TRAVEL policies which allowed University College Cork president Dr Michael Murphy rack up a €25,000 flight bill over two years have been tightened significantly, he has insisted.

HOMEOWNERS can expect the main banks to follow Permanent TSB’s lead and hike interest rates, pushing up the cost of mortgages for thousands struggling to meet monthly bills.

THE recent pronouncements by Archbishop Neill and Bishop Colton regarding the level of State subvention to Protestant schools give a rare example of the Church of Ireland sticking its head above the level of the defensive parapet, which has been rigidly in place since 1922.

TAOISEACH Brian Cowen was last night accused of “stalling” over revealing whether he claims a controversial tax perk for the upkeep of second homes.

FIVE special needs children find themselves outside the education system due to a funding dispute between a Dublin school and the Department of Education.

A Church of Ireland bishop claimed today that private school funding cuts were making the Irish Republic a hostile place for Protestant children.

HAVING listened to Live Line over the last few days about the dreadful conditions those “fallen” women of the Magdalene Laundries endured I am almost in tears.

Education Minister Batt O’Keefe has said he is hoping for “significant developments” on the issue of compensation for victims of child abuse in industrial schools.

I AM a student of Political Science in the National University of Ireland, Galway.

STUDENTS will pay a graduation tax for 10 years after leaving college under new Fine Gael proposals to fund higher education.

The Church of Ireland Archbishop of Dublin today accused Education Minister Batt O’Keefe of targeting disadvantaged Protestant children in Budget cost-cutting.

Dozens of students were tonight pitching tents outside Leinster House to protest against the re-introduction of third-level fees.

Government partners were tonight facing a potential rift as moves to target high-income families for college fees was thrown in to the spotlight.

The Department of Education is to write to schools advising them to tighten rules on enrolment policies, it was revealed today.

A survey has found strong support for the idea of introducing Educate Together secondary schools in Ireland.

A team of sports stars will line up with Education Minister Batt O’Keefe today to promote activities in schools.

The regeneration of one of Dublin’s neighbourhoods proved successful because it placed the needs of the community at its core, a Stormont minister claimed today.

FIANNA Fáil candidates are proving to be their own worst enemies in Cork North West.

A TOTAL of €6 million is to be spent educating people about the scourge of chewing gum litter but the Government has stopped short of imposing a clean-up tax on its manufacturers.

PUBS which fail to stop cigarette butts amassing outside their premises will soon risk prosecution as part of an anti-litter drive.

Cavan has won back its title as the cleanest town in the country , it emerged today.

LOCAL democracy doesn’t come cheap. In fact taxpayers had to fork out a whopping €1,617,686 last year to finance expenses and meeting allowances for their council representatives in County Cork.

The National Off-License Association has criticised calls for the point of purchase to be clearly indicated on the labels of all drinks products.

JUSTICE Minister Michael McDowell has appointed a third permanent judge to oversee the District Court in Cork city.

The Green Party won its sixth seat when Dan Boyle caused a surprise in the five-seat constituency of Cork South-Central.

The Dail committee on health and children has recommended an overhaul of Ireland’s orthodontic services.