On the 50th anniversary of Jack Lynch’s election as Taoiseach , Ryle Dwyer looks back on the occasion, when the Corkman had to be persuaded to let his name go forward

As a country, we have been for a long time — and still are — extremely attractive to foreign direct investment (FDI).

Surely the time has come to acknowledge what a substantial figure Enda Kenny is, and what a mark he has made on the Irish political landscape, says Fergus Finlay. He established a place in history last week as the first Fine Gael leader ever to have been re-elected to the office of Taoiseach.

Rory O’Dwyer reflects on what was the most significant State commemoration of the 1916 Rising up to now — and considers its impact on the Ireland of the time.

HEWLETT-PACKARD is to cut another 25,000-30,000 jobs worldwide due to falling demand for its products and the move towards cloud technology. The latest wave of cuts comes on top of the 55,000 layoffs previously announced by the company.

Poor Ireland, whatever you think about past generations they at least had their leaders of stature.

If Aer Lingus is sold to IAG, Ireland could end up owning a version of it again in future, if New Zealand’s experience is any guide, writes Kyran FitzGerald.

A BOY scout once, I would have been on Church Parade yesterday. 

The RTÉ television audience voted TK Whitaker “Irishman of the 20th Century” in 2001. 

An unhealthy culture of secrecy surrounds our civil servants despite the fact they are a valuable source of historical information, writes Ryle Dwyer

HOW do you solve a problem like Charlie? Not easily, if the dramatisation of Charlie Haughey’s life that has been showing for the last two Sundays is anything to go by.

Ireland During the Second World War

Gerard Howlin’s article (Opinion, June 25) highlights the importance of Brian Crowley reconsidering his decision to unilaterally leave the centrist Alliance for Liberals and Democrats in Europe (ALDE) group for the right-wing, eurosceptic European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) group.

Mark C. Nolan, €30

The violent expression of indignation by loyalists and Orange Order members at the sight of the Lord Mayor of Belfast Máirtín Ó Muilleoir visiting the Shankill Road is nothing more than a grotesque display of raw sectarianism.

I was slightly bemused when I read Anthony O’Leary’s letter to the editor (Aug 7) entitled “What we really need is another Churchill”.

An Post has taken a trip down memory lane and issued two stamps to mark the 50th anniversary of US president John F Kennedy’s visit to Ireland.

I WAS pleased Fianna Fáil rose four points in the polls because I can’t stand the lies. I can’t stand the pretence that an alien tribe called Fianna Fáil came in and “ruined the country”, leaving the plucky Coalition to “clear up the mess”.

Enda Kenny has made Time magazine.

Imitation is frequently regarded as the sincerest form of flattery.

Seán Lemass: Democratic Dictator

IN 1997 I sent a letter to your newspaper regarding many commentators who questioned the right of Belfast-born Mary McAleese to run for the Presidency of Ireland.

Screenwriter, playwright and director Gerry Stembridge admits to having doubts that he had what it takes to be a novelist, writes Caroline O’Doherty.

A CORK park will be transformed into a culinary centrepiece over the next four days as some of the country’s top chefs tempt local and visitor alike with the best in local and international cuisine.

Aer Lingus is celebrating 75 years in the air next Friday. Pól Ó Conghaile looks at the special role the iconic airline has played in the history of the state

AN exchange — it would be delusional to call them negotiations — will begin this morning between our Government and the EU/IMF on reversing cuts to our minimum wage, reducing the lowest VAT rate and changing tax arrangements for first-time house buyers to help them cope with the tsunami threatening their financial security.

What are three things you can’t live without?

CONCERNS about the safety of the current location of Cork Airport at Ballygarvan for commercial air service were voiced by former taoiseach Seán Lemass during the 1950s.

FIANNA Fáil has essentially ousted its last five party leaders while serving Taoisigh. Recently, Vincent Browne was asking on TV3 whether this is indicative of something radically wrong within Fianna Fáil.

I’M one of the many thousands of Irish people who describe themselves as having been “born into” Fianna Fáil; there are now, however, very many (a majority, I fear) among our number who have long since desisted from ascending the mountain-tops to proclaim to all and sundry their political heritage.

I WRITE concerning this week’s programme about TK Whitaker on TG4.

News from a New Republic: Ireland in the 1950s

FORMER US President Harry Truman once explained: “My choice early in life was either to be a piano player in a whorehouse or a politician. To tell the truth, there’s hardly any difference. I, for one, believe the piano player job to be much more honourable than current politicians.”

AS an Irishman whose ancestors were prominent advocates of the Anglo-Irish Treaty of 1921, I am appalled by the sentiments expressed by Senator Liam Twomey (August 12).

IT is natural that Fianna Fáil might grasp at any straw that might improve their image if not their ratings.

I RECOMMEND that Dublin airport be renamed Lemass Airport Dublin in recognition of the huge contribution Seán Lemass made to the development of aviation in Ireland and specifically towards the growth and great success of Dublin airport.

IRISH people who find it difficult properly to recognise and honour Irish soldiers who died in khaki uniforms in the First World War should know that Tommy Mullins, a founder member of Fianna Fáil who organised the first cumann meeting a month before the party was formed into a national movement in April 1926, and served as party general secretary until he retired in 1970, solemnly believed all those who fought and died in the Great War should be remembered and properly honoured.

The Lemass style of leadership was to encourage his ministers to be proactive. Unlike de Valera, he never managed to lead Fianna Fáil to an overall majority but, unlike some of his successors, he refused to bargain with any independents to support his nomination for Taoiseach

FIFTY years ago yesterday, Seán Lemass stepped out of the shadow of Eamon de Valera to succeed him as taoiseach. He inspired renewed hope in the republican ideal that we could, as a people, provide for ourselves.

Former Taoiseach Sean Lemass is being immortalised in a state award scheme for entrepreneurial school kids, it emerged today.

Charlie McCreevy had the courage to move a ‘no confidence’ motion in Charlie Haughey’s leadership in October 1982, but the great majority in the parliamentary party did not have the vision, the guts or the integrity to support his motion, so Haughey survived.

THINKING of the behaviour of the Cork train drivers this week brought Rudyard Kipling to mind. It was he who first coined the term “power without responsibility”.