THERE were over 2,700 anonymous tip-offs to a Government department over suspected welfare fraud in the first three months of this year, more than double the figure for the same period last year.

POLITICIANS have set themselves a four-month target to decide if the way we elect people to the Dáil is fit for purpose.

TDs and senators have called on the energy regulator to stall all proposed gas and electricity price increases for a year to ease costs for cash-strapped businesses.

THE long battle to get a resident neurologist in the mid-west is nearing a successful conclusion with an appointment imminent according to the Health Service Executive.

THE long battle to get a resident neurologist in the mid-west is nearing a successful conclusion with an appointment imminent according to the Health Service Executive.

FINE Gael agriculture and food spokesman Denis Naughten has welcomed the publication of a book by Labour Deputy Willie Penrose, which explains in practical terms the legal rights and responsibilities of farmers and landowners.

WATERFORD and the south-east may be losing jobs at present but the IDA says it remains active in promoting the region.

A CAMPAIGN has been launched to save a 12-pupil national school, close to the Cork/Kerry border.

IT is mind boggling that 30,000 families are missing out on social welfare payments to which they are entitled because of failure to alert them.

The Supreme Court ordered Labour Deputy Brendan Howlin yesterday to divulge the name of the person who informed him that two senior gardaí had been acting improperly in Donegal.

CATHOLIC bishops yesterday called for the family based on marriage not to be removed from the Constitution.

The effects of cutbacks in the Rent Supplement Scheme will come under the spotlight of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social and Family Affairs later today.

OPPOSITION politicians have attacked the Government for establishing diplomatic relations with the Myanmar regime without any debate in the Dáil.

A GROUP representing thousands of people has threatened legal action to stop any downgrading of its local general hospital.

DAIRYGOLD confirmed yesterday that up to 1,500 jobs will lost in the co-op giant over the next three years.

ARMED detectives are patrolling the northside of Limerick on a 24-hour basis following the gangland killing of John Ryan.

THE number of aircraft with weapons landing here has soared despite the decision by three US carriers to bypass Shannon airport.

THE Labour Party has no intention of expelling two mayors who voted for higher bin charges and against party policy, their leader Pat Rabbitte said yesterday.

COMMUNICATIONS Minister Dermot Ahern was under pressure last night to intervene in the escalating postal dispute following a warning that it will put many small firms out of business by Christmas.

LIMERICK TDs yesterday called for greater communication between local gardaí and detention centres following claims that young offenders are causing havoc by committing crimes in the city while out on temporary release at weekends.

Opposition parties are demanding that a code of conduct for politicians be adopted, following the decision by the Supreme Court yesterday that Liam Lawlor should go back to jail.