Almost half the population of the Republic has private health insurance. It is difficult to see how the advantages this currently confers will easily be replaced by a one-size-fits-all health system

A reader says the Education Minister should allow victims of abuse in Protestant-ethos schools to contact the scoping inquiry 

We assess the country-by-country formlines heading into the final weekend of pool games at the Rugby World Cup

One reader responds to Joanna Fortune's advice about helping children to learn Gaeilge, while others examine topics including Catherine Martin's trip to the Ryder Cup 

The scale of the problem, as highlighted in the ESRI report, is compounded by the way online gambling platforms relentlessly target younger and more vulnerable people 

Ireland need to follow up their hard-fought 13-8 win over defending champions South Africa with a success over their Six Nations rivals at Stade de France on Saturday night if they are to be sure of progressing into the quarter-finals as pool victors.

If selected Peter O'Mahony will earn his 100th cap for Ireland and become the 10th person to join the exclusive club

We look ahead to showdown with Scotland and the rest of the tournament at a special live event.

Of the Connacht prop’s 34 Test caps, 22 have been as a replacement, the 30-year-old’s first start against a Tier One nation coming only last season against Wales

Erasmus: 'We would rather sit here than be Ireland, who have been number one in the world all this time and Scotland just have to beat them by eight points and they are out of the tournament'

Ireland's World Cup destiny is in their own hands as they take on Scotland on Saturday, the FAI Cup semi-finals take place and the World Artistic Championships take place another bumper week of sport to look forward to. 

Coach excited as Stade de France showdown looms.

Sally Gorman and her partner are one of a growing number of couples forced to move back to a family home to save for a mortage. From time out to boundaries, she talks to others in the same boat about making it work

'I think everyone sitting here would be very happy to have him again,' Rory McIlroy said in the winning team’s press conference.

The Wallabies' last-eight prospects now depend on how Fiji fare against Portugal next weekend.

'I think one of the biggest accomplishments in golf right now is winning an away Ryder Cup. And that is what we're going to do at Bethpage,' said McIlroy, targeting future success.

Some of the game's big hitters sat out the weekend action. 

The hosts closed out the win despite a nervy Sunday performance. 

Andy Farrell's side could do us all a favour and just beat Scotland on Saturday night.

'We're still alive. That was the aim of the day,' said coach Eddie Jones, who has led Australia to two wins in nine tests this year.