Michael McDowell’s claims that his plan to deregulate restaurant licensing is radical are "ridiculous", Fine Gael justice spokesman Jim O’Keeffe said today.

AN outspoken opponent of paramilitary street violence took his Westminster election message to the heart of loyalist Belfast yesterday — flanked by a Dáil deputy.

A Progressive Democrat TD tonight said she had hit a raw nerve with republicans after she dressed up a mannequin in pro-IRA merchandise sold in a Sinn Féin shop.

Progressive Democrat TD, Liz O'Donnell has expressed concern about the slow pace of decommissioning by the IRA, and it's failure to respond to demands in the peace process for acts of completion.

GERALDINE KENNEDY has been appointed editor of The Irish Times, becoming the first female editor of a national daily newspaper.

The Minister for Justice, Michael McDowell has described the IRA statement as a step forward.