IT is not coincidental that, over the last two days, Taoiseach Brian Cowen and three senior ministers outlined the threat posed to our independence by borrowing more than €400 million a week.

JOHN KINSELLA was sent to jail for ten years yesterday for trying to smuggling €7m worth of heroin and cocaine into Ireland. Kinsella planned to land a hired jet at a private airport but Dutch police intervened and yesterday’s sentencing was the welcome result.

THIS week we saw, depending on how the dice falls for you, how different life in Ireland can be.

The decision of the Health Service Executive to provide its chief executive, Professor Brendan Drumm, with a bonus of over €70,000 is another breathtaking example of contemptible arrogance.

The chiefs executive of Aer Lingus, Ryanair and Cityjet have joined together in calling on the Government to scrap the €10 travel tax announced in last year’s budget.

THE most powerful trade unionist in the country made an accusation yesterday that, if it is true, means that we are living in a State where Big Brother has assumed total control.

JOHN O’DONOGHUE made a spirited and passionate defence of his position and achievements during his resignation speech in the Dáil yesterday afternoon.

THE Ryan Report was published five months ago.

LAST week President Barack Obama was given the Nobel Peace Prize more for what he might achieve than for what he has done.

AS any uber-loyal member of Fianna Fáil will reassure you our economic crisis is a result of international events.