ONE of the silly habits we indulge in instead of real, game-changing, reforming action is the cynical idea that making rules to try to prevent some sort of behaviour, or more likely misbehaviour, resolves whatever problem the solution is aimed at.

EUROPEAN courts have been a force for good in this society.

JUST as a person whose glass is premanently half empty can drain the sunshine out of a room, just as they can turn a happy moment into one of doubt and anxiety, an optimistic, sunny person — and few of us have any choice about which we are — can lift those around them and find the silver lining in even the darkest, gloomiest cloud. Optimism and pessimism can be infective.

FIRST it was no smoking in the workplace, genuinely thanks to ex-minister Micheál Martin. Then it was no smoking in a vehicle carrying a child passenger , thanks to minister James Reilly. And next, believe it or not, it could be no smoking at home in the presence of pets like cats and dogs.

Thirteen years ago, when he became leader of Fine Gael, Enda Kenny was derided as an inarticulate, rosy-cheeked culchie who would crumble under the pressure of political leadership.