IT is very disappointing that the country’s largest second-level teachers’ union, the Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland (ASTI) has rejected proposals on junior cycle reform reached after long and difficult negotiations, negotiations marked by considerable compromise on both sides.

ANYONE who has not seen an angry parent, or even an angry coach lose all self-control at an under-age match — every sport is culpable — and attack the referee, or maybe their child’s coach who may have substituted their little darling or maybe a child on an opposition team, would be astounded at the level of aggression, vitriol and boorishness occasionally seen on sidelines.

THE French government could hardly have chosen a more appropriate day to honour the legendary force of nature behind the National Ploughing Championships, its managing director Anna May McHugh.

THERE are unfortunately far too many times when it is easier to despair of humankind, and our seemingly endless capacity to destroy what is good and beautiful; to plumb new depths of depravity; indeed to threaten our very existence as a species by refusing to act on global warming.

THE announcement that the Web Summit is no longer to be based in Dublin, instead moving to Lisbon next year, is very disappointing though hardly surprising.

EXPRESSING concern about growing, dangerous inequality has become fashionable. 

NEARLY 12,000 Irish people bought a Volkswagen car last year and, in the light of the emissions scandal that has already cost the German car manufacturer €24bn — another €6.5bn has been set aside for initial compensation and penalties — every one of those must wonder if they can rely on the company’s claims and promises about their new cars.

IRISH governments have been trailblazers in the war against tobacco and the terrible toll it takes on those addicted to smoking. They have, admirably, led the international community in introducing bans that make it ever more difficult to be a smoker.

IT IS more than 30 years since Garret FitzGerald gave a commitment to pro-life campaigners to legislate to ban abortion in Ireland. Nearly every government since then has been confronted by the incendiary issue and the divisive legacy of that FitzGerald promise, one he must have often regretted making. 

SHOULD Environment Minister Alan Kelly bring proposals to advance the merger of Cork city and county councils to cabinet today, he will exacerbate a difficult and dangerously divided situation. Such a proposal would be premature and a slight to the idea of local democracy or accountability.