ireland.com - The Irish Times

Will such prudence work? The jury is still out
ECONOMIC ANALYSIS: The Estimates will lead to real cutbacks in services and a sharp drop in State investment, writes Cliff Taylor , Economics Editor p

It's hell and high water as floods keep rising
The east coast and Dublin Metropolitan area were under water last night as sustained heavy rain yesterday and overnight has caused serious flooding and will not ease until this afternoon. p

9% rise in fares on public transport approved
Public transport users are to face an immediate increase in fares on the State-owned CIÉ companies, following yesterday's approval of a 9 per cent rise by the Minister for Transport, Mr Brennan. p

Other Stories

Counties along the east coast are worst affected by the torrential rain
Areas along the east coast were the worst affected by flooding yesterday. p
Delays at Dublin Airport are getting worse
The delays at Dublin Airport are getting worse instead of better, according to the latest survey by the Association of European Airlines. It showed that Dublin Airport had the third highest rate of delays in departures within Europe between July and September this year. p
€150m spent on dockside apartments in Dublin
People queued in the rain from almost daybreak yesterday to buy homes in what is planned to be the biggest purpose-built neighbourhood in the Republic - Spencer Dock in the Dublin docklands p
Payne gone from north city apartment
The convicted sex offender, Father Ivan Payne, has moved from an apartment near Dublin's Financial Services Centre, where he had been staying since his release from prison last month, it is understood. p
Coherent strategy urged for release of offenders
People should be wary of getting involved in a witch hunt against convicted sex abusers, a psychotherapist has warned. Ms Marie Keenan, who works with abusers and their victims, said offenders released from prison here were fleeing to England because they were being hounded from their homes. p
Deliveries delayed and disrupted as dispute over sorting of mail continues
Postal staff in Ballinasloe, Co Galway, staged an unofficial demonstration early yesterday as part of the continuing dispute over sorting of mail. p
Group to advise on alternative medicine
A special group has been established by the Minister for Health, Mr Martin, to advise him on the best way to regulate the activities of complementary and alternative medicine practitioners in the State. Chaired by broadcaster and educationalist Ms Teri Garvey, it is due to have its first meeting in January. p
Professor says GM food benefits can be overstated
The development of genetically modified foods has great potential, but the benefits are sometimes exaggerated. By the same token the presumed risks of the genetic technologies are also overstated by those opposed to their use. p
Aran Islands ferry refused landing permit
The State-subsidised cargo ferry to the Aran islands has been refused permission to land at Kilronan pier on Inis Mór because of concerns over safety. The Oileáin Arann was turned away from Inis Mór by the Kilronan harbourmaster yesterday without discharging its cargo. The vessel runs a thrice-weekly service to the islands on an annual €600,000 State contract awarded to O'Brien Ferries. p
Cullen promises full review of all water supplies inWicklow
DAIL REPORT: All water supplies in Co Wicklow will be tested as quickly as possible, the Minister for the Environment promised in the Dáil, following the discovery of uranium in a well in Baltinglass. p
Pledge to honour GMS plan
DAIL REPORT: The Minister for Defence, Mr Smith, said the Government would eventually honour its general election commitment to extend the medical card scheme. "Every promise we made in 1997 was honoured," he said. "We will honour this one also." p
Minister queried on shortage of qualified teachers
DAIL REPORT: Up to 40,000 pupils in primary schools are not being taught by qualified teachers, the Fine Gael spokeswoman on education, Ms Olwyn Enright, told the Dáil. This was not acceptable, she said. "The most affected are people in disadvantaged areas." p
Concerns raised about threats to building workers
SEANAD REPORT: Concerns about threats to building workers involved in the erection of a commemorative fountain in Dún Laoghaire were expressed by Dr Martin Mansergh (FF). p
FF, FG politicians quit Colombia delegation
Only three parliamentarians remain on a proposed all-party Oireachtas delegation to attend the opening days of the trial of three men in Bogota, Colombia, next month. p
US Health Secretary warns on bioterrorist threats
The Republic should prepare for the possibility of a bioterrorism attack, the US Secretary of State for Health and Human Services said yesterday in Dublin. p
Cowen predicts EU Presidency changes
The Government's command of the European Union Presidency in early 2004 could mark the last time the Republic of Ireland will lead the European Union alone, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Cowen has indicated. p
Forum debates EU future
The increased turnout in last month's Nice referendum showed that the importance of debating European issues had "registered" with the ordinary people, the chairman of the National Forum on Europe, Senator Maurice Hayes, said at Dublin Castle yesterday. p
Murphy rules out early NI Assembly elections
The Northern Secretary has discounted early Assembly elections in the absence of political progress. Mr Paul Murphy said confidence was fundamental to the political process and a breakdown in trust had led to the suspension of the Stormont institutions last month. p
Parents and doctors warned against single-jab MMR vaccine
The Irish Medicines Board is advising parents and family doctors against using two particular single-component measles, mumps and rubella vaccines which are now available in the Republic. p
Firm 'alarmed' that stored tallow might have BSE link
The directors of a Co Louth company were alarmed when they discovered there was a strong likelihood they were storing green tallow which could contain BSE genetic material on behalf of the State and a private company, the High Court was told yesterday. p

The Estimates

Government will be hard pressed to meet its targets
ESTIMATES SUMMARY: The 2 per cent Estimates increase is really a 2 per cent cut when inflation of 4 per cent is taken into account, writes John McManus p
McCreevy seeks better value for money in all areas
The Government will have to get better value for money across all areas of the public system, especially the Department of Health, the Minister for Finance, Mr McCreevy, has declared. p
McCreevy the grinch makes a happy meal out of stuffed tiger
Charlie McCreevy was enthusiastic about delivering the bad news, writes Frank McNally p
First time buyers grant abolished
HOUSING: The abolition of the €3,610 first-time house-buyers' grants, with immediate effect, was just one of the "tough choices" the Government had to make on the Estimates, the Minister for the Environment, Mr Cullen, said last night. p
President's travel budget to drop 8%
ARAS AN UACHTARAIN: The President, Mrs McAleese, has had her travel and subsistence budget cut by 8 per cent as part of the clawback on public spending. p
Cuts are to be implemented almost everywhere
CAPITAL SPENDING/Analysis: Controlling capital expenditure remains a very serious challenge for 2003, writes Una McCaffrey p
Funding for Irish Film Board to drop by 12%
THE ARTS: Cuts in spending on the arts were announced by the Minister for Finance yesterday, with funding for the Irish Film Board reduced by 12 per cent. Arts Council funding was reduced from €47.6 million to €44 million. p
Delays in Luas and motorway plans expected
TRANSPORT: Delays in the provision of the Luas, no new motorway start-ups next year and "a few" extra years needed to complete the National Development Plan - these were the main features of the Department of Transport's spending Estimate yesterday. p
€3.5m increase conceals cuts and levies
AGRICULTURE: The Department of Agriculture and Food's €3.5 million increase in its net estimate of €842.241 million has hidden a raft of cuts which has sparked off anger in the agriculture sector. p
No provision for licence fee rise
RTÉ: The Government made no additional provision for an increase in the RTÉ licence fee in yesterday's Estimates but said this did not mean the State broadcaster would not receive an increase next year. p
Science is exception to tough cutbacks rule
SCIENCE: The Government's allocation for scientific research has bucked the trend seen in most other areas, enjoying substantial increases in two departments. There is some bad news, however, in that funding for one key research programme has been put on hold. p
Cost of private beds in public hospitals to rise
HEALTH: The cost of private beds in public hospitals is set to increase, as is the amount patients will have to pay for drugs every month before they will be entitled to a refund. p
No evidence of health equality for lower paid
The increase in the provision for the health services has failed to keep pace with medical inflation, writes Dr Muiris Houston , Medical Correspondent p
No provision for extra gardai as promised in programme
JUSTICE: There is no provision in the Estimates for the additional 2,000 gardaí promised in the Programme for Government. p
Dempsey hits third-level institutions hardest
EDUCATION: The Minister for Education, Mr Dempsey, has severely curtailed capital funding to third-level institutions in a move which has caused great unease in colleges. p
Reckless spending led to cuts - Bruton
The budgets of the State's major hospitals would have to be cut next year to cope with the Minister for Finance's spending plans, Fine Gael warned last night. p
Cut of 5,000 places on CE schemes 'not as bad as feared'
The Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment has defended a cut of more than 5 per cent in her Department's budget but has admitted that support for industry would be affected. p
TDs brace themselves for the public backlash
BACKBENCH REACTION: Government backbenchers left Leinster House for their constituencies last night bracing themselves for a public backlash over the massive slowdown in Government spending. p
Overseas aid budget given €30m increase
Overseas aid is one of the few areas to show an increase in the Estimates, writes Paul Cullen . p

In The Courts

€1m may be paid in record company dispute
The Dubliners folk group settled a long-running dispute with their record company yesterday. The terms were not revealed after the two sides shook hands in the High Court in Belfast, but it is understood that the group will receive more than €1 million. p
Senior garda denies 'witch-hunt' claim
More than 100 complaints of sexual abuse have been made against staff at a special school in Limerick, a jury at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court has heard. p
Nash not to be compelled to attend inquest
Convicted killer Mark Nash will not be compelled to give evidence at an inquest of two women because of "glaring anomalies" in the Coroners Act, the Dublin City Coroner's Court heard yesterday. p
Psychiatric nurse sues over fatal incident at hospital
A psychiatric nurse has sued the Southern Health Board over an incident which took place at Cork University Hospital on April 21st, 1994. The incident involved a disturbed patient in the psychiatric unit who collapsed and died, allegedly after being physically restrained by the nurse and other staff. p

Regional News

Traveller housing costing Clare more than €12m
Spiralling legal and security costs associated with Traveller accommodation are contributing to Clare County Council spending over €12 million to accommodate 53 Traveller families in Clare, it emerged yesterday. p
Council alerted to uranium in water a month ago, says EPA
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has claimed it told Wicklow County Council of uranium 238 contamination of a public water supply in Baltinglass more than a month before the council shut down the supply. p
Water ruling welcomed
Friends of the Irish Environment (FIE) has welcomed a European Court of Justice ruling against Ireland under the EU Drinking Water Directive. p
Council defends date alteration on file
Clare County Council has denied that there was anything wrong in altering the official date-stamp on a planning application earlier this year for further development at the controversial golf course in Doonbeg. p
Planning institute head says public trust in system must be restored
Planners must start working to restore public trust in the planning system in the wake of the Flood tribunal's revelations of corruption, according to the president of the Irish Planning Institute. p
Tara Mines fined almost €4,000 after worker loses eye in accident
A mining company has been fined almost €4,000 because of an accident in which a worker lost an eye. p

Sections

Search for

Services

Most popular stories

Property

Jobs

Motors

Dating