An internal Government audit has found top civil servants were afraid to challenge poor departmental policies which were often rooted in a minister’s desire to achieve a ‘look-at-what-I-have-delivered’ effect.

A major shift in civil service culture is needed to tackle poor performance, outside experts have warned.

THERE is a symmetry to the departure of Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore, the highest-ranking alumni of the former Sinn Féin the Workers’ Party, The Workers’ Party, Democratic Left tradition, after a devastating defeat at the hands of Sinn Féin at the polls.

A dramatically changing media environment poses a series of linked challenges to all Irish broadcasters and for media policy in general.

Winter of discontent ahead for Enda Kenny and the Coalition, writes Michael Clifford

ON March 9 last, Garret FitzGerald returned to the Dáil to witness Enda Kenny being elected Taoiseach.

YET another bank holiday weekend saw carnage on the roads as four people died in accidents in Wexford, Kerry and Cork.

INDEPENDENT radio station owners have called on the Government to remove the ban on political advertising on radio and TV.

“LEADERSHIP not salesmanship” was the catchphrase of Enda Kenny’s first Árd Fheis speech as leader of Fine Gael back in 2002.

FINE GAEL strategists have told of their annoyance with Garret FitzGerald in a new book, saying the former Taoiseach clearly “doesn’t rate” the current party leader, Enda Kenny.