In HER third annual report published yesterday Ombudsman for Children Emily Logan highlighted her difficulties in hearing complaints from young offenders in certain detention centres, especially St Patrick’s Institute.

Twenty years ago last week scientist James Hansen was the first person to recognise and highlight the phenomenon of global warming.

IT HAS been a considerable number of years since the national pay talks took place in an atmosphere of such distrust and division.

THE news that the Department of the Environment has appointed consultants to carry out an immediate risk assessment of the Irish Steel site is welcome, though it is difficult to understand why such expertise is not available within the department.

The Money and Budgeting Service (MABS) has experienced a huge upswing in the number of people with mortgages seeking financial advice in the first half of this year.

Five young people who became homeless in Cork city were abused while in care. The abuse ranged from physical to emotional and even sexual abuse in one instance, according to a report compiled by child welfare experts.

THOUGH they have never been out of the limelight for long two of the world’s most influential individuals will be the focus of more than usual attention over the next few days.

IN THESE recessionary times it is reassuring to know that certain projects are still treated with the generosity they deserve.

ENVIRONMENT Minister John Gormley yesterday afternoon suggested that this paper was being used by individuals who, he expects, will be involved in a court action with his department over contracts to clean the badly contaminated Irish Steel plant site at Haulbowline in Cork Harbour.

US PRESIDENT George W Bush yesterday said he will lift sanctions against North Korea, a remarkable turnaround towards the regime he once branded as part of an “axis of evil”.