Northern Ireland First Minister Arlene Foster, leader of the once staunchly anti-papist Democratic Unionists, has vowed to meet Pope Francis during an expected trip to the region.

The Irish Council for Civil Liberties has warmly welcomed today’s European Parliament’s decision to call for a Dáil inquiry into Ireland’s collusion in the practice of rendition (unlawful prisoner transfers).

Euro MPs were today giving final approval to tough new anti-smoking laws, including massive health warnings on cigarette packets and the optional use of shock pictures such as rotting teeth and gums and scarred lungs.