I was listening to Tom Petty‘s ‘I Won’t Back Down’ and thought the song perfectly describes the stance the Government was taking after the budget was announced.

The Government’s insistence that the decision to significantly cut the respite care grant was necessary and unavoidable rings hollow when you consider that it has, in the same budget, forked out a colossal €59.2m to the horse and greyhound racing sector.

The Government’s decision to legislate for abortion in accordance with the X case ruling is being represented by some, including Government officials, as necessary to “give effect” to the X case ruling.

The Connecticut massacre is yet another reminder of the devastation and grief that can be wrought by guns that fall into the wrong hands.

In 1223 St Francis of Assisi simply and joyfully commemorated the scene of the Nativity according to the infancy Gospel, and the Crib thus became one of the traditional and best-loved symbols of Christmas.

I listen to people on the media complaining about the mayhem and violence on the streets of Dublin with shootings and knifings a daily concern.

You recently reported the comments of Judge Olann Kelleher regarding rates and their effect on businesses in Cork.

Due to the Government’s budget of austerity, ‘The 12 Days of Christmas’ will be reduced to ten days.

Two pieces of junk mail recently came through my letter box together.

The immediate impact of increasing the pupil teacher ratio (PTR) from 17:1 to 19:1 in Post Leaving Certificate (PLC) programmes will be that approximately 200 non-permanent teachers will lose their jobs over the next year.