Public pay talks to resume

The Government is to meet trade unions tomorrow to discuss public sector pay and reform.

Failure to open GP referrals 'unacceptable' - Harney

Tallaght hospital has said that an estimation by Trinity College Dublin public health specialist Prof Tom O'Dowd that 30,000 GP referral letters were unopened was incorrect.

Statement by Minister for Health Mary Harney

The central and over-riding priority in all aspects of health care, in every hospital, at every meeting and in every last detail of administration is the interest of patients.

Cork-Swansea ferry service begins

The tourism group behind a new ferry service linking Cork with Swansea has expressed confidence for the future of the service which today saw the ship arrive in Cork on its maiden voyage from the Welsh port.

Tax breaks 'hurting viable hotels'

The Department of Finance was accused today of undermining viable hotels by giving out €329 million in tax breaks for new developments over a four-year period.

Two more die from swine flu

Two more people have died after contracting swine flu, bringing the total number of fatalities from the virus in the Republic to 24, health authorities confirmed this afternoon.

O'Brien Press launches slang app

Independent publisher O’Brien Press has made its first foray into app culture with the launch an Irish slang guide, aimed at explaining some of the more choice words and phrases that have failed to make it into the Oxford English Dictionary.

Erosion caused viaduct collapse

A viaduct on one of the country’s busiest railway lines collapsed because workmen carrying out safety checks did not know how to properly assess it, a report into the incident revealed today.

Gardaí appeal over missing man

Gardaí in Ballyfermot, Dublin have made an appeal in relation to a missing man.

Harney to attend talks on patient safety

Minister for Health Mary Harney will attend a number of hospitals and talks on improving health service during her two week visit to New Zealand.

Report lacks detail on costs

The report by the innovation taskforce published today by the Government contains no specific details on how much implementation will cost.

Sharon Collins appeals conviction

The conviction of a mother of two for conspiring to murder her wealthy partner and his two sons by hiring an online hitman cannot be upheld because her co-accused was acquitted, a court heard today.

Wilson queries North health spending

Northern Ireland's finance minister Sammy Wilson has said it is time to question current levels of spending on health and social housing.

Dáil uproar over Tallaght revelations

There were rowdy scenes in the Dáil and the House was suspended this morning amid repeated Opposition demands for a debate to clarify reports that there were thousands of unopened referral letters from GPs to consultants at Tallaght hospital.

Banks need 'enforcement threat'

The new Head of Financial Regulation, Matthew Elderfield, has said there needs to be “assertive risk-based regulation underpinned by the credible threat of enforcement” in a wide-ranging speech on plans to overhaul financial supervision in Ireland.

Innovation 'central' to recovery

An ambitious report by the innovation taskforce appointed by the Government in June last year, was launched this morning by the Taoiseach, Brian Cowen.

Calls for board to appear at Dáil Committee

Fine Gael Health Spokesman, Dr James Reilly has called for the relevant board members of Tallaght Hospital to appear before an Oireachtas Committee to explain how GP referral letters were left unopened for years.

Oireachtas to be hit by strike action

Members of three public services unions have said they will refuse to deal with email between offices within the Oireachtas from this afternoon.

Gardaí seek missing Dublin man

Gardaí in Dublin are seeking the public’s help in tracing the whereabouts of a man who has been missing from his home since last week.

Two remanded in 'murder plot'

Two people have been remanded in custody in connection with an international investigation into an alleged plot to murder a Swedish cartoonist.

Man charged with Dublin murder

A man has been remanded in custody after he appeared in court in Dublin charged with the murder of another man in a pub over a year ago.

Reports of Obama visit denied

There are no confirmed plans for a state visit to Ireland by US President Barack Obama, the Department of Foreign Affairs and US embassy have said.

Two arrested over headshop fire

Two men have been arrested in relation to the fire at a headshop in Sligo town this morning.

Tallaght X-ray helpline information

More than 800 patients concerned that their X-rays may not have been reported by a consultant radiologist at Tallaght hospital called the hospital’s helpline yesterday.

Woman charged with murder

Gardaí investigating the murder of a man in a flat in Cork city more than 18 months ago have arrested a woman and have charged her in connection with the killing.

Aer Lingus cabin crew to lose jobs

All 1,200 Aer Lingus cabin crew in the Republic of Ireland are to be sent notices of termination of their employment next month and offered new contracts involving lower salary scales and changed work practices.

Media 'unfair and unjust' - Bishop

Catholic Bishop of Elphin Christopher Jones has accused the media of being “unfair and unjust” to the Catholic Church through a concentration on the handling by church authorities of the clerical child sex-abuse issue.

NI minister to criticise action on economy

Northern Ireland’s finance minister is to use a keynote speech in the Republic today to criticise his own government’s handling of the economy.

Boy injured after cliff fall

A boy (12) who fell off a cliff near Balbriggan this evening, is said to be in a stable condition in hospital.

Man for court over UVF membership

A man (33) is due to appear in front of Belfast Magistrate Court tomorrow morning charged with membership of the UVF, amongst other offences.

Ryan fuels speculation of deal

Green Party Minister for Energy and Natural Resources Eamon Ryan today fuelled speculation that there is an internal party agreement on the rotation of ministerial positions.

Church 'unfairly' treated by media

The Catholic Bishop of Elphin, Christopher Jones, has accused the media of being “unfair and unjust” to his Church through a concentration on the handling by Church authorities of the clerical child sex abuse issue.

Envoy declines Dáil committee invite

The Israeli Ambassador to Ireland, Dr Zion Evrony, has declined a request to attend a meeting of an Oireachtas committee to discuss the use of forged Irish passports by a team allegedly responsible for the assassination of a senior Hamas operative.

Bus Éireann announces service cuts

Bus Éireann tonight announced the latest stage of its massive cost-cutting drive with the axing of one service and the curtailment of 18 others.

Vatican meeting part of 'renewal process'

A Vatican statement on clerical child abuse issued after last month’s historic meeting between Pope Benedict and Irish Catholic leaders was only “one part of a long term process of renewal”, Irish bishops said today at the conclusion of their two-day spring meeting in Maynooth.

DAA to operate Dublin airport's T2

The Minister for Transport has appointed the Dublin Airport Authority to operate the new Terminal 2.

Bombs found at Athlone head shops

Two viable explosive devices discovered outside head shops in Athlone, Co Westmeath were made safe by the Army today.

New Irish Times managing director

Liam Kavanagh has been appointed managing director of The Irish Times.

Hiqa learned of delays with Tallaght X-rays last June

The independent body responsible for monitoring safety and accountability in the health services was first made aware of a problem with a backlog of X-ray reviews at Tallaght hospital as early as April of last year, it has emerged.

ITC seeks free legal aid over sit-in

A cab drivers’ organisation is seeking legal aid to defend proceedings brought against it by the Commission for Taxi Regulation arising from a sit-in at its offices earlier in the week.

Agency unveils eco upgrade plan

Proposals to upgrade the energy efficiency of more than a million homes, at a cost of €6 billion, have been included in a new corporate strategy outlined by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland this afternoon.

Former athletics chief settles action

A legal action over the dismissal of former Irish athletics chief Mary Coghlan has been settled on undisclosed terms at the High Court.

Order to formally recognise press council

Minister for Justice Dermot Ahern is to ask the Dáil and Seanad to approve an order formally recognising the Press Council of Ireland as the "Press Council".

Timeline of cancer diagnosis failures

Here is a timeline of high-profile failures and delays in the diagnosis of cancer patients:

Call for review of child protection

A Health Information and Quality Authority called today for tougher guidelines and tighter timeframes for reporting the deaths of children in state care.

Gardaí seek missing Dublin teen

Gardaí in Blanchardstown have renewed their appeal for help tracing 17-year-old Daniel McAnaspie, who has been missing for the past 12 days.

Ahern to strengthen alcohol sale code

Minister for Justice Dermot Ahern has signalled his intention to put the voluntary code of practice on the sale of alcohol on a statutory footing.

Taxi drivers to strike next week

Members of the Irish Taxi Council (ITC) is planning to give Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey seven days notice before implementing an “indefinite national protest”.

Harney defends hospital error

There's no such thing as a hospital free of medical error, Minister for Health Mary Harney has said.

Fire at landmark Dublin city hotel

A fire at Wynn's Hotel on Dublin's Lower Abbey Street caused disruption to traffic this afternoon.

Victim Impact Statement

Delivered by Kevin Kelly, Ann Corcoran’s nephew

Galway to host Volvo Ocean race

Taoiseach Brian Cowen has welcomed the return of the prestigious international Volvo Ocean race to Galway in 2012.

Aer Lingus outlines redundancy deal

All 1,200 Aer Lingus cabin crew in the Republic of Ireland are to be sent notices of termination by the company later this month and offered new contracts on revised terms and conditions involving lower salary scales and changed work practices.

Garda cleared over Wheelock death

A Garda Ombudsman Commission investigation into the death of Dubliner Terence Wheelock, who died after being found unconscious in a Garda station, has found that gardaí did not cause his death.

HSE to investigate X-ray process

The Health Service Executive (HSE) has said it is to carry out an investigation into the handling of X-rays at Tallaght hospital.

'Jihad Jane' linked to Irish plot

Gardaí believe a Pennsylvania woman arrested in the US travelled to Ireland last year to recruit people for a plot to kill a Swedish cartoonist.

Cowen has 'confidence' in Harney

Taoiseach Brian Cowen told the Dáil today that Minister for Health Mary Harney has his “confidence” in light of the latest scandal to hit the health service.

Man gets life for murder of widow

A Co Cork man has been sentenced to life in prison for the murder of widow Anne Corcoran after abducting her from her farmhouse during a robbery last year.

Hospital was 'warned over X-ray delay'

Consultant radiologists sent more than 40 letters to management at Tallaght hospital in Dublin expressing concern at the "growing delay" in reporting on X-rays, the Irish Hospital Consultants' Association has said.

SDLP names ex-journalist as candidate

Former TV journalist Fearghal McKinney admitted today he had a fight on his hands to win a Westminster seat after announcing his intention to stand for the SDLP in the coming general election.

Thousands of marriages 'illegal'

Thousands of foreign couples who married at their country’s embassies in the Republic over the past three years are being told their marriages are invalid and illegal.

Court adjourns Liam Adams case

Liam Adams, the brother of Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams, was before the High Court today for the first stage in an extradition hearing.

Six held over dissident activity

PSNI officers from the Serious Crime Branch have arrested six men following an investigation into suspected dissident republican activity in Belfast.

Three charged over UVF membership

Three men arrested in connection with a PSNI investigation into UVF activity in north Belfast face court today on a series of charges.

Villagers flee rampaging elephants

Wild elephants rampaged through a southern village in Angola last weekend, destroying farms and dozens of houses and prompting most of its 4,000 residents to flee to neighboring Namibia, local officials said.

Taxi protests come to an end

There was widespread disruption in Dublin this evening due to the taxi dispute which began this morning and then escalated.

HSE statement on Tallaght hospital

HSE Statement re Adelaide and Meath hospital Dublin

HSE 'under-resourced' says protection expert

One of the leading child protection experts in Ireland has criticised the lack of resources being provided to the HSE.

Tallaght hospital statement on x-rays

Statement by the Adelaide and Meath hospital Dublin Incorporating the National Children's hospital

Hospital admits x-rays not reviewed

Tallaght Hospital has admitted that almost 58,000 X-rays taken over a four-year period were never reviewed by a consultant radiologist.

Third of drivers not stopped - study

A third of drivers have never been stopped by a Garda for any reason, according to a new study from AA Ireland.

Lissadell a 'playground for locals'

The Lissadell estate in Co Sligo was considered a “playground” by locals with its roadways and amenities open for use by all, the High Court was told today .

Opposition seeks rent review measures

Opposition parties have called on the Government to urgently introduce measures to allow for a downward review of commercial rents on existing leases.

Ryanair drops plans for Dublin jobs

Ryanair confirmed today it would push with negotiations to site an aircraft maintenance base on mainland Europe, saying its controversial bid to establish the facility in Dublin airport would not longer be pursued.

Child review under way 'in weeks'

The review of cases of children who have died while in the care of the State is expected to get under way "in a matter of weeks", a member of the newly appointed review group said today.