In its quarterly economic commentary published today, the Economic and Social Research Institute predicts economic growth should remain strong in this country for the remainder of this year and throughout 2015.

The Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland and the Irish Heart Foundation have released a study which shows that while there have been revolutionary improvements in the treatment of stroke victims in hospital during the last three years, there have been huge deficiencies in their aftercare.

Despite the glowing warmth of Anglo-Irish relations and the atmosphere of genuine friendship enfolding the remarkably successful State visit of President Michael D Higgins to the UK, it would to folly to pretend all is changed utterly.

The public will be exasperated neither Angela Kerins, outgoing head of the Rehab charity, nor ex-CEO Frank Flannery, who retired in 2006, will attend today’s meeting of the Public Accounts Committee.

Yesterday, as the hope that we on these islands might live together without the ghosts of history colouring our every interaction came closer to being a vibrant reality, two vignettes pointed to the complexity of our shared history.

Escalating events in Ukraine are a cause for great concern and have the potential to have a direct impact on our lives, especially if sanctions are imposed on energy-rich Russia.

As the European and local elections draw nearer, and as the anticipated summer Cabinet reshuffle approaches, political managers are taking stock of their objectives and how they might realise those ambitions.

The last months have not been good for our police. An Garda Síochána has seen its reputation damaged profoundly and as further details about illegal phone tapping emerge, that is likely to continue.

Living under suspicion

The latest revelations in the Ian Bailey case are so very mind boggling that they defy even the purple prose of the penny dreadfuls.