Bankers have been likened to troublesome teenagers by one of the country’s most senior financial regulation officials.

The head of NAMA Brendan McDonagh has said there is a shortage of family homes for sale in parts of the country.

Construction Industry Federation director general Tom Parlon has said that "there is little sense of urgency" in the Government's new stimulus plan.

Italy football federation vice-president Demetrio Albertini has reassured fans that the Azzurri will play at Euro 2012.

JOEY BARTON, inset, lived up to his reputation for outspoken honesty yesterday with attacks on Ryan Giggs, John Terry and the England rugby team.

Some foreign owners of Premier League clubs want to scrap relegation and promotion to the top flight, according to League Managers' Association chief executive Richard Bevan.

The German Football Federation today announced former captain Michael Ballack would no longer be considered for international duty.

The Football Association of Ireland are hoping to resolve a dispute with their Slovakian counterparts over the venue for October’s European Championship qualifier.

The Tourism Minister Martin Cullen has increased speculation he is departing from the Cabinet after pulling out of an event this afternoon.

Arsenal are to continue considering their options following the injury sustained by Robin van Persie while on Holland duty – with FIFA appearing to have ruled out pursuing legal action for compensation against the Dutch federation.

Real Madrid have confirmed that Cristiano Ronaldo will travel to Portugal for an assessment of his ankle injury in a new twist to the superstar’s club-versus-country dispute.

Italy football federation president Giancarlo Abete is hoping his national team can this weekend confirm their place at next year’s World Cup finals.

HOUSE prices will continue to slide until 2012, it has been claimed, as construction chiefs were told the industry will never be the same again.

CONFIRMATION that the construction industry is facing a crisis came yesterday with the first public admission by a senior Government minister that Ireland’s building boom has come to a “shuddering end”.

FIFA today suspended the Iraqi Football Federation, throwing their participation in World Cup qualifying into doubt.

Jackie Stewart believes the scandal surrounding FIA president Max Mosley could deter potential sponsors from Formula One.

A BELIZE-registered vessel was arrested in New Ross yesterday, when it emerged it was leaking seawater and the Russian crew were only being paid half what they are entitled to.

FEDERATION of International Banks in Ireland (FIBI) chairman, Michael Deeny has warned against complacency in the bid to keep Ireland a leading player in the international banking industry.

Football has been halted in Italy after a police officer was killed when fans rioted at a match.

PENSIONS Ombudsman Paul Kenny yesterday said he was increasingly concerned that construction firms were illegally deducting wages from workers without lodging the funds in the industry’s mandatory pension scheme.

PSNI Chief Constable Hugh Orde has halted a move to force all officers in Northern Ireland to declare membership of outside organisations, it emerged tonight.

Cian O’Connor Statement 10th, October 9pm:

YESTERDAY’S emergency Government meeting on the carnage on Ireland’s roads was little more than a PR stunt.

Sinn Féin has clashed with the Police Federation, which represents rank and file police officers, after the Federation criticised those who oppose loyalist parades.

MARSEILLE president Christophe Bouchet has thanked the French football federation (FFF) for refusing to deliver a letter of release for Arsenal midfielder Mathieu Flamini.

FORMER international striker Jurgen Klinsmann is the latest name to enter the fray for the vacant Germany manager's job.

We are all too well aware of the rigorous campaign being waged by the Revenue Commissioners against those tax evaders who used the bogus non-resident schemes, on the advice of various financial institutions, to escape their legitimate tax obligations.

The alleged Russian mobster charged with fixing two Olympic figure skating contests was on tape saying six judges might be involved, Italian police said as they released details from their investigation of the worst judging scandal in Olympic history.