Aer Lingus unions reiterate opposition to sale
The group of unions at Aer Lingus has reiterated its opposition to the sale of the airline to IAG.
The statement was issued today to all TDs and Senators by the Central Representative Council comprising IMPACT, SIPTU and the Craft Group of unions.
It says that the CRC met on Tuesday to discuss various issues of concern including what it calls the "false and untrue" reporting by some media providers of the unions’ position regarding the proposed takeover.
CRC chairman Captain Evan Cullen said he was concerned that a narrative was developing that unions were in favour of the takeover, which was absolutely not the case.
French judges to begin CAR abuse claims inquiry
Judges in France will investigate claims that French soldiers sexually abused children in the Central African Republic, the state prosecutor has announced.
Fourteen soldiers have been placed under investigation, following statements by six children aged between nine and 13 that some were sexually abused by French peacekeepers between December 2013 and June 2014.
Mortgage arrears proposals under consideration
Proposals to help tackle the outstanding problem of mortgage arrears are being considered by the Minister for Justice as well as the Department of the Environment, according to Michael Noonan.
He was asked by Fianna Fáil finance spokesperson Michael McGrath in the Dáil to confirm if a personal insolvency service or court of law will be asked to dilute the veto that banks hold or remove the veto altogether.
Minister Noonan said the Insolvency Act would be amended "so something along the lines of what the Deputy suggests is put in place".
Yesterday, Taoiseach Enda Kenny told the Dáil that the Government would be bringing forward solutions for people in long term arrears.
Earthquake strikes off Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands
A 7.2 magnitude earthquake has struck in the Pacific between Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands with hazardous tsunami waves possible along the coast, seismologists said.
The quake hit at a depth of 22km around 149km southwest of Panguna and 642km from the Solomon's capital Honiara, the US Geological Survey said.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said no Pacific-wide threat was expected but "hazardous waves are possible within 300km of the epicentre along the coasts of the Solomon islands and Papua New Guinea".
Teachers urged to resume Junior Cycle talks
Minister for Education Jan O'Sullivan has said that teachers need to come back to the negotiating table.
Thousands of second level teachers staged a protest outside schools this afternoon against Government reforms to the Junior Cycle.
Speaking on RTÉ’s News at One, the minister said that "everyone knows we can't continue to have a junior cycle where for the first three years the main focus is on one exam".
