One of our less endearing qualities is our proclivity to relish downfall rather than celebrate success — we can be terrible, natural begrudgers.

With the wealth of nations, and indeed their debts, estimated nowadays in billions as opposed to mere millions, there is a danger that a tangible aspect of Ireland’s trade mission to China in securing contracts worth €35m could be dismissed as ‘small beer’.

An alarming picture of teenagers in the grip of pornography, as depicted by the Rape Crisis Centre, underlines the urgent need for the introduction of radical new sex education programmes in our schools.

The chaos around the reintroduction of a household charge does not auger well for one of the most important projects faced by any Irish Government in decades.

We have an unenviable record in supporting victims of sex attacks who wish to see their assailants charged and brought to court.

The courage needed by Thomas Gilmartin and the others who stood up to corrupt Fianna Fáil politicians was altogether exceptional.

Though it would be wonderful if Ireland could write off its bank debts, it is unlikely that the announcement of any such deal would be greeted as enthusiastically as yesterday’s news that chocolate is good for you.

In the first act of Shakespeare’s Macbeth, the execution of Thane of Cawdor is described to King Duncan:

Taoiseach Enda Kenny has begun a four-day visit to China in an effort to boost exports, attract investment and Chinese tourists to Ireland.

The reaction to the seismic Mahon Report focussed on the villains of the piece — Ahern, Flynn, Lawlor, Burke and O’Callaghan — and their supporting cast.