Ireland has never confronted crisis very well. The second world war was politely referred to as “the Emergency”. The bitter and protracted Northern Ireland conflict that viciously tore a generation apart was gently described as “the Troubles.” Guardian November 29 2010 We have yet to invent a terminology that can adequately express what is happening [...]

Posted by Elaine Byrne MY TEN PROPOSALS FOR POLITICAL REFORM Detailed information on rationale for proposals contained in links within each proposal taken from my Irish Times columns. The reason for reform. 1. Publish full political financial accounts online, greater powers for Standards Commission and ratify GRECO recommendations. 2. Reform committee system, repeal Abbeylara decision and give [...]

Irish Times editoral November 17 2010 Was it for this? In memory of September 1913 by William Butler Yeats What need you, being come to sense, But fumble in a greasy till And add the halfpence to the pence And prayer to shivering prayer, until You have dried the marrow from the bone? For men [...]

Ireland’s economic future is being decided by events far beyond our shores, which we cannot influence, writes ELAINE BYRNE in the IRISH TIMES May 11 2010 DEMOCRACY IS a fragile thing. It becomes even more delicate when taken for granted. For many, the duty of citizenship to democratic action ends when a vote is cast [...]