Poor weather conditions have caused major traffic problems around the country in the past 24 hours as a two-car collision in Co Mayo claimed the first road fatalities of 2014.

It has emerged that local authorities are failing to collect over €30m in rent debt every year.

WHETHER towns without councils realise it or not, they frequently have a major advantage over larger neighbouring towns, which are handicapped by local councillors engaging in political posturing without regard for efficiency or the communities’ needs.