After the very costly computer systems fiascoes involving e-voting and PPARS (the payroll and human resource system for the health service), and the controversial garda PULSE system (used to record offences), the latest one to be exposed concerns the Personal Public Service (PPS) numbers.

For most young people who sat this year’s Leaving Certificate, the race to get enough points for their chosen subject is practically over.

The silence from Garda Commissioner Noel Conroy after the unprecedented condemnation of the force contained in the three most recent Morris Tribunal reports is simply astounding, if not unsettling.

The past decade has seen a frightening increase in the incidence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and frolicking in sun resorts is a major contributory factor, according to a leading hospital consultant.

IN light of the unrelenting savaging which the Garda Siochána received from the Morris Tribunal into garda corruption, any assurance from Justice Minister Michael McDowell that there would be no toleration of such appalling behaviour is worthless.

IT is no coincidence that a national meeting of taxi drivers voted unanimously that their next stoppage will impinge on the very prestigious Ryder Cup golf event, which will be held in this country for the first time.

TODAY some 51,000 former pupils will wake up to realise that this is the first day in a new stage of their lives. They have finished secondary school and must make some momentous decisions about their future.

OUT of the 400 crèches inspected by the Health Service Executive (HSE) in the Cork and Kerry area, only 10% were found to meet the full requirements. Another 5% were found to have some minor breaches, but the other 85% had a catalogue of violations.

THE extraordinary delays in investigating complaints of child abuse, up to 60% outstanding, must give rise to concern that inefficiency in some Health Services Executive (HSE) areas is contributing to that abuse.

FOR about 55,000 young people, today will bring a certain amount of understandable trepidation when the Leaving Certificate results become available.