A PRETTY simple analysis of yesterday’s Exchequer data can only add to the growing feeling many of the election promises are now unaffordable. Income tax and VAT figures did not reach target figures in March but another surge in corporate tax payments brought the overall monthly return ahead of target. New figures also point to health overspending in March.

The flag-waving and cheers of recent days provoked all the usual debates about 1916, confirming once again, as if it needed to be, that we all cling to our particular beliefs certain in the knowledge that our view is the correct one and that any other need not be countenanced.

A GOVERNMENT is usually formed before we are told the State’s coffers are bare and that election promises honourably made cannot, unfortunately, be delivered. 

EVEN though we all know we face huge social and health problems because of soaring obesity rates, we seem unable to tackle the crisis in a meaningful way.

AS the Fine Gael party continues to woo independent TDs in the hope of slipping a marriage ring on their collective fingers with a view to forming a new government, a major psychological logjam has finally been broken following an assurance from Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin that he and Taoiseach Enda Kenny will hold talks after next Wednesday when the Dáil returns to vote on nominations for taoiseach.