The Government is damaging the arts sector by hitting non-profit groups with hefty tax bills for performances by international artists in Ireland, it was warned today.

THERE could be an increase in the number of children being taken from Ireland to countries that have not signed up to the Hague Convention, the Irish Centre for Parentally Abducted Children (ICPAC) warned yesterday.

AS THE number of discrimination cases against employers — already up by 40% this year — continues to rise, a new EU-backed project has been launched to help employers tackle inequality.

Plans to pass on personal information about Irish citizens travelling to the US may be in breach of the EU's data protection laws, according to Fine Gael MEP Mary Banotti.

IT is of small comfort to Christine O’Sullivan that the tragic end to the parental abduction case she was embroiled in was exceptional, Justice Minister Michael McDowell told a conference yesterday.

Irish MEP Mary Banotti is beginning a ten-day visit to Afghanistan and Pakistan today.

The Irish Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations is to pay a 10-day visit to Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Fine Gael’s Mary Banotti has been re-appointed to her former position as mediator for transnationally abducted children in the European Parliament.

MEP Mary Banotti has said she is worried that the Government is not fulfilling its promise to fight for permission to give state aid to Aer Lingus.

Fine Gael MEP Mary Banotti today said she was deeply saddened upon hearing of the discovery of the bodies of Christopher Crowley and his six-year-old daughter Deirdre in Co Tipperary.