The government which is being blamed for landing us in the current so-called unprecedented economic crisis have delivered their accelerated plan to steer us out of the mess we now find ourselves in. But, is it as tough as we had anticipated and will it go any way towards resuscitating the Celtic Tiger?

Finance Minister Brian Lenihan will deliver his first budget next Tuesday and, unless he wins the Eurobillions Lotto in the intervening few days, there are those of us who would probably prefer to be listening to him reading paragraphs from Peig than telling us how things are going to be run (down) for the next year.

So, here we go again, eh? Another year, another water crisis, another case of city officials seemingly all at sea as regards what to do in a crisis. You have to ask yourself, will it ever be safe to go back to the water in Galway again? And even if it is, will you ever drink tap water again?

With the Budget brought forward by six weeks, the calls have started rolling in for a piece of the ever-decreasing pie. You can't please all of the people all of the time, even in a vibrant economy; it goes without saying, it will be harder still in the current climate for the Government to ensure that everyone is even remotely happy with what they get.

PD, or not PD? That was the question on every politico's lips as the Galway Independent went to press last night ahead of Deputy Noel Grealish's anticipated statement on his political intentions.

Sometimes it feels that with every step forward we take with regards to transport and gridlock in this city, we take another ten back. And such is the case with the arrival of the improved N6 to the outskirts of the city.

As thousands of Irish and non-Irish children get set to return to education after the summer break this week, it is fitting that our thoughts again turn to educational standards and the debate turns to how all the children on this island should be taught.

Students and parents across the country were rightfully rattled this week as 50,000 CAO applicants received their first round college offers against the backdrop of the looming threat of the reintroduction of college fees.

We learned last week that 70 per cent of Leaving Cert students get grinds outside of school for that all-important exam. And today, 100 per cent of them will find out if all the hard work they and others have put into that exam has paid off. I hope it has, both for that 70 per cent, and for the other 30.