Reeling in the Years

1991 (2x2)

Fecha de emisión: Nov 18, 2000

Ian Paisley visits Dublin in 1991. He protests against Northern Secretary Peter Brooke's decision to resume the meeting of the Anglo- Irish Conference and to end discussions between Northern parties. 1991 sees an unusual Fine Gael Ard Fheis. Twink makes a show out of Fine Gael. Ireland v. Australia in the World Cup Quarter-Final. Ireland's late try offers hope of a remarkable victory, but Australia win by one point. IRAQ, 16 January 1991: A US-led military force of thirty countries launches Operation 'Desert Storm'. Laser-guided 'smart' bombs hit Iraqi military targets. In Baghdad, an Allied 'smart' bomb hits a bunker which has been used as a civilian air raid shelter. Hundreds of women and children are killed. Fears grow that Iraq will use chemical weapons as retaliation. The 'Patriot' missile defence system is deployed. Iraqi 'Scud' missiles still hit Israeli and Saudi cities. On 24 February 1991, the land war begins. The Allied coalition wins a decisive victory. On February 28, Kuwait City is liberated. As the war ends, an estimated 50,000 people have died and Kuwait's oil fires are out of control. An ecological disaster threatens the Gulf. Maastricht, The Netherlands: European leaders sign an historic agreement. It sets 1999 as the deadline for a single currency. Corruption allegations are made against Larry Goodman's beef company. Although the company vigorously denies the charges, a Tribunal of Inquiry is set up to investigate the claims. The former State company 'Greencore' is hit by scandal. A complex financial arrangement allowed a group of managers to profit from the use of public money. More questions are asked about the sale of Carysfort College when the Taoiseach's involvement in the deal is revealed. Telecom Eireann's controversial purchase of a site in Ballsbridge leads to high-profile resignations. After the Taoiseach, Charles Haughey , says certain people 'should step aside' , Dermot Desmond resigns as chairman of