WHY are the Greens still on Government side of the Dail?

BEING cajoled into voting yes or no to Lisbon does a great disservice to the people of this country.

AS the eulogies poured in for Bertie Ahern from everybody and anybody who ever received a free lunch from him, I was struck by the similarities with the fire-breathing dragon in my garden shed.

THE issue of fees earned by those involved in the Mahon Tribunal has received much coverage in the media of late, with an underlying theme that they are the main benefactors of the whole process. This is surely a ploy to undermine the work being carried out by the tribunal, which is to investigate the monies paid to various public figures in the dark and distant past.

IN the wake of the recent announcement that not one of our 51 public hospitals is at the highest standard of cleanliness, let’s get one thing straight before there’s more tut-tutting and poo-pooing in the media with regard to Joe Public getting what he deserved after re-electing Bertie Ahern and Co last May.

ON the day when Bertie Ahern began babbling for his political integrity at the Mahon Tribunal, the best Fianna Fáil could offer by way of distraction was the news that the budget will be announced differently this year.

THE “Miss D” abortion case has again highlighted the adolescent stage in which we, as a nation, are entrenched.

AS I walked by the closing down sale of another luxury goods shop recently, I wondered just how truly wealthy is this country?

AS the Corrib gas line dispute rumbles on, I wish to offer some advice from the other end of the country to the protesters and their supporters.

IT’S been reported that the Ryder Cup golf tournament will be worth an estimated €130 million to our economy next month.

THE death of a prisoner in Mountjoy jail at the hands of a fellow inmate has, rightly, caused an inquiry to be established.

AS the number of road deaths continues to rise, I agree with Gay Byrne when he says both he and the Government are doing all they can, but the message to slow down is not being seen by those who need to heed it most.

WITH the planned introduction of an instant driving ban for those over the drink-driving limit, I wonder if Transport Minister Martin Cullen and his civil servants took to watching Winning Streak for inspiration?