THE country is running out of salt to treat icy roads and is competing with EU neighbours for emergency supplies from North Africa.

ONE in five taxi drivers are not tax compliant, according to the results of recent multi-agency checkpoints designed to target possible offences by part-time drivers.

A Co Kerry family who spoke at Leinster House this week on road safety say they are disappointed by the way they and other bereaved families were treated.

THE Irish Aviation Authority has rejected any suggestion it over-reacted in closing Irish airspace for most of the past week due to the risk of volcanic ash to aircraft.

Aer Lingus tonight effectively ended rival carrier Ryanair’s plans to takeover the in-demand hangar six at Dublin Airport.

TRANSPORT Minister Noel Dempsey has demanded a full report from CIÉ over an internal company investigation which uncovered losses of €2.5 million due to alleged fraud and collusion.

TRANSPORT Minister Noel Dempsey has demanded a full report from CIÉ over an internal company investigation which uncovered losses of €2.5 million due to alleged fraud and collusion.

THE Road Safety Authority (RSA) has expressed concern that the poor standard of some Irish roads and the rising number of older vehicles could reverse recent reductions in the annual number of road deaths.

RYANAIR chief executive Michael O’Leary has reiterated his belief, in front of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, that his airline’s €1.40 per share takeover offer was the best way for Aer Lingus to effectively grow as a business in the coming years.

CONCERN over the safety of the Dublin Port Tunnel was voiced by TDs yesterday, despite repeated reassurances by the National Roads Authority that it is one of the first tunnels in Europe to comply with EU safety directives.

THE Government’s attempt to resolve the bitter debt row between Dublin and Cork airports is “entirely flawed”, the country’s largest business network said yesterday.

BUSINESS plans to establish Cork and Shannon as independent airports have finally been sent to the Government for approval, it was confirmed yesterday.

THE Dublin Airport Authority was strongly criticised yesterday for its failure to inform colleagues in Shannon about the planned closure by Aer Lingus of its Shannon-Heathrow route.

EXISTING high-quality dual carriageways across Ireland will soon be upgraded to motorway status with speed limits increasing to 120km/h.

A CAMPAIGN to introduce a graphic driver safety programme in the nation’s schools will be launched in Cork next week.

AER LINGUS is in breach of European airline guidelines by insisting that passengers with disabilities produce medical proof of their condition.

SIPTU will be making its submission to the Oireachtas today over the Government’s intention to sell a majority stake in Aer Lingus.

SIPTU workers in Aer Lingus have voted overwhelmingly in favour of industrial action if Minister for Transport Martin Cullen presses ahead with his plan to privatise the airline.

MORE THAN 800 serious road accidents involving non-national drivers were recorded last year as the number of such incidents has shown a strong upward trend since 2003.

A MAN in his 80s was killed last night in a road accident near Mullingar, bringing to 52 the number of people killed on Irish roads already this year.

GARDAÍ are set to dramatically increase the number of checkpoints outside pubs and nightclubs after the Attorney General confirmed random breath-testing is legal and constitutional.

GARDAÍ are to increase the use of unmarked patrol cars to clamp down on dangerous driving and speeding.

A TRADE union representing staff at Aer Lingus has called for an independent investigation into the alleged bullying culture at the national airline.

Executives at Knock Airport today urged the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport to support calls for a €15m Government investment at the airport.

THE Dublin-based lobby group that represents the wives, widows and partners of pre-deregulation taxi drivers yesterday described Transport Minister Seamus Brennan’s plan to ease their hardship as a sham.

ALMOST half of all complaints made against Dublin taxi drivers last year related to overcharging while one in seven cab owners have a criminal record, according to Garda figures.