carrigdhoun Newspaper p.11 17th July 2010 (Journalism)

21. Cork Opera House in Financial Crisis by Annette J Dunlea in The Carrigdhoun Newspaper 24th July 2010 p.9 (Journalism)

Novels:

1.The Honey Trap by Annette J Dunlea

2.Always and Forever by Annette J Dunlea

3.Currently Writing Cry of the Quiet (Working Title)

                  Sample Article

An Irish Economic Update by Annette J Dunlea (Cork Author)

Published in Carrigdhoun Newspaper 18th March 2010

The Economy of Ireland has transformed in recent years from an argicultural focus to a modern knowledge economy. Ireland's focus on trade and services and high tech industries has made it dependent on trade, industry and investment. 1995-2008 was a period of economic boom in Ireland, called The Celtic Tiger. In 2008-2009 Ireland was hit by a recession, a depression that we are still in the midst of, due to the collapse of the property and construction industry.

The Irish government were forced to implement a series of economic reviews to curb price and wage inflation. The government invested in infrastructure, increased labour force skills and promoted foreign investments. In 2008 the Irish government guaranteed all bank deposits and began reestablishing the Irish banking system. They established NAMA, the bad bank with the with the goal of restoring a stable banking system. NAMA is an asset management company dealing with assets transferred from banks. Nama will buy the land and property development loans from the six state banks at an estimated €90 million. By removing the bad property loans from the bank this will free up money for the banks to loan to industry and citizens once again.

In 2008 the world economy collapsed, exports plummeted, businesses folded and unemployment rose. Ireland's current employment rate is listed as 12.5% but it is expected to rise to 15% by the end of 2010. The statistics speak for themselves. In 2007 our GPD was $197.2 billion , in 2009 it was only $177.3 billion. In 2008 the Irish public debt was 44.2% of our GDP while in 2009 it rose to 63.7%. Retail sales for the period Jan 2009- Jan 2010 dropped by 4.8%. Our GDP is down by 7.4%. The Dept. of Finance lists our key economic figures as follows: GDP down -7.5%, customer prices -4.4%, unemployment 11.8%, balance of payments -2%, Irish gov. deficit -11.7% and general government debt is listed as 64.5%. The bad news continues : house prices are running at -18.5%, credit growth -7.1%, mortgage -0.7% and Exchequer surplus government figures and taxes are listed as - €24,641 million. Ireland has the best quality of life but the highest world household debt at 190%.

Irish citizens were hit with a savage budget in 2009. In it public wages and welfare payments were reduced. It was done to keep inflation and state running costs down and to increase Ireland's competitiveness. The banks and their huge losses remain the stumbling block to Ireland's economic recovery. The cost of the government saving the 6 banks is estimated to have cost the state €25 billion. Ireland was stripped of its AAA credit rating to AA+, this making our loans more expensive. We still have the world's highest gross external debt at 811%.

The Irish government are now proposing to increase the retirement age to 68 and to introduce a mandatory pension scheme. This is to help people provide for their old age. 50% of the Irish workforce have no pensions and 63% of under 30s have no pension. Employees will automatically be enrolled in a pension scheme but they can opt out after 3 months and they will be enrolled again every two years. The unions say that taking 4% of low earners wages after pay cuts will put more pressure on low earners. For each 2 Euro the employee gives the government and employer will add one Euro each. The pension scheme will be mandatory for people over 22 years of age.

The government remain postive and determined to keep national debt at 12%. Ireland will not return to the figure set by the EU Stability and Growth Pact until 2014. Slowly, Ireland's economy is beginning to stabilize and may return to growth in the second half of 2010. The Irish nation is being asked to think local for the sake of the nation and buy just one more Irish product per week. Mr Cowen has agreed to no further public service or welfare pay cuts. The worst is behind us they say, time will tell.

                                             The End