IF Justice Minister, Michael McDowell, is really worried about the burden of stamp duty on first-time buyers, why does he not simply suggest it be a tax paid by the builder/speculator?

A NEW way of introducing the nuclear industry to Ireland is being floated by some economists who have close links to the Government.

IT was very heartening to see (Irish Examiner, July 15) that David Begg of ICTU has joined economic commentators like Garret FitzGerald and Moore McDowell in questioning the ‘mantra’ of maximisation of growth as opposed to optimisation of growth.

Lobby groups and representative bodies must adapt to legislative changes or perish, a conference was told today.

The Irish Cigarette Machine Operators (ICMOA) has critisised the Office of Tobacco Control (OTC)-commissioned report carried out by Joe Durkan and Moore McDowell.

A GOVERNMENT-commissioned report has been unable to establish if individual pubs and restaurants will suffer financially as a result of the smoking ban.

HEALTH MINISTER Micheál Martin will go on the offensive this week to urge the public to ensure the smoking ban is enforced and insist offenders will be punished for ignoring the clampdown.

The Irish Cigarette Machine Operators Association has called on the Government to immediately publish the results of a study into the possible economic effects of the proposed ban on smoking in the workplace.