THE latest disastrous MRBI opinion poll for Fianna Fáil has it just two points ahead of Sinn Féin when it comes to voter preferences now, just months ahead of the coming general election.

FEW tears were shed this week for Dermot Ahern and John Gormley as those government ministers contemplated life without power.

WHAT’S happening to Ireland at present reminds me of a true, but ugly, story of the near collapse of an Irish corporate icon nearly 20 years ago.

THERE is a financial crisis that gets far too little attention. It is not the one at the banks or in the public finances but the one affecting the ordinary homeowners of this country, or at least those who have mortgages that must be repaid.

ABOUT a year ago a viral video swept the internet, parodying Taoiseach Brian Cowen’s handling of the country.

FORMER Dáil deputy Jim McDaid once called those who committed suicide “selfish bastards” and this unfortunate phrase came to mind this week when he ended his own political career suddenly, dramatically and seemingly with little care for some of those left behind.

LAST Monday I set out to demonstrate to my kids the adage that there is no such thing as bad weather which should dissuade physical activity, merely unsuitable clothing.

AS the Government seeks to cut its own spending massively a question arises: should Irish money for overseas development aid and foreign disaster relief come from the coffers of the state or directly to charities and aid agencies from the pockets of private citizens without any involvement by the state?

THANKFULLY there is still time to save the people of this country from the serious mistake of building a new national children’s hospital in Dublin’s north-inner city on the grounds of the already crowded Mater Hospital complex.