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.

THE legendary Scrap Saturday mocked the Flynnstones — Ireland’s leading stone age political family — but its clear that the Mayo clan is having the last laugh.

BERTIE AHERN had lost the public.

THE world is going nuclear, but not Ireland. As many as 40 countries are making preparations dramatically to reduce their fossil fuel dependency by introducing or greatly increasing their nuclear power generating capacity. They are doing so for two reasons: the finite capacity of oil reserves and the impact of burning fossil fuels on the production of carbon emissions which, in turn, increase global warming.

IN politics honesty is not necessarily the best policy. Just ask Samantha Power.

Cowen runs the risk of being seen by the public as the principal apologist for Ahern (with the obvious exception of Martin Mansergh) if he continues to defend the indefensible.