THE latest report on binge drinking and its effects comes with the almost mandatory recommendation that draconian taxes be applied to the demon to try and solve the problem. It won’t solve the problem, of course.

THE announcement this week that €85 million has been allocated to open new hospital facilities and take on extra staff, could have been in a script from an episode of Yes, Minister.

RAY BURKE and NASA’s capsule, Genesis, have a few things in common. They were both in orbit and both came crashing down to earth in spectacular fashion.

ALL the Republican convention in Manhattan was short of this week was a guest appearance by the eccentric former priest Neil Horan.

ON the face of it, it seemed that the South Western Area Health Board (SWHB) was to be commended when it took action against a Rathgar nursing home on a number of counts following a visit by a team of inspectors twice this month.

IT is impossible for those of us not affected by the almost Burke and Hare-type deception carried out by so many hospitals, in collusion with pharmaceutical companies, to understand the anguish of those parents.

WHEN he proclaimed his dogma of decentralisation, it was not Charlie McCreevy’s intention that he should lead by example.

IT gives an insight into the warped thinking of this Government when it seeks to justify the ban on smoking on health grounds but still earns millions from the industry by holding shares in tobacco companies.

THE logical thing to do to help out the ESB workers, and save ourselves from the prospect of dreaded power cuts, is to pay our bills directly to the unions.

IF you have a bit of a cash-flow problem at the moment, or the credit rating is lacking credibility for that loan you need, you could always get the Taoiseach to go guarantor.