Plans to drastically cut legal aid for convicted criminals will destroy prison law, a Catholic agency has warned.

Gay rights campaigners have hailed what they described as a “major milestone” on the journey to full equality as the Government considers a recommendation to extend marriage rights to same-sex couples.

Plans to overhaul the system of religious patronage in primary schools was broadly welcomed yesterday, with many claiming it was merely the start of a process of change.

Schools will have trouble having some subjects taught if strict rules are enforced that only qualified teachers can be employed, TDs and senators have been told.

THE DATA Protection Commissioner has refuted claims by Catholic bishops that an audit of the Church’s child protection practices is being impeded by laws restricting access to sensitive personal information.

POPE Benedict XVI will head a delegation of senior Vatican officials who will meet with Cardinal Seán Brady and Archbishop Diarmuid Martin in Rome today to discuss the continuing fallout from the Murphy report for the Irish Catholic Church and senior bishops.

GERRY RYAN’S “risqué stream of consciousness” didn’t work for RTÉ as an excuse for the presenter encouraging comedian Julian Clary to read a “sexually explicit” passage of his book on morning radio during school holidays.

DISCIPLINE is more important than religious education when parents choose a school for their children, a study has revealed.

THE vast majority of Irish Catholics disagree with church leaders on the use of condoms, according to an international study.

CATHOLIC bishops have signalled that the Church’s involvement in the future running of primary schools may be reduced.