THE credibility of the Government, the gardaí, the justice system, all our high-minded campaigns against drink driving and the process through which we organise our society have all endured another unwarranted, unnecessary humiliation.

AS the pay talks battle lines are drawn and unemployment figures climb with unnerving speed soaring back-to-school costs are putting pressure on strained family budgets.

TODAY we report on how the inefficient management of two minor areas of Health Service Executive (HSE) finances cost the organisation nearly €20 million a year.

SOARING oil costs and the God of Competition are conspiring to make life difficult for the country’s regional airports, especially Shannon.

THE pay talks finally collapsed at about 4am on Saturday morning. For the first time in more than 20 years, since the economic nightmare of the 1980s, there is no pay agreement in place.

THE amount of bad debts is a measure of any economic downturn. These have almost doubled in this country in the past five years, and they are likely to increase by another 30% to more than €250 million in the next 12 months.

THE Moriarty and Mahon tribunals began what should be their last summer break earlier this week.

HOMEOWNERS and farmers all along the Blackwater are once again counting the cost of flood damage to property and crops.

IN THE past two days three reports were published, each of which challenges our commitment to protective, humane and user-friendly childcare.

JUST as the Kerry captain Paul Galvin’s suspension saga was finally resolved, the GAA needed another furore about discipline like a hole in the head but, like it or not, it seems that they have one.