How sound are Ireland's financial roots? Core Issues in European Economic Integration (Oak Leaf Press, £19.95), edited by two economists from NUI Galway - Dr Michael Keane and Dr Eamon O'Shea - explores the question. Economic issues play too great a role in European integration, O'Shea argues. "Income, work, training/ education and social care are the four personspecific pillars of European integration. "For all the current emphasis on employment, these issues can never be fully developed as long as economic and monetary objectives continue to have priority over social ones," he says.

Pictured at the book's recent launch are, from left, Dr Michael Keane; Dr Eamon O'Shea; the Minister for Science, Technology and Commerce, Noel Treacy TD; and Dr Patrick Fottrell, president of NUI Galway.