Awards were given to service men and women, active and retired, who especially exemplify respect, loyalty, integrity, selflessness, moral courage and physical courage.

“This is yet another example of the many ‘accidental cruelties’ of the direct provision system. Nobody means to do harm and everybody does their job, sort of, but things seem to happen to persons in direct provision that don’t happen to other people because it’s a system without a heart.”

Repeal of the equal protection currently recognised as being owed to the unborn child would open the door to a systematic injustice, whereby the law denies the most basic and essential protections to those fully deserving of such concern.

The young people develop real friendships with each other, and face and overcome some big challenges together.

Amnesty International’s close links to the pro choice Women on Web organisation raises "very serious questions about Amnesty’s professional judgement".

Some accuse the Church of not doing enough to stop the amendment; others criticise Church for stridently presenting a message that was out of touch with the people.

"It is a sacred space and we anticipate that people will act appropriately and respectfully" - Mgr Jim Carroll.

"It was an attack on a city, on a nation, on a culture, and on democracy."

"Though Mandela was not a Catholic, much of what he did and stood for is very much in line with Catholic Social Teaching," Archbishop of Durban states.