A decade of easy living or a decade of broken dreams? Brenda Power chronicles the defining issues of the Noughties, covering a breadth of social, political and public interest issues. Her comments are frequently controversial and generate huge responses, such as her 2009 article on gay marriage. She tackles difficult and divisive subjects without fear or favour. Her views on the rapid changes in Irish society during the boom years are a fascinating commentary on the values and practices of that extraordinary period in Irish history. These snap-shots highlight issues that shaped our lives in Ireland in recent years.