On RTÉ's Questions and Answers programme on Monday (23 May), Pat Rabbitte was almost pallid. Not once did he score a "hit" on fellow panelist, Brian Cowen, the Minister for Finance. There was a now familiar "inhalation of statesmanship", conveying pomposity by someone who used to be entertaining and daring.
Individuals who seek asylum in Ireland may be recognised as refugees at either the first instance - by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner (ORAC) - or on appeal - by the Refugee Appeals Tribunal (RAT). If unsuccessful at appeal, they may apply to the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform for "leave to remain".
During a Dail debate on 18 May, Conor Lenihan, Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs with responsibility for overseas development intervened to tell Joe Higgins he should "stick with the kebabs".
John Magnier and JP McManus made a capital gain of €100m from their recent sale of their shares in Manchester United. In return for this spectacular enrichment they contributed nothing, nothing at all to the club. Their initial investment merely bought out previous shareholders. Their money did not go into the club kitty, they brought no expertise to the club, they brought nothing to the board of the club. This massive enrichment came about solely from speculation in the shares of the corporation.
John McCormack was resented by Athlone. Son of a Scottish "blow-in" and a mere workman at that. Hardly commemorated in his home town. In this, the 60th anniversary of his death there is little sense Athlone appreciates the extraordinary talent that rose among them.
Michael McDowell's racist remarks about asylum seekers and his spectacular volte face on crime raise renewed questions about his fitness for office, writes Vincent Browne
The significance of this is simply that Ireland and Mexico were in no doubt but that war would be illegal without a further resolution. At least that was the inference from Peter Goldsmith's letter.
The High Court awarded a 63-year-old Dublin man €2,922,000 for false arrest, assault and negligence by psychiatrist and for the manner in which the Eastern Health Board defended the case. By Vincent Browne
The Garda Representative Association's opposition to proper disciplinary procedures continues to threaten discipline within the force and ultimately could lead to 'disaster'. By Vincent Browne
Sgt Murray was neither "truthful" nor "conscientious". Garda Leonard gave evidence "in an effort to mislead the Tribunal". Garda Anderson failed to tell "unbridled truth". All three are still serving with the force. By Vincent Browne