The announcement yesterday of a new consumer protection code to ensure that banks are not allowed to rip off customers should be welcomed, but with a health warning.

Teachers and parents throughout the country have expressed shock and disappointment that Children’s Special Needs Assistance is being cut by up to 50% in some schools, despite the Government’s promise to tackle special needs and disability through the Disability Bill and the Education for Persons with Disabilities Bill.

AFTER much dithering, the Government’s road safety measures are finally starting to work.

MASSIVE hikes in gas and electricity prices are forcing the St Vincent de Paul Society to spend millions of euro supporting needy families who cannot afford to meet soaring bills.

THE scandal of using Irish prisons as ‘psychiatric waiting rooms’ — the equivalent of A&E trolleys in overcrowded hospitals — is a damning indictment of the State’s failure to address the problem of mental illness in society.

THE nose of Defence Minister Willie O’Dea is out of joint because of remarks made by President Mary McAleese in relation to the Lebanon crisis.

GOVERNMENT plans to get 7,000 people with disabilities working in mainstream employment over the next five years will receive a cautious welcome from many of those sceptical about political promises that fail to materialise.

THE dramatic fall-off in the number of young people reporting sex crimes since new statutory rape laws were enacted is extremely worrying.

THE fatal shooting of John Carthy in Abbeylara six years ago should never have happened.

WHETHER he likes it or not, the surprise announcement by Justice Minister Michael McDowell of a regulatory commission to govern casinos is a political u-turn.