Stop and think for a minute

It is with growing discomfort that I'm hearing Bank of Ireland and Irish Life and Permanent have been approached by private equity firms interested in paying €5bn.

I would urge the Irish Government not to allow this to happen.

It would be Eircom all over again.

Private investors will sweat the assets while the country gets a bum deal.

Irish businesses and citizens need the injection of funds for sure, but at what price?

Feelin' good

After my first wave of emotion on hearing of Barack Obama's victory, only the immortal Nina Simone's word's can sum it up:

Its a new dawn

Its a new day

Its a new life

And I'm feeling good

Now let's begin to make the world a better place.