Ireland has been found to be in violation of European laws because of the “substandard quality” of much of our social housing.

An employment law expert has criticised the findings of the Government body which recommended against granting Garda associations the right to take industrial action or to be considered as trade unions.

Gardaí should be constrained from withdrawing their labour or given full trade union status, a top-level government body has recommended.

Michael Fassbender’s words echo those spoken by Fr Dermot Lane two weeks ago. He asked if anything had changed in wider society’s relationship with the Traveller community since the Carrickmines fire, writes Clodagh Finn

Traveller rights groups have said they hope Council of Europe criticism of the Government for failing to provide adequate housing will put “pressure” on the authorities to address the problem.

One of Europe's top rights watchdogs has warned Ireland over the lack of accommodation for Travellers and poor living conditions at halting sites.

WHEN Environment Minister Alan Kelly announced the Government’s new social housing strategy last November, it was given a broad welcome, that at last something was being done about our homeless crisis and the endless housing lists.

The appalling conditions in which many low-income families in Ireland live breaches their human rights, according to a number of organisations which have forwarded evidence to European Committee of Social Rights in Strasbourg.

The Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors have welcomed a ruling from Europe which will allow them go on strike.

The chairman of the Oireachtas justice committee said questions may not be asked about the resignation of Martin Callinan because it could amount to an invasion into the private life of the former Garda commissioner.

Austerity has reduced the safety net for the poor, elderly, and even those at work, according to a report from the Council of Europe that poses serious questions about Ireland’s social welfare system, health services and its care of the elderly.

The Government has accused an anti-smacking campaign group of misinformation and a lack of balance in its bid to have the practice banned in Ireland.

A leading children’s charity has called for smacking of youngsters to be made illegal, saying that it is "degrading".

ONE-IN-FIVE five parents are unhappy with how they discipline their child and over 60% admit that discipline causes strife with their partner, a survey has found.

CHILDREN and parents are to be questioned about their views on physical and other forms of punishment in a move which could lead to a legal ban on corporal punishment.

Children’s charity, the ISPCC, today called for a total ban on smacking as part of a ten-point plan to protect youngsters from abuse.