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Sat 27 Dec, 2008 07:19 am
Quote:The first came when the Irish rejected the Treaty of Lisbon, dashing the hopes of those who had thought the Celtic Tiger’s support for a constitution would bolster the European project.
Does
Celtic tiger refer to Ireland?
What does
European project refer to? Does it refer to the image of EU?
Yes, Celtic Tiger refers to Ireland. It is a term by extension from the use of the term "little tigers" to describe the successful economies of South Korea, Taiwan, Singapore and Hong Kong, which were branded "little dragons" or "little tigers" in relation to Japan, the "big" economy of the region.
Once again, you do not provide sufficient context. Without more context, it is impossible to know what the author means by "European project." The most likely meaning is a project to adopt a constitution for the European Union--and it would have nothing to do with "image." However, without more context, it is impossible to be sure.
I would say that "Celtic tiger" refers to the buoyant economic situation in Ireland in recent years, and not to the country itself.
@McTag,
Quote:Continental leaders were unable to form a unified front when it came to the credit crunch " a second blow for Europhiles in 2008. The first came when the Irish rejected the Treaty of Lisbon, dashing the hopes of those who had thought the Celtic Tiger’s support for a constitution would bolster the European project.
The above is the entire paragraph in which "European project" is used. So what does it mean?
@fansy,
the writer likely did not want to repeat the words "the Irish" or call it "the republic of ireland " ... and tried to be cute .
hbg
@fansy,
It appears from the context that the expression "European project" is a rather fuzzy and ill-defined term to mean the goal of a unified Europe, and that the expression does not refer to any specific measure.
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