Latest:

Martina Devlin: City of Literature title is an asset we can bank on

LITERATURE is a lengthy conversation which has preoccupied us here in Ireland since ancient times - since the days of the seanchai, the druids and the Celtic warriors whose exploits fuse history and mythology. It's our weapon of mass distraction.

Kevin Myers: Scourge of ragwort confirms mass-defection by our state agencies from the rule of law

By Kevin Myers

Ragwort is now our primary crop. Its growth paralleled the emergence of the term 'site' to describe a field

Ian O'Doherty: Now there's an unlikely ally

By Ian O'Doherty

As someone who was brought up to despise Shamrock Rovers -- let's face it, anyone who supports another Irish club will always list Rovers as the team they love to hate -- it's only fair to commend them for their recent turn around.

Brendan Keenan: Forecasts, predictions and models drive us to distraction

By Brendan Keenan

LEMME tell you about my week. Two ESRI reports, one IMF report, one Central Bank report and a stress test. And I'm not talking about the banks.

Charlie Weston: Mortgage mis-selling complaints non-existent

By Charlie Weston

NOT one person has complained to the Financial Services Ombudsman about being mis-sold a mortgage.

Noonan's fighting spirit may be just what Fine Gael needs

By Michael Brennan

RICHARD Bruton was known to be a fan of 'Sex and the City'. But Michael Noonan, his replacement as Fine Gael finance spokesman, watches 'Wallander'. That's a series about a grumpy, humourless detective investigating murders in Sweden.

Obama looks a lame duck as elections loom

By Simon Heffer

THE shock about coming to America after an absence of four months is how, in that time, respect for and confidence in President Barack Obama has slumped. It wasn't good in March; now the effect of what one blogger has called his apparent "impotence" has taken hold.

David McWilliams: Selling off state assets on the cheap is just madness

By David McWilliams

This Government will not contemplate selling property just in case it would bankrupt the banks. The State's argument is that the market is depressed so if we were to sell the land, we would not get a fair price for it.

Kevin Myers: The child must come first, last and foremost in all matters of adoption. It's not hard to grasp

By Kevin Myers

THIS column is about same-sex marriage and adoption rights. So let me ask you some questions:

Always check small print in any plan -- if you can find it

ALWAYS read the small print is good advice if you're renting the latest Hollywood blockbuster. The film industry knows that snappy quotes work and there is rarely a DVD cover that doesn't have block capital letters proclaiming it to be "hilariously witty and absolutely entertaining" or "a magical adventure for the family". And in small print below is usually the name of a small town American movie critic. Some of whom are so happy to have their over-the- top endorsements used repeatedly that they've become known as quote whores.