A forum of politicians is to call on the British government to release secret files on the Real IRA suspects behind the Omagh bombing.

British MPs are to be quizzed today about the level of controls they have in place to prevent an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease from spreading to Ireland.

Former Fine Gael TD Maurice Manning was today re-appointed as president of the Human Rights Commission for a second five-year term.

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern will today give his assessment on developments in the North when he addresses a meeting of the British-Irish Inter-Parliamentary Body in Dublin.

THE average TD will cost taxpayers more than €160,000 to fund next year.

The Duke in Dublin and the DUP in Killarney in the same week! And they all got home safely.

The Duke in Dublin and the DUP in Killarney — in the same week! And they all got home safely.

BRITAIN’S introduction of identity cards could create serious difficulties for a number of Irish citizens, an Anglo-Irish political conference heard yesterday.

BRITAIN’S introduction of identity cards could create serious difficulties for a number of Irish citizens, an Anglo-Irish political conference heard yesterday.

FOUR members of Ian Paisley’s Democratic Unionist Party are to join politicians from across Ireland and Britain for the first time later this month at a major conference in the Republic.

Four members of Ian Paisley’s Democratic Unionist Party are to join politicians from across Ireland and Britain for the first time later this month at a major conference in Kerry.

Northern Secretary Peter Hain is facing tough questions today about the British government's plan to allow paramilitary fugitives to return to the North without fear of imprisonment.

A leading economist in the North has backed calls for the development of an all-Ireland economy.

Former Northern Ireland Secretary Paul Murphy was today appointed co-chairman of the British-Irish Inter-Parliamentary Body.

Members of the Irish-British Inter-Parliamentary Body will be briefed by Northern Ireland Secretary Paul Murphy on the latest developments in the peace process at their twice-yearly conference in Wales tomorrow.

Political Editor Harry McGee wonders how much of the €1.25 million spent by TDs and senators on foreign travel in the two years to August 2004 was a necessary expense.

RETIRED Fianna Fáil Minister Michael O’Kennedy yesterday became the first former Government minister to receive an honour from the English monarchy, for his work forging links between Irish and British parliaments.

THE Isle of Man has developed a good model healthcare system that would provide an alternative to the Hanly Report, independent deputy Dr Jerry Cowley said yesterday.

Public representatives from Ireland, Britain, the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands are due in Kilkenny today for the bi-annual meeting of the British-Irish Inter-parliamentary Body.

The co-chair of the British-Irish Inter-parliamentary body has called for the penalty points system to be enforced on the entire island of Ireland.

Northern Ireland Secretary Paul Murphy will tomorrow be quizzed on the fate of the North's peace process by both British and Irish politicians.

Foreign minister Brian Cowen is to be quizzed about the possible appointment of a policing ombudsman.