Saturday/Sunday
IT emerged that the Government has taken formal advice about the timing of a general election, a constitutional referendum and a possible presidential election this year. The advice, given by the Department of the Environment, included a suggestion that the general and presidential elections could be arranged for the same, date between late October and late November.
The Catholic Primate, Archbishop Sean Brady, was criticised by unionists for suggesting that all parties should accept another "unequivocally declared" IRA ceasefire. His comments came in a letter read at Sunday masses in the Armagh diocese.
On Saturday, an RUC patrol and a motorist narrowly escaped death when a mortar just missed their vehicles near Downpatrick, Co Down.
Monday
A Catholic couple and their five month old baby escaped injury in a boobytrap bomb attack in Larne, Co Antrim. No group claimed responsibility but suspicion that it was the work of loyalists put new pressure on the participation of loyalist representatives in the multi party talks.
Former Taoiseach Mr Charles Haughey was admitted to the Mater Private Hospital for what his doctor said were investigative cardiac tests. A hospital spokeswoman said he was in good form.
The Tribunal of Inquiry into the hepatitis C scandal heard that a process for inactivating the virus in the anti D blood product could have been introduced four years before the treated blood product became available. Two senior officials from the Department of Health told the inquiry that information they gave in a 1994 investigation into the Blood Transfusion Service Board was not intended to mislead.
Tuesday
It was learned that the Defence Forces were making contingency plans to send troops to serve under the NATO led peace keeping mission in former Yugoslavia. Information on how Ireland could provide military assistance had been passed from the military authorities to the Department of Foreign Affairs.
Allied Irish Banks confirmed it was making the biggest ever acquisition by an Irish company, paying £840 million for the US bank Dauphin Deposit Corporation. The deal will make AIB's First Maryland subsidiary the 45th largest bank in the US.
Poet Seamus Heaney won the Whitbread Book of the Year Award.
Wednesday
The Minister for Finance, Mr Quinn, presented what was described as the biggest giveaway Budget in the State's history. The package of tax cuts and welfare increases will cost £650 million in a full year. It was judged a Budget for middle income earners, with the biggest winners being singled people on a £15,000 salary and married couples on £30,000.
CIE services were disrupted in a one day unofficial action by transport workers. The company was warned that if it disciplined any of the protesters, workers would set up road blockades.
Thursday
In an emotional appearance before the hepatitis C tribunal, the daughter of Mrs Brigid McCole - the Donegal woman who died last year as a result of infection through anti D immunoglobulin - spoke of her mother's suffering. Ms Brid McCole (27) described how the family lay awake at nights listening to their mother's screams but were unable to help. "She just went through hell," said Ms McCole.
The New York Times revealed that an Irish American businessman, Mr Charles "Chuck" Feeney, had anonymously donated more than $600 million to good causes, including Irish universities. Dublin City University, Trinity College and the University of Limerick were the biggest Irish beneficiaries, each receiving more than $10 million from foundations financed by Mr Feeney.
