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.

Is the country gone mad? After a week of boozy excess in Galway it was sobering to see images on Sunday's news of the Dublin City Triathlon, which ended up a Duathlon due to the capital's poor water quality. (Nice to see someone else getting it for a change, isn't it?)

On arriving back in Galway from Australia a number of years ago, a friend of mine remarked that she didn't know how she would get (re) accustomed to Galway, it was so bleak and grey. Some times, especially when it rains, it is difficult to appreciate our city and some times, even when it pours, you just can't help feeling a little smug that you live and work in such a great town.

In a time of job cuts, economic downturns, increases in housing and hospital wait lists etc, the only thing interesting or newsworthy about the 'controversy' over the did they/didn't they clamping story is that it is receiving any spare ink or air time at all.

With Big Brother in its ninth season and TV execs constantly scrambling to think of newer, and more profitable ideas for reality TV (and coming up with the opposite), it may be a surprise to you that Galway City Council's meetings could soon be broadcast live online.

Finance Minister Brian Lenihan and his cabinet colleagues have announced a series of spending cutbacks in an effort to save the country the €500 million it needs to balance the books at the end of this year.