We need to create a closer connection and understanding of the true cost and value of State benefits. 

The conundrum as to who should attend our commemoration of 1916 is persisting. There has been an overreaction to, and misinterpretation of, Queen Elizabeth’s comments.

It was good to hear of late that long overdue proposals for Dáil reform are to be published shortly, but it is puzzling that they should only be published now, just as we are being asked to make a serious decision on the future of the Seanad.

There is no doubt that we in Ireland had, and continue to have, troubles of our own that we have to focus on and set to right, but right now we cannot but feel for the trouble that our friends in the US have to contend with inside their own borders, i.e being held hostage to the dubious and anachronistic notion arising from the 2nd Amendment to their constitution — the right of the populace to bear arms.