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Rónán Mullen, who was elected to the Seanad for the National University of Ireland panel yesterday, being chaired by supporters at the count centre. On the left is his father, Tom, and on the right his nephew, Ciarán Mullen.

Photograph: Cyril Byrne

Taoiseach wants honours system to reward people
Taoiseach Bertie Ahern has said an Irish honours system should be created to mark the achievements of people such as golfing star Padraig Harrington and those who make extraordinary contributions to society, write Mark Hennessy & Philip Reid .

Consumers are better off than in 2000, says CSO
Consumers are better off now than they were at the start of the decade, with the average household spending €788 every week out of an average disposable income of €842, according to a new household budget survey by the Central Statistics Office. Laura Slattery reports.
Analysis of Ahern's finances failed to note sterling deals
An analysis of Taoiseach Bertie Ahern's finances prepared for the Mahon tribunal last year failed to mention the involvement of a number of sterling cash transactions, the tribunal was told yesterday. Colm Keena , Public Affairs Correspondent reports.

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Ireland

Pavee's Roma role questioned
The Minister for Justice has asked for a report from his officials into the role of the Traveller lobby group Pavee Point in the recent Roma controversy. p
Ethnic groups choose urban living
Most ethnic groups are concentrated in Dublin and other large urban areas around the country, new census figures show. p
Man sentenced to four years for trafficking illegal immigrants
A man who lives in Co Wicklow has been jailed for four years by Judge Martin Nolan at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for trafficking illegal immigrants into Ireland. p
Judge calls press release 'spin' by Medical Council
A press release from the Medical Council which stated that two consultant obstetricians had been found guilty of professional misconduct over reports opposing the immediate suspension of obstetrician Dr Michael Neary, but failed to say the council had decided to impose no sanction against the doctors, seemed to be "spin of the worst type", a High Court judge has said. p
Pharmacists retain right to advance payments
A High Court declaration yesterday that five community pharmacists are entitled to the benefit of advance payments under the General Medical Services (GMS) scheme for "as long as their contracts remain in force" could have implications for up to 900 other pharmacists with similar contracts. p
Croagh Patrick pilgrims get safety warning
Ireland's "monsoon" summer has prompted the Catholic Church to issue one of its strongest safety warnings to 30,000 people who are expected to undertake the annual pilgrimage to the summit of Croagh Patrick, Co Mayo, on Sunday. p
Vodafone removes mobile mast from Tipperary farmer's field
Vodafone has removed a mobile phone mast from the property of a Tipperary farmer who fought for years to have the 30m (98ft) tall structure pulled down. p
Council meets Streisand promoters
Officials of Kildare County Council yesterday met concert promoters MCD about events at the controversial Barbra Streisand concert at Castletown House a fortnight ago. p

World

Cash blow for Bush's European missile project
US: George Bush's plans to establish a European missile defence system suffered a setback yesterday when a Congressional committee slashed funding for the project. p
Heatwave fans flames across Italy and Balkans
CROATIA: More than 1,000 tourists and residents of a Croatian island were evacuated yesterday when it was engulfed by a wildfire, as a heatwave continued to fan flames and claim lives across Italy and the Balkans. p
130,000 flooded homes still have no tap water
BRITAIN: Thousands of homes in Gloucestershire in England should have water restored today after emergency measures implemented by Severn Trent Water following flood damage to power sub-stations and sewage systems. p
Grandmother (70) faces life term for 'honour killing' of daughter-in-law
BRITAIN: A 70-year-old grandmother was facing the prospect of dying behind bars yesterday after a landmark case in which she was found guilty of plotting the "honour killing" of her daughter-in-law. p
Kremlin creating vehicle to preserve Putin's power
RUSSIA: President Vladimir Putin's aides plan to beef up a Kremlin advisory body known as the Security Council, turning it in effect into a parallel cabinet before his departure next year, a Moscow newspaper said yesterday. p

Finance

Investors lose €3.2bn as financial stocks slump
Investors saw more than €3.2 billion wiped off the value of Irish shares yesterday as ongoing concerns about the state of the housing market and general negative sentiment around the world weighed on investors. Claire Shoesmith reports. p
Launch of rival drug sees Elan's losses hit $141m
Irish biotech group Elan has reported higher than expected losses in the second quarter as generic competition emerged for one of its drugs earlier than expected. p
Trinity VC close to €50m Choice Hotels deal
Private equity firm Trinity Venture Capital is in advanced talks to buy the Quality and Comfort hotel chains from Choice Hotels Ireland for more than €50 million. The likely deal is backed by clients of Davy stockbrokers and Pat McCann, former chief executive of the Jurys Doyle group, writes Arthur Beesley, Senior Business Correspondent p

Sport

McShane teams up with Keane
SOCCER: Paul McShane, West Bromwich Albion's Republic of Ireland defender, became Roy Keane's latest signing for Sunderland last night but, during a frank assessment of the club's place and power in the transfer market, the manager said he would not be pursuing efforts to sign Hearts' goalkeeper Craig Gordon or Wigan's Leighton Baines. p
United still await offer for Smith
SOCCER: Manchester United are still waiting to receive a formal offer for unsettled striker Alan Smith.Although the wrangle over Carlos Tevez' proposed move to Old Trafford is heading for the High Court, United are working on the assumption the Argentina striker will join them before the August 31st transfer deadline. p