It is not an exaggeration to say that the country was convulsed in the run up to the passage of the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill through the Oireachtas.

That the very real potential for tragedy was averted when sailing ship Astrid sank at the mouth of Kinsale Harbour on Wednesday shows how very important it is to prepare for nearly any eventuality before going afloat.

The latest report on the incidence of rape, the most heinous of crimes against women, reflects a truly shocking picture of society where sexual violence, including gang rape, is now increasing alarmingly.

From bankers to politicians and developers, our legal system has an inexcusable history of putting justice on the long finger. The collapse of the corruption trial involving businessman Jim Kennedy and three former councillors is the latest example of this national failure.

It is entirely appropriate that Communications Minister Pat Rabbitte should consider whatever conclusions David Cameron, the British prime minister, reaches in his efforts to control online pornography and the impact it has on society, especially immature young people.

Statisticians tell us that around 400,000 people are born every day — about 156,000 die. A statistician is not needed to point out that one particular birth in London on Monday generated a far greater furore than the other 399,999 births put together.

The recent spell of exceptional weather — the weatherman predicts that it has passed — reminded us all of how very precious a resource life-giving and life-sustaining water is.

Even at this time of great difficulty most Greeks will, rightly, react with vehemence when the Parthenon Marbles are mentioned.

The Dáil has barely risen for its summer recess and already the battleground issues for the second half of the Government’s term have been identified.

At least three people drowned in Irish waters this weekend, bringing the death toll since the heat wave began to 10.