THE Health Service Executive (HSE) were, for a very welcome change, able to share some good news with us yesterday.

It is now five years since the introduction of the smoking ban in the workplace. While this has undoubtedly contributed to a decline in the pub culture, the ban is being hailed internationally as a progressive piece of legislation that is being copied in other countries.

There is widespread recognition that the forthcoming budget will be harsh, because of the extent of the reversal of the economy. It is costing €55 billion annually to run the country, but the Revenue is only raising €34 billion.

HEAVY indeed is the head that wears the crown and there’s no sign that the load will get any lighter any time soon — for the head wearing the crown or the rest of us.

History tells us that man was not beyond considering events in nature as signals from a higher power, especially when things are bleak, that this force has intervened on our behalf and that the good times are about to return.

ANOTHER example of the recklessness that has got us to where we are came to light yesterday when it was revealed that Britain’s Serious Fraud Squad are investigating a possible loan swindle that may have cost Allied Irish Banks €60 million.

The new report on teenage mental health, published by Headstrong — the National Centre for Youth Mental Health — makes disturbing reading.

IS it too much to hope that we’ve had a Ben Dunne moment? Is it too much to hope that former internal auditor in AIB Eugene McErlean’s allegations to the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Economic and Regulatory Affairs yesterday will have the same effect as the unintended consequences Ben Dunne’s throwaway remarks about political funding had all those years ago?

THE Health Service Executive’s cash problems have been well aired but until services are cut and someone is left to fend for themselves the debate remains academic.It is no longer academic for the older people who, as the HSE has admitted, will have to make do without the help of a home support worker.

LAST month’s unemployment figures showed an increase of 87% over February 2008.