TWO of the great, heartrending yet uplifting, public displays of emotional honesty in recent years were John McCarthy’s radio interview after his five-year ordeal as a hostage in the Lebanon came to an end and Nuala O Faolain describing her feelings about her impending death. After Monday night’s performance by politician Michael Noonan, we can add a third name to that list.

IT is difficult to respond to the Israeli murder of at least 10 peace protestors – or provocateurs as Israel would have us believe – in terms that will not inflame an already very dangerous situation.

JUST because they have been having expenses scandals in Britain does not mean we should have similar scandals in this country.

Last week, hours before the release of official figures showing that 37 children had died in state care in the past 10 years, senior officials – including Health Minister Mary Harney – were confidently predicting that the previous HSE figure of 23 would be confirmed.

ONE of our great failures is that our health system does not treat us all equally.

JUST as it is increasingly difficult to understand why anyone would smoke, much less begin smoking, it is hard to understand why anyone would jeopardise their own, and other road users’, safety by driving without a seatbelt or while using a mobile phone.

IT is not too hard to feel a sense of injustice, even anger, at remarks made by Financial Regulator Matthew Elderfield when he insisted that the principle of moral hazard must apply to mortgage holders.

IF our current difficulties have taught us anything it is that the Irish may be culturally incapable of self regulation. A whole range of professions and vocations have shown that protecting self interest comes much more easily than serving the greater good.

In its latest report, the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland finds that Ireland is rapidly becoming a world leader in the provision of wind energy for electricity generation.

The cancer rate in the area around Haulbowline is 44% higher than the norm for the rest of the country, but Health Minister Mary Harney has announced that it is not intended “to conduct a baseline health survey for the Cork harbour regions”.