Although it is worth remembering too that none of the mainstream parties in Dublin would be likely to enter coalition talks with Sinn Fein until the IRA decommissions its weapons - a strange reflection of the problem the party faces North of the Irish border.

BBC: Sinn Fein in the spotlight

It was broadly welcomed across the political spectrum, with Czech Conservative MEP Milan Cabrnoch saying it puts "the patient on the same level as the doctor", and Irish Labour MEP Nessa Childers claiming the directive could help tackle the problem of fake and fraudulent medicines.

BBC: New law to report adverse effects of medicines

Also missing is the potential problem of exposure to small local banks with Greek, Irish and Portuguese debt.

FORBES: International Investing