Banner
Editorials

    • Fianna Fáil confidence grows

      The general election campaign started in earnest at the weekend when Fianna Fáil rallied its supporters and sketched out the shape of things to come. As a confidence-building exercise, it was a success. In spite of his recent difficulties, the Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, emerged with his popularity undimmed; his grip on the party strengthened and the prospect of serving a further five years in government enhanced. The parties offering an alternative government face a daunting task. p

    • Children's rights

      The announcement last week by the Taoiseach that there is to be a referendum on constitutional amendments to protect the rights of children, though long overdue, must be welcomed nonetheless. It comes 13 years after it was recommended in the Kilkenny Incest Report, and has been reiterated many times since by individuals and bodies as diverse as the Review Group on the Constitution, the Law Society, the Ombudsman for Children, legal academics working on the law in relation to children and Opposition politicians. p
    Opinion

    • Fianna Fail on a roll as Ahern bounces back

      Publicly, Fianna Fáil is cautious. Privately, the party cannot believe its luck, writes Mark Hennessy , Political Correspondent p

    • How can we best cement our children's rights into the Constitution?

      With all political factions agreeing on the need for a referendum, Barnardos is about to launch a campaign to propose specific amendments, writes Fergus Finlay p

    • Weakening the powers of parents

      Who could oppose children's rights? It is, is it not, an utterly uncontroversial idea? At a sentimental level, yes: almost everyone wants to do whatever is necessary to make children safer and happier. As a simple plebiscite of intentions, therefore, the referendum signalled on Friday by the Taoiseach suggests it deserves a resounding Yes. p

    • McGahern's light shining more brightly now than ever

      Rite & Reason: Anyone who has read John McGahern's writings knows he was fascinated by the "smells and bells" of his early religious experience, writes Eamon Maher p
    An Irishmans DiaryBack to Top

    • An Irishman's Diary

      Theo van Gogh was no angel, though he looked a little like one: a plump cherub gone to seed, with a mop of golden hair and piggy little eyes of a blue as intense as his great-granduncle's. He was a peculiarly Dutch figure, one you could recognise in any painting by the 17th-century Dutch Masters: gross, well-fed, independent, insolent, sitting in a tavern drinking a tankard of beer, with his armour loosened. p
    Weekly Index
    MPrice Watch
    TEducation
    Health
    WMotors
    An Teanga Bheo
    Commercial Property
    TScience
    Property
    FThe Ticket
    SWeekend
    News Features
    Obituaries
    Magazine
    Archive
    Click a date to view the paper on that day
    PreviousNext
    MTWTFSS
    Advertisement
    Crosswords and Sudoku
    PuzzlesSudoku and interactive Irish Times crosswords
    What does this mean?
    What is Premium ContentIndicates Premium Content, which is available to subscribers.
    PDF downloads
    PDF downloads Download today's front page or TV listings page as they appear in The Irish Times
    Article Index
    Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat