THE two-day Global Irish Economic Forum in Dublin Castle will undoubtedly have some positive results though how concrete and immediate they might be remains to be seen.

STEVE JOBS, the great, if not the greatest, American hero of the age has died.

THERE are no winners in the dispute between Offaly farmer Teresa Treacy and the ESB and Eirgrid.

CYNICAL is the only word to describe the Health Service Executive strategy of telling social workers, consultants and other frontline personnel they have been successful at job interviews but then not proceeding to sign their employment contracts.

WHILE welcoming the tiny glimmer of light at the end of a depressingly long dole queue, it should be greeted with a measure of caution.

IN the grand plan of things the Cycle to Work Scheme can hardly be described as world changing but in its own small, quiet, effective way it has been revolutionary and eye-opening.

HOW refreshing it is to have even one positive forecast to consider.

PEOPLE are more aware than ever before about managing and taking responsibility for their health and wellbeing.

WOMEN and their children are almost invariably but not exclusively the victims of domestic violence.

THE phoney war over the presidency has finally — and thankfully — ended. In a little over three weeks’ time President Mary McAleese’s successor will be elected.