It’s just over 20 years since, as taoiseach, Bertie Ahern apologised on behalf of the Irish people to those who had spent their childhood in a residential institutions run by one of 18 religious congregations.

The year 2018 brought about seismic change in Ireland, writes Joyce Fegan.

The Taoiseach and the Health Minister have defended the Department of Health’s chief medical officer, despite the fact that he kept details of the cervical smear scandal from them for two years.