Over half of drivers regularly see other motorists texting while driving and one in four see this dangerous behaviour every day, it has emerged.

British prime minister David Cameron kicked off his plan for a changed relationship with the EU, admitting he will not get treaty change before he has to put his in/out referendum to the people.

Ireland’s European Affairs Minister has expressed sympathy with the families of the victims of yesterday’s terror attack after his French counterpart, Harlem Désir, cancelled a planned visit to Cork.

An Irish diplomat has laid a laurel wreath at the London Cenotaph for the first time in almost 70 years.

Irish passport-holders residing aboard may have a vote to elect three members to the Senate.

Ten heads of state or government and 100 ministers sharpened their political teeth in the European Parliament, giving them an advantage in EU politics, but it is a trend Ireland has not followed.

Rebel TDs kicked out of Fine Gael for opposing the abortion legislation could be let back into the parliamentary party after a period of time, according to a junior minister.

One of the country's finest sports writers Con Houlihan was remembered today as a gentleman who painted pictures with words.

Fianna Fáil leader Mícheál Martin is offering congratulations to Michael D Higgins this afternoon.

GAELTACHT areas will be identified in future by how much the Irish language is used instead of by geographical location, under a bill to be introduced by the Government.

TWO new whistle-blowers have emerged from within the Irish banking establishment to outline overcharging on a massive scale which could result in a €100 million payback to bank customers.

THE cost of borrowing to the state hit a new high of 6.53% yesterday as investors worry the bank crisis will cause us to default on our mounting debt which will hit close to €180bn in 2012.

PARTNERSHIPS in Munster have been the most successful overall in drawing down national Rural Development Programme (RDP) funding of more than €9 million paid out so far this year.

A GROUP representing survivors of the Magdalene Laundries will meet with the Health Minister Mary Harney today to discuss her department’s historic role in the laundries.

NOT so much the Night of the Long Knives, more like the Night of the Living Dead.

ONE of the most heavily criticised ministers in Brian Cowen’s Cabinet has downplayed suggestions that he will be axed by the Taoiseach in the forthcoming reshuffle.

IRISH agriculture has a key strategic role in contributing to British and European Union food security, the Irish Farmers Association president Padraig Walshe declared yesterday.

The Government is admitting that some people hit by flooding may be means tested to get humanitarian aid payments.

THE Czech Constitutional Court has adjourned until next week its ruling on the Lisbon Treaty, taking the issues of a new Commission and the jobs of an EU president and foreign minister off the agenda for tomorrow’s summit in Brussels.

COMPULSORY national ID cards must be introduced to claw back more than €600 million a year being lost to benefit fraudsters.

FUNDING for big rural community projects has been boosted to 95% after the European Commission gave the go-ahead for local authorities to match aid from the €425.4 million LEADER rural development programme.

GALWAY breeders and owners enjoyed success at the Connemara Pony Show in Clifden.

A GOVERNMENT minister was slated last night for arriving by helicopter in a Gaeltacht region to open a playground.

Employers' group IBEC today welcomed the agreement on Lisbon Treaty legal guarantees for Ireland, signed off by EU leaders meeting at the European Council in Brussels.

WALKERS will have a far greater choice this year of well-maintained walkways countrywide because of increased participation in the Walks Scheme, which is based on mutual agreement and co-operation.

Fine Gael says this morning's opinion poll shows that voters want to get Fianna Fáil out of government.

The Department of Social and Family Affairs has upgraded its website in an effort to take the pressure of under-pressure staff in its centres.

Support for Irish is stronger in the east of the country than in the traditional heartland of the west, new research revealed tonight.

THE Government has been urged to make an exception about halving the dole for young people with a warning that it could cripple the lives of over 5,000 children in care once they turn 18.

The Government has announced plans to mount a crackdown on cross-border social welfare abuse.

RIVERS and canals could have an important role to play in the country’s transport system, north and south.

THE Government’s promise of a talks forum to resolve bitter disputes over the controversial Corrib gas project descended into chaos yesterday.

The Government’s promise of a talks forum to resolve bitter disputes over the controversial Corrib gas project descended into chaos today.

The Government has announced that anybody retiring before the end of next year has the option of buying an annuity now or holding off for two years.

THE allocation of €425.4 million in LEADER funding to 36 groups under the largest package for rural development has been announced.

FORGET the strings of outdoor lighting, the giant light-up sleighs and the flashing Santas this Christmas if they’re likely to result in hefty bills in January.

AGRICULTURE Minister Brendan Smith has said all farmers who complete approved farm waste management scheme work in accordance with the terms and conditions can be assured they will receive grant aid.

THE redeveloped Guagán Barra Forest Park in Co Cork was launched yesterday by Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs Minister Éamon Ó Cuív.

FUNDING for five regional artisan food study tours, which will be held as part of the Terra Madre (Mother Earth) food festival in Waterford next month, was announced yesterday by Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs Minister Éamon Ó Cuív.

A CAMPAIGN group for the unemployed has criticised the crackdown on electronic dole payments as “using a sledgehammer to crack a nut” and contrary to recent government policy.

Social and Family Affairs Minister Mary Hanafin has dismissed a recommendation to replace stamp duty on houses with a new property tax.

A €425 MILLION rural development programme is expected to trigger potential investments of €1.7bn in local areas over the next five years.

SOME Aboriginal children taken from their parents under past government policies were used as guinea pigs in medical experiments, an Australian senate inquiry was told yesterday.