THE legal loophole which allowed ‘Mr A’ to walk free from court despite having sex with a 12-year-old girl is symptomatic of the Government’s inaction on children’s rights, according to the authors of a major new report which will be presented to the UN.

HEALTH is one of those areas jealously guarded by EU member states, who insist it must stay out of the clutches of the European Commission.

THE gap between obesity levels in the US and the EU is closing rapidly with campaigns encouraging people to eat healthily and exercise more having little effect.

BANKS, insurance companies and fund managers would be allowed reclaim VAT under proposals from the European Commission.

EUROPEAN Commission president Jose Manuel Barroso challenged member states to give up their hypocritical stance on the EU.

A CAMPAIGN to ban products produced in Chinese forced labour camps has been launched in the European Parliament.

DESPITE being the second wealthiest country in the EU, more than one-third of Irish people surveyed admit having difficulties paying their bills at the end of the month.

THE Italian scientist who co-invented the microchip was named Europe’s top inventor yesterday.

IRELAND’S decision to allow the free movement of workers from the 10 newest EU member states has been fully vindicated, according to business body IBEC.

TWO in three Irish people think it is possible to be infected by HIV when kissing on the mouth while over one-third believe they can get the disease by drinking from a glass or sitting on a toilet seat used by a sufferer.