WHILE I am encouraged by the Taoiseach’s promised action against the growing problems associated with cheap alcohol, I fear that he may be fighting a losing battle.

THERE may be suggestions Cork are hampered by the lack of a competitive game entering tonight’s Munster U21FC semi-final against Tipperary, but attacker Mark Collins offers a different opinion.

DONEGAL’S league and championship hopes have been dealt a blow with the news that centre-back Leo McLoone has broken a leg in a club game.

IN these days of hospital bashing — some of it unfortunately deserved — I would like to record my recent experiences to the contrary.

THE Aughinish Alumina plant is facing a new EU pollution probe following complaints by local farmers.

Animals are still experiencing mysterious infertility and breathing problems in parts of West Limerick, it was claimed tonight.

THE National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) which has paid out millions of euro to private hospitals for treating patients on public waiting lists is refusing to reveal which hospitals are getting the money.

HEALTH experts last night rejected claims from people living in Co Limerick who believe industrial pollution is causing cancer.

I REFER to recent reports in the Irish Examiner on a "Cancer Cluster in Askeaton/Cappagh", an issue that the Mid-Western Health Board has been aware of for some time, both since the initiation of the EPA's Askeaton investigation in 1995 and reports from the area since of excess numbers of cancers.