They decided to devote it all - all of the resources they inherited - to buying every election they possibly could, writes Fergus Finlay

What happened to Gino Kenny’s bill on medicinal cannabis was another example of extremely poor parliamentary work, writes Fergus Finlay

From opposite ends of the idealogical spectrum, the two powerful figures would bring a wealth of experience to the Seanad, writes Kyran Fitzgerald. 

I still believe that the present government, despite making some choices I fundamentally disagree with, did a good job in the last five years, writes Fergus Finlay.

The actuality of boom and bust economics is that we simply do not learn — we gorge until we vomit, writes Gerard Howlin

Ryanair’s new cuddly image is paying off handsomely for its outspoken boss Michael O’Leary who last year enjoyed a bumper 33% jump in pay toearn more than €6,575 each day.

With his customary confluence of adroit responses and confusing Bertie-Speak, the former taoiseach largely sailed through the afternoon having changed few minds about his legacy, writes Michael Clifford

Fianna Fáil has accused Taoiseach Enda Kenny of “demeaning his office” by calling on Bertie Ahern and Brian Cowen to refuse big pension increases.

I WISH I could send ye a postcard. 

He threw his hands up now and again in deference to wisdom after the event, writes Michael Clifford

Anybody expecting Charlie McCreevy to enter the banking inquiry armed with sackcloth and ashes would have been a long time waiting.

The banking inquiry was dramatically suspended for 20 minutes yesterday after former finance minister Charlie McCreevy repeatedly refused to answer key questions on what caused the economic crash.

THE excitement is too much. Over the last few days, a wave of heightened emotion has been sweeping across the country as the citizenry wait with bated breath. Will he, won’t he? No, not Garth Brooks, but Enda Kenny.

THE fallout from the end of the trial of the Anglo Irish bankers has spoken volumes. Now that little matter is out of the way, the wheels of justice, we are assured, will grind a little faster.

Why didn’t Michael Noonan just throw €6 million at his native city? He could have got somebody like Patricia Ryan to rebrand the city, going forward, adding value as she went, all the way to a performance-related bonus.

Wonder of wonders, Fergus Finlay is acclaiming the departure of the Troika as an achievement of Government, and wonder of wonders, he blames Fianna Fáil for all our economic woes, and, oddly enough, I disagree with him — not on his broad assessments, but on the subtle context in which he places his political prejudices.

AODHÁN O’Riordáin is a Labour TD for Dublin North central and Brian Collins is a Labour councillor in Co Meath.

THE MORE I listen to the ‘Anglo tapes’, and the commentary about them, the more I think we’re falling into a trap.

Two men have been arrested in connection with the murder of a man in Dublin over 11 years ago.

Former finance minister Charlie McCreevy informed his cabinet colleagues of a warning that the Irish economy was entering a “dangerous phase” just months ahead of his 2001 giveaway budget.

‘Revolving door’ comes in for scrutiny

Tomorrow is the 30th anniversary of Charlie McCreevy’s sensational motion to oust the then taoiseach Charles Haughey. Ryle Dwyer examines the traumatic events

I GET €732 a month.

Yesterday’s confirmation in the Dáil from Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Brendan Howlin that the Government will extend Freedom of Information legislation to all public bodies, including An Garda Síochána and the Central Bank, is very welcome.

Only a few years ago, Spain’s banks were seen in some policymaking circles as a model for the rest of the world. This may be hard to fathom now, considering Spain is seeking €100bn to bail out its ailing lenders.

IRELAND has been voting on European issues for about 40 years with the fiscal treaty the ninth such referendum on the country’s position within the EU.

Bertie Ahern is no longer listed among the world leaders at a British agency specialising in public speakers.

Department of Agriculture officials pleaded to be allowed break the rules to keep the chief executive of Horse Racing Ireland in line for an unprecedented 21-year stint at the helm of the semi-state company.

Yesterday our columnist and ex-government minister Ivan Yates touted Ryanair chief Michael O’Leary to run the country. The column sparked a huge reaction. But was he right?

WILL nobody stop the political gravy train? With the country up to its eyes in debt, it is disgraceful that 26 Independent senators and TDs are receiving annual allowances of thousands of euro at the taxpayers’ expense — utterly unvouched and untaxed.

A LONG, long time ago, when you and I were young, I wrote a column here about the myths and mantras of Irish politics.

KILDARE GAA officials will be meeting with players and managers to discuss cost-cutting measures for 2012 to wipe out a €200,000 deficit.

The referendum to reverse the Abbeylara judgment, if passed, is likely to lead to a banking inquiry. The temptation for cheap point-scoring will have to be resisted, writes Michael Clifford

WHO is the most reviled man in a State that has been laid to waste by excess and greed?

“WE DON’T do presents” said Maurice Ahern, as he strolled into his brother’s controversial birthday party last night.

SAY what you like about wartime British efforts to turn Hitler into a woman, but at least they recognised a problem and tried to solve it.

FORMER finance minister Charlie McCreevy has been appointed to the board of online spread betting and share trading firm, Worldspreads as a non-executive director.

Former finance minister Charlie McCreevy has joined the board of financial market trading company WorldSpreads.

SUCCESSIVE Fianna Fáil-led governments cranked up spending to help buy two elections but voters paid the price for these expensive promises.

A new collection of essays from Irish academics attempts to put our financial crisis into perspective, but there is still a palpable anger in the book over what was allowed to happen, writes Brian O’Grady