There have been some complaints that the visit of Queen Elizabeth II was not necessary at this time, and some people have cited the cost of providing security as justification for their opposition.

It is to be profoundly welcomed that cuts to special-needs teaching for more seriously disabled children may now be unnecessary. The Department of Education can let 100 extra teachers be employed in this area.

THE public has every right to be furious over the lack of stringent regulation in vital aspects of life in this country, ranging from the shambles of financial control to taxi crime.

It is just three months shy of the 190th anniversary of the visit of George IV, who was the first British monarch to come to this country without an accompanying army. Queen Elizabeth II will arrive today, accompanied by an army of media.

CRONYISM, the political nod-and-wink, and membership of quangos go hand in glove and have long been at the heart of Irish politics.

THERE is an inescapable cogency behind the logic of Fr Sean Healy, co-author of the annual socio-economic review of Social Justice Ireland, who argues that Government is wrongly targeting poor people.

Pop duo Jedward are two very young men, twins, whose infectious enthusiasm has helped to make them fabulously successful. They have not only qualified for the final of tonight’s Eurovision Song Contest, but have established themselves among the favourites to win the competition.

THE Irish Bankers’ Federation was absolutely right when it described as “emotive” the claim by the Master of the High Court Edmund Honohan that banks were driving debt-ridden borrowers to suicide.