The Irish Medicines Board has revealed that more than three quarters of a million dosages of fake or illegal medicines were confiscated last year by customs’ officers after they were purchased online or via mail order.

You would not think that a Facebook campaign for Vat reform would excite the public’s imagination but it has — and it is no wonder.

The term ‘hypocrisy’ comes instantly to mind as bodies representing children with disabilities are excluded from a key Government working group that will propose changes in how extra teachers and care staff will be allocated for them at our schools.

Every year for 39 years, Irish men and women of immense courage, remarkable children, unsung heroes and entire groups have been honoured in the People of the Year Awards.

Plans to develop a nationwide network of rural cycling lanes on secondary roads have been put in jeopardy by An Bord Pleanála.

The Vintners’ Federation of Ireland is introducing a scheme to encourage young adults to drink with their parents.

The Taoiseach and Tánaiste unveiled their Dáil reform plans yesterday. Henceforth, as a preliminary to the drafting legislation, the public will be allowed a say. Chairmen of committees will be able to call interested parties and recognised authorities in any field to give their views on the need for legislation.

In its biannual report the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) concluded that Ireland is on the verge of being the first EU country to exit the bailout, but it warned that this state needs “to implement policies that will promote sustainable growth and job creation”.

Abrasive, arrogant, and condescending he may well be, but Justice Minister Alan Shatter deserves to be applauded for his initiative in finally laying the foundations of a DNA database to combat crime here.

Despite repeated calls for radical reform of the education system, the Junior Cert exam results confirm that little has changed. With the exception of a growing trend towards higher maths, there is a ‘Groundhog Day’ feeling that learning by rote is still the driving force at the heart of Ireland’s jaded education system.