It's a little bit unfortunate that the OECD's comparative report on taxation and wages should come out as the political system goes into convulsions over how to shift the blame for the nursing home fees debacle. For the government, the OECD report is a vindication of their policy, with Irish workers paying the third lowest tax and social insurance contributions in the industrialised world.

Much to the disappointment of journalists and to the delight of politicians, another couple of election campaigns have ended. And even though the by-elections in Meath and Kildare were not the most entertaining of affairs, they did provide a little bit of diversion and amusement in what is threatening to be a very uneventful year.

The Garda Síochána Bill will leave the Garda as the only police force in these islands that is directly under the authority of an elected politician and his colleagues in Cabinet, writes Conor Brady

Sara Keating is as much impressed with her American past than her Irish heritage, as disclosed by one of many websites aimed at tracing your ancestors. But is it worth the fee?

The IRA still regards itself as the one true army and the legitimate government of the Republic. Where does that leave Ahern's government? And what does it mean for the peace process? By Brendan O'Brien

By offering to shoot the killers of Robert McCartney, The IRA has further tarnished the image of Sinn Féin, writes Suzanne Breen

To mark Amnesty's International Women's Day Festival, Fishamble Theatre Company asked a group of writers to pen a story about a piece of clothing, for a one-off performance on 5 March. Here's what Maeve Binchy and Gavin Kostick came up with...

There is a fine line being walked with admirable integrity by the McCartney sisters. Much of what has been written or said about them has dwelt on their courage, which is unquestionable, their commitment to truth, which is unswerving and their unity as a family, a matter of survival and solace. Coverage of their campaign to bring their brother's killers to justice has given the impression that they are a new phenomenon within northern nationalism.

Richard O'Rawe saw ten of his fellow hunger strikers die in the H-Blocks in 1981. In a new book, he claims that the IRA leadership rejected a British offer that could have ended the hunger strikes. Suzanne Breen reports

They are accused of being political hacks and has-beens, criss-crossing the country, using all their innate guile and ingenuity in clocking up mileage, meals and overnight expenses. Stung by such accusations, The Association Of Fianna Fáil Members of Prison Visiting Committees has started to assert itself.