IN a refreshing sign of change on Ireland’s political landscape, for the first time in years a huge number of the country’s 1.3 million voters are actually hoping that candidates will knock on the door in the course of this general election campaign. They want a chance to vent their anger by giving politicians an earful.

WHEN the National Rehabilitation Hospital was founded half a century ago, few could have anticipated how valuable its services would prove for the nation.

EVEN if President Hosni Mubarak is still in power when the “million man march” planned for today — the eighth day of protest — takes place it is hard to see how very much longer he can cling to office.

AS the VHI imposes 45% premium increases on some of its customers today another semi-state company is to demand more from it customers too. Commuters who use buses or trains face fare increases of up to 10%. This is another unwelcome imposition.

IF yesterday’s Sunday Business Post/Red C poll proves anything it is that far from being the “sophisticated electorate” politicians assure us we are, we are a fickle, tribal, close-minded population who, despite the crisis eating away at this society, does not learn history’s lessons.

IRELAND’S red squirrels face an uncertain future because of the spread of the introduced grey squirrel.

ONE of the most disheartening sights in our country is that of people who should be at school turning their backs to the opportunities offered by education.