The news that ash dieback is spreading was sadly expected. Recently it was found in a native, homegrown ash tree, growing in a hedge, but near the first found outbreak, which was on imported ash trees.

THE news that Sudden Oak Death has reached Ireland is sad but long expected. Up to seven different strains of this disease have been found in tree nurseries in Europe and I have often watched trees and shrubs being brought into Ireland and planted without checks or investigations.

LAST year I listened to a radio programme called The Republic of Conscience written by Seamus Heaney and narrated by an English woman who seemed to have a deep belief in this republic too.

THE 10 national ports in Ireland are under-performing, all need assistance and all employ people. Our present economy cannot sustain them and if in future a smart economy replaces the rubble of the present developer-led economy, as experts claim it should, then some of these may have to close.