IN KEEPING with the grand tradition of greatly underestimating bad news established by a long line of finance ministers and central bank economists, yesterday’s Anglo Irish report revealed that the €300 million loan figure was a long way off the mark.

THOSE who are concerned with the absence of ‘Christian values’ in the Lisbon Treaty would do well to remember that Hitler and his Nazis were purported Christians, both Catholic and Protestant, while the Czar of Russia, deposed in the revolution of 1917, was another whose ‘Christianity’ did little to benefit the serfs.

FINE Gael MEP Gay Mitchell was accused of arrogance yesterday after referring to the German public voting for Adolf Hitler’s Nazi regime, or the Third Reich, in a discussion on the Irish public’s rejection of the Lisbon treaty.

FINE Gael refused to be drawn into a row last night over claims that some of the party’s TDs voted against the Lisbon Treaty.

Critics of the Lisbon Treaty who claim it is indecipherable were today accused of pedalling stupid nonsense unworthy of debate.

SOMETIMES while watching the RTÉ news I find myself asking “why was that worthy of my attention?” The latest example was on last Sunday night when Declan Ganley of Libertas hosted a press event for Ulick McEvaddy. Surely, I thought, these gentlemen represent a body of opinion such as a trade union, chamber of commerce or political party, but apparently not.

MILLIONAIRE businessman Ulick McEvaddy has urged a no vote in the Lisbon Treaty referendum, describing the text of the treaty as “unintelligible drivel”.

THE last time someone was publicly feted on Raglan Road, poor Patrick Kavanagh was smitten and a future US president was in nappies.

BUSINESSMEN the McEvaddy brothers say their multimillion-euro private primary care facility in Co Kildare will save locals the inconvenience of having to travel to Dublin for specialist medical services.

Management at Knock Airport today distanced themselves from suggestions US military aircraft would be allowed to land there.

The board of Knock Airport has refused to rule out the possibility that it may seek to promote the airport as a potential stopover point for US military flights.

Anti-war protesters reacted angrily today to suggestions that Knock Airport could be opened to US military aircraft.

Knock airport could be joining Shannon as a refuelling stop for American military transport planes.

RYANAIR boss Michael O’Leary yesterday said the group would not be undermined by rising oil prices that are expected to cost the industry $7 billion in lost profits in 2005.

BUSINESSMAN Ulick McEvaddy said yesterday he is confident that the Competition Authority will allow him access to Dublin Airport runway, clearing the way for him to build a third terminal there.

RYANAIR has begun a High Court challenge to have the Government’s decision, to have ownership of the proposed second terminal for Dublin Airport transferred to the Dublin Airport Authority (DAA), declared illegal.

THE GOVERNMENT has finally given the go-ahead for a second terminal at Dublin airport and plans to allow independent companies bid to build a third terminal within the next 10 years.

Transport Minister Martin Cullen has announced that a privately-owned third terminal in Dublin Airport will be built and plans for it will be drawn up immediately.

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern today refused to give a date for a decision on a second terminal at Dublin Airport after he was repeatedly quizzed on the issue in the Dáil.

Airport charges must rise if the second terminal is to be built at Dublin Airport, it was claimed today.

TRANSPORT Minister Martin Cullen said he favoured a majority sell-off of Aer Lingus which would put an end to speculation about the future of the airline.

John Breslin

RYANAIR chief executive Michael O’Leary has warned the Government that the airline will not expand services from Dublin if SIPTU is given a stake in a proposed new terminal at the airport.

A ROW is brewing over Aer Rianta's advanced plans to build a new 'Pier D' Dublin airport terminal to accommodate low-cost airlines, in the wake of a report that a proposed private terminal may render the project non-viable.

The Government is reported to be considering ending Aer Rianta’s monopoly at Dublin airport.