WE had yesterday a very worrying glimpse of how some very powerful groups have not yet accepted the great and pressing challenges facing the viability of this society.

AS we begin the process of changing the Catholic church’s near monopoly in primary school management the increasingly incendiary relationship between religious extremism and secular government was highlighted in France again yesterday.

AN exchange — it would be delusional to call them negotiations — will begin this morning between our Government and the EU/IMF on reversing cuts to our minimum wage, reducing the lowest VAT rate and changing tax arrangements for first-time house buyers to help them cope with the tsunami threatening their financial security.

EVERY time there’s a meeting between a Government representative and an American president the tragic issue of undocumented — illegal by any other name — Irish people in America is raised.

TOMORROW night the lives of just under 4.5 million people who live in the Republic will be statistically defined by the answers submitted through a 24-page census form.

THE prospect of a June reduction in the interest rates — possibly backdated — charged by the EU/IMF for our bailout billions is very welcome.

THE evidence of the obesity epidemic is all around us. Already one fifth of children are obese or overweight.

THE unity and powerful symbolism at Constable Ronan Kerr’s funeral in Beragh, Co Tyrone, yesterday were as profound as the deep sense of grief and purpose on show was real and impressive.

EDUCATION Minister Ruairí Quinn has challenged Catholicism’s traditional place in education by suggesting that at least half of the schools under the control of local Catholic clergy be transferred to other patrons.