Comment Shane Coleman: Michael McDowell may have a second coming, but he is not the messiahThe former attorney general and tánaiste has become a major thorn in the side of government, but let’s not kid ourselves that he is the saviour of Irish politics
Comment Shane Coleman: The eight critical lessons to learn from referendum wipe-outsRecrimination, back-biting and sniping needs to be set aside if any sense is to be made from public’s repudiation of proposed changes to the constitution
The Last Post Matt Cooper: Finally, penny drops that treating drugs scourge as justice issue has utterly failedVaradkar’s belated conversion to examining health solutions needs to be backed up with money and resources
Infrastructure Ex-Dublin Port chief: Hurlers on the ditch are clueless – moving port for housing is nonsensicalThe idea of moving Dublin Port from its current location to accommodate housing is often floated but remains as ridiculous today as it has for years
Legal McDowell asked President to refer controversial bill to Supreme CourtSenator’s opposition to judicial appointments bill relates to composition of proposed commission to appoint judges
Hate Speech Lucinda Creighton: Government should use summer recess to quietly bury barmy Hate Speech bill Curbs on open debate and free speech are being reformulated as positive, liberal steps, when in fact the opposite is the case
Politics Helen McEntee: ‘Cancel culture has gone too far; this legislation will protect, not inhibit, free speech’As opposition to it mounts, the Minister for Justice put up a strong defence of her controversial hate speech legislation
Senators in ‘full-scale mutiny’ over Uyghur report rejectionMcDowell says senate members were ‘ashamed’ of government’s refusal to endorse account of China’s treatment of minority community
Garda Reserve ‘withering on the vine’, says McDowellThe independent senator made the claim as it emerged that the volunteer force’s numbers have fallen from 664 to 447 in the space of eight years