THOUGH protests over education cuts and the spiralling and deeply worrying chaos in the world’s markets will vie for top billing on this week’s news agenda other significant issues still demand our attention and resources.

RYANAIR chief executive Michael O’Leary is one of Ireland’s most successful businessmen and one of the very few truly successful airline bosses in the world today.

THE euphoria Fine Gael must have felt at first sight of the weekend poll that gave them a historic seven-point lead over Fianna Fáil could only have been momentary.

NOBODY can be surprised that, as our economy collapses, the usual voices are advocating that we sell off the family silver by privatising national assets.

IN LESS than two weeks the world will know who is to be the next president of the United States, though it seems improbable that Barrack Obama will not be named as the chosen one.

THE October bank holiday weekend has been marred by tragedy on our roads far too many times.

JUST two days ago 25,000 people marched in our capital, some protesting at the plan to take medical cards from people over 70.

THE decision by the Director of Public Prosecutions to explain, where possible, to the next-of-kin of victims of fatal offences why prosecutions may not be taken or discontinued is entirely welcome.

IT MIGHT be stretching it just a little to suggest that the crowd of protesters — estimates vary between 12,000 and 15,000 — who protested outside the gates of Leinster House yesterday laid siege to our parliament.

THE past week has shown what can happen when we shake off the apathy and refuse to accept what politicians plan for us.