Bartering is back as Irish go swapping

Websites for bartering over goods and services are booming as thrifty internet users try to save money

Brenda Power: The nuns would not have stood for it

The lack of accountability of the HSE and of health staff is the real cause of the hospital crisis

Former IRA prisoners accused of blackmail plot

Nicholas Mullen and Ronald McCartney allegedly tried to blackmail two Republican associates into giving them £150,000

Even a bishop must answer to the people

Bishop John Magee should listen to his own church leaders and resign over his diocese’s failure to act on child abuse allegations

The odd tipple boosts female brain

Research shows the occasional drink can improve cognitive funtion and defend against dementia in women - but the same is not true for men

Badger baiting on the rise as rural police patrols dwindle

End of troubles has led to greater freedom for bloodsport enthusiasts to dig out setts, animal welfare campaigners claim

Slow start to Grafton Street sales

Consumers give bargains cold shoulder after pre-Christmas frenzy

Minister turns up heat on Magee

Barry Andrews will ask for cabinet approval to publish a Health Service Executive audit of church child-protection practices

Ireland too grey for the burqa

Women wearing burqas in cold countries risk broken bones from vitamin D deficiency

Music firms want royalties from hotels and prisons

Recording industry to fight Ireland’s copyright exemption in court as sales decline

Ireland fights €300m slump in tourism

The number of tourists visiting Ireland will drop, minister warns

Parrot king told to evict rare birds

Dublin ornithologist appeals against ruling to remove aviary of rare birds

Irish road deaths are lowest in 47 years

Record figures put down to safer roads and 'sea change' in driver attitudes

Ahern: I had to fight Adams at peace talks

The former taoiseach says Irish and British politicians regularly took part in slanging matches during the peace process

RTE chat shows stick to their own

Want to catch familiar faces again (and again)? Try a chat show from our national broadcaster

Canvassing early and often is key to winning hearts and minds

A university researcher has a few lessons for politicians wanting to target voters more effectively in the run-up to an election

In Russia with little love

Why our man in Moscow is out in the cold

Our leaders must shape up or ship out

The political bravery needed to to implement unpopular measures is likely to be missing in an election year

Obesity expert goes to war on Subway

Call to cap number of the chain's fast-food outlets in the Republic

John Burns: Atticus

Free world travel? It’s just to make us feel a bit better about jet-set life