Columns - Irish Examiner

Editorial

Left running - Issue of water charges

IRISH WATER continues to be — at least politically — the most toxic public utility in Ireland, creating more division and more angst than any other service, the health service included. It still has the ability to make or break governments and politicians of all hues have been anxious to put the issue to bed, once and for all.

Thu, 01 Dec, 2016

State’s role must reflect Ireland as it is - Pope Francis to visit in 2018

AS the 1932 Eucharistic Congress, held to mark the 1,500th anniversary of St Patrick’s arrival on this island, fades from living memory, that celebration can only be judged as an historical event.

Wed, 30 Nov, 2016

These tax laws are immoral - €1,900 bill on €77m profit

THOSE who benefitted from the immoral tax laws which allowed the vulture fund that bought Nama’s NI €1.6bn loans to pay less than €1,900 in tax on a €77m profit are laughing all the way to the bank. But they must also be laughing at what passes for political opposition in this country and, probably, all around the world.

Wed, 30 Nov, 2016

The lady eventually says ‘no’ - Another swizz?

FORMER president Mary Robinson probably regrets ever becoming involved in a project to open an archive for her personal papers in a building owned by her brother in her native town of Ballina in Mayo.

Wed, 30 Nov, 2016

The meek shall inherit very little - Autocrats’ common characteristics

FIDEL CASTRO seized power in Cuba in 1959.

Tue, 29 Nov, 2016

Renew the spirit of real ambition - Free education anniversary

THE introduction of free second-level education was one of the most transformative, if not the most transformative, initiatives ever introduced by an Irish politician. Two simple statistics support that view, though there are many other factors. While this island was still part of the United Kingdom just 6% of the population went beyond national school.

Tue, 29 Nov, 2016

We’re shameless - Homeless and frostbitten

DESPITE everything, despite years of what we call “austerity”, despite a growing and unacceptable inequity, this country has never been richer, it’s citizens have never been better off. We are, by and large, a comfortable society even if some people, through no fault of their own, struggle with hardship every day.

Tue, 29 Nov, 2016

CUH gynaecology service crisis - Patients at risk by failure to face reality

The chronic underfunding of the gynaecology service at Cork University Hospital is both disturbing and alarming.

Mon, 28 Nov, 2016

Alex Ryan death - Painful warning on use of drugs

It cannot have been easy for the family of a young man who died after ingesting an illegal drug to hear a judge, in the criminal case that followed, speak about what he called “the arrogant disregard by young people” of the laws in respect of drug-taking.

Mon, 28 Nov, 2016