WE’RE finding out just what Germany thinks of Greece and lest you think that such foreign stuff is of little interest to us, it is hugely relevant in so many very important ways, most especially to our standard of living.

DISSENTING voices can be very useful in a parliamentary democracy, shaking cosy consensus and provoking debate that might not otherwise take place.

THERE’S a saying in sport that goes along the lines “show me a good loser and I’ll show you a loser”. This was the type of comment fans of Tiger Woods made in his defence last Sunday evening after he completed his fourth place finish in the US Masters at Augusta.

THE 5,500 employees of the Quinn Group are right to be fearful for the security of their jobs. Their demand for protection is entirely understandable and rational. Sympathy for them is plentiful.

IN an unpopular government, Brian Lenihan remains a relatively popular minister, so much so that the opposition seems to have decided he is not worth attacking personally, even over NAMA or Anglo Irish Bank, issues where he has not covered himself in glory, or the public sector pay cuts which he has forced through to much divided opinion.

THERE are some people who won’t be unhappy about rugby and soccer internationals returning from Croke Park to the lower capacity Lansdowne Road.

SO Martin McGuinness, senior IRA figure, now Sinn Féin’s deputy first minister in the Northern Assembly, felt confident enough on Tuesday to suggest Cardinal Seán Brady should be “considering his position”.

IN normal circumstances, Johnny Ronan’s lifestyle would be a personal matter. While most newspapers have ignored him, some, and not just the tabloids, have enjoyed chronicling details of the 52-year-old businessman’s relationship with 20-something model and TV presenter Glenda Gilson.

I WOULDN’T dream of ingesting any of the muck they sell in head shops, but 20 years ago I might have been tempted. Once, when younger and without fear (or real understanding) of the consequences of alcohol and drugs, as is the way with many young people, the availability of such things, without breaking any laws, might have proved attractive to me.

LAST Monday the Fianna Fáil TD Frank Fahey joined the small band of interviewees who have offered me a bet live on radio to emphasise his certainty of the point he was making.