February 2012
107 posts
Ó Cuív resigns as FF Deputy Leader
Éamon Ó Cuív has resigned as Fianna Fáil’s Deputy Leader and Communications Spokesperson. Party leader Micheál Martin said in a statement that he had accepted Mr Ó Cuív’s resignation from these positions. Mr Martin said “Éamon’s refusal to support the Parliamentary Party’s position on the Fiscal Compact meant that it was no longer feasible for him to occupy these...
Demonstration outside Dáil over austerity measures
Hundreds of people have taken part in a protest walk against the household and septic tank charges today, in Dublin’s city centre. It was estimated that around 700 hundred people met at the Spire on O’Connell Street at one o’clock and marched towards the Dáil. The demonstration was organised by Rural Ireland Against Charges and involves people from different parts of the country.
Greyhound chasing funds for waiver customers
The company providing a bin collection service in South County Dublin, Greyhound Waste, wants the council to take over the €3m cost of subsiding waiver customers. Greyhound Recycling and Recovery has said it cannot afford to continue collecting bins without payment. The current waivers arrangement will expire at the end of next month.
Sinn Féin TD's €50,000 printer bill
It has come out today that Sinn Féin TD Aengus Ó Snodaigh used roughly €50,000 worth of printer cartridges between 2007-2009.
He managed to get through a staggering 478 printer toner cartridges in a two-year period.
He was still unapologetic last night, saying: “I’m no freeloader. Part of my job as a TD and a public representative is to ensure that the public who elect me are kept...
John Giles to lead parade
FOOTBALL LEGEND JOHN Giles has been announced as the Grand Marshal for this year’s St Patrick’s Day parade in Dublin.
The RTE football pundit will lead the parade on March 17th, following in the footsteps – literally – of other sports stars such as Packie Bonner, Micheál Ó Muircheartaigh and Katie Taylor who have all been Grand Marshal in recent years.
New survey on property prices
Potential Home buyers in a new survey. Do not plan to buy a home for at least another two years. The new survey shows that the majority of people believe that house prices will keep falling in 2011. Official figures show that prices of houses and apartments across the country fell at their fastest annual rate in two years last month, with a particularly sharp fall in houses prices in Dublin. In...
O Snodaigh and the Toner
It has been revealed today that Sinn Fein Aengus O Snodaigh has taken €50,000 worth of print toner kits from the Dail. During 2007 through until 2009, the print toner kits were free for TDs and Senators. It was during this period that Aengus O Snodaigh used 478 print toner kits. Far more then any other sitting TD. Speaking this morning, the Dublin South-Central TD defended his use of the ink,...
EU treaty referendum announced
The Attorney general has announced today that a referendum will have to be held on the new fiscal EU treaty. Taoiseach Enda Kenny said “it would be in Ireland’s interest if it was approved,” saying, “it would be an important step in rebuilding the economy and our reputation”. Local Minster Alan Shatter speaking to Dublin South fm said he welcomed the decision to hold a referendum.
Irish Win at Oscars
A film maker from Northern Ireland has won the Oscar for best short film at the 84th annual academy in Hollywood called ‘The Shore’. Whilst the Artist won five Oscars including best picture, best director, and the best actor went to Jean Dujardin.
Syrian Army shells Homs
Syrian government forces continue to shell the city of Homs.
Local co-ordination committees have stated that 30 people have been killed across the country by forces loyal to the Assad regime whilst a referendum was being held on a new constitution.
United Left Alliance demonstrate against new...
The United Left Alliance and the Campaign against water charges and Household tax, demonstrated outside the offices of Alex White’s constituency clinic in Rathfarnham.
5,000 placements filled on Jobbridge scheme
Jobbridge the government Internship scheme which was launched last June has hit its target of creating 5,000 placements. The Taoiseach, Enda Kenny said “Jobbridge is providing invaluable experience adding that some Interns had already secured full time jobs as a result of the programme”.
Canada offering jobs
A Canadian delegation has arrived in dublin this week to hold talks with the Government, Fas and the Construction Industry Federation. Mr MacLachlan, President of the British Columbia Construction Association believes that Irish construction workers can fill 80,000 vacancies in British Columbia and Alberta between 2012 through until 2014. There will be a Dublin working abroad expo in the RDS on...
ESB to shed 700 staff
THE ESB is set to shed up to 700 staff in a voluntary exit scheme over four years.
Management and unions have reached agreement on a range of cost-saving measures despite a major row over whether senior executives should sacrifice performance pay worth.
Unions wanted senior executives to make a number of concessions to show they were sharing the pain with the rest of the 7,000-strong workforce.
Sinn Féin opposes sale of state assets
Sinn Féin is calling on the Government to halt the sale of state assets that are vital to the economy. The Government’s plan to sell off parts of profitable Bord Gais, as well as the ESB and harvesting rights in Coillte, is being condemned as being a “short-term solution with a long-term cost. The opposition party says the Government should make the companies ear-marked for sale more...
Ireland beat Italy in Six Nations
Ireland got their first win of this season’s Six Nations today at Lansdowne Road beating Italy 42-10. Ireland will play France next in the re-arranged fixture after it was called-off at the last minute a fortnight ago. Italy remain pointless after three successive defeats.
Jedward to represent Ireland in Eurovision two...
Last night Lucan duo Jedward became the first act to represent Ireland in the Eurovision two years in a row. The 20-year-old twins won the Eurosong Special on last night’s Late Late Show with the song Waterline. This year’s Eurovision Song Contest will be held in Azerbaijan in May.
Nationwide protests against €100 Household Charge
Nationwide protests against the Government’s proposed €100 Household Charge took place today. The Government expects to raise €160m from the Household Charge this year, but these plans have been met with considerable opposition. The Campaign Against Household & Water Taxes (CAHWT) has urged home owners not to pay the charge, and has directed citizens to their website for details of further...
Council give green light to Liberty Hall...
Dublin City Council last night granted SIPTU planning permission to demolish Liberty Hall and rebuild a 22 storey building on the historic site. The council has set down 19 conditions, including a further alignment of the northside of the building, particularly at the upper levels. Anyone who wishes to make an appeal can lodge their submissions with An Bord Pleanála within the next month. It is...
Man arrested over cannabis find
A man was arrested yesterday after 300 cannabis plants with an estimated street value of €120,000 were discovered during the planned search of a house at St Brigids Avenue in Clondalkin. The arrest was a result of an ongoing operation by the Ballyfermot Drug Unit and the Garda National Drug Unit.
Swimmers en route to Dublin
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FIVE MORE COUNTRIES are to use Dublin as a training base for the London Olympics this summer.
Swimmers from South Korea, Poland, Venezuela, Surinam and the Cayman Islands will use the National Acquatic Centre in Dublin to train, the Minister of State for Sport, announced this morning.
The South Korean team will train in the Abbotstown swimming complex in March while...
CMH to move
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THE CENTRAL MENTAL Hospital in Dundrum is to be moved to a site in north Dublin, the Minister for Health has confirmed.
A new 120-bed hospital is to be built at Portrane as part of a campus which will also house a 10-bed child and adolescent forensic mental health unit
A report into conditions in the Central Mental Hospital last year said that it was “unsuitable”...
Tallaght hospital mooted
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Tallaght hospital is more suitable to house the new national children’s hospital now than it was when first considered, according to a former Vice Chairman of the Board of the hospital. Professor Ian Graham, now with Trinity College Dublin, has said a number of improvements have been made since the site was ruled out a number of years ago. Plans to locate the...
Underage judgement upheld
A landmark judgement has been upheld in the Supreme Court today that allows teenage boys and not teenage girls to be prosecuted for having underage sex. The appeal has arisen from charges against a 15 year old boy under the sexual offences for having sex with a 14 year old girl in Donegal.
Jobseekers under pressure
The Taoiseach has announced that those on social welfare benefits, refusing the opportunity of training or work, will be putting their entitlements at risk. In the new ‘Pathways to Work’ plan the government aims to tackle long term unemployment. Currently there are approximately 440 thousand on the live register. The plan includes a rights and responsibility contract which claimants...
Children's Hospital's uncertain future
The Mater site in Dublin has been rejected by An Bord Pleanála as the proposed site for the National Children’s Hospital. In a majority of three to one against the plan, the board stated that due to the large scale of the proposed €650 million facility. It is thought its size would have a negative impact on the city skyline. Taoiseach Enda Kenny has given reassurances the building of a...
Dublin man jailed over knife attack
A 25-year old Dublin man has been jailed for 4 years at the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, for the stabbing of Matthew Miller in Blanchardstown over 2 years ago. David Quinn of Wellview Park, Mulhuddart pleaded guilty to violent disorder and threatening to use violence while he was an uninvited guest to a party in the early hours of the 19th of January, 2010. Quinn wrestled with one of the guests,...
Minister Quinn scales back teacher cuts
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The government has rowed back on plans to cut teachers in DEIS schools.
Education Minister Ruairi Quinn is retaining 235 of the 428 teaching jobs that were earmarked to be cut.
This partial reversal has come at a cost however, with €5 per pupil to be cut from the grant provided to primary schools to meet running costs.
Government to sell €3bn worth of state assets
A €3bn sell-off of state assets has been announced by the Government with parts of the ESB and Bord Gais energy divisions topping the privatisation list. Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Brendan Howlin said that a third of the money raised will go back into the Irish economy and the rest will be used to repay state and bank debts. Parts of Coillte and the remaining stake in Aer Lingus...
Dangerous overcrowding in children's hospitals
The Irish Association for Emergency Medicine has said children are spending over 12 hours on trolleys in hospitals, and in some cases are waiting over 24 hours for a bed. The organisation representing the country’s emergency medicine consultants has expressed grave concern at dangerous levels of overcrowding in some emergency departments in children’s hospitals. It said that levels of...
Man charged with Melanie murder
A 23-year-old man has been charged with the murder of Melanie mcCarthy McNamara in Tallaght two weeks ago. The 16 year old was shot in the head while sitting in a car on Brookview Way on 8 February. She died a short time later in hospital. The man was charged at Tallaght Garda Station with her murder and possession of a firearm this afternoon. He was one of two people arrested in connection with...
Hireland optimistic about jobs
Independent jobs initiative Hireland is claiming it’s received over 2,500 job pledges from businesses all over the country. Hireland was set up at the beginning of the year to encourage employment and it says 150 people have already been employed as a result of its media campaign Lucy Masterson a spokesperson for the initiative says Hireland is about offering high value jobs
Music festival returns to Kilmainham
Leftfield, New Order and Wilco are among the acts that will perform at the Forbidden Fruit Festival taking place in Kilmainham over the June Bank Holiday Weekend The 3 day festival launched last year and tickets start from 49 euro. Go to forbiddenfruit.ie for more
jobs boost for the east coast
Online payments company PayPal has announced a massive expansion of its workforce in Ireland by taking on another 1,000 staff. The eBay subsidiary already employs more than 1,500 people at its European headquarters in Blanchardstown It is understood the new positions will be in a PayPal customer care centre in Dundalk.
Record fuel prices blamed on taxes
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AA Ireland has accused successive governments of ripping-off people with a policy of super taxes on fuels.
The company said the cost of petrol and diesel has risen to all-time record levels and that high taxation is a key factor in the increase.
According to its research, the price of a litre of petrol has gone up 2.1 cent since last month and diesel has gone up by...
Seven held after Dublin searches
Six men and one woman have been arrested in a series of searches on homes and businesses by gardaí investigating the activities of a west Dublin criminal gang.
Officers from the Garda National Drugs Unit along with local units and the Criminal Assets Bureau seized a quantity of drugs during the searches of over 30 premises.
The arrested men range in ages from their mid-20s to mid-30s.
Over 10 million received in payment for household...
The Local Government Management Agency (LGMA) confirmed today that over €10 million has been received to date from households in payment of the Household Charge. Householders have until the 31st March to pay the €100 charge, after which financial penalties apply on an increasing basis each month
Greyhound collecting refuse
Private company Greyhound Waste is collecting all bins in Dublin city today regardless of whether customers have registered for upfront payments.
The company had publicly threatened to withdraw service from unregistered householders.
Greyhound lorries collected refuse this morning in northside areas.
However, warning letters have been left on unregistered bins stating that refuse will not be...
Employers should contribute towards sick leave
The Minister for Social Protection Joan Burton is meeting with trade unions and business groups today to discuss plans to introduce compulsory sick pay in Ireland. Currently, the state bears the full cost of sick pay. Minister Burton hopes to make employers pay illness benefit of €188 per week per employee for part of their period of incapacity. Ms Burton plans to introduce the new scheme in time...
Cyclist hospitalised after collision with lorry
A cyclist has been hospitalised with serious injuries after a collision with an articulated lorry in Dublin this morning.
The collision occurred this morning at around 7.30am on the Swords Road.
The cyclist received serious injuries and is currently being treated at Beaumont Hospital while the driver of the truck was unhurt.
Gardaí are appealing for witnesses to come forward.
Centra to create up too 300 jobs
Convenience store Centra has announced it is to create up to 300 new jobs in Ireland this year. The retail chain is to open 20 new stores across Ireland in 2012 in an investment worth €10 million.
150 jobs will be created in the new stores while the rest will be added by store extensions and other independent stores joining the Centra network.
Morrison Hotel sold
Russia’s wealthiest woman has reportedly bought Dublin’s Morrison hotel from Nama for more than €20m. Elena Baturina is a self-made billionaire who started off as a factory worker. The boutique Ormond quay hotel was opened in 1999, and transferred to Nama in recent years.
Search for Monica Riordan continues
The family of Monica Riordan, who went missing in Dublin on 20 December, have renewed their appeal for information. A team of divers today searched the Liffey at Sir John Rogerson’s Quay in the area where the 39-year-old woman was last seen. CCTV footage showed her in a shop on Lower Grand Canal Street on the afternoon of 20 December.
Lone parents march
Lone parents have today staged a protest against cuts to their social welfare benefits. Opposition politicians joined members of the Single Parents Acting for the Rights of our Kids on the march from the Garden of Remembrance to the GPO. Jointly organised by Siptu trade union, the group for single parents living in Ireland have united to protect children from cuts in Budget 2012. Andrea Galgey...
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RTÉ Employee Awarded €18,500 in Damages
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An RTÉ employee has been awarded €18,500 in damages after he was injured on the set of the Saturday Night Show.
Arthur McMullen, from Roebuck Downs in Goatstown, fell over a studio floor lamp and injured his left elbow.
Judge Jacqueline Linnane said Mr McMullen had worked accident free in RTÉ for 38 years and said he had been working in poorly lit conditions in a...
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Almost 1 in 10 Irish Mortgages are in Arrears of...
The Central Bank is reporting that more than 70,000 mortgages in Ireland are now in arrears. The latest figures show almost one in every 10 homeowners has fallen at least three months behind in their repayments.
133 properties were repossessed by lenders between last September and the end of the year, the figures show. Fifty of those were seized through court orders while the remaining 83 homes...
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Eamon Gilmore to Discuss Human Rights Issues with...
Tánaiste and Minister for Forgien Affairs Eamon Gilmore says he will be discussing the issue of Human Rights with the Vice President of China during his visit to Ireland this weekend.
In the coming months, a number of Irish ministers will be visiting China to promote trade in the area of education, agriculture and food, and the Tánaiste says this weekend’s visit is hugely significant in...
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Legislation on Limited Access to Abortion to be...
Legislation is to be put forward in the Dáil next week, to provide access to limited abortion, where there is a substantial risk to the life of the pregnant woman.
The legislation is due to be voted on in the Dáil on the 19th of April.
Over 60 organisations and individuals - including seven TDs, Senators, trade unions, academics and doctors – are supporting the proposal and are calling for...
Tallaght man loses civil case
A 38-year old man has lost a €38,000 damages claim in the Circuit Civil Court.
Patrick O’Grady of Kiltalown Green in Tallaght claimed he slipped and fell on a cream bun while detained at Shelton Abbey Open Prison in 1997.
He had been climbing a stairs in the Wicklow-based facility when the incident occurred.
Concerns about EU Crisis
The U.S. have expressed concerns at the ongoing EU debt crisis.
They believe it could lead to a destabilization of the global economy.
The Obama administration said IMF resources cannot substitute for a strong European firewall.
Delayed decisions on the Greek bailout has caused a slowdown in the markets this week.
It is expected that it will be finalised on Monday.
