It is the great Irish murder mystery, dominating the political landscape for nearly three-quarters of a century: Was Eamon de Valera behind the assassination of Michael Collins? Michael Mills contends that not only was de Valera aware of the ambush being prepared for Collins but also that he attended the meeting
of IRA officers at Beal na Blath where
The last 25 years have seen profound changes in our economic, social and political life, beyond what was imaginable at the time of our accession to the European Union. The accession negotiations opened in Luxembourg in June 1970, with a team led by the then minister for foreign affairs, Dr Patrick Hillery, assisted by officials from the Departments of Finance, Foreign Affairs, Agriculture and Industry and Commerce, and were completed in January 1972. Following a referendum, we joined the (then) European Communities on 1 January 1973.
Politicians'pensions are being improved; the wage bill for Ministers alone has topped £1m; it costs over £2,000 a day to put state cars under Ministers; the politics of degeneracy continues. By Gene Kerrigan
For over 40 years, Alexis Fitzgerald played a central role in Irish political and economic life. He had 'more influence on economic policy than any politician or civil servant since the foundation of the state'. His appointment as Special Advisor to the Government was recognition of a kind never accorded to anyone before and unlikely to be accorded to anyone again.
The government has - in the cases involving PMPA, ICI and the alleged "IRA money" - shown itself capable of urgent measures when it believes them warranted. Four years later the Stardust case drags painfully on.
After yet another trouncing, yet more pieces have fallen off the shaking shattered Labour Party. The party now faces even more crushing defeats.
Gene Kerrigan observes the democratic process at work
The Honourable Michael 0 'Halloran Lord Mayor of the City of Dublin, was humming "Come Fly With Me".
In 1969 the Labour Party talked about a National Development Corporation to co-ordinate and expand the activities of the public sector. Three coalition governments have talked about it. They are still talking about it.
As speculation grows about an imminent return to Fianna Fail, Neil Blaney talks to Olivia O'Leary
IT'S 10.30am ON A THURSDAY morning, any Thursday morning, in the Dail. There's a scattering of the usual Deputies around the Chamber, their eyes gleaming, teeth biting at the bit. It's their last chance to hit the headlines before they close shop for the weekend and they know it.