Saturday/Sunday
The Grand Master of the Orange Order, Mr Robert Saulters, said he was prepared to meet the former IRA prisoner and spokesman for the Garvaghy Road Residents' Coalition, Mr Breandan Mac Cionnaith, to try to resolve the Drumcree parade problem, although later in the week he changed his mind and said there had been confusion over his comments.
In sport, there were celebrations as the Irish under-18 soccer team won the European Youths' Championship, beating Germany in a thrilling penalty shoot-out in Cyprus. It completed a spectacular double, after their UEFA championship win in April.
In Wexford, social services were stretched to the limit by the number of asylum-seekers in the town, Mr Brendan Howlin, the Labour Party deputy leader said. There were over 200 asylum-seekers there and the previous week 47 Romanians, including 20 children, were discovered in two containers at the port.
On the annual Croagh Patrick pilgrimage 20,000 people climbed the 2,510 ft mountain. Safety warnings seemed to have been heeded and only 15 people suffered minor injuries.
Monday
Tension between the Government and trade unions over Partnership 2000 intensified as the social partners prepared to review the deal.
RTE was told to identify its 20 highest earners and the details of their salaries. The Government decision was made following clearance by the Cabinet of RTE's annual report, and the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands, Ms de Valera, was instructed to seek the information. This will involve remuneration packages to RTE stars such as Gay Byrne, Pat Kenny, Gerry Ryan and Marian Finucane.
On the return of the triumphant under-18 soccer team over 1,000 cheering fans - with flags and faces painted green - were gathered at Dublin Airport to welcome home Ireland's newest heroes.
Tuesday
The Supreme Court ruled that orders made by the Moriarty tribunal for the production of documents, including bank accounts relating to Mr Charles Haughey and members of his family, should be quashed.
The former Taoiseach lost his challenge to the constitutionality of the legislation setting up tribunals, but won the partial victory on the right to fair procedures in his attempt to stop the Moriarty tribunal investigating his financial affairs.
In another case the Supreme Court ruled that orders made by the Flood planning tribunal, for the production of documents relating to Bovale Developments Ltd, a building company, and its director, Mr Michael Bailey, and his wife, Teresa, also be quashed. The work of the two tribunals will be considerably delayed by the decisions.
The Government averted a major pay battle this summer by promising a review of its negotiating system for the public service in the next national agreement. It also promised to curb inflation and target low to middle earners with tax cuts in the forthcoming Budget.
Wednesday
The Irish Times reported that more than 16,000 women could be recalled for hepatitis C testing by the Blood Transfusion Service Board, as they had received batches of anti-D believed to be contaminated but had tested negative for the virus.
Latest estimates from the Department of Finance showed that the economy will grow by 7.5 per cent this year, although inflation will pick up significantly. In its annual Economic Review and Outlook, the Department predicted that 50,000 jobs will be created, with unemployment falling to 9 per cent.
Unionist and Conservative MPs deplored the decision of the British government to press ahead with plans to grant early release to IRA, UDA and UVF prisoners.
Thursday
A leading liver specialist, Dr Aiden McCormick, said women who received suspect batches of anti-D should be recalled for testing. The consultant hepatologist said it would be reasonable to test the women more than once.
Mr Haughey appeared in the Dublin District Court on charges that he obstructed the work of the McCracken tribunal. The DPP's application for the case to be tried in the Circuit Criminal Court was unopposed. That court can impose heavier penalties if a person is found guilty and Mr Haughey could be tried by a jury. The judge adjourned the case until October 6th.
The President, Mrs McAleese, will not be presenting the Aga Khan Trophy at the Dublin Horse Show as she will be attending an Irish-language course, it was announced. It will be the first time a president has not attended in 50 years.