THE past two weeks since hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans have been described as the two weeks that shamed America.

JUDGE Liam Hamilton once said to me that he was sure he would get no thanks for exposing the malpractices in the beef industry, and all the other stuff that surrounded it.

HOW would you fancy E35 worth of dignity and independence? Close your eyes for a minute, just a minute, and try to imagine your own life without dignity.

I WANTED to write about education this week, and it was Mo Mowlam’s death that reminded me. I asked her once, if she could pick her favourite job in the cabinet, what would it be.

I WANTED to write about education this week, and it was Mo Mowlam’s death that reminded me. I asked her once, if she could pick her favourite job in the cabinet, what would it be.

GREAT cities have a genius for throwing up characters and institutions, people and places that somehow manage to represent the quirks and foibles of the city.

Fergus Finlay

MARY HANAFIN hadn’t been Taoiseach long. She had only recently succeeded Brian Cowen, who took over from Bertie Ahern after the disastrous election of 2006.

I NEED to testify. I want to recant. I want to tell the minister it’s all that dreadful Fintan O’Toole’s fault.

WHAT would you do if someone gave you €13.6 billion? I know the standard answer — you’d probably add a few bob to it and pay your debts.