The words of Jonathan Swift should have been echoing in our ears last week as we anticipated both the Budget and the latest EU Council meeting: “Expect nothing and you will not be disappointed.” In both cases, the expectations far outweighed the outcomes. In the case of the Noonan/Howlin Budget, we learned that the kite-flying

WHAT is it about this Government and appointments? Last week it had to endure the indignity of seeing its efforts to have Kevin Cardiff appointed to the European Court of Auditors stumble at the first hurdle. If the Government succeeds in getting the process back on track, it will be due, in no small part,