Mercifully, the new water charges are settled.

It is with great disappointment that I have learnt of yet more cancellations to European destinations from Cork Airport.

It is widely accepted that water will be the “oil of the 21st century”. It follows that the ownership and control of these resources will be critical.

The trait which seems to have defined the Irish character since the start of austerity in 2008 has been stoicism.

Democracy is described as “a state of society characterized by formal equality of rights and privileges”

I seem to be living in a confused country.

Seasons greetings from everybody here in the North Pole to all you Irish Examiner readers.

The imposition of water charges by the government has shown how an apathetic people can be pushed to their limits, resulting in huge marches all around the county. Unfortunately what has been missing in this whole sorry tale is the role of the European Union (EU).

The recent death of a two-year-old girl in a road traffic accident in Waterford was heart-rending. I cannot begin to imagine the grief of her family.