Events from the year 2006 in Ireland. Incumbents President: Mary McAleese Taoiseach: Bertie Ahern (FF) Tánaiste: Mary Harney (PD) (until 13 September 2006) Michael McDowell (PD) (from 13 September 2006) Minister for Finance: Brian Cowen (FF) Chief Justice: John L. Murray Dáil: 29th Seanad: 22nd Events January – A gay Gorey town councillor was targeted by a vicious hate campaign which outed him in a local newspaper. 9 January – Steve Staunton was appointed the new manager of the Ireland football team, to be mentored by Bobby Robson as International Football Consultantant. 17 January – The Gaelic Athletic Association, Football Association of Ireland and Irish Rugby Football Union announced that a deal had been reached which would allow association football and rugby to be played in Croke Park. 30 January – Postal workers entered a 20-day wildcat strike disrupting most of Belfast's delivery service 25 February – Rioting occurred in Dublin as Republican protestors condemned the right for a "Love Ulster" (Unionist) parade in the city. 11 March – The last competitive rugby international took place at the oldest rugby venue in the world, Lansdowne Road, after 128 years of use, before the ground was redeveloped. 17 March – Over 400,000 people took to the streets of Dublin to celebrate Saint Patrick's Day as part of the world's largest Saint Patrick's Day Festival. 16 April – Up to 120,000 people lined the streets of Dublin to mark the 90th anniversary of the 1916 Easter Rising. 23 April – The 2006 census took place in Ireland. 26 April – Prince Philip of the United Kingdom met President Mary McAleese and Taoiseach Bertie Ahern on a visit to Dublin. 15 May – The members of the Northern Ireland Assembly were recalled 3½ years after the assembly was suspended, with a view to electing an executive, and having the suspension lifted 21 May – Armed Gardaí forcibly removed 30 Afghan refugees who had sought sanctuary in Saint Patrick's Cathedral in Dublin after a one-week hunger-strike 22 May – Belfast City airport was renamed George Best Belfast City Airport on what would have been his 60th birthday. 24 May – Prime Minister of Australia John Howard formally addressed Dáil Éireann. 16 June – The state funeral of the former Taoiseach Charles Haughey took place in Dublin. 18 June – The Government announced plans to spend €3.8 billion on scientific research over seven years to