If our children are our future, we could be in real trouble unless we face up to some unpalatable facts. More than a quarter of Irish children are now overweight or obese, double the figure of 15 years ago.

Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald spoke this week before the United Nations Human Rights Committee in Geneva about the "dreadful situation of the survivors of symphysiotomy".

Hopefully, a light will be shone into a dark chapter of Ireland’s past following Judge Yvonne Murphy’s appointment to chair the Commission of Investigation into Church-run mother-and-baby homes.

Ever since Live at the Marquee was born in Cork in 2005, hundreds of thousands of happy fans have been entertained during this hugely enjoyable event.

Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald spoke this week before the United Nations Human Rights Committee in Geneva about the "dreadful situation of the survivors of symphysiotomy".

If our children are our future, we could be in real trouble unless we face up to some unpalatable facts. More than a quarter of children are now overweight or obese, which is double the figure of 15 years ago.

It is time people stopped illegally tampering with gas meters and putting pilots’ lives at risk. Both are lunatic-fringe offences.

Given this country’s abysmal record on human rights, it is not surprising that Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald is facing a baptism of fire while a bevy of civil servants are subjected to a barrage of penetrating questions from members of the UN committee on human rights in Geneva.

Given the appalling attitude which officialdom in this country once had towards Irish people who joined the British army, it was heartening to see their memory warmly embraced in yesterday’s National Day of Commemoration, along with that of all Irish men and women who died in wars around the world or on service with the United Nations.

Coming from a Coalition that has presided over the dismantling of vital building blocks in the social fabric of rural Ireland, the Government’s plan to appoint a junior minister for rural affairs smacks of cynicism and may come too late to save a dying population.