Belgians may soon be the first Europeans to ban the burka, it has emerged.

A €4.4 million make-over of the Canadian residence of an Irish ambassador has been condemned as an outrageous abuse of taxpayers’ money at a time when the country is in economic freefall.

THERE is still great scope for farmers to integrate some forestry with their other farming activities, according to Minister of State Tony Killeen.

SECURITY concerns over a private visit by Princess Grace and Prince Rainier to Ireland were raised with senior gardaí, ahead of a private ball in Co Wicklow.

THE British Foreign Office found the Soviets reluctant to help trace the source of IRA rocket launchers with Russian markings.

Civil servants who retire are being rehired on a temporary basis because there is nobody trained to replace them.

The Dalai Lama's European representative has held talks with the government to try and secure EU support for the struggle in Tibet.