IT is not easy to convey to those who did not live through those years the impact the Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem had on Irish culture.

ANY negotiations leading to do-or-die decisions will be characterised by leak and counter leak, by kite flying and brinkmanship of the most imaginative and undermining kind. Some represent realistic proposals, others are toe-in-the-water long shots to distract or provoke.

THE Institute of Public Health in Ireland (IPH) yesterday warned that a growing number of people face the prospect of fuel poverty.

Calling off the one-day strike scheduled for today was a welcome development, but there must be no more procrastination in tackling the vital issues involved. Nobody wants to see people made unemployed, but we have to be realistic. The public sector has to be the right size for us as a nation.

Archbishop Dermot Clifford, the Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Cloyne, apologised to the Revenue Commissioners for the “unacceptable” comments made by Fr Tadhg O’Donovan, who reportedly categorised Revenue officials as inconsiderate and inhumane, and added that they were “the biggest showers of bastards on the planet”.

ANY premature death is tragic. It is doubly so if the death might have been prevented.

THE decision to ban clauses in business leases which provide for upward-only rent reviews is welcome.

THERE is a recurring theme running through the broken relationships that have done so much to undermine this society.

SWITZERLAND has banned minarets on new mosques.

WHILE the performance of the Archbishop of Dublin Diarmaid Martin following the publication of the Murphy report was impressive, his interview on RTÉ yesterday left much to be desired, but this may well reflect a failing within the Church itself.