This updated edition, which has seven new chapters, comprehensively examines the following: - Ireland's participation in the euro zone - the changing role of the state, in terms of expenditure levels and patterns, taxation and social partnership - the continuing growth in employment and immigration - distribution issues, including social, political, affective and economic inequality - US investment in the traded sector and the growth of the internationally traded services sector - competition policy and regulation for the services sector; product, labour, financial and other markets; and the regulation of natural monopolies - issues relating to the education and health sectors, in particular efficiency and equity considerations in the delivery of services - the declining importance of the agricultural sector and the increasing emphasis on rural development policy, food safety and the environment.