Academic freedom in Ireland is one of the highest in the world. Students and lecturers can pursue their studies without political direction or interference. That fosters innovation and encourages critical thinking. And it's something to be proud of 🇮🇪

The youth of Ireland are the best educated in all of Europe. Two-thirds of those aged from 25 to 34 have a higher level educational qualification - more than in any other EU nation. Twenty years ago the figure was just 40%. This enabled us to create higher skilled jobs and increased earnings. 🇮🇪👍

Ireland is the 10th most gender equal nation in the world. 🇮🇪 The country has seen sustained progress over the past 20 years, driven by steady gains in economic participation and political representation while maintaining full educational parity, says the World Economic Forum. 👏

Governments should aim, above all else, to make their citizens happier. Higher national wellbeing increases support for the government, increases voter turnout at elections, and increases the government's share of the vote at general elections. It strengthens democracy.

Irish teenagers are among the best at fact-checking what they're told. 60% of 15 year olds in Ireland report both checking the credibility of information sources and placing greater trust in scientific evidence than in common sense. That reduces vulnerability to misinformation and disinformation 🇮🇪😇

More than three-quarters of Irish people in their 20s are in work. In fact, Ireland has one of the highest rates of youth employment in the EU. We have created many more opportunities for our young people than other European countries. 🇮🇪👏

"If you think it’s hard to buy a house in Dublin, try Sydney. In Dublin, the median house price is around 5 times the median household income. In Sydney, it’s 14x." High house prices are a global problem explains Progress Ireland. Read what other countries are doing in the link below

Irish people have twice as much income today as they did 30 years ago. Disposable income in Ireland has doubled in *real* terms - i.e. after stripping out price inflation. That's a dramatic improvement in living standards in a single generation. 🇮🇪👏

Ireland's 15-year-olds have ranked first for reading, third for science and fourth for mathematics out of the 27 EU countries, in a major international educational study. 🇮🇪🎒👏

Ireland is the 7th most competitive country in the world. The country is well ranked for its strong economy, good government efficiency, and positive business practices. It also deemed an exemplar in applying the rule of law. Those are all good things worth celebrating. 🇮🇪👏

Planning on staying in and watching TV tonight? 64% of Irish internet users have a paid subscription to a film, series, or sports streaming service. That's the highest anywhere in the EU (and twice the EU average)! Make good use of it so 📺🫖🍷

Dublin airport is the 10th busiest in the EU. The airport hosted a quarter of a million commercial flights last year. That was roughly half as many as the leading destinations - Amsterdam Schiphol and Paris Charles De Gaulle - that would have a lot more transit traffic. Not bad at all. 🇮🇪🛫

We have record numbers of specialists in our health service. The number of consultant doctors in Ireland has increased by 50% in only the past 7 years. And the growth has outpaced the population increase so there is a meaningful improvement in the expert care available to us. 🇮🇪🧑‍⚕️

Ireland has passed 'peak child'. The number of children aged under 15 peaked at 1,015,500 in 2019 and is now gradual declining. While there are immediate implications for the education system, the long term impacts of an aging population on work, health and public services will be profound. 🇮🇪

Irish people are not emigrating in great numbers. Those who leave Ireland are closely matched by the number returning. 35,000 left last year and 30,000 returned. Net migration by Irish citizens is less than one-fifth of what it was in 2012. 🇮🇪

Ireland's population continues to grow and now tops 5.5 million. 30% of the recent growth is a natural increase thanks to more births than deaths, 70% is due to inward migration. Our population has now doubled since its nadir in 1961 when emigration was widespread 🇮🇪👍

The Irish are the biggest online ticket purchasers in Europe! Most adults in Ireland bought an event ticket online in the past 3 months (51.5% did). And that's twice as many as in the average EU country. Only the Dutch and the Danes come close to matching us. 🇮🇪🎫

Ireland is the 3rd most prosperous country on Earth. So says the Legatum Prosperity Index which ranks nations on their development, freedom, and social fabric. Ireland excels in our freedoms and family & community bonds. Only the Swiss and Norwegians live better lives than the Irish today. 🇮🇪

Had a summer break yet? 79% of Irish adults take a holiday at home or overseas. In fact, we are much more inclined to take a leisure break than most Europeans and are not far behind the leaders, the Dutch (84% of whom take a trip). 🇮🇪🇪🇺

I am honoured to be appointed to the board of the National Museum of Ireland. The museum is home to our greatest collections of Irish heritage and culture. I seek to apply my experience in tourism, heritage, marketing, and governance to make a positive contribution to this iconic institution.

Ireland is becoming a happier country. The number of Irish people feeling enjoyment or happiness increased markedly over the past 4 years, while the numbers reporting stress or frustration dropped to the lowest level yet. For all our challenges, this is a great place to live 🇮🇪👏

Perhaps the biggest driver of consumer confidence isn't the economy, it's social connection. People who feel socially connected are consistently more optimistic. Deepening social connection makes for a happier and more optimistic nation.

Teenagers in Ireland are more comfortable than ever talking with their mother or father if something is bothering them. 80% of Irish 17-year-olds say they find it easy to speak to mum, 66% to dad. Both figures increased dramatically over the past 20 years. 🇮🇪👨‍👩‍👧

More than seven-in-ten Irish companies (with 10+ employees) are active on social media. Ireland is above the EU average but not yet at the level of Malta and Finland where nearly nine-in-ten enterprises participate. 🇮🇪🇪🇺

What's most important to you for a good quality of life? Europeans rank health first, then financial stability and a good social life. The science backs them up - these are among the things that contribute most to our happiness. 🇪🇺😀

Look at the incredible progress in reducing deaths due to heart disease in Ireland. The death rate peaked in the mid-1960s before declining, with rapid progress made over the past 30 years. Reduced smoking, statins to control cholesterol & improved heart attack treatments made a huge difference 🇮🇪❤️

The world is becoming more equal. The number of countries with high income inequality is falling and the number with low inequality is growing. Ireland joined the group of low inequality nations in 2018. Income inequality in Ireland is far below the EU average and similar to Denmark. 🇮🇪🌍

Dublin is the coffee-loving capital of the world! Ireland's capital city has the greatest number of coffee shops per capita. Lisbon and Copenhagen place 2nd and 3rd. The Irish remain among the world's biggest tea drinkers, but it seems we prefer our Lattes these days. 🇮🇪☕️

The vast majority of Irish people are optimistic about the future of Ireland. 77% of us say we are. Only those in Denmark, Luxembourg and Poland are more optimistic about their futures. For all our challenges, we are in a good place and making positive progress. 🇮🇪

People worldwide view Ireland as having an excellent quality of life. We are ranked among the top 20 nations offering a strong combination of safety, healthcare, education, economic opportunity, and public services. This view is borne out by the facts - it's a great place to live 🇮🇪