Fergus Finlay: Let 2024 be the year we get to grips with the reality of immigration

When it comes to immigration and asylum seekers, we have to strip away — again and again — the rhetoric from the reality.

The vague fear that immigrants pose a threat to Ireland must be challenged by an honest and open discussion, and with properly-parsed statistics.

Christmas used to be about kids. Now it’s about grandkids. Nothing else matters really, does it?

My 15-year-old grandson (he’s the eldest) doesn’t do emotion, but giving him something that merits a quiet grin and a “thanks, Grandad” makes my day.