While watching BBC Northern Ireland’s news last Tuesday evening, I was surprised and delighted to see a report on the weekly protest, held every Sunday morning by the people of Ballyhea in Cork, against the bailout of Irish banks.

Minister Lucinda Creighton tells us that the Government would have no difficulty in holding a referendum on any new EU treaty on the consolidation of fiscal policy, the so-called “fiscal compact”.

DOES anyone know the German for

BRIAN Cowen is the bad gift that keeps on giving. He is also living proof, if it were needed, that it is indeed the case that those whom the gods would destroy, first they make mad.

WHEN Genghis Khan defeated his rival and friend Jamuka, to establish supremacy over the Mongol empire, two of Jamuka’s generals captured him and took him to Kahn for a reward.

IN his interview with Seán O’Rourke on RTÉ’s News at One (Februray 18), Willie O’Dea attempted to clutch at all the usual straws when a politician is caught doing wrong in this country.

THE Taoiseach’s demeanour on the steps of Government Buildings a fortnight ago as he announced yet another late initiative – this time in response to the weather crisis – had all the hallmarks of a man whose body language is screaming, “someone, please put me out of my misery”.

ONLY in Ireland could the people who destroyed the country find the nerve to depict themselves as responsible stewards of the nation in the build-up to the budget. I feel like a burglar is giving me advice about setting up a neighbourhood watch scheme.

THE ancient Scythian philosopher Anacharsis argued in 600BC that laws are like cobwebs — strong enough to detain the weak and too weak to detain the strong.

THE real issues with regard to public pay are of course now lost in the oppositional bloodletting between public servants and fellow workers employed in the private sector.