Events from the year 1999 in Ireland. Incumbents President: Mary McAleese Taoiseach: Bertie Ahern (FF) Tánaiste: Mary Harney (PD) Minister for Finance: Charlie McCreevy (FF) Chief Justice: Liam Hamilton Dáil: 28th Seanad: 21st Events 4 January – The euro made its debut on European financial markets. 13 January – Derek Hill became the eleventh honorary citizen of Ireland. 5 February – New legislation changed the name of the RSI Number to the Personal Public Service Number and expanded its use. 31 March – The Irish Land Commission was dissolved. April – Senator George Mitchell Peace Bridge opened across the Irish border. 27 April – The States of Fear television series, made by Mary Raftery for RTÉ, began broadcasting. Its revelations of a history of institutional child abuse led to questions being raised in the Dáil, an apology to victims from the Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, and the appointment of a Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse in May. 21 May – Gay Byrne hosted his last Late Late Show after 37 years. 17 June – UEFA punished the Football Association of Ireland with a fine of £25,000 for not fulfilling a Euro 2000 qualifier against Yugoslavia 11 August – Ireland joined the world in watching the last solar eclipse of the millennium. 18 August - President McAleese attended a novena in Knock, County Mayo. 28 August – 80,000 fans saw the Robbie Williams concert at Slane Castle, County Meath. 12 October – Peter Mandelson arrived in Belfast as the new Secretary of State for Northern Ireland. 20 October – President McAleese led tributes to the former Taoiseach Jack Lynch who died aged 82. November – Remaining prohibition orders made under the Censorship of Publications Acts relating to contraception or termination of pregnancy were lifted. 28 November – A bright fireball passed over Leighlinbridge, County Carlow accompanied by detonations. Four stone meteorite fragments totalling 271.4g were found afterwards and classified as ordinary chondrites. 29 November – Ten designated ministers were appointed to the power-sharing Northern Ireland Assembly. 2 December The Irish Government ratified changes to Articles 2 and 3 of the Constitution. Direct rule from Westminster in Northern Ireland ended. Foras na Gaeilge was established as an agency of The North/South Language Body under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement to promote the Irish language throughout the island of Ireland, assuming the roles of Bord na Gaeilge, An Gúm, and An