Two nations, two leadership visions — Ireland’s uninspired government plan and Trump’s dark, divisive inauguration speech

Trump controls the political system, the courts, and now the primary means of communication for millions of Americans. What about the rest of us? Are we really hopeless and helpless?

Democracy is floundering and wringing its hands in the face of visible and growing threats and challenges

In a year in which we may have seen the start of the gradual decline and death of democracy, there have been some women who have given us hope

Santa Claus is coming. If you believe, he can really help to ease whatever pain and heartache is hurting you, writes Fergus Finlay

So-called sport that gets €20m of taxpayers' money annually promotes gambling and animal cruelty

Our imperfect democracy seems to be the best we can do. And it’s always going to be that way

It was social democracy that founded the welfare state, led the fight for equal pay and rights for women, and insisted on the right of workers to join trade unions

Why is abuse tolerated? Why must we rely on the courage of brave and often alone women to speak out?

There is an entire generation at risk of becoming increasingly alienated from ordinary democratic politics