Public sector unions can rightly be pleased with the 10.25% pay increase that they secured from the Government for their members late last week. Now, one in every three Euro raised in taxes is being spent on public sector pay and pensions. The Government has, so far, been tight-lipped on long-awaited ‘reforms’ and ‘efficiencies’ that…
Notebook In last week’s notebook, Fr Bernard Cotter raised some interesting questions about the Sacrament of Confirmation. His reflections followed on from a recent meeting with parents of the candidates for Confirmation and parish personnel. The meeting seemed to lack any enthusiasm from the parents to such an extent that the person who chaired the…
What do the Scottish poet Robbie Burns and St Paul the Evangelist have in common? As I’ve only recently learned, they share January 25 as their special day. The Scots eat haggis and drink whisky on ‘Burns Night’ to commemorate their national bard, who so memorably authored ‘Auld Lang Syne’, and ‘To a Mouse’. St…
Family is a key Catholic value, so why don’t we hear more from the Church on family homes? writes Michael Kelly I only met former Taoiseach Garret Fitzgerald once in my life. It was in late 2007, and though out of office for more than 20 years at that stage, he swiftly proceeded to give…
We have a Government that does not like public debate going out of their control, writes David Quinn There is misinformation, disinformation and one I would like to add to that list, namely under-information. All three of these things can badly distort the public’s understanding of any given issue. Imagine this as an Agatha Christie…
Patricia Casey The sexual abuse of children by priests has been a huge stain on the life of the Catholic Church, particularly in Ireland, the United States and parts of Europe. It has damaged the wellbeing of its victims, leading some to take their own lives. It has ruined the reputation of Catholicism in…
Euthanasia laws make people with disabilities feel like a burden, writes Dualta Roughneen I was listening to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Assisted Suicide today, Tuesday, February 16. Peter Kearns, representing the Independent Living Movement Ireland (ILMI) was speaking about the negative implications for people with disabilities if the Government is to legislate for euthanasia,…
Irish citizens get a vote, but do we really get a choice? On many key issues, Ireland’s political parties are politically indistinguishable. Policy options that are considered perfectly normal in most Western states are deemed taboo in Ireland, and are not even discussed. The Irish people’s trust in politicians and the media is plumbing new…
Doubts from members of the Oireachtas means Abortion Review recommendations face obstacles, writes Eilis Mulroy It’s hugely significant that members of the Oireachtas Health Committee have expressed doubts about the content of the Three Year Review Report on Ireland’s abortion law. After the Review report last year recommended wide-ranging changes to the abortion legislation, the…
We have Confirmation in the parish where I live, this year. Confirmation is celebrated every second year, with the liturgy alternating between our two churches. Thus has it ever been, since at least the Year Dot! In preparation for it and First Communion, a meeting was held with each set of parents. First Communion parents…
Mary Kenny
Michael Kelly
David Quinn