Dublin - Irish Prime Minister Brian Cowen on Wednesday congratulated Senator Barack Obama on being elected president of the United States, saying Obama's election was "a day of hope for the world".

"Barack Obama's remarkable personal story - allied to his eloquence and his huge political talents - sends a powerful message of hope to America's friends across the world."

"There is a palpable sense of history with the election of the first African-American president.

"On this day, we are all reminded of those who struggled for civil rights in America for so many years, as well as all of those who work for justice and peace around the world today."

London, Nov 4 : Ireland’s largest bookmaker, Paddy Power, has slashed its odds on proof being found of God''s existence to just 4-1.

Ever since the betting opened just two months ago, people who hope to have their faith proved correct have placed 5,000 pounds with Paddy Power.

The bet, which was placed on the big question of the existence of God, was made in September, to coincide with the switching on of the Large Hadron Collider that physicists’ hope may lead to the discovery of an elusive sub-atomic object called the “God particle”.

Dublin - Following an austerity budget prompted by ailing public finances amid a recession, Ireland's ruling Fianna Fail party suffered a massive 10-percentage-point drop in support in an opinion poll published Sunday.

In the Red C poll published in the Sunday Business Post, only 26 per cent of voters would opt for Prime Minister Brian Cowen's party, well behind the opposition Fine Gael party on 33 per cent.

The seven-point lead for Fine Gael is the largest since polling began, Irish national broadcaster RTE reported. Fine Gael had gained five points since the last poll.

Dublin - The choked voices on the airwaves telling tales of job losses, repossessions, debt and downright misery signal the seismic shift in Ireland's economy that has caught thousands unaware.

One such voice is that of Kathleen, a mother of four, who sobs as she describes how she was given a sub-prime mortgage to redecorate the family home she inherited.

With arrears of 7,000 euros (9413.6 dollars), she is now in danger of losing that home as interest rate increases meant that her repayments jumped from 1,600 to 2,300 euros a month.

Dublin - Banks participating in the Irish government's deposit guarantee plan will contribute a total of 1 billion euros (1.34 billion dollars) to make the scheme work, according to national broadcaster RTE.

The state, which announced specifics of the plan on Wednesday, will raise the money over two years, RTE reported.

Any bank that made use of the guarantee would also be expected to eventually repay the government.

Finance Minister Brian Lenihan said the move will take the Irish government deep into the banking system, RTE reported.

The original plan called for 440 billion euros in deposit guarantees at the six Irish-owned banks.

Dublin - Irish President Mary McAleese issued a statement Wednesday to say she had told the government "of her intention to surrender 10 per cent of her salary in light of the current national budgetary situation."

Irish Finance Minister Brian Lenihan announced Tuesday 2 billion euros (2.7 billion dollars) of savings in what he said was "a call to patriotic action," including a 10-per-cent pay cut for government ministers and top civil servants.