Opinion Elaine Byrne: Profound change came only because of the mighty few who took on the stateThe bravery of Seamus and Mary McGee led to the legalisation of contraception in Ireland
Opinion Elaine Byrne: It is uncomfortable to have to listen to those we disagree with, but that is democracyThe government’s controversial hate speech bill is not criminalising freedom of expression, despite disinformation to the contrary
Opinion Elaine Byrne: Government asleep at the wheel over threat of Russian interference in our electionsWe should not take our electoral process for granted as the US warns Ireland that Putin may attempt to interfere in our forthcoming elections
Opinion Elaine Byrne: Sinn FĂ©in’s instinct to avoid ‘politics of condemnation’ is a moral embarrassmentWhy has it taken the deaths of more than 1,300 Israelis and the capture of more than 120 hostages for Sinn FĂ©in to shift its soft stance on the terrorist group Hamas?
Northern Ireland Elaine Byrne: Derry Girls was a window on the North for unsuspecting British viewersAs we bask in the warm afterglow of the now-concluded Derry Girls, it’s important to remember that Lisa McGee’s comedy served up more than laughs for many British viewers
politics Elaine Byrne: BĂ©al na BlĂ¡th is an opportunity to recognise all heroes of our stateThe Michael Collins centenary commemoration this August would be a good time for the leaders of Fianna FĂ¡il and Fine Gael to celebrate the unacknowledged who helped to build this diverse republic
Elaine Byrne: The strength of the new opposition will be a departure for Irish politicsSinn Féin’s huge gains in the February election mean it will have serious clout as the chief opposition party
Our Defence Forces get no thanks for selfless heroismDespite their strong international standing, it’s often a case of out of sight, out of mind when it comes to Irish attitudes towards our peacekeeping personnel
Big Phil’s hard sell on Mercosur deal won’t impress everyoneA lack of climate change commitment by leaders such as Brazil’s Jair Bolsonaro is the bogeyman in convincing EU governments to sign off on the agreement
Sentencing argument shows why we’ll miss Daly dose of wisdomThe DĂ¡il’s loss will be the European Parliament’s gain when Clare Daly, who is never afraid to fly in the face of popular opinion, moves to Brussels
The invisible protection afforded by a wedding ringThe treatment of Majella Moynihan was atrocious, but in 2019, we still penalise unmarried parents in many subtle ways
Our rules on political funding are actually fairer than mostFunding failed parties such as Renua is a small price to pay for our democratic, admirably transparent system
Even the Pope can fall for fake news in our rush to have a sayThe story that a teenage girl had died by legal euthanasia in the Netherlands was entirely untrue. But that didn’t stop it spreading around the world
Once-marginal concerns are now centre stage in EuropeEuropean poll generated the largest electoral turnout since voting began four decades ago
Blurring the lines on cannabis doesn’t help doctors’ caseIn discussing legalisation of the drug, the Cannabis Risk Alliance has lumped together medicinal and recreational use
Promises in the Constitution won’t build any more housesSinn FĂ©in’s bid to get housing rights into the Constitution has failed in the DĂ¡il. But the reality is that a right to a home would be meaningless if it could not be delivered on
Jackson outcry shows a shift from due process to social media spleenSocial media anger at the news that former Ulster rugby player Paddy Jackson is to join London Irish seems to indicate a shift towards believing alleged victims unconditionally and without scrutiny
Vaccination laws and education must go hand in handWe need to keep measles inoculation rates up, but steps should also be taken to allay the concerns of parents who believe the unscientific claims of anti-vaxxers
Is our system of local democracy merely a sham?Next month’s local election may record the lowest ever turnout in the history of the state. You can understand why
After the trauma of Tuam, the lingering silence brings more painWe still do not know the burial location of thousands of children who died in mother and baby homes. The tragedy is that there are people who do know and who have not come forward