Morning Ireland

Listen to the whole programme

Mixed reaction to NAMA legislation

Ruairi Quinn, Labour Party education spokesperson, says the Government could have nationalised the financial institutions for less than €5bn without legislation

John Cotter, Finance Professor at Smurfit Business School, says it will be very difficult for the Agency to value the assets

Brian Lenihan, Minister for Finance, says the Government wants to protect the public interest and maintain a stable banking system

Paul Colgan reports that shares in Irish banks were higher this morning

Pharmacies to withdraw from drugs schemes

Pat McGrath reports that pharmacies are withdrawing from the schemes tomorrow in a dispute over the fees they receive for dispensing medication

Obama tries to patch up race row

Bill Nicholson, USA Today, says a black professor and the officer who arrested him meet for a beer at the White House in an effort to defuse a race row

Language students quarantined with swine flu

Michael Monaghan, UCD Swine Flu Advisory Group, says the college has a contingency plan in place in the event of a mass swine flu epidemic

Concern for school of whales in Kerry

Mick O'Connell, Irish Whale & Dolphin Group, says the ten pilot whales are swimming comfortably, but remain in shallow waters in Sandy Bay

Army equestrian team future under threat

Evelyn McClafferty reports that the Dublin Horse Show may be the last for the Army equestrian team, as the McCarthy report recommended that the Army Equitation School be closed

Golden Eagle chicks hatch in Donegal

Lorcan O'Toole, Golden Eagle Project Manager, says a pair of Golden Eagles have hatched two young chicks in Glenveagh National Park, Co Donegal