Though the details of Budget 2014 will not be announced until October battle lines are already well drawn and entirely predictable.

It will not come as a surprise to anyone lucky enough to know one that gardeners are generally happier than non-gardeners and less susceptible to depression.

Optimism is probably one of the most precious, mercurial human characteristics.

In recent years certainties once absolute and unquestioned have been exposed one after the other. Citadels have fallen and reputations lost almost irretrievably.

Events of recent days have shown that we have a distance to go before mastering the art of conflict resolution. That does not mean that anyone south of the border who remembers the horrors ignited by sectarianism, appalling bigotry and unfettered hatred will look north today without feeling bewildered and concerned.

Irrespective of the issue involved, the notion of the Dáil sitting until five o’clock in the morning to deal with peacetime legislation seems utterly bizarre and dysfunctional.

With relations between the Government and the country’s doctors already strained, yesterday’s move by GPs to withdraw from primary care teams and other work not covered by the medical card contract has effectively set both sides on a head-on collision course.

The latest report on protecting children in Ireland is wide-ranging, authoritative and warrants urgent action by Government.

This evening the 166 members of the 31st Dáil will vote on the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill.

In the recent past, when abuses inflicted on children were uncovered, we were outraged and ashamed. Many of us still are but many of us took comfort in the deceit that we did not know such abuse was so prevalent.