AIDAN WRITES: Something must be done to stop this endless carnage

THERE will come a time, Minister Dempsey, when you will look back upon your political career and, probably in a quiet moment somewhere, ask yourself what real difference you actually made to people's lives. Although many will remember you for what you believe are the wrong reasons such as disappearing on a sun holiday when the country was frozen to a halt, or your use of government transport at the taxpayers' expense, many others will remember you for the far more important things you achieved.

PLATFORM: We must face up to the end game of our housing crisis

THE biggest personal financial decision in our life is house purchase. The characteristic of wanting to own your own home is part of our DNA. Nowhere is boom to bust more evident than in the housing market. In 2003 proper records were assembled on mortgage credit, when total loans amounted to less than €20bn. The peak was reached in 2006 with €39.8bn of house finance. Shockingly, the half-year figure up to the end of this June was a paltry €2.5bn.

PROPERTY: 'Doll's house' property has a price to match

A CHARMING cottage with a guide price of only €138,000 is currently for sale near Boherbue. Located at Ballyhoolihan West, this comfortable and compact home is just like a doll's house, standing on a large garden and only 1.8km from Boherbue village. This petite cottage contains a kitchen come dining room, utility room, and bathroom on the gound floor, with two bedrooms situated upstairs. All rooms are tastefully decorated in this beautiful property.

• Impressive features in this imposing home
• Kilworth property is in a snug location

ON THE MONEY: Uncompetitiveness with Britain is costing us dear

FROM 1928 until 1992 the value of the Irish Pound was always one pound Sterling. During that time the level of prices was much the same in Ireland and Britain. The one-toone link of the Irish Pound to Sterling was broken in 1992 and some years later we joined the Euro.

MY WORLD: Hair straighteners put the heat on men

MONDAY morning, 8.30 a.m. and nothing out of the ordinary has yet occurred. The man of the house is inching his way through the rush-hour traffic and is on course to be seated at the office desk by 8.55am. Easily.

THE WAY I SEE IT: In defence of our dentists

WHEN the first British troops encountered their German enemy in World War 1 they immediately noticed the good teeth of the German soldiers. The British have never been renowned for the health of their teeth and we Irish are further down the scale when it comes to oral hygiene.

COMMENT: We need to do more to preserve life on our roads

THIS last week has seen more tragedy and heartbreak on our nation's roads. Following the terrible loss of four young teenagers in County Kerry last Wednesday, three more people lost their lives in separate incidents across the country over the weekend. There is scarcely a weekend goes by without a fatal crash and often those losing their lives are young people, many of them teenagers – most of them passengers in cars being driven by their peers.

COMMENT: Council move on refuse rubbishes local democracy

WHEN some future government comes to follow the McCarthy report and abolish/amalgamate some local authorities some commentators will say simply: 'Boys, it's your on fault'. Nowhere can that fault be better illustrated than this week, when our Cork county councillors stood idly by while the council divested itself of one of its core responsibilities, refuse collection.

• School uniform rip-off is a kick in the pants for parents
• LETTER: 'Reform' of health service is a massive con trick

LIFE SKILLS: Breathing life into you

RESEARCH strongly indicates that oxygen shortage in the human body has been linked with many illnesses including heart conditions, cancer, digestion, respiratory disease, aching joints, sinus problems and much more. It is the main energy source for our brain function. Whilst our brain weighs only 2% of our body's weight it requires about 25% of its oxygen. As a result it calms our mind and stabilizes our nervous system.