To go to the country, or to not yet go to the country, that is the political question. For the date of the next General Election is on the mind of every politician in Ireland, whatever they might say in public.

There are times when trying to win a battle means you lose the war. The debate about the derogation from the Nitrates Directive is one of those occasions. Farming is a big part of who we have been and who we are. It has a big and important future.

After the summer they had, RTÉ sure needed the Late Late Show to change the conversation. The new host, Patrick Kielty, certainly provides them with the fresh face they wanted. The first show of his tenure went pretty well.

Now that the Autumn is coming, it’s an appropriate time to consider some enjoyable activities for the many shorter evenings ahead.