FINE GAEL intends hosting 30 so-called “town hall meetings” throughout the country between now and Christmas in an American-style appeal to the electorate.

Property developers named at the tribunal — such as the Bailey brothers, found guilty by Flood of a litany of tax evasions and obstructions, in addition to making corrupt payments — continued to bank tens of millions of euro in profits each year.

YOU may have less money available for going out to socialise but there may also be less worth watching on Irish television during the evenings you stay at home in the future, despite your paying €161 each year for the privilege of legally watching your TV.

THERE’S an old Chinese proverb about not breaking another man’s rice bowl. It should be applied in many cases to public demands for people to be removed from their jobs.

IF you want proof of how much Ireland has progressed as a country over the last 20 years you’ll find it in the achievements of the Celtic Tiger’s generation of sports stars.

AMID all the fuss about the potential cost to the State in rescuing banks, it is easy to forget what else is going on with everyone’s money.

I suspect the reason why the violence ebbed was because as the boys grew bigger, they hit back and, on more than one occasion, got the better of the teacher.

The idea that the media is responsible for the loss of consumer confidence that has undermined the economy is nonsense.

BANKS give you a free umbrella during the sunny days but take it back from you as soon as it starts to rain.

IF ever a corporate entity can be said to have put an Irish city or town on the map, then Waterford Crystal is that company.