Regarding the UN committee’s examination of Ireland’s human rights mechanisms, the chances of getting straight answers from the Government seem remote, given the testimony of Sean Sherlock, TD, at the hearing.

On our latest visit to the Republic of Ireland, it was good to see the increased number of craft micro-breweries. Because of advances in microbiology, the quality and choice of malt and hops, sterile equipment, and accurate temperature control, the greatest beers are being produced today.

A petition on the Care 2 website calls on the European Parliament and Commission to ban fox hunting throughout the European Union.

The latest study by the Rand Corporation on Israel’s complex relationship with its Palestinian neighbours — the Gaza Strip is Hamas-controlled — concludes that “a two-state solution provides by far the best economic outcomes” for citizens of both sides of the conflict.

“Tell them nothing. Consider them possible adversaries. Protect the institution at all costs.”

Many people complained of protesters outside the residence of the Lord Mayor.

In his book, Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee, the late Dee Brown recounts the annihilation of the Native American Indians.

Broadcasters and correspondents who felt compelled to investigate critical situations like problems in money-lending and beef production, for example — and there were others — found themselves in court or having to move abroad or in a different career.

The Amnesty International report, which calls for the repeal of the Eighth Amendment to the Irish Constitution (which recognises the equal right to life of mother and baby) and for the decriminalisation of abortion, is further proof that the organisation is no longer a human rights defender.

Imagine the chairman of a national bank not being able to recall his CEO suggesting that their bank is so dangerously off-kilter vis-a-vis its day-to-day liquidity that it is near to bankruptcy.