Leaving Certificate Economics: A summary of Ireland's economic performance of the last 12 months was just one of the topical questions on yesterday's Leaving Certificate Higher Level Economics paper. Students were broadly satisfied with the paper, which was described as "testing but fair".

"This paper continued in the same vein as in the previous three years," Mr Frank McKenna, spokesman for the ASTI, said. "Most of the students I spoke to in my own school felt the paper was testing but fair. From first observations students will certainly have to earn their grades, with most of them writing right up to the end of the test."

The higher paper has addressed current themes in recent years and this year students were asked to discuss the pros and cons of stealth taxes such as the bin charges, the pressure on semi-state transport companies and the likely economic impact of EU enlargement.

"This approach is to be welcomed as it keeps economics as a vibrant and relevant subject," Mr McKenna said.

Most of the course was examined and there was a good breakdown between the micro-economics and macro-economics. Almost 5,000 students took the paper, which is growing in popularity, as students tend to do very well at higher level.

"This was a fair paper and all the old reliables came up," said Mr Aiden Coleman, a teacher. "The last section had some very topical questions but students were encouraged to follow developments in the Irish economy throughout the year - they should have been able to handle it."

Yesterday's ordinary paper featured a few tricky questions considered tough for weaker students but overall students were happy with the amount of choice on offer. This paper was topical with questions on the price of land and EU enlargement.