ARCHIVES: Kerry Gardaí clampdown on drug growers

GARDAÍ in Kerry have mounted a countywide clampdown on drugs putting the squeeze on both the growers of cannabis and the pushers. There have already been seizures and prosecutions within the four Kerry Garda divisions. But the Gardaí are now stepping up their activity to stamp what was described this week as an "insidious business".

• Listowel solictor tells of his Atlantic ordeal
• Shipwreck survivor says thanks to rescuer
• Castlegregory tries a radio experiment

FARMING: Agri-food growth targets will depend on nitrates review

IFA President John Bryan has said that the outcome of the nitrates review has the potential to make or break the Government's Food Harvest 2020 growth strategy for the agrifood sector, which is essential to national economic recovery, exports and job creation.

• ICMSA concern over 'block exemptions'
• Teagasc hosts agri-environment conference

PROPERTY: Great location opposite Aldi and Fexco in Killorglin

LOCATED in Killorglin town Tom Spillane & Co. Ltd currently have a prime two storey commercial premises on their books. The property ( pictured right) is ideally located on the Iveragh Road directly opposite Killorglin's new town centre development, incorporating the new Aldi supermarket and also opposite the Fexco headquarters in the town. As a result it enjoys significant passing traffic on a consistent basis.

• Excellently located Tralee premises ready to go for business
• Acres of potential in Annascaul home
• Quarter of a million to be king of Castlegregory
• €300k sought for this central Killorglin property

STRAIGHT TALKING: Government's childcare policy bordering on a joke

THE fact that Ireland is the most expensive country in Europe for childcare is hardly surprising. The only thing that's surprising is that a survey was needed to divulge the information in the first place. Support for working parents from the Government is miserly at best, and I say that as a parent who has just finished with the childcare system.

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.

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.

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.

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.