NOT for the first time, a simple accounting error has left a big dollop of egg on the face of semi-state bodies.

FIGURES suggesting that over 70% of sexual assaults are not dealt with by the courts should cause us all to pause and wonder why, in a country that imagines itself reasonably progressive, humane and protective of individuals’ rights, this can be so.

WE had yesterday a glimpse of two contrasting Irelands.

EVEN in the best of times a Government whose policies or candidates are endorsed three out of four times of asking by the electorate should be content if not happy.

A SIGNIFICANT milestone for humanity was passed in recent days and it will have consequences for all of us and our children. Now there are more than seven billion of us depending in the food and water this plant can provide.

IT’S almost 40 years since Michael D Higgins became a member of the Oireachtas.

WE ARE being asked to take a leap of faith that many of us will find very difficult. Some will argue — loudly and persistently — that it is so unwise and unfair as to be preposterous.

THOUGH the result of the presidential election and yesterday’s two referenda will say a lot about what kind of a country this is and what kind of values we cherish, there are other ways to define a society.

There is little excuse for eligible voters not fulfilling their democratic duty in casting their ballots today in both the presidential election and the two constitutional referenda. Even for those who might prefer that some other presidential candidate were on the ballot paper today, those voters still have a choice of seven candidates.

An Taoiseach Enda Kenny, Minister for Justice Alan Shatter and Garda Commissioner Martin Callinan had led in paying tributes to Garda Ciaran Jones, 25, who was drowned on Monday evening while alerting motorists to dangerous flooding at Ballysmuttan Bridge, near Manor Kilbride, Co Wicklow.