THE ANNOUNCEMENT by the Health Information and Quality Authority (Hiqa) of an investigation into the standards of patient care at Mallow General Hospital has been clouded in confusion. Unlike a previous investigation into the similar-sized Ennis General, prompted by specific instances of patient mismanagement, so far no individual breaches of patient safety have been revealed by Hiqa or the Health Service Executive (HSE). Indeed nursing, medical and political representatives from the hospital’s north Cork catchment area have been uniform in their praise of the facility.

Q: I have a two-and-a-half-year-old boy. He is an only child. Both myself and his father are in our early 40s. Sometimes when we are both in the room with him, say the kitchen/ living room, he will ask one of us to leave the room, as in “Go away Mammy/Daddy”, and will slam the door in our face. He will then remain in the room with one of us, if the other person tries to come back into the room he will say, “Get out”. Is this normal?

MORTGAGE HIKES:Homeowners with variable mortgages are facing a fresh round of mortgage-rate hikes as banks seek to offset losses elsewhere. And with possible ECB rises, those on trackers aren't in a much better position, writes FIONA REDDAN

Travelling the country from April to October, looking after visitors’ every need – who would be a tour guide? John G O’Dwyerfound out as he watched one take a German group around the Rock of Cashel

SOCCER:ROBBIE KEANE will tonight become the third player this year and the fourth ever to reach the milestone of 100 senior caps for Ireland, with the Dubliner set to lead the team out against the same country that provided the opposition when he made his home debut as a teenager more than 12 years ago.

ANALYSIS: Anglo's collapse, we are told, would wreak havoc but can it be worth saving at this price?

While plenty of people claim to hate it, The Slapby Australian writer Christos Tsiolkas is outselling its competition on the Booker longlist – what is it about race, class and sexism that we find so fascinating?

WOMEN DON’T need to delay getting pregnant after miscarriage, research carried out at the University of Aberdeen has found.

Want an eco-friendly car with proper family practicality and a decent range? The new Toyota Prius Plug-In ticks all the boxes, writes MICHAEL McALEERMotoring Editor

Irish J1 students had difficulty getting jobs in California this summer because of their party-animal reputation. ‘A few Irish visitors are ruining it for everyone,’ they tell Stephen Manganand Hugh McDowell