Page 16 - John Downing News Today

Years ago, when I felt in need of a good laugh, I used to detour to the Rue des Tongres, which is about a 10-minute walk from the EU quarter in Brussels. It was, and still is, one of Belgium’s chicest streets, serving a neighbourhood of very fine houses built in the late 19th and early 20th centuries with riches for the most part looted from the Belgian Congo.

It’s safe to go out now that much of the shouting about neutrality and Nato at the special government security forum has calmed for a while. But since that four-day forum on defence and security is over, what are the options for Ireland’s security and defence? And what changes – if any – are likely?

It’s a cast iron rule of politics that you always keep on doing what you are doing until, suddenly, you’re headed for the exit door. There is a certainty around Leinster House that Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin is set fair to be Ireland’s next European Commissioner – provided he actually wants that post.

Stacker compiled a list of misheard lyrics from 25 iconic rock songs, pulling information from the news, music journalism, and independent polls.

Stacker compiled a list of misheard lyrics from 25 iconic rock songs, pulling information from the news, music journalism, and independent polls.

Stacker compiled a list of misheard lyrics from 25 iconic rock songs, pulling information from the news, music journalism, and independent polls.

It’s hard to say “I told you so” with much grace – and it’s often rather pointless to even try. The infamous EU-UK divorce gave us that ugly word “Brexit” – the consequences of which have now given us a sad, if slightly less ugly word, “Bregrets”, as many British citizens feel things have not worked out as hoped.

There is little love lost between President Michael D Higgins and the Government. However, ministers must credit him with generating huge publicity for the opening today of a public discussion on Ireland’s defence and foreign policy that they could never have achieved.

Ireland’s military neutrality will not be abandoned – but it may have to be adapted against new threats amid the country’s role in emerging EU security and defence policy, the Tánaiste has said.

The last time I had a pint in Stockholm, I feared I’d need to take out a mortgage if a second one was called for. So, no surprise this week to read that prices are rising in Sweden in much the same way as inflation is hitting hard across the developed world.