Faltering economic development and a policy vacuum in government - it must be time for a glossy new report. Enter Mary Harney's Enterprise Strategy Group with Ahead of the Curve. Ireland's place in the Global Economy, which was launched with considerable fanfare last week. Some longterm economy watchers must have felt a sense of déjà vu, as in previous periods of economic turbulence directionless governments also resorted to the politics of hiding behind expert reports. Free article

So it would cost €5 billion to deliver on Sinn Féin's 2002 Leinster House manifesto proposals on housing, health, education and childcare and service charges. Excellent, it's a bargain. €5 billion was the cost estimated by economic consultants hired by the Irish Examiner in the latest instalment of an ongoing campaign by the mainstream media and some establishment politicians. Following in the footsteps of Fianna Fáil ministers such as Willie O'Dea, as well the PD duo of Harney and McDowell, who gave us the excellent term of "balaclava economics" in one of their previous rants, the Examiner took up where Tony O'Reilly's Independent News and Media left off in attempting to deride Sinn Féin and marginalise the party's voters. Free article

Sinn Féin TD Caoimhghin Ó Caoláin has welcomed the decision of the Cabinet on Wednesday to apply for official working status for the Irish language in the EU. Free article

Newly elected Sinn Féin councillors in East Cork, Cobh, Middleton, Fermoy and Mallow are promoting party resolution calling on their councils to appoint full-time youth officers to develop youth facilities in their towns. "We thought it more effective if we all raised the issue together in the separate town councils," says Frank O'Neill, a Sinn Féin activist in East Cork. Free article

Martin Christie announced yesterday evening that he will resign his Sinn Féin seat on Fingal County Council at the request of the party's Ard Chomhairle. Free article

A British soldier who had been questioned about a possible internal breach of security at Castlereagh PSNI Barracks in East Belfast was released without charge on Monday 12 July. The investigation into the incident, believed to have happened last week, is concentrating on the part of the building used by the British Army's undercover squads. Free article

Charlie Ferris stood alongside Paul Hogan at the republican memorial plot in the small village of Cappagh on Tuesday evening 13 July. Both were attending the annual Tyrone Volunteers Commemoration parade and had gathered with hundreds of republicans who braved the rain to take part in the march from nearby Galbally. Free article

• Dáithí Mac an Bhaird, Martin Kenny, Pairic Fallon and Kathryn Reilly are pictured in the Lá Nua offices in Ballinamore, Co Leitrim, after a draw to raise funds for the Northwest EU election campaign. The framed Celtic jersey, signed by the team, was donated by Castlerea political prisoner Pearse McCauley. The winners of the draw were: 1st prize, framed Celtic jersey - Paul Hurson, Co Clare; 2nd prize, hand-carved harp - Gerry Hartigan, Co Limerick; 3rd prize, leather wallet - Kevin Brady, Co. Cavan. Free article