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National News Briefs

Unpublished report 'warns of pension shortfall'

An unpublished report has sounded a warning about funding for State pensions and social welfare in the future.

According to the Irish Times, the research, which was commissioned by the Government, highlights a gap of €324bn between the State's liabilities and the money available to meet them.

The review of the Social Insurance Fund was completed in June.
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Celebrating students warned to 'be careful'

Teenagers have been warned to take extra care as almost 60,000 students celebrate their Junior Certificate results.

The teens are urged to stick with friends when out celebrating and warned that alcohol is the most common drug used to facilitate sexual assaults in Ireland.

Ellen O’Malley-Dunlop, of Dublin Rape Crisis Centre, said there is always an increase in calls to its 24-hour helpline 1800 77 88 88 when both the Leaving Cert and the Junior Cert exam results are released.

Friends should stay in groups and mind each others’ drinks, she said.

“Trust your instincts. If you feel uncomfortable in a place or with someone, leave as soon as possible. Remember: eight out of 10 victims are raped by someone known to them,” she said.
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Blue whales reported off Cork coast

Blue whales have been spotted off the coast of Co Cork.

At least two were sighted by the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group about 60 miles west of Dursey Island.

They were each about 25 metres long.

It is only the second time the world's largest mammals have been seen in Irish waters.
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Labour to discuss Children's Rights referendum

The proposed Children's Rights referendum will take centre stage at the Parliamentary Labour Party meeting in Kildare today.

Some, including a former Supreme Court Judge have questioned the need for the referendum.

Public Expenditure Minister Brendan Howlin, who worked on the issue in Opposition, said that it is needed.

"Every single child protection report, all the shocking reports we've had over the last decade, have all concluded that we need to be specific and clear about children's rights and it needs to be in the constitution," he said.

Today, Labour will also look at education reform, the rollout of the National Broadband Scheme and their tactics for the new Dáil session.
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