After repeated promises to address the needs of disadvantaged children in primary schools, the Department of Education and Science has in fact removed special needs teachers from many disadvantaged schools in some of the most deprived areas of the country.
As the Taoiseach's brother, Noel Ahern believes he has the freedom to speak out where other TDs would hold back. Sometimes he can even be a thorn in Bertie's side. By Mary Regan
Fianna Fáil's ard-fheis theme is listening, but most of the motions will congratulate Ministers and avoid all those problem issues. By Eoin O Murchu
TD Watch: Tony Gregory is famous for securing massive investment for the inner city. But the TDinflux of comfortable, middle-class voters in his constituency may cause him problems at the next General Election, writes Mary Regan
Frank Fahey, while Minister for the Marine, bent the rules on the registration of fishing boat capacity to the advantage of only six applicants to a scheme, while excluding a family that had lost a father and son at sea. By Vincent Browne
The recent controversy over the computer systems in the Health sector relates to a mere fraction of the wastage of public funds. Here we catalogue some of the more glaring instances of massive wastages, taken in the main from reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General, John Purcell. By Vincent Browne
Promises unfulfilled, expectations unrealised, the computer debacle merely masks the other failures. By Mary Minihan
The Green Party's John Gormley knows his seat in Dublin South East is at risk in the next election, but believes his Green policies and his presence in his constituency will ensure his position in Dáil Éireann
Tony Blair's statements since the London bombings make clear there will be no safe hiding place for terrorists. Yet he has refused to provide access to crucial files on the 1974 Dublin and Monaghan bombings, and suspicion of British involvement remains.
Ruairi Quinn's autobiography unwittingly shows how the pressures of modern politics and public office determine agenda at variance from initial ambitions