THE €10 billion bailout of the country’s biggest banks must be debated in the Dáil before it breaks for a five-week Christmas recess on Thursday, the opposition said last night.

Public donations to Trócaire reached an all-time high last year helping to raise almost €84m for disaster-hit areas around the world, it emerged today.

THE number of people prosecuted for buying alcohol for minors dropped by two-thirds last year, as drink-related offences by juveniles levelled off.

Couples started gathering along a Manila bayside boulevard on Friday evening for a pre-Valentine’s Day kissing festival, with organisers hoping a million couples will lock lips nationwide.

GREEK doping suspect Kostadinos Kenteris is looking forward to facing possible charges over avoiding a pre-Olympics drugs test, seeing it as a chance to prove his innocence.

Politicians in Northern Ireland were today anxiously waiting to learn if there will be moves over the next five days involving unionists and republicans to secure a pre-Christmas Assembly election.

Politicians in Northern Ireland were tonight anxiously waiting to learn if there will be moves over the next five days involving unionists and republicans to secure a pre-Christmas Assembly election.