The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Dermot Ahern, today announced that a new system to crackdown on people visiting Ireland who overstay their time will come into effect next year.

MUCH has been written about the resignation of the CEO of the Equality, Niall Crowley.

The IRA's ruling Army Council which once directed its campaign of violence is no longer operational, a major report revealed today.

THE detention of 14-year-old Brian Rossiter was “unlawful” and there was a “failure to investigate” all the circumstances surrounding his death, according to a statutory inquiry into the boy’s death.

The lack of women in the Dáil is unacceptable, Ceann Comhairle John O’Donoghue said today.

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform Brian Lenihan announced today that the Government has approved his proposal to establish an Advisory Group to examine key aspects of the law governing the sale and consumption of alcohol.

The Government today denied opposition claims that it is trying to intimidate the Mahon Tribunal just weeks before the Taoiseach gives evidence again.

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform Brian Lenihan has today announced other key measures being taken by the Government to tackle human trafficking.

THE Immigrant Council of Ireland (ICI) welcomes recent comments by the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Brian Lenihan, that he wishes to address ‘unacceptable delays’ in the process migrants face in becoming Irish citizens.

Tánaiste Michael McDowell tonight conceded he had lost his seat in the General Election.

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform Michael McDowell today said that provisions in the Criminal Justice Act 2006, which came into force on August 1, have greatly strengthened the legal protection for emergency workers who are assaulted, threatened or obstructed.

LIKE much media coverage regarding the auctioneering profession, your lead story (Irish Examiner, June 10) was inaccurate in that it referred to regulations being published to protect house-hunters from “tricks of the trade, including gazumping — where auctioneers pull out of a deal after receiving a higher bid”.

AS a Nigerian refugee living in Ireland it is not often that people in my position have an opportunity to thank the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Michael McDowell.

YOUR columnist Pat Brosnan (Irish Examiner, December 9) expressed surprise that the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform was only now paying his first visit to Mountjoy.

Tánaiste Mary Harney couldn’t represent the Government in the Dáil this morning because of a traffic jam outside Dublin, it emerged today.

THE Justice Department has reiterated its intention to press ahead the impending inquiry into the death of a 14-year-old boy after he had been in garda custody.

IN March of this year a Commission for the Support of Victims of Crime was set up by the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Michael McDowell.

Paul O’Brien

I WAS impressed by your budget coverage (Irish Examiner, December 2), especially your front page table outlining how our rulers will benefit.

Despite John O’Donoghue’s successes in both his ministries, he still remains first and foremost a Kerry TD, writes Political Editor Harry McGee.

FINE GAEL last night backed the Government’s citizenship referendum on June 11.

THE Nigerian government warned the Taoiseach last year that Ireland’s loose citizenship laws were well-known internationally and were being abused, Bertie Ahern told TDs yesterday.

FOLLOWING the failure of talks with the Prison Officers Association (POA), Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform Michael McDowell has announced contingency plans for the mothballing of two prisons — Fort Mitchell on Spike Island and the Curragh Place of Detention — as well as the closure of two other prisons, Shelton Abbey and Loughan House, both of which are due to be privatised.

TAOISEACH Bertie Ahern

YOUR editorial headlined ‘Government losing fight against crime’ (Irish Examiner, Nov 28) hits the nail on the head when you state that the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Michael McDowell, is more concerned with cutting costs that putting extra resources into fighting crime.

JUSTICE MINISTER Michael McDowell yesterday moved to change a Progressive Democrats rule banning non-EU citizens from party membership despite the fact that all immigrants are entitled to vote in local elections.

THE Taoiseach has utterly denied there is any reason why Minister for Justice Michael McDowell cannot draw up legislation allowing legal costs at the Flood Tribunal be decided by the new chairman.

TWO bishops have been accused of obstruction in a case of alleged sexual assault by a deceased priest in their diocese.

Gardai have issued a statement saying they are involved in talks with Justice Minister Michael McDowell on what course of action to take regarding the clerical abuse scandals.