TAOISEACH Brian Cowen has been critical of the “pervasive negativity” that has come to shape public discourse. This “pervasive negativity” is, regrettably, as unavoidable as it is unhealthy.

IT is incredible in a country that purports to be a modern democracy that a member of a political party has to take the Government to court to do something as basic, something as mundane as hold an election.

For anyone to think that a son or daughter returning home from abroad to look after an infirm parent is engaging in a form of welfare tourism is not only absurd and insulting but also dangerous.

Neighbourliness can help your health, according to the latest scientific evidence.

THE idea that State assets, built up over generations to protect and enrich the lives of every citizen, might be sold off to repay international creditors has slipped onto the public agenda without debate or mandate.

FINE GAEL are right to reiterate concerns about the inordinate delays in the Anglo Irish investigation.

IT was inevitable that yesterday’s announcement of a six-year revised capital investment programme would have to take the “pace and depth” of changes in our economy into consideration.

RECOGNITION for an individual’s achievements is always welcome.

DESPITE increasingly dire predictions about water shortages along the east coast, especially in Dublin, there seems to be insufficient public appetite to change our wasteful and unsustainable habits.

IT was always unlikely that the Green Party proposal for an elected lord mayor for Dublin would come to fruition this year.