It is questionable if even the most severe bio-security measures would have prevented the disease threatening Ireland’s ash trees arriving here from continental Europe.

It is hard to describe the situation reported by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland yesterday, where children as young as six months were given soft drinks, chocolate cake and crisps, as anything other than child abuse.

If there were any moderates left on the Gaza Strip at the start of the month there can hardly be any now, but as the conflict escalates the worry must be that things might get much worse.

Any lingering doubts harboured by politicians about the level of popular support for legislation on a limited form of abortion in the Republic will hopefully be removed by the spectacle of thousands of people taking to the streets in memory of Savita Halappanavar.

On a weekend when the victims of road traffic accidents were recalled at World Day of Remembrance events across the country, there could be no more poignant witness than the death of a 65-year-old man following a suspected hit-and-run in Co Galway.

In the few days since Savita Halappenavar’s tragic death came to dominate the news cycle, we have had a glimpse of why this issue is so toxic and so difficult to resolve.

It is one of the many cruelties of war that more brave soldiers are killed in action than their more circumspect comrades.

Yesterday’s announcement that the new 4G network will enable broadband speeds of 180Mbps would be very welcome if it was credible on a nationwide basis.

Enda Kenny is the seventh man to be Taoiseach since a 1983 referendum endorsed an amendment to the Constitution recognising the equal right to life of both mother and child.

Medical aspects surrounding the death of Savita Halappanavar at Galway University Hospital on Oct 28 are currently being investigated.