The result of tomorrow’s election in Greece could make this a particularly momentous weekend for the eurozone, the rest of the EU and the world economy in general.

The briefest consideration of two events yesterday may not be the perfect way to illustrate how people in the same society exist in parallel universes, but it is better than most.

It has, unfortunately, been too easy to be critical of the Catholic Church and its works over recent years.

In an organisation whose members daily operate at the coalface of criminality, often risking their own lives to maintain public order, complaints against gardaí are as inevitable as the incessant rainfall of a country that has seen more than its share of violence and illegal activities in recent years.

Unlike their counterparts in other working democracies, Irish politicians have an abysmal record of not falling on their swords. That was never more evident than in the controversy surrounding Independent Wexford TD Mick Wallace.

It seems inevitable that taxes will rise and welfare benefits will be cut if we are to meet our bailout obligations in the timeframe agreed by the Government and our paymasters.

It might require a leap of faith to accept that the findings of the Department of the Environment review of the planning systems at seven local authorities found no evidence of corruption or criminality, but if you consider how we use words it may be easier.

Deputy Mick Wallace was expected to make a statement to the Dáil yesterday about his tax-dodging and maybe his multi-million euro failed loans, but yesterday’s decision by Ceann Comhairle Seán Barrett ruling out any such mea maxima culpa matinee precluded that enthralling possibility.

If the recession cloud has any silver lining, then it is that excesses once commonplace have been curtailed.

The eight days of the 50th Eucharistic Congress opened in Dublin yesterday.