The revelations that Barclays and possibly other banks were involved in attempted price fixing for London interbank interest rates should serve as a timely reminder of how the self-regulated market has left the world economy in a mess and is rotten to the core.

WHAT is most despairing about the continuing sacrifice of the future prosperity of the Irish to protect the house of cards that is the current economic model is the lack of recognition of the failings of this model by our political elite.

BRIAN Cowen is correct in saying that the news of Bertie Ahern’s retirement is indeed the end of an era.

THE comments by Taoiseach Brian Cowen on how the government of the day could not have foreseen the coming catastrophe are an insult to the intelligence of the electorate and will hopefully be seen for what they are, a pathetic attempt to rewrite history.