So let's wheel out the homeless people. It takes The Simpsons to highlight the media's seasonal attitude to the issue of homelessness

Underfunding, inequitable services and dysfunctional economic incentives are cited as contributing factors to Ireland's chaotic healthcare system. A new report from Irish Congress of Trade Unions, written by economist and journalist Maev-Ann Wren and American health policy expert Dale Tussing, exposes Government failures and warns against privatisation. By Sara Burke

In June 2005, both SIPTU and Irish Ferries agreed to a six week truce during which time Greg Sparks, of Farrell Grant Sparks accountants and SIPTU union official, Martin King did a review of Irish Ferries operations.

Joe Higgins: Is the Minister struck by the nauseating double standards in many sections of the print media, especially Independent Newspapers, in their coverage of the sending of bully boys onto Irish Ferries ships? This has been reported in the most sedate language. Has the Minister contrasted that with the paroxysms of fury in Sir Anthony O'Reilly's title, the Irish Independent, when it vilified groups of workers such as those in the ESB and An Post who had to resort to some mild industrial action to defend their interests? The same title has an inglorious history in the events of 1913.

At an anti-corruption meeting in Dublin on Saturday (19 November) people spoke of Garda harassment, corruption and criminality and how the system leaves them unaccountable

• The major drug problem is alcohol abuse and most violent crime is associated with it

Camilla owes the American people the truth: how many dresses did she pack? So far, she and British officials have refused to comment on tabloid reports that she packed 50 dresses for the eight-day trip. Perhaps she's trying to be diplomatic. She may know of the great modern American taboo against "overpacking", which is now defined as anything that can't be lugged onto the plane and crammed into the overhead bin.

The Government launched Transport 21 with a great fanfare. But the reality is that there has been no breakdown of costs done, and all the rail projects are still subject to public inquiries. Here are 21 things wrong with Transport 21

In a lecture delivered before the Cork National Society on 13 May 1892, William O'Brien MP warned his audience against substituting piety for politics on the question of language. "It was emigration," he argued, "that drove the Irish language out of fashion.

Meteor shower has sparked reports of UFO sightings.