‘Celtic tiger’ licks its wounds and aims for recovery

Article forms the lead and overview article to a FT: Special Report 'Doing business in Ireland'. A credit-fuelled boom has given way to two years of fiscal pain but economic growth remains elusive, writes John Murray Brown.

Further articles in the Special Report are:

+ Batt O’Keeffe: ‘All political parties are committed to the plan’. John Murray Brown meets the minister for enterprise, trade and innovation

+ Economy: Hopes pinned on four-year fiscal consolidation plan. John Murray Brown sets the scene for the next critical months

+ Property: Mopping up after the bubble that burst. Daniel Thomas looks at how Nama is dealing with a real crisis in real estate

+ Banking: Timing will be critical for removal of state guarantee. Policymakers face a big challenge in weaning financial institutions off support, says John Murray Brown

+ Research: Innovation has big role in building prosperity. The science budget has trebled over the past decade, writes Clive Cookson

+ Profile: Jean-Pierre Colinge. Ireland is trying to create a science capability virtually from scratch, writes John Murray Brown

+ Drug industry: Pharma sector is confident it will ride out the tough times. From a standing start, the country is now a world force, says Andrew Jack

+ Traveller’s guide: Economic woes translate into keen prices. Michael O’Sullivan picks some choice cuts among places to stay, eat, drink and take a break

+ Case study: Seventeen years after the Digital closure, new doors open in Galway. The influence of the former US computer manufacturer lives on, writes John Murray Brown

+ Energy policy: It pays to be smart when planning for power needs

Interview: Eamon Ryan puts the business case for the country’s green economy