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STRAIGHT TALKING: You're right, Kermit – being green is a difficult business

Tue, 13 Jul 2010 09:27:17 +0100

One of the greatest television stars ever – the inimitable Kermit the Frog – once sang about how 'It's Not Easy Being Green'. Back on 'Sesame Street' in the 1970s, it was a song about he was unhappy about blending in with so many other things, but these days it could sometimes be adopted as a motto too when trying to be even a little bit conscientious about environmental matters.

OCCASIONAL COLUMN: I'm confused, Brian. Do you think we're fools too?

Tue, 13 Jul 2010 09:27:17 +0100

DEAR BRIAN, – Now that you've skived off back to Offaly for a few months on summer holidays, I thought you might have a bit more time to read my letter. Who knows, you might even find the decency to reply.

ON THE MONEY: A planned process for mortgage arrears cases

Tue, 13 Jul 2010 09:27:17 +0100

The Government set up a group to look at the issue of mortgage arrears and personal debt in February 2010. This group was chaired by Hugh Cooney, a partner in KPMG. The group has just published an interim report dealing with mortgage arrears. The problem that this group looked at is immense. Enormous numbers of families bought homes during the period 2002 to 2008, at prices that were significantly higher than their homes are now worth.

Q&A: I'm saddled with credit card debt – what should I do?

Tue, 13 Jul 2010 09:27:17 +0100

Q I have been silly with spending lately and have put a lot on my credit card. I am shocked by the amount I owe. The interest repayments alone are so high and I don't know how I am going to work my way through the debt. What can I do? A Credit card debt is one of the most expensive debts that you can have and that is why the repayments are so high.

MY WORLD: My football versus massage dilemma

Tue, 13 Jul 2010 09:27:17 +0100

IWAS faced with a dilemma recently, that many a man might never expect would happen to him. We were away for the night in a hotel where the owners pride themselves on the finger-tipped proficiency of its team of masseuses. The good woman had booked me in for a massage at four o'clock and, due to lack of forward thinking on my behalf (a regular occurrence in my life really), it clashed with the second half of Germany-Argentina in the World Cup.

THE WAY I SEE IT: We can't forget society's 'least'

Tue, 13 Jul 2010 09:27:17 +0100

THERE WAS a march in Dublin last week where families and friends of those who have special needs and disabilities, and the most vulnerable in our society, took to the streets to protest against Government cuts in support services. When I was in college, one of the spiritual directors used to say that when things get really busy, and your life is chaotic, and there is way too much to do, something has to be sacrificed.

Stampede out of Dáil as TDs’ long holiday begins

Tue, 13 Jul 2010 09:27:17 +0100

THE STAMPEDE out the doors of Dáil Eireann on Europe's longest political holiday last week evoked a strikingly vivid vision of Nero blissfully plucking the strings of his Stradivarius while his Roman empire was being devoured by flames. The 12-week break, longer even than that enjoyed by beleaguered teachers, smacks of appalling arrogance.

PLATFORM: Referee and fans would thank the GAA for introducing video

Tue, 13 Jul 2010 09:27:17 +0100

HE SCENES at the end of the Leinster football final in Croke Park last Sunday were ugly. The shameful sight of Martin Sludden, the referee, being physically assaulted brings the GAA into disrepute. The so-called Louth fans who tried to physically assault him have done a huge disservice to themselves, their team and the sport.

X5 now leaner and meaner

Wed, 14 Jul 2010 16:13:52 +0100

BMW's class-leading Sports Activity Vehicle, the BMW X5, just received an array of design and engine changes offering even greater performance and lower emissions, whilst also updating its look.

SPAREPARTS

Wed, 14 Jul 2010 16:13:52 +0100

A NEW online system has been launched for buying and selling current, slow moving and obsolete vehicle parts.

STRAIGHT TALKING: Greens have achieved a lot, despite claims of opponents

Tue, 06 Jul 2010 09:17:26 +0100

THE Green Party's work to promote animal welfare is important – but very far from our central job in Government. The last time a major piece of animal welfare legislation was enacted was 1911 – more than a decade before we got our independence from Britain.

PLATFORM: Kenny needs an election – or another coup could oust him

Tue, 06 Jul 2010 09:17:26 +0100

FINE GAEL cannot paper over the cracks of division relating to Enda Kenny's leadership. In virtually every constituency there will be an Oireachtas member pro-and anti-Kenny. The dissenters and their camp followers will mutter about how well Fine Gael could do under a different leader. In Dublin, they will lament the liability of the Mayo man as leader.

LAST ORDERS AT THE DÁIL BAR: No better man to throw an uppercut than Noonan

Tue, 06 Jul 2010 09:17:26 +0100

THE SUMMER holidays can't come soon enough. A few more days and it's last orders for two monhs. Biffo and all the rest of his cowboys will ride away into the sunset. Who knows if they'll be back. Nothing can save Biffo and his Government now but the bell. The cabinet is up against the ropes, punch drunk, and his own backbenchers are lining up to call off the fight.

MY WORLD: Have you stopped to smell the roses?

Tue, 06 Jul 2010 09:17:26 +0100

LAST WEEKEND we were asked to a wedding in the fine county of Longford. The good woman was working and the young lad was staying in his grandmother's so it was just myself, the open road and a bag of spice burgers. Not used to navigating my way through the Midlands, I went onto the AA Route Planner website to find some directions.

Q&A: What are the benefits of the new Solidarity Bond?

Tue, 06 Jul 2010 09:17:26 +0100

Q There has been a lot of talk about a new Government savings bond that has a good interest rate – what is it and is it a good place to put my savings? A It is called the Solidarity Bond and it is an investment product that was launched in April 2010 by the Irish government. It is to raise money for the country's capital investment programme and to develop infrastructure and it is hoped that it will help stimulate economic recovery. For the individual, it is a long-term investment product with a competitive rate of interest. Following are some of the finer details to help you decide whether it is right for you:

ON THE MONEY: The figures which say we're 'out of recession'

Tue, 06 Jul 2010 09:17:26 +0100

THE CENTRAL Statistics Office has just published statistics on the Irish economy which appear to say that the recession is over. However, most people do not agree that the recession is over – so what is the truth ? Every country has an official body that gathers information on their economy. This organisation publishes what are called the National Accounts for that country. These are the official figures and are taken to be true even though they are only estimates.