Ireland would come to a financial standstill and medical procedures would be stalled if the country was hit by a cyber attack.

TWENTY county and city councils have withdrawn from rubbish collection leaving the service entirely to private operators.

The Irish Waste Management Association (IWMA), an affiliate of IBEC, welcomed yesterday the publication of the new Market Development Programme for recycled materials but said it believes the Government must also address market inequalities facing private waste operators.

Ireland could be brought to the European Court of Justice in relation to its treatment of public bodies as non-taxable, it emerged today.