Taoiseach Enda Kenny’s intimation that former residents of the Bethany Homes and Summerhill Training Centre may also be included in a redress scheme, much like that for the Magdalene women, will be applauded.

The apology issued on behalf of all of us by Taoiseach Enda Kenny in the Dáil last evening, to women who were held in one of the 10 Magdalene Laundries between 1922 and 1996, was inevitable and overdue.

The Press Council yesterday issued an unprecedented statement asserting its independence and effectiveness.

Speaking in Limerick last week, Brendan Howlin, the public expenditure and reform minister, said that 70 public or semi-State bodies, including An Garda Síochána and Nama, will be covered by revised Freedom of Information legislation under preparation.

The battle against childhood obesity intensified yesterday when Britain’s Academy of Medical Royal Colleges, which represents nearly every one of Britain’s 220,000 doctors, demanded action on what it calls “the greatest public health crisis affecting the UK”.

If each of us stepped away, even for a few moments, from our tribal, almost genetic, political or trade union loyalties, and considered two issues objectively, we might have to ask questions that would, if we could sustain that novel level of detachment, have chastening answers.

Anyone unfortunate enough to find themselves living next to disruptive, noisy, or aggressive neighbours — or their out-of-control animals — will welcome legislation designed to make it easier to have anti-social tenants removed.

It is not overstating the case to argue that talks around the possibility of a renewed Croke Park deal are as important to the country’s future as the bank debt deal secured in recent weeks.

One of the assumptions of modern life is that there will always be something in the supermarket freezer.

Millions of people around the developed world died horribly and prematurely because for too long we pretended tobacco smoking was not the toxic killer we now know it to be. Tens of thousands of those people died in Ireland.