RECENTLY, Gay Mitchell MEP was getting himself extremely hot and bothered at remarks made by the German Ambassador on the coarsening of Irish life.

IN the course of an election campaign, promises are made that are sometimes difficult to keep, and I note that on at least two issues — delivery of new hospital beds and gardaí — Fine Gael’s numbers are being contested already as either unattainable, unbudgeted or both.

I LISTENED to Pat Rabbitte talk about historical figures he most admires on Newstalk radio last weekend.