There was a time, and it was not so long ago, that shopping on Sundays was unimaginable in Ireland. Ten years ago that changed.

At first it required incentives to alter old patterns. Workers had to be enticed to staff the shops, pubs, and other businesses. It was so difficult that many were offered triple their normal pay to work Sundays. With the passage of time both workers and consumers were seduced into accepting Sunday shopping, so much so that Sunday is now one of the busiest days in the week.

Instead of enjoying a half-day off on Saturdays, (Wednesdays in many provincial towns), and all of Sunday, a seven-day working week has become the norm for the majority. Sunday workers no longer enjoy triple pay. Time-and-a half is the most they can expect, and many workplaces have succeeded in making staff accept the normal or regular daily pay scale.

The trend is spreading to other businesses that traditionally were closed on Sundays. Even some manufacturers have switched to weekend shifts.

Many bemoan the effects that have brought about by such a change in traditional business and social practices. "Money mad", "values lost", "you wouldn't recognize the place", "no respect", "where will it all end?" These are some of the more frequent expressions they use to vent their opinions and feelings.

Those who have welcomed the change are more inclined to say, "It's grand, just grand!" "Look at the way the money is being spread around."

Grand it is. No one can argue with that. The price of houses in Dublin is going through the roof. The price of land everywhere is sprouting sky high.

Those enjoying the good time can relate to the growing cost of everything, boast of what they can afford, enjoy all the economic benefits the Celtic Tiger has brought, and rightly so. Their profits have been earned. Their entrepreneurship, work skills, innovation, and ingenuity have brought them their just rewards.

Then there is the other side to consider. According to the UN Human Development Quality of Life Index, in 2004 Ireland had the second highest level of poverty in the western world after a decade of economic growth that has only been surpassed by China.

Over 15% of Irish people live in poverty-to be exact 15.3%--a staggering figure. One study shows that Ireland spends less on health and education than its European neighbours. Income inequality reveals the country to have a very lop-sided society.

Sunday shopping is but one example of the huge differences between the haves and the have-nots. Six-day shopping is not enough for the haves. For the have-nots, the seventh day makes no difference. They can't afford to shop five days let alone seven.

There is profit to be made on Sundays, but there is also loss in over-all values. Some introspection is necessary, but introspection takes time, and there are only so many days in the week. Pity!

To highlight the plight of the poor in Ireland, an all-night vigil was held outside the Dáil before it resumed sitting on Wednesday September 8. It was staged by homeless people to highlight the number of street deaths in the capital.

"The tax breaks granted to the equestrian community show that horses

are better treated than the homeless," said their spokesman.

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