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There was a time, not so long ago, when Welsh politicians were falling over themselves to highlight Ireland as a role model for smaller Celtic countries such as, ahem, Wales.

Take this from former First Minister Rhodri Morgan 10 years : "Ireland has earned the title of the Celtic Tiger for transforming its economy and Wales has a lot to learn from the Irish experience. I hope that in 10 years time a Welsh Celtic Tiger will be out there in the global economic jungle."

Wales may indeed have learned a lot from Ireland, although given current events presumably not in the way Mr Morgan hoped.

Plaid Cymru have often held Ireland up as an example of what can be achieved by a small independent company. Take this from Plaid's for the Welsh assembly elections in 2007: The evidence across Europe is overwhelming - the citizens
of small and medium sized independent countries such as Ireland and Sweden are wealthier and healthier. The people of Wales deserve such a future too."

I imagine Plaid's manifesto for the assembly elections next May will be phrased rather differently, although as recently as last May one of their parliamentary candidates was highlighting Ireland's state pensions policy as one that Wales could afford to follow.

But admiration for Ireland is not confined to Welsh politicians. Who said this in 2006? "Ireland stands as a shining example of the art of the possible in long-term economic policymaking, and that is why I am in Dublin: to listen and to learn."

He went on: "What has caused this Irish miracle, and how can we in Britain emulate it?"

was writing before the economic crash but as he is now Chancellor of the Exchequer it's a fair bet he won't be seeking to emulate the Irish "miracle" any time soon.

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