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National News Briefs

Quinns to discover if they face jail

The threat of prison still hangs over Sean Quinn as his case returns to the High Court this morning.

Ms Justice Elizabeth Dunne is to review whether the bankrupt businessman, his son Sean and his nephew Peter Quinn have complied with orders aimed at reversing a conspiracy to put assets beyond the reach of the former Anglo Irish Bank.

The case is only up for mention in the High Court, but today is the date set by Ms Justice Elizabeth Dunne for the Quinns to comply with a series of orders.

Three weeks ago the judge said she was satisfied all three businessmen were involved in a conspiracy to deprive Anglo of access to Quinn assets.

The bank, now IBRC, claims it is owed €2.3bn, while that sum is contested, the Quinns do acknowledge a debt of €455m to Anglo.

Days earlier the judge found the men were in contempt of existing court orders and she has indicated if they fail to comply this time punitive measures may be on the cards.
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Minister to launch report on Child and Family Support Agency

A report from the Task Force on the Child and Family Support Agency will be launched later this morning.

It is expected to set out recommendations on the reform and integration of Ireland's child and family support services.

Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Frances Fitzgerald, has previously said that the establishment of the agency would be critical in reforming the system of State care and intervention in Ireland.

The Minister will outline the full recommendations of the Task Force at a briefing in Dublin Castle this morning.
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Public servants to have sick leave cut by half

Around 300,000 public servants are to have their sick leave entitlements cut by half, it was announced today.

The Labour Court has recommended that the current uncertified allowance of seven days per year be rolled out to seven days over a two-year period, to be introduced as soon as possible.

While certified sick leave which currently stands at six months of full pay followed by six months on half pay will be halved from January 1, 2014.

However those with critical illnesses will still benefit from the current allowance.

It will have a significant impact on the State's bill for public-sector sick-leave, which cost more than €500m last year.
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Garda who took lift from victim supported by Superintendent

A senior garda has defended the actions of an officer who was transported to the scene of a crime by its victim because no patrol car was available.

It emerged earlier this month that a Donegal woman returned home to find her house had been burgled and because no garda car was available, she had to collect the officer at the local station to allow him investigate the crime.

The case was raised in the Dáil, to highlight a perceived lack of garda resources.

Today Chief Superintendent Jim Sheridan told Highland Radio the garda made the right the decision at the right time: "There was a time factor obviously and it was a call made by the garda. I fully agree with it, that he'd go back with the lady in question in her car.

"It was only 700 or 800 yards from the station and I don't see it as indicative of what's happening around the place."
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IMF proposal on child benefit 'victimising children'

Means testing child benefit would not be a fair way of making savings in the Irish economy, according to Social Justice Ireland.

The group is accusing the IMF of targeting children, after it recommended this week that child benefit and the medical card be means tested in its latest overview of the Irish economy.

Finance Minister Michael Noonan said this was just a suggestion by the IMF and is not guaranteed to be included in December's Budget.

Doctor Sean Healy of Social Justice Ireland said means testing child benefit would victimise children.

Dr Healy said: "Ireland makes only a small contribution to its children, this should not be reduced by means testing or taxing child benefit.

"There are many other fair and just ways of ensuring that Ireland can reduce the level of its borrowing without victimising children.

"We believe that the IMF, when it is making proposals, should make sure that the proposals that it makes are fair and just."
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Minister to unveil design for memorial to victims of institutional abuse

A memorial to the victims of institutional abuse will be revealed in Dublin today.

The Minister for Education Ruairi Quinn will unveil the winning design for the memorial, which was recommended in the Ryan Report.

A model of the winning entry will be on display at the announcement at the Royal Institute of Architects this afternoon.
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Govt allocates €100m to social housing

The Government has allocated €100m to provide more than 800 social houses over the next two years.

However, the number of people on housing waiting lists has soared by 80% in the past four years to around 100,000 applicants.

Of the 808 new houses, 101 will be built in Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown while just three will be constructed in Leitrim.

They will largely be used to accommodate homeless and elderly people as well as people with disabilities.
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Junior doctor: NCHD's don't see future in Ireland

The issue of overworked junior doctors is again coming under the spotlight, as the latest batch of NCHD's complete their first fortnight in their new jobs.

The issue of patient safety is often raised as so many people are treated by junior doctors who, in some cases, have been working for 36 hours.

Dr Doug Mulholland works as a junior doctor at Dublin's Mater hospital and says the challenges facing his colleagues in Ireland make it easy to see why so many quit the country.

"The anecdotal experience of leaving after that intern year and going away to Australia or the UK or to New Zealand, doctors are looking and they're saying 'I can train quicker, my terms and conditions are applied abroad and I'm treated and more respected'.

"There's a future as well. NCHD's that stay here don't really see a future."
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