THE haughty arrogance of Jean Claude Trichet, who last week snubbed Ireland’s banking inquiry and insisted that Oireachtas members attend upon him at his venue of choice, is trumped only by his gross insensitivity to the memory of the former finance minister, the late Brian Lenihan.

THE head of the Catholic Church in Ireland has given the strongest indication yet that the hierarchy may order dioceses to cease facilitating civil wedding ceremonies if this month’s referendum on marriage equality is carried.

IT IS, in many respects, a frightening thought that the so-called border with the North no longer exists. 

RADICAL moves by the normally conservative Irish Postmasters’ Union to field candidates in the general election has sent a salvo across Coalition bows in a battle to save rural Ireland where the fabric of society is being systematically dismantled by the policies of an administration out-of-touch with the harsh realities of life for most people.

IT is alarming that 10 prisoners, who were transferred to Irish jails while serving lengthy sentences in Britain, have had to be released from prison during the last six months because of a serious loophole in the law.

THE dangers that can arise if children are given unbridled access to go online may be well known, but the risk of 10-year-olds unwittingly engaging in cyber-bullying is not so apparent.

AFTER the chaos inflicted on the public by this week’s bus strike, it is imperative that five more days of mayhem do not happen. 

IT could be said of Central Bank governor Patrick Honohan, who, surprisingly, will quit the job by the end of the year, that he has done the State some service.

IT seems the so-called spin doctors of Fine Gael have made a mess of things again, this time by cocking up the selection of candidates for the next general election at the Dublin Bay North convention. 

SIGNS we are on a sustainable economic growth path was confirmed by Enterprise Ireland yesterday when it revealed exports by Irish-owned companies increased by 10% last year, reaching a record high value of €18.6bn, up from €13.9bn in 2010.