Thirty years back, we had fewer skills and less education, yet the social divide wasn’t as severe, writes Kyran Fitzgerald.

JUST four out of 200 independent retailers who are licensed to sell alcohol are taking part in an industry-operated scheme regarding the sale of alcohol.

Around 5,200 homes in the North remained without water as engineers continued to repair the leaks that crippled the region’s water system.

Engineers are continuing the mammoth task of repairing the leaks that crippled the North’s water system.

The North's under-fire water authorities have fought off resignation calls over the crisis in water supplies.

THE powers of the National Transport Authority (NTA), which has extensive control over transport providers, are strongly opposed by CIÉ chairman Dr John Lynch who claims the new super authority will increase costs and delay the delivery of key transport projects.

NINE out of 10 stores are complying with a voluntary code regarding the display and sale of alcohol, a compliance report has found.

An economic study has set an "ambitious but achievable" target of creating 12,000 jobs in Co Louth over the next six years.

More than 1,000 delegates from the small- and medium-sized business sector across the globe are meeting in Belfast today to discuss how to maintain their competitiveness in the current economic downturn.

Government Senator Mary White today announced her bid for the Irish presidency in 2011.

CONTRARY to yesterday’s Irish Examiner report, Senator Mary White is married to Padraic White.

THE Department of Justice and the courts service are to look into the establishment of community courts to deal with anti-social crime like vandalism, disorderly conduct and petty theft.

The Criminal Justice system could be set for a major shake-up after Government advisors today called for new courts to force offenders to make amends for their crimes.

BUSINESSMAN Tom Mulcahy, the chairman-designate of the Dublin Transport Authority (DTA), could get paid up to €74,000 for 62 days’ work.

THE most ambitious public transport project in our history will enjoy a smooth delivery - thanks to the success of the Luas.

A CROSS-PARTY group representing the four Dublin local authorities has rejected proposals to establish the Dublin Transportation Authority and called for new proposals modelled on the London system.

GARDAÍ are ignoring calls to help lift the veil of secrecy surrounding domestic violence by no longer keeping comprehensive records on the issue.

A PROPOSED new rail line directly linking major population centres in west Dublin with Dublin Airport should persuade many car users to avoid using the M50, according to Transport Minister Martin Cullen.

One of Ireland’s top cancer hospitals is to treat 700 more patients a year with new state-of-the-art technology, it was announced today.

RAPE victims are forced to wait more than two years to get their cases before the courts, according to a new report.

DUBLIN’S billion-plus euro Metro North linking the city and airport is set to get the green light within two weeks.

Dublin’s Luas light rail system made a profit a full year ahead of schedule, making it the only transport network in the country not in need of Government subsidies, it was revealed today.

I AM not sure whether Alan Dukes was in a self-pitying or a self-mocking mood when he addressed the Tallaght Chamber of Commerce last week. I suspect it was the latter.

TRANSPORT Minister, Martin Cullen, has refused to reveal the estimated cost of a new metro service between Dublin city centre, the airport and Swords which is scheduled to be completed by 2012.

Dublin’s Metro should be up and running by 2012 carrying 80,000 passengers a day from St Stephen's Green to Swords, via the airport, it was claimed today.

Ireland’s new €34.4bn transport plan got underway tonight, with an application for the first Luas extension submitted to the Government.

Cormac O’Keeffe

THE latest survey of domestic abuse gives an alarming insight into life in Ireland today.

PROTESTING fishermen last night refused to rule out further blockades of ports next week after an urgent review of the needs of fishing fleets, was announced by Marine Minister Pat “The Cope” Gallagher.

A review of scallop fishing fleets was announced tonight in a bid to prevent further blockades of ports by protesting fishermen.

THE Luas service will be launched in Dublin on June 30 with free travel on the Sandyford-St Stephen’s Green line for five days.

THE report published by the National Crime Council (NCC) yesterday contains recommendations which, if implemented, could have a very positive impact on reducing the incidence of crime.

MORE than half of public order offences are not prosecuted or recorded, according to research by the National Crime Council.

STUDIES have shown that as many as 90% of all new food and drink products fail to survive more than one year in the market.

AN expert group has been set up to try and make official crime figures more accurate.

IRELAND needs a single agency to target juvenile criminals and children who are at risk of getting into trouble with the law, the head of the National Crime Council has said.

A NATIONAL plan detailing the State’s response to all future food scares, whether accidental or intended, was unveiled yesterday.