In the last paper review before Friday's much-anticipated referendum, the Sunday Show's panel sat down to discuss all the biggest stories from today's papers.
Joining Shane Coleman were Irish Examiner journalist Mick Clifford and Longford Leader editor Sheila O'Reilly.
The panel began with a discussion of maternity services under the control of the HSE, which is covered in most papers. O'Reilly highlighted a piece in the Times that compared the recent HIQA report to a similar investigation in the UK - in which figures were named and resignations were tendered. The HSE does not have this transparency, she said.
Clifford said there is a serious inclination to avoid scandal within the management of the HSE, and this may have contributed to the ignoring of warnings about infant deaths in maternity wards.
The Carlow-Kilkenny by-election is incredibly important for Fianna Fail, who hope to re-install Bobby Aylward and beat a bad run of six lost by-elections. Though she understands the nerves in the Fianna Fáil camp, O'Reilly thinks Alyward, who is well known and popular locally, should grab the seat.
Clifford notes a piece by Pat Leahy in the Sunday Business Post in which he asks what lessons are to be learnt by Irish parties following the UK general elections. Shane wondered if Michael Noonan's recent comments about some people being 'allergic to work' are related to success of Tory promises on savage welfare cuts.
A number of polls show a considerable majority - with some variance - for the Yes side in the same-sex marriage referendum, but a majority which has shrunk.
O'Reilly believes this is a 'natural' kickback to the Yes consensus among political parties and many public figures. Clifford said he himself was 'bugged' by comments from executives in foreign corporations who are trying to exert political pressure on the public.
In a similar vein, neither was impressed by proposed plans for Intel to offer the freezing of eggs of its female employees. All were agreed on the Orwellian undertones, and O'Reilly said firmly that businesses need to "stay out of the bedroom."
