Whilst Alfred Sant yodelled on, up the heady heights of a political wilderness gone cuckoo, Eddie Fenech Adami danced an Irish jig to a blarney tune. The Nationalist's answer to Switzerland finally materialised in Ireland. And our P.M. could not restrain himself from some simplistic comparisons, namely that both Ireland and Malta are islands and both share strong ties to Catholicism. There were loads more and were it not for the Irish P.M.'s short visit Fenech Adami could have gone on and on. Both countries are ex-British colonies and both suffered to a varying degree under British rule resulting in large scale emigration to the New world. We both like stout, they beer and we women. We both have an eye for potatoes and we're both blighted by the smell of whisky. We've both got Irish pubs, never won the world cup and are all Eurovision addicts, bar Bondi that is. But more importantly we both have politicians with completely divergent views on the benefits of the European Union. So 'thar'.

Bad jokes apart, our fears and expectations are very different to Ireland's. And it would be foolhardy and dishonest not to accord some validity to them. Ireland is practically underpopulated having, like Malta, more sons and daughters scattered around the globe than living at home. Yet unlike Malta, it can take them all back and still have space for more. Its agricultural sector still employs one of largest percentages of population within the E.U. In fact the Irish have gained through the common agricultural policy. Our agricultural sector is negligible. Ireland is in a situation where it can welcome both capital and labour and it has lots of spare capacity for development land-wise.

Malta is at the other end of the scale bursting at the seams with people and with approximately 23% of its surface area built up. The pressure of competing land uses is tremendous. We are understandably sensitive to foreigners buying up houses apart from the resulting price inflation. The small size of our economy is susceptible to minor tremors and any small influx of economic refugees is a big headache.
Ireland can absorb big industries with little consequence. We, on the other hand, can only take big risks like sacrificing Birzebbuga and Kalafrana for a transshipment industry in direct conflict with our mainstay - Tourism. This industry is becoming increasingly dominated by big international companies that can literally make or break our economy. The E.U. may be an opportunity for Ireland, for us it is opportunism, despite the denials.

One has only to look at the marketing of the E.U. by the Nationalists and its emphasis on money coming our way, and the chance for our children who want out to get out. Ireland may end up being a full-fledged Celtic Tiger. Malta, on the other hand, can play Tigger.

The energy and dynamism of this administration to satisfy the requirements of the Acquis are impressive to any observer. Yet this exercise does not imbue the population at large with confidence or conviction. If only we were to apply this same vigour to erase once and for all the pitiful and disgusting habits of our culture - the sloth of the public sector, the dereliction of our environment both natural and built, the indifference to our children's education and the insanity of our politics. Then we can be in a position of true choice instead of hedging bets about our predicament.

The Irish week will soon be over. Mr.Ahern, the Pied Bagpiper with his soothing sound has bade us farewell and good luck with the European Union.