Cabinet discusses housing
There was a general discussion about housing at Cabinet today.
The issue of rent certainty was discussed briefly.
Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government Alan Kelly gave ministers an update on modular housing.
There is due to be an announcement on this later this week. A package of measures on housing is expected within the next few weeks.
Man critical after fall from ladder outside mother's home
A man in his 40s is critically ill in Beaumont Hospital in Dublin after falling from a ladder while erecting exterior lights at his mother's home in advance of her funeral.
Pat Bowens from Cloonfad, Roscommon fell off a ladder and struck his head yesterday afternoon.
Mr Bowens, a married father of two, was airlifted immediately by helicopter to Beaumont Hospital.
Local priest Fr Joe Feeney said the thoughts and prayers of the entire community were with the Bowens family, relatives and their neighbours at this difficult time.
Gardaí seize drugs worth up to €264,000
Gardaí in Galway seized drugs with an estimated street value of €264,000 during a house raid.
Gardai carried out a planned search of a house at Ballydonnellan, Corrandulla, Co Galway, last night.
Several cannabis plants were seized during the search.
A man in his late 30s was arrested at the scene and is currently being questioned at Galway Garda Station.
Group criticises Govt over Irish language issues
Speaking at a meeting of the Oireachtas Sub-Committee on the 20-Year Strategy for the Irish Language, Conradh na Gaeilge said that there was no political will at present to address the difficulties facing the Irish language and the Gaeltacht.
The organisation said that Irish speakers have no voice at Cabinet due to the absence of a Minister for the Gaeltacht and also addressed the cuts made to Údarás na Gaeltachta and Foras na Gaeilge's budgets.
Senator Trevor Ó Clochartaigh from Sinn Féin said the 20-Year Strategy was being implemented in an “a la carte” manner and he suggested abolishing it in favour of a different approach.
Fianna Fáil TD Éamon Ó Cuív disagreed and said the strategy should be fully implemented without delay.
New candidates for Social Democrats
The Social Democrats have launched another four candidates taking their total number of declared general election candidates to 14.
The four candidates announced are Ken Curtin, who will contest Cork East; Leonard Kelly, who will run in Wexford; Aisling O'Neill, in Meath East, and Gerry Warnock, in Longford.
Social Democrat TD Róisín Shortall said: "We now have candidates in Munster, Connacht and Leinster and will continue to launch candidates ahead of the General Election next spring."
Social democrats now have 14 candidates for the general election #rtenews #socdems pic.twitter.com/ge7Nj2ANFK
— Martina Fitzgerald (@MartinaFitzg) October 20, 2015
Howlin defends budget decisions
The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Brendan Howlin has said the Government is "completely compliant with the fiscal rules" in relation to last week's budget.
Speaking on his way into this morning's Cabinet meeting, he said they had discussions in advance of the budget and "we know we are in full compliance".
On reports that the garda fleet is to get €5 million to tackle crime gangs, he said he understands the operation will involve "very visible high profile cars manning our motorways and manning the roads off the motorways".
Pistorius family welcome release from prison
Oscar Pistorius's family welcomed his release from jail and said he would strictly abide by the house arrest conditions.
Pistorius will serve the rest of his five-year sentence under house arrest for killing his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp.
"The family is happy that Oscar is home but they want to make the point that Oscar's sentence continues," family spokeswoman Anneliese Burgess said.
"His sentence hasn't been shortened or reduced, he continues to serve his sentence."
Nearly 10 million cigarettes worth over €5m seized in Slane
Almost 10 million cigarettes with a value of over €5.25m were seized in Slane, Co Meath yesterday evening.
The seizure was carried out by Revenue officers and gardaí.
It is believed the container arrived into Dublin Port last Thursday after travelling from Vietnam via Singapore and Rotterdam.
The ‘American Legend’ brand cigarettes were described in the manifest as 'timber furniture'. Investigations are continuing.
Uber driver convicted of rape in India
An Indian court has convicted a former driver of US-based taxi-ordering company Uber Technologies of raping a female passenger in New Delhi last December.
The attack sparked a nationwide debate around women's safety in the country.
Authorities in New Delhi banned Uber after the incident last year, saying the company violated rules and failed to run proper background checks on its drivers. Uber resumed services later and stepped up its safety procedures.
The Delhi District Court convicted Shiv Kumar Yadav of rape, kidnapping and criminal intimidation. He will be sentenced on Friday.
