There were about 50,000 people in broken marriages 25 years ago, and there are 100,000 divorced people a quarter of a century later, writes Fergus Finlay.

Here's your lunchtime bulletin.

“In an article published on page 16 of the Irish Examiner on December 9, 2016 the following sentence was included: ‘In the course of the mishandling of Maurice McCabe’s complaints, a Garda Commissioner and a Minister for Justice had to resign’. 

There have been numerous studies conducted into the possible health merits of coffee, but 106-year-old Elizabeth Dempsey might just be the living proof.

The Minister for Health Simon Harris says the trolley crisis is not just the problem of our hospitals.

Heartbreaking scenes unfolded in Wexford town yesterday as relatives of Thomas and Sylvia Connors and their children were flanked by mourners while the funeral convoy made its way to their final resting place.

Sport Against Racism Ireland (SARI) have called on the GAA to ban the Confederate flag from their grounds after a variation of it appeared in Fitzgerald Stadium at the Munster SFC final last Sunday.

Minister for Primary Care Alex White has said that he cannot comment on plans for a possible 'third tier' of medical cards.

The Government will today publish the report which forced Alan Shatter to resign as Minister for Justice.

Ireland’s unemployment rate is still “unacceptable”, the Taoiseach has said.

Minister for Research and Innovation, Sean Sherlock, is this morning reassuring Leaving and Junior Cert students about Project maths.

Minister for Public Sector Reform said that there will be "individual pressure points" in the public sector system as a result of the early retirement scheme.

The Minister for Children Frances Fitzgerald travels to Vietnam today for talks aimed at re-opening adoption links between Ireland and the South East Asian country.

SOCIAL Protection Minister Joan Burton was forced into a second climbdown on her budget proposals after pressure from her party TDs and warnings that the future of hundreds of community employment schemes now lay in doubt.

DOLORES Ruth’s magnificent year continued at Shelbourne Park when she was presented with the Irish Greyhound Review Personality of the Year Award.

The Minister for Children Frances Fitzgerald has reiterated her commitment to hire 60 new social workers this year.

Minister for Enterprise Richard Bruton is leading a week-long trade mission to the US today, concentrating on the southern states.

Fianna Fáil has hit out at Enda Kenny's proposal to abolish compulsory Irish, calling his measures "retrograde".

Taoiseach Brian Cowen was tonight facing calls from within his own ranks to resign after plans for a Cabinet reshuffle almost collapsed the Government.

PEOPLE felt “insulted” by the Taoiseach’s controversial radio performance, according to Minister Mary Hanafin, who became the second cabinet member to give a veiled criticism of Brian Cowen over the incident.

THE British government could announce plans this week to bring its VAT rate closer to the Republic’s, in a move that may deter shoppers heading North.

THE Health Service Executive has clarified that its controversial mid-west review of hospital services will create six new advanced paramedics for north Tipperary — instead of six ambulances as had been claimed by a junior minister in the region.

Many community nurses do not intervene in cases of elderly abuse according to a new study.

A report on the smoking habits of Polish people living in Ireland will be launched today.

THE former Mexican president Vicente Fox (Irish Examiner, January 2) argues against the policy of rich nations building walls to keep out immigrants from the so-called Third World.

Minister for Defence, Willie O’Dea, has announced a new €2.2m research and development facility in Limerick.

Minister for Enterprise Micheál Martin has today turned the sod on a new power station being built in Co Cork.

Minister for Enterprise Micheal Martin has said he does not believe Motorola's announcement of 350 possible job losses in Cork reflects the state of the Irish economy.

The Government said today it would issue Army deafness claimants alleging overcharging by solicitors with detailed costings of their cases, it said today.

The Ukrainian foreign minister will begin a three-day visit to Ireland today.

TAOISEACH Bertie Ahern yesterday led tributes to former Justice Minister Sean Doherty who died yesterday morning at the age of 60.

A group of 35 children are taking part in a Dáil session this afternoon with Minister for Education, Mary Hanafin.

TAOISEACH Bertie Ahern laid down a blueprint yesterday for the final two years of the Government, promoting three new faces to the Cabinet and shuffling his remaining pack.

THE re-opening of a Western Rail Corridor (WRC) is a leap of faith that cannot be rushed, according to Transport Minister Seamus Brennan.

SINGER and third world campaigner Bob Geldof and Archbishop Desmond Tutu will be in Dublin later this month for the largest-ever conference on the escalating HIV/AIDS problem in Europe and Central Asia.

Minister for Justice, John O’Donoghue, has continued with his controversial decentralisation plan despite the Minister for Finance putting the scheme on hold until after the general election.