WHETHER towns without councils realise it or not, they frequently have a major advantage over larger neighbouring towns, which are handicapped by local councillors engaging in political posturing without regard for efficiency or the communities’ needs.

IT MUST be heart-rending for volunteers manning the Childline telephone service, run by the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, to take a call from a distressed child saying that Santa Claus has not come, because this is usually an indication that parents are misusing drink or illegal drugs.

Sinn Féin has within its gift the clout to make considerable progress in the peace process if the meeting of the national executive called for this weekend by president Gerry Adams, as expected, is satisfied over the controversial issue of policing.

It would be disingenuous, especially at this time of year, to suggest that it was other than a slip of the tongue when Minister of State Noel Ahern attributed Sweden’s successful policy on homelessness to its exceptionally cold weather.

RELATIONS between the judicial and legislative arms of State have reached a low ebb following yesterday’s broadside from the Court of Criminal Appeal in response to Justice Minister Michael McDowell’s recent allegation that judges were soft on crime.

THE downside of Ireland’s growing affluence is reflected in harrowing figures showing that more than 800 people contacted the Samaritans every day last year.

What was described only a month ago by Transport Minister Martin Cullen as a “radical” plan, Transport 21 has become a “seriously flawed document” in the words of one of the country’s leading economists.

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern’s expression of regret at practices within Fianna Fáil, including his signing of blank cheques for the late Charles Haughey, can at best be described as startling understatement.

THAT former Taoiseach Charles J Haughey was a corrupting presence at the heart of the body politic is a long-established fact, but the true extent of his debasing influence has finally come to light in the damning first report of the Moriarty Tribunal.

AS violent criminals continue to plague society, the measures unveiled by Tánaiste Michael McDowell to tackle organised crime signifies that the Government has finally acknowledged that the country is in crisis.