BRIAN COWEN is facing an enormous test of his political pragmatism. Tribal to his core, the sacrifice of Willie O’Dea, one of his Fianna Fáil family, to satisfy the demands of his Green coalition partners must have been like a hammer blow to Cowen.

OUR schools are producing students whose maths and science capabilities are less than the international average. That’s what Craig Barrett believes and if his views are shared widely in American business circles then we are in trouble.

I LIKE my food just a little bit too much as anyone who has seen me recently will know.

THE Government has told us repeatedly over the past 18 months that a fully functioning banking system is essential to our economic wellbeing. This has been its justification for keeping what are in reality failed banks in existence.

FIANNA FÁIL was boxed into a corner by the demands for an investigation into the banking catastrophe but, experienced political survivor that it is, it has not thrown in the towel. Yes, it has granted the demanded inquiry but it has continued to feint and weave with much of its old skill, thereby staying on its feet.

SEÁN QUINN has a brass neck. The businessman would be central to any public investigation into the banking crisis that has crippled the country, yet he regularly opines publicly on what government and citizens need to do to rescue the country from a situation which he was involved in creating.

WATCHING live sport provides a welcome respite from the realities of life but examining the business models behind English soccer provides an opportunity to witness fantasy.

AT the start of both 2006 and 2008 I decided to give up drinking alcohol for six months and I intend to repeat the experiment from today, with one get-out clause which I will get to later. It will be hard not because of my own desire for alcohol, which is relatively limited and occasional, but because other people are likely to make it difficult for me.

THE trade union movement is in a very difficult place. Angry at the way its members have been treated by the budget it has to find a way to respond that protects their interests.

THE unofficial and undeclared contest to become the next leader of Fianna Fáil has taken more than a few twists and turns in recent weeks. There is no vacancy – as yet.