THE start of a new year is a time to take stock, assess how things stand, and to examine how some items can be improved.

When can we get on with simply living with Covid, rather than living in fear of whatever threat new variants will throw at us?

From a high of 37% to just 20% in the polls now, Fine Gael's stock has plummeted in recent years and the picture is looking bleaker than ever

A succession of opinion polls in recent months have placed Sinn Féin as the most popular party in Ireland. However, the path to power is far from straightforward, writes Daniel McConnell.

Better answers are required of our leaders, who are seeking to impose restrictions on our free movement until the spring

With both politicians under increasing pressure, the tolerance of Micheál Martin and Leo Varadkar  for Eamon Ryan may soon run out, writes Political Editor Daniel McConnell

Unhappy at being “misled” by Government figures over the lack of inclusion of Cork East projects in the National Development Plan, James O’Connor let rip on his local radio station

Far too often in the past, where clear instances of failure by public officials were identified, the blame fell on the system as opposed to individuals who escaped any sanction - or dare I say it the sack, writes Daniel McConnell.

The Government would do well to remember the silent majority of people who want to see their taxes well spent, punishment for those who do wrong, and fairness in how we treat our most vulnerable and needy

Despite becoming the largest party in the Dáil, Sinn Féin this week had all the appearance of a noisy perpetual opposition