ROBERT MUGABE’S dictatorship is in its 27th year and, in a country where inflation stood at 6,592.8% year-on year in August, tens of thousands of people are in life-threatening situations.

The latest report on education from the OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) contains some interesting findings in relation to the performance of this country. The Irish school completion rate has improved dramatically in five years. People were long decrying the drop-out rate in secondary education.

In contrast with this country’s performance in education, in which we have been spending comparatively less, the country’s performance in health, with more money, has been dismal. In 2005 the national radiotherapy plan was launched with the target date of 2011.

DESPITE all the high-level assurances about the security of their funds it is not difficult to have sympathy with the fretful people queuing outside Northern Rock branches.

THE huge increase in the HSE’s drug bill — jumping from €332 million in 1997 to €1.6 billion last year — is staggering and unsustainable.

ONE of the great expenses, both environmental and financial, of our time is private transport. Soaring parking costs in our cities and towns are adding to an already heavy burden.

TODAY we tell the story of story of Frank and Norma Mulcahy and their son Rory who has Aspergers.

WHEN mobile phones were introduced 20 years ago they were about the size of one of Paul O’Connell’s rugby boots and weighed nearly as much as the man himself. The ones with the foot-and-a-half long aerials were just as dangerous.

IT WOULD be easy but hypocritical to cheer too loudly for Dr John Hillery, a former head of the Medical Council who has accused doctors of putting their own interests before those of their patients.

THIS is a great day for arts education in Ireland.