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Threats to air quality
The latest annual report from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on air quality finds that our air is generally good. But some of the results were surprising, even alarming. Indeed, the EPA itself was surprised to discover that the highest levels of airborne microscopic dust particles, known as PM10, were recorded in rural towns and villages. And the most likely cause was the continued burning in these areas of smoky fuel for home heating - even though the environmental health consequences may be quite severe; PM10 can penetrate deep into the respiratory tract, causing cardio- pulmonary disorders. p
Well-paid politicians
Few parliamentarians anywhere in the world are quite as well paid as the members of the Oireachtas now are. And even fewer parliaments can claim such a high ratio of office-holders to elected members as Dáil Éireann now boasts. Between them, the Government parties have 86 TDs, of whom 35 have ministerial responsibilities: 15 are cabinet members and 20 are junior ministers. All told, it means that some 41 per cent of all the TDs who sit on the Fianna Fáil, Green Party and PD benches in Leinster House hold ministerial office in some form. p
Opinion
Head to Head
Should Fianna Fáil organise in Northern Ireland? Cecilia Keaveney says Fianna Fáil's vision of prosperity can help to end tribal politics in Northern Ireland while Robin Wilson says the move would end the Government's role as an honest broker and signal a sad end to the SDLP. pCarney side stepped his own logic
Towards the end of his address to the UCC Law Society last week Mr Justice Paul Carney shied away from the logic of his argument. Having implicitly set out a plausible case against victim impact statements, he appeared to shrink from the ineluctable conclusion, writes John Waters . p
An Irishman's Diary
The exotic dancer and courtesan Mata Hari was executed by firing squad at Vincennes prison on Monday, October 15th, 1917 - exactly 90 years ago. Her life, trial and death ensured that her story would never be forgotten in France or throughout the world. Much has been written about her and two films were produced - one with Greta Garbo, who claimed to be her daughter, in the title role. p
