Columns - Irish Examiner

Mick Clifford

Real world intrudes on the Dáil... briefly

For a brief period yesterday the real world intruded on the 32nd Dáil, writes Michael Clifford

Wed, 23 Mar, 2016

The case that throws witness protection programme under the spotlight

Special Correspondent Michael Clifford details a case that provides a rare glimpse into the State’s witness security programme and how the whole process of relocating witnesses is fraught with danger

Sat, 19 Mar, 2016

We should concentrate on the values and ideals as expressed by tomorrow’s Irishmen and Irishwomen

On the eve of Proclamation Day, there were claims that two homeless men were moved on by gardaí from their sleeping positions outside the GPO. The gardaí said there is no policy of moving homeless people on from the locale, but there is increased security in Dublin’s O’Connell St ahead of the Easter commemorations, writes Michael Clifford.

Sat, 19 Mar, 2016

Power of the regulator is a burning issue

Gas Networks Ireland is fined €500,000 in the North after a whistleblower’s claims are substantiated, but nothing happens in the South because of a toothless regulator, writes Michael Clifford

Tue, 15 Mar, 2016

It is 25 years since the Birmingham Six were released from prison

A quarter of a century after their release, the Birmingham Six still live with the impact of their jailing, writes Michael Clifford

Mon, 14 Mar, 2016

Alan Shatter: A minister who backed the wrong horse

Shatter left high office with his integrity and reputation for honesty intact, writes Michael Clifford

Sat, 12 Mar, 2016

First Day of Dáil - The theory was sound. Pity about the reality

For anybody who had hoped a new day was dawning on politics, yesterday was little short of depressing, says Michael Clifford

Fri, 11 Mar, 2016

No sign of the Nama scandal going away

The scandal surrounding Nama and the sale of its Northern loan book is being ignored — but that can’t go on forever as new nuggets of information emerge, writes Michael Clifford

Tue, 08 Mar, 2016

Water issue is a symptom of reform needed in wider body politic

AS NIGHT was closing in on the RDS last Saturday, with the ballot papers beginning to curl towards dog-eared, a Labour party canvasser sat down for a cup of coffee, writes Michael Clifford.

Sat, 05 Mar, 2016

Pragmatism wins out to solve long, sorry tale of Longboat Quay

It looks like Bernard McNamara, the man who built Longboat Quay, will get the job of sorting out its fire safety deficiencies without residents having to foot the bill, says Michael Clifford

Fri, 04 Mar, 2016