Irish Independent (Dublin, Republic of Ireland) back issues from May 2008:
Civil service must be transformed to meet demands of modern State.
May 01, 2008 ... Civil service must be transformed to meet demands of modern State It's been branded inefficient and sorely in need of an overhaul but don't expect our public sector to change any time soon - no matter what the think tank says Reports appear and disappear, working ...
BlackRock fund is Rabo's pick of the month.
May 01, 2008 ... BlackRock fund is Rabo's pick of the month ONLINE bank RaboDirect has selected its May 2008 'Fund of the Month' as the hedged Euro version of the BlackRock Global Allocation Fund. The bank says this medium-risk fund has a five-star rating from Morningstar and an AAA ...
Shanechasessilverlining.
May 01, 2008 ... Shane chases silver lining Flanker eager to end Leinster's seven-year itch When Leinster returned to the Lansdowne Road dressing-room during the 2001 Celtic League final -- a man and 12-6 down -- few amongst their even hardened ...
Bradley puts his 'Shirt' on McCarthy.
May 01, 2008 ... Bradley puts his 'Shirt' on McCarthy WHETHER or not Connacht play in the Heineken Cup next season, they are guaranteed to be smartly attired. Michael Bradley welcomed back Mike McCarthy into his squad for tomorrow night's home clash with Cardiff and there was further ...
Mortgage lending growth hits 16-year low.
May 01, 2008 ... Mortgage lending growth hits 16-year low THE growth of mortgage lending fell to its lowest level since 1992 in March, with economists predicting yesterday that home-loan lending would continue to weaken this year. Figures from the Central Bank show that ...
Timber and land sales help Collite profits grow by 79pc.(Financial report)
May 01, 2008 ... Timber and land sales help Collite profits grow by 79pc COILLTE, the State-owned forestry company, saw its profits grow by 79pc from '22.4m to '40.1m in 2007 after making an exceptional provision for past and future redundancies of just over '10m. The profit was ...
Greencore pays $54min US food firm buyout.
May 01, 2008 ... Greencore pays $54m in US food firm buyout Greencore has made its second foray into the US food industry with the announcement that it is to pay up to $54m ('27m) for the chilled convenience foods specialist Home Made Brand Foods (HMBF). The group will be ...
Normal growth to return by 2010 'if we're careful'.
May 01, 2008 ... Normal growth to return by 2010 'if we're careful' Pessimism of the last Budget was justified, argues Department of Finance THE economy is unlikely to return to normal growth before 2010, and it could take longer if current difficulties are not handled properly, the ...
Undervalued sterling to climb back against strong euro.
May 01, 2008 ... Undervalued sterling to climb back against strong euro STERLING is now undervalued when compared to the euro but over the coming months it is expected to climb back from around 81p to 75p against the single currency, Bank of Ireland economist Dr Dan McLaughlin said yesterday. ...
McDonald hasn't been ousted, says O'Mahony.
May 01, 2008 ... McDonald hasn't been ousted, says O'Mahony Mayo manager John O'Mahony moved yesterday to dispel Ciaran McDonald's assertion that he wasn't wanted by the county' senior management any more. In a rare interview on Tuesday, McDonald challenged O'Mahony to tell him ...
Meath five to go all the way with appeals.
May 01, 2008 ... Meath five to go all the way with appeals All five Meath players are to appeal their suspensions after the CHC upheld the original sanctions proposed for the Parnell Park melee last week. And if they don't succeed at the appeals stage there is resolution to take ...
US figures boost shares 24 points.
May 01, 2008 ... US figures boost shares 24 points SHARES in Dublin rose in tandem with major European markets yesterday, with the ISEQ index closing 24 points higher, at 6338. Shares were boosted by data that suggested the US economy may be stabilising. Figures showing that America's ...
Greencore hasn't proved so sweet for investors.
May 01, 2008 ... Greencore hasn't proved so sweet for investors THE fact that the Greencore share price actually fell this week -- despite the confirmation of earlier reports that Icelandic outfit Bakkavor had taken a 10.9pc stake in the company and yesterday's announcement of a $54m US ...
Fed makes 0.25pc cut but leaves future in air.
May 01, 2008 ... Fed makes 0.25pc cut but leaves future in air AS expected, the US Federal Reserve cut interest rates for seventh consecutive time yesterday, but left the future path of rates unclear. The quarter-point move, after a two-day regular meeting, pushed the federal funds ...
SIPTU raps Chambers Ireland on temp rights.
May 01, 2008 ... SIPTU raps Chambers Ireland on temp rights THE country's biggest trade union has reacted angrily after a business group claimed it gave out "misleading" information on the status of agency workers. SIPTU said it was "deplorable" that a Chambers Ireland official had ...
Parents angry at school U-turn.
May 01, 2008 ... Parents angry at school U-turn EDUCATION Minister Mary Hanafin is embroiled in a deepening row with parents in a west Dublin suburb who are demanding that they get the primary school of their choice. There is fury following the refusal to sanction a new Educate ...
Economy 'won't recover until 2010'.
May 01, 2008 ... Economy 'won't recover until 2010' IT will be 2010 before the economy returns to normal growth of more than 4pc, the Department of Finance warned yesterday -- assuming the current slowdown is managed properly. In a presentation to the social partners, the department ...
Meath five to go all the way with their appeals.
May 01, 2008 ... Meath five to go all the way with their appeals All five Meath players are to appeal their suspensions after the CHC upheld the original sanctions proposed for the Parnell Park melee last week. And if they don't succeed at the appeals stage there is resolution to ...
O'Mahony deniesace McDonaldhas been dropped.
May 01, 2008 ... O'Mahony denies ace McDonald has been dropped Mayo manager John O'Mahony moved yesterday to dispel Ciaran McDonald's assertion that he wasn't wanted by the county' senior management any more. In a rare interview on Tuesday, McDonald challenged ...
Attacks on gardai spark demand to end one-man patrols.
May 01, 2008 ... Attacks on gardai spark demand to end one-man patrols GARDAI have called for an end to one-man patrol cars being sent out to respond to incidents. The call follows an upsurge of violent attacks on their colleagues. They say the patrol crews are putting their lives at ...
A snatched glimpse into the couple's lives before one was to die.
May 01, 2008 ... A snatched glimpse into the couple's lives before one was to die THE Beverage Manager at the Woodlands Hotel always remembered Meg Walsh as a very pleasant, "chatty" customer who would embrace her any time they met. So when Caroline O'Connor spotted Meg and her ...
EU chief hits out at lack of abortion laws here.
May 01, 2008 ... EU chief hits out at lack of abortion laws here EUROPE'S leading human rights chief criticised the Government over its failure to introduce new abortion laws and a legal definition of the unborn. Thomas Hammarberg, the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, ...
An MGM roar -- all the way to Buzzardstown.
May 01, 2008 ... An MGM roar -- all the way to Buzzardstown "So where actually is Buzzardstown by the way?" asked Mr Justice Joseph Matthews. Fair question and a fair bet nobody else had a foggiest idea either. "Well, it was just a few fields before," said Liam McGlinn of Fingal ...
Computer owners may have to buy TV licence.
May 01, 2008 ... Computer owners may have to buy TV licence The use of laptops and mobile phones to watch television won't require a TV licence -- yet. But TV licences will be available to buy on the internet under new changes to be announced today. Communications Minister ...
Health service facing cuts as tax-take falls, Harney warns.
May 01, 2008 ... Health service facing cuts as tax-take falls, Harney warns Health Minister Mary Harney yesterday delivered a grim warning that public services -- currently struggling with belt-tightening -- will face an even tougher financial squeeze next year. The minister was ...
Climate change tax windfall to hit '1bnunder EU targets.
May 01, 2008 ... Climate change tax windfall to hit '1bn under EU targets THE Government could be receiving over '1bn a year in carbon-related taxes in five years and must decide what to do with this huge windfall, an Oireachtas committee heard yesterday. Consultant Peter ...
Perfect delivery of what was probably the speech of his life.
May 01, 2008 ... Perfect delivery of what was probably the speech of his life PEOPLE would stand in the snow, or so the saying went, to listen to Daniel O'Connell and Charles Stewart Parnell. Not because they were such wonderful orators, but because they were such powerful presences. ...
'Ireland is at peace'Ahern delivers historic message on highest stage.
May 01, 2008 ... 'Ireland is at peace'Ahern delivers historic message on highest stage IRELAND is at peace. With those four words, Bertie Ahern ended his political career on the highest stage and signalled the hour of his country's coming of age. Yesterday he followed in the ...
'They came into the world together and now they've left it together'.
May 01, 2008 ... 'They came into the world together and now they've left it together' HE heard from a colleague that the bodies of two men had been found in their home in the city centre. But Jim Walsh never thought for a moment that they might be his sons. "I said to ...
Twins killed in fire were using candles after electricity cut off.
May 01, 2008 ... Twins killed in fire were using candles after electricity cut off identical twin brothers found dead yesterday after a fire in their apartment were using candles because the electricity had been cut off. Gardai believe the "inseparable" pair died from smoke ...
Fashionably late Saoirse finally collects IFTA gongs.
May 01, 2008 ... Fashionably late Saoirse finally collects IFTA gongs HOLLYWOOD starlet Saoirse Ronan has collected her Irish Film and Television Awards -- two months after she won the statuettes. The Carlow girl's grandparents Tom and Una Ronan basked in the limelight when they ...
Ulster take advantage of weakened Reds.
May 01, 2008 ... Ulster take advantage of weakened Reds ULSTER overcame Munster's second string at Ravenhill last night to move eight points clear of Connacht in the Magners League and effectively guarantee their Heineken Cup place next season. Declan Kidney understandably rested his ...
Measles alert for Euro 2008 travellers.
May 01, 2008 ... Measles alert for Euro 2008 travellers Irish football fans travelling to Austria and Switzerland for the Euro 2008 tournament were yesterday urged to ensure they are vaccinated against measles. The Health Protection Surveillance Centre issued the warning saying there ...
Cowen hints at U-turn on ministerial pay hikes.
May 01, 2008 ... Cowen hints at U-turn on ministerial pay hikes Taoiseach-elect Brian Cowen has hinted at a possible climbdown on the massive ministerial pay rises. Mr Cowen and his new Cabinet are due to see the first tranche of their wage increases in September. Fine ...
Bank union disputes inflation projections.
May 01, 2008 ... Bank union disputes inflation projections A trade union has disputed Government predictions that inflation will drop to 2.5pc next year, on the second day of the national pay talks. The Irish Bank Officials Association, which is seeking a pay rise above inflation, ...
Counsellor held in prison drug probe.
May 01, 2008 ... Counsellor held in prison drug probe A man employed by a community-based group to provide counselling to prisoners has been arrested in Mountjoy Prison in connection with a drugs seizure. The prison authorities at Mountjoy called in the gardai after the man was ...
Ireland home to seven million by 2041.
May 01, 2008 ... Ireland home to seven million by 2041 IRELAND'S population is set to climb to its highest level in 200 years and could reach a staggering seven million by the middle of the century, new figures reveal. We will be living longer but the country will be a much older one, ...
Taoiseach's hotel suite evacuated in fire alert.
May 01, 2008 ... Taoiseach's hotel suite evacuated in fire alert TAOISEACH Bertie Ahern's hotel was dramatically evacuated in the middle of the night after a sudden fire emergency. Mr Ahern was woken by US Secret Service agents at approximately 4.20am. He was told to dress ...
'Drumcondra Mafia' turn outto support theGrandfather.
May 01, 2008 ... 'Drumcondra Mafia' turn out to support the Grandfather A HUGE array of personal friends, relatives and staffers attended the Taoiseach's historic address, including his daughter Cecelia and sister Kathleen. But Georgina and his two ...
Pharmacists call off threat to withhold free medicine.
May 01, 2008 ... Pharmacists call off threat to withhold free medicine Threats by up to 900 pharmacists to stop dispensing free and subsidised medicines from today were withdrawn after a deal was reached last night. The Irish Pharmacy Union (IPU) said it would recommend proposals ...
Women may get relay chance.
May 02, 2008 ... Women may get relay chance IRELAND'S top male 400m runners have already put together their own ambitious Olympic qualifying plan called 'Project 400' but Athletics Ireland is now contemplating trying to qualify a women's 4x400m equivalent. News of Karen Shinkins ...
Kidney will instil winning mentality into Irish set-up.
May 02, 2008 ... Kidney will instil winning mentality into Irish set-up THE bookies rarely get it wrong. Declan Kidney is now 1/20 for the Ireland job with some layers while others have stopped taking bets entirely. "There was a bit of a gamble on Jake White last week," said Eoin Ryan of Betfair ...
Munster's Euro stars return for Llanelli clash.
May 02, 2008 ... Munster's Euro stars return for Llanelli clash MUNSTER bring their strongest available squad to Stradey Park for tomorrow's Magners League clash with Llanelli. Declan Kidney's men lost 19-9 to Ulster on Wednesday but it was very much a second-string outfit in ...
GAA face suspension loophole headache.
May 02, 2008 ... GAA face suspension loophole headache GAA officials are concerned that the potential loophole exposed by Meath in their challenge to the five two-month suspensions handed down to their players in the wake of the Parnell Park melee could make future investigations much more ...
Gardai question man over taxi driver robberies.
May 02, 2008 ... Gardai question man over taxi driver robberies GARDAI investigating a spate of taxi robberies were last night still questioning a man arrested as he was apparently about to rob the driver. Over the past two weeks there have been about six robberies of taxi drivers in ...
Port boss 'outraged' by claims of payoff for Taoiseach.
May 02, 2008 ... Port boss 'outraged' by claims of payoff for Taoiseach Dublin Port Company chairman Joe Burke has vehemently denied asking developer Tom Gilmartin for IR[pounds sterling]500,000 on behalf of Taoiseach Bertie Ahern. "That is an outrageous allegation," Mr Burke told the ...
Mortgages rip-off costs customers '3,000 a year.
May 02, 2008 ... Mortgages rip-off costs customers '3,000 a year Banks squeeze their loyal older clients to rake in '1bn windfall THOUSANDS of homeowners are paying massively over the odds for their mortgages because the banks have failed to tell them of better deals on offer. ...
Wife's debt had spiralled as she repaid 'Diddly fund' for friends.
May 02, 2008 ... Wife's debt had spiralled as she repaid 'Diddly fund' for friends Nicola Anderson LOOKING distinctly heavier and with a goatee, John O'Brien stood against a blank wall, arms folded, looking down as he answered the questions of the interviewing garda. All ...
Readymix losses of '3.9m blamed on slowdown in the building trade.
May 02, 2008 ... Readymix losses of '3.9m blamed on slowdown in the building trade CONCRETE and crushed stone specialist Readymix issued a gloomy trading statement yesterday predicting a first-quarter loss of '3.9m as it blamed the slowdown in the construction industry for reducing demand for ...
No need for dig-out as jovial Bertie jokes about his tribunal tribulations.
May 02, 2008 ... No need for dig-out as jovial Bertie jokes about his tribunal tribulations TAOISEACH Bertie Ahern made light of his tribunal ordeal at an Irish Embassy garden party in Washington yesterday. Mr Ahern spoke of his infamous "dig-outs" while standing alongside Nancy ...
Ulster Bank issues grim forecast with lowest 0.5pc GNP growth.
May 02, 2008 ... Ulster Bank issues grim forecast with lowest 0.5pc GNP growth Gloomy prediction as manufacturing shrinks at the fasted rate in 10 years AS manufacturing shrinks at the fastest rate in at least 10 years, economists at Ulster Bank have produced the lowest market ...
Pension contributions are falling short by half.
May 02, 2008 ... Pension contributions are falling short by half NEW research has found that employees in defined contribution schemes are only contributing half of what they should be to secure a decent pension. On average, members of defined contribution schemes give just 5pc of ...
ESB faces critical shortage of engineers.
May 02, 2008 ... ESB faces critical shortage of engineers THE ESB is facing a critical shortage of engineers which could threaten its ability to run the business in as little as 10 years time, chief executive Padraig McManus warned yesterday. Speaking at the annual luncheon of the ...
The newhigh kingof Ireland.
May 02, 2008 ... The new high king of Ireland FAI unleash genie from the bottle -- now let the Trap magic begin on Republic's World Cup voyage He sat at the dais, baptised in a vaguely celestial light by the firestorm of flash-bulbs. Smiles chased ...
Secondary schools 'need to raise '60m to stay open'.
May 02, 2008 ... Secondary schools 'need to raise '60m to stay open' John Walshe Education Editor SECONDARY schools have to fundraise up to '60m a year just to remain open. Preliminary details of a forthcoming study show that they have to raise on average 27pc of their ...
Take fair shareof newcomers,urges Hanafin.
May 02, 2008 ... Take fair share of newcomers, urges Hanafin All schools should take their fair share of newcomers, Travellers and pupils with special needs. The plea came from Education Minister Mary Hanafin who urged them to be more inclusive in their intake ...
Security is stepped up for prison visitors.
May 02, 2008 ... Security is stepped up for prison visitors Gardai arrest counsellor after package of drugs found All visitors to Mountjoy prison, including legal and religious, are to undergo airport-style security screening before they are allowed into the jail. The ...
One-in-15 gardai is facing inquiry over misconduct.
May 02, 2008 ... One-in-15 gardai is facing inquiry over misconduct ALMOST one in every 15 gardai is currently being investigated for allegations of criminal conduct. New figures published in the first full report of the Garda Siochana Ombudsman Commission reveal the watchdog is ...
Complaints rangefrom discourtesyto alleged assault.
May 02, 2008 ... Complaints range from discourtesy to alleged assault THE thousands of complaints received by the Garda Siochana Ombudsman Commission range from discourtesy to death in custody. In the first year since opening its doors, the body has received ...
IL&P trade news less negative than feared.
May 02, 2008 ... IL&P trade news less negative than feared But reopening of Dublin market today will put mortgage lender to the test Shares in Irish Life & Permanent rose marginally on the London exchange yesterday after the country's largest mortgage lender released a trading ...
Investors in ICG unite in vote to safeguard stakes.
May 02, 2008 ... Investors in ICG unite in vote to safeguard stakes EVENTS took a dramatic turn at the agm of ferry company Irish Continental Group (ICG) when two of the group's major shareholders combined to defeat four key resolutions discussed at the meeting. A spokesman for ...
May day falls flat for the FTSE.
May 02, 2008 ... May day falls flat for the FTSE THE Dublin market was closed yesterday with any trade in Irish shares limited to those with a quote on the London market which itself suffered a drop in turnover as major European markets remained closed for the May 1 holiday. A mixed ...
One-in-15 gardai face conduct probe.
May 02, 2008 ... One-in-15 gardai face conduct probe ALMOST one in every 15 gardai is currently being investigated for allegations of criminal conduct. New figures published in the first full report of the Garda Siochana Ombudsman Commission reveal the watchdog is currently carrying ...
Harney kept in dark by own staff.
May 02, 2008 ... Harney kept in dark by own staff Senior health officials decided to withhold key information about women at the centre of the Portlaoise cancer scandal from Health Minister Mary Harney, although she was answering questions about the blunders in the Dail. The minister ...
Health officials kept Harney in dark on cancer scandal reviews.
May 02, 2008 ... Health officials kept Harney in dark on cancer scandal reviews Senior health officials decided to withhold key information about women at the centre of the Portlaoise cancer scandal from Health Minister Mary Harney, although she was answering questions about the blunders in the ...