He said he and Minister of State David Stanton have been consulting to consider a process which would allow the Government “to beef up” hate speech legislation.

THE GOVERNMENT is expected to cut spending immediately after warnings that the country is plunging into a recession, but does not expect to make changes to the tax regime until December’s budget.

IRISH Olympic hopeful John Joe Nevin has said his celebration party will go ahead despite venues in his own county refusing to host him because he is a Traveller.