PARENTAL neglect of children ranks among the most heinous of crimes. Yet, in the notorious Roscommon childcare case it is matched by the abject failure of an agency of the state to intervene in time to protect the rights of the six children.

DESPITE the great delay in bringing even one of those responsible for our economic collapse to book, and despite the almost laughable fact that the Moriarty Tribunal resumed its public hearings yesterday 13 years and €200 million after it began its investigations, Transparency International has reported that Ireland is amongst the least corrupt countries in the world.

THERE may be nothing new under the sun but that does not mean we are aware of everything that, like ourselves, lives under the sun.

OUR history has many patterns but one of the most obvious and disheartening is the time-honoured scourge of violent minorities refusing to accept decisions reached by the most democratic and inclusive processes.

THE Moriarty Tribunal resumes public hearings today, 13 years after it was established.

AS the cabinet gathers at Farmleigh today to continue Budget 2011 preparations, it matters little that Fianna Fáil’s rating is at an all-time low.

OVER recent years we have made spectacular progress in making our roads safer.

THE outrage, the sense of being utterly betrayed and powerless in the face of economic collapse entitles most of us to consider taking a leaf from the French unions’ handbook of conflict resolution.

IF it’s true, and it must be, that all work and no play makes Johnny a dull boy, then it must also be true that nothing but misery and complaint, disappointment and denial make Johnny tedious and dispiriting company.

FIFTEEN miles northwest of the French town of Limoges stands one of Europe’s most articulate and challenging war memorials.