A SIPTU bank account at the centre of a number of investigations was used to fund six trips to New York by a Department of Finance official who had a key role in industrial relations issues.

THE failure of the VHI to meet regulatory requirements cost its own chief executive at least €104,458 in salary and benefits last year.

THERE is no embargo on recruitment in the health service but there is an employment ceiling, a leading Department of Health official told yesterday’s meeting of the Joint Committee of Health and Children.

Up to 200 men and women took to the streets of Dublin today in protest against the conditions of employment for home helps.