ireland.com - The Irish Times

PE provision in Republic among worst in EU
Irish schools are ranked close to the bottom of an EU-wide league table for the provision of physical education (PE) classes. Primary schools perform particularly poorly, with six out of 10 schools providing inadequate facilities and equipment for PE, according to a new EU report. p

On Saturday night, the sky above Dublin displayed the clearest lunar eclipse likely to be seen until 2029.
Clear skies in the north and east allowed excellent views of Saturday night's total eclipse of the moon. David Moore, chairman of Astronomy Ireland, which held a viewing event in the Phoenix Park in Dublin, said conditions were perfect, adding that reports from elsewhere were favourable. p

FG Bill would ban internet grooming of children
Fine Gael will present a Private Members' Bill in the Dáil this week to outlaw internet "grooming" of children for the purpose of sexual abuse. p

Other Stories

Argentina honours Admiral Brown
Descendants of Irish settlers who set up as ranchers on the vast Pampas of Argentina in the 19th century gathered in Buenos Aires on Saturday for ceremonies to mark the 150th anniversary of the death of Admiral William Browne, founder of the Argentinian Navy. p
Reshuffle of senior posts in diplomatic service
The Government has agreed a reshuffle of some of the most senior positions in the diplomatic service, The Irish Times has learned. p
Ahern to announce €25m in funding for Glasnevin Cemetery
Taoiseach Bertie Ahern will today announce a 10-year, €25 million programme for Dublin's Glasnevin Cemetery, funded under the terms of the National Development Plan. p
EU expansion has led to greater homelessness, conference told
EU enlargement has led to a "wholly avoidable tragedy" where homelessness in this State was concerned, a national conference of the Caring for Carers Ireland group was told yesterday in Castlebar, Co Mayo. p
Mount Merrion all-weather pitch debate
Councillors in Dundrum will decide later today if they should give the go-ahead to a controversial plan for an all-weather soccer pitch in Deerpark in Mount Merrion, Co Dublin. p
Tiles on show in Dartmouth park
A south Dublin city park which was the subject of a court injunction to prevent its use as a car park, is to be used as a "showroom" for its owner's tile company. p
Five fall ill on flight from US
A Continental Airlines aircraft was isolated at Dublin airport yesterday after five passengers became ill on the flight from Newark in New Jersey. p
Retail restrictions plan for Dublin south
Dublin City Council plans to introduce special planning restrictions to the entire south city retail quarter stretching from Dawson Street to George's Street, to rid the area of fast-food outlets and mobile phone shops. p
Some land deals take more than one year
The average waiting time for completion of certain land registry transactions is well over a year in some parts of the State, due to staff shortages and a huge increase in the number of land and property deals in recent years. p
HGVs using West-Link up by 35% since city ban
The number of large lorries using the West-Link Toll Bridge on the M50 has increased by up to 35 per cent at rush hour since the introduction of the city centre ban on five-axle heavy goods vehicles (HGVs). p
McQueen magic under wraps as Marc Jacob steals show
After a week in Paris of some 90 catwalk shows, the new structured, but roomier silhouettes shaping up for winter were evident as the major collections drew the international season to a close yesterday. p
Anglican archbishop pleads for patience on homosexuality issue
An Anglican archbishop has pleaded for "patience with one another" as their worldwide Communion faces schism over the issue of homosexual clergy. p
Heavy winds, rainfall set to continue
Wet and windy weather is expected to continue today with a risk of localised flooding, Met Éireann has said. p
Study of possible incinerator risks
Information in relation to the likely effects on the environment of the proposed Poolbeg waste incinerator is to be published by Dublin City Council today on the orders of An Bord Pleanála. p
Labour Court investigation set to end Aer Lingus row
A Labour Court investigation into a dispute between management at Aer Lingus and trade unions over proposals to introduce revised terms and conditions for staff at the airline continued over the weekend. A recommendation on the dispute may come as early as today. p
Woman may have died during botched raid
An unidentified young woman found dead on a Longford street yesterday morning may have fallen to her death during a botched raid. p
Second man's body recovered by gardaí from Grand Canal
Gardaí recovered the body of David White (18) from the Grand Canal on Saturday, almost a week after he went missing with his friend Shane Coughlan in Clondalkin. p
Two men killed in road crashes over weekend
Two men were killed in road crashes in Dublin and Louth over the weekend. p
Work and home life balance examined
Time that working parents spend with children is not quality time if the hours are used for cleaning bathrooms, the Australian ambassador told a seminar for women at the weekend. p
Equality for women still a 'myth', forum told
Most of the decision-makers in the Republic are men and "gender segregation" still exists, a leading union official told the Siptu National Women's Forum conference in Killarney at the weekend. p
Paediatricians' opinions sought on new hospital
External consultants advising on the development of the planned new national children's hospital are to seek submissions from "paediatric professionals" on the proposed model of care to be adopted at the centre. p
Anonymous writer wins best Irish blog award
A Dingle-based blog dedicated to the joys of ice cream, a political and news blog, and another offering beauty tips and bargains were among the winners of multiple awards at the annual Irish Blog Awards, which took place in Dublin on Saturday night. p
Expert predicts better cancer drugs
New cancer drugs will be developed over the next five years that will extend survival rates, increase cures and decrease the unpleasant side-effects associated with current standard treatments, a major conference on cancer research heard in Cork at the weekend. p
InShort
A round-up of today's other stories in brief. p

Sinn Fein Ardfheis

'Sinn Féin is ready once more for government in the North'
An edited version of Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams's speech: The policing debate was only five weeks ago. This was without doubt the most difficult, most problematic, most historic initiative Sinn Féin has taken. It proved once again the willingness of republicans to embrace change and to make radical decisions. p
Call for cost-price affordable housing
Housing: Affordable houses built or bought by local authorities should be sold at construction cost, though stamp duties should not be cut, Sinn Féin has proposed in its new housing policy. p
Motions that oppose policy on PSNI are voted down or withdrawn
Policing: Seven motions running contrary to Sinn Féin's policy of conditional support for the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) were either voted down or withdrawn during the party's ardfheis. p
Sinn Féin leader just can't stand the heat
Sketch/Michael O'Regan: Gerry Adams felt the heat as he delivered his leader's address to delegates at the Sinn Féin Ardfheis on Saturday afternoon. p
Ó Caoláin leads charge against motion that opposed coalition with Fianna Fáil
Coalition vote: Delegates overwhelmingly rejected a motion ruling out coalition with Fianna Fáil after the general election. p
SF seeks gains on both sides of Border
Analysis: Powersharing in the North may only be weeks away for Sinn Féin, and the party believes that being in government in the Republic cannot be far behind, writes Mark Hennessy , Political Correspondent. p
Hospital conditions heavily criticised
Health: Delegates demanded Government action to improve the health services and referred to the plight of MRSA victims. p

In the North

Sinn Féin trying to capture third seat at expense of SDLP
Twenty-one years ago Sean Lynch was an IRA man on the run when he was shot in a field by the SAS as he and Seamus McElwain, both armed with assault rifles, went to inspect a bomb. Today he is a candidate for the Northern Ireland Assembly.
Stormont deal with SF will be daily battle - DUP
Powersharing with Sinn Féin will be "a battle a day" DUP deputy leader Peter Robinson has forecast.

Law Report

No 'failure' of internal dispute resolution procedures where employees refuse to avail of the procedures
Ryanair Ltd (applicant/ appellant) v Labour Court (respondent) and Irish Municipal Public and Civil Trade Union (IMPACT) (Notice party) p

Angling Notes

Salmon and the sea
Angling Notes: There are about 2,000 rivers with salmon that flow into the north Atlantic, the president of North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organisation (Nasco), Dr Ken Whelan, told delegates at a recent conference on salmon restoration in Bunclody, Co Wexford. p

Regional News

Concern over motion to widen Cork city limits
The new Cork county manager has expressed concern that proposals by Cork City Council to seek a boundary extension into county council territory could end up distracting both local authorities from facilitating development in the region. p
McDowell says school closure is unacceptable
Tánaiste Michael McDowell has described the closure of a secondary school as unacceptable, contrary to the stance taken by Cabinet colleague and Minister for Education Mary Hanafin. p
Meath councillors vote for increased population growth
Councillors in Meath have adopted a new county development plan but only after they voted to allow the population to increase by 3,000 more than advised by the council's senior planner. p
Families gather to mourn loved ones who perished at sea
A stiff wind had blown the clouds away and the sun shone down from a near clear azure sky as crowds gathered for the annual memorial service in Dunmore East on Saturday to remember all those lost at sea off the Waterford coast over the past year. p

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