The Offaly TD served just over a fortnight as Minister for Agriculture, but was removed from his position after declining to give detailed answers to an increasing number of questions about a drink-drive ban from 2016

The European Ombudsman has raised questions about the sustainability and environmental impact of the proposed trade deal with four South American countries, and a critical finding by her would be difficult for the EU to ignore

The Taoiseach is allowing the Minister for Agriculture time for due process amid ongoing controversy over Barry Cowen’s drink-driving offence and the alleged leaking of a garda report on the incident

The Premier League’s efforts to tackle racism and homophobia are to be commended but it can achieve a lot more if it adopts Jack Charlton’s spirit of generosity

Ireland’s longest-running gas field is finally pumped out, but several players are vying to use the site for innovative energy projects

The state’s new mental health strategy, Sharing the Vision, calls for a stronger psychosocial perspective - yet it is dominated by the medical profession

Attacks on Roderic O’Gorman just distract from the urgent tasks facing the new minister for children

Alas, there is no detailed map of where the virus is, down to the exact house numbers, with flashing and beeping sounds

The circling of the wagons on Barry Cowen’s driving misdemeanours was to be expected. But the government needs to be able to deal with worse problems if it is to survive

It was through a fledgling career in the sports sector that Dubliner John Saunders found his true calling in PR

ComReg shouldn’t wait for its review. It has the power required to force Eircom to bring its pricing in line with its costs

The banks claim they have to add interest to mortgage deferrals. Bringing them to heel may not be a great long-term plan for their viability

There is a point of pride in the Irish household about never turning the heating on outside the months of October to March, no matter what the weather’s like

By and large, the public have responded to the Covid-19 restrictions with obedience – and their changed behaviour is likely to continue for quite some time

The Minister for Finance has been recognised for his work in bringing rival member states to agreement on EU economic policies

No government can be expected to get everything right on Covid-19, but the authorities have no margin for error on this one

Rap megastar Kanya West believes God has a plan for him and wants to use him. A staunch Trump supporter and religious conservative, West has now decided to run against Trump and Joe Biden, declaring himself a candidate for the US presidency this year.

Private nursing homes are private entities, which means that the HSE has no ability to oversee staff ratios or training or to address important issues

As winds of reform sweep across the international tax landscape, expect this small island to dig its heels in and side with the multinationals

While US and European telecoms giants grew fat on easy money, the Chinese giant stole the march on them