Top Stories

Gerry Adams has written to the Taoiseach Bertie Ahern calling for a full public independent inquiry into the killing of Donegal County Councillor Eddie Fullerton in 1991. The Sinn Féin President, who was highly critical of the refusal of the Dublin Government in 2002 to extend the terms of reference of the Morris Tribunal, will be in Dublin on Friday at 1pm to attend a protest at the Dáil to coincide with the debate on the Morris Tribunal.

Governments need to be moving ahead

Sinn Féin MP for Newry/Armagh, Conor Murphy, was in Westminster on Wednesday for a number of party engagements. He welcomed meetings between the Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and the DUP leadership and between the Taoiseach and the British Prime Minister Tony Blair. He added that Sinn Féin is determined to see the outstanding issues resolved and the Good Friday Agreement implemented in full. "This clearly presents challenges for all of us," he said. "But there can be no realistic alternative to building upon the progress we have already achieved.

McDowell under fire in the Dáil

Bertie Ahern found it tough going in the Dáil this week as he tried to defend his Minister for Justice, Michael McDowell, from attacks from the opposition during Leaders' Questions on Tuesday. While both Enda Kenny and Pat Rabbitte concentrated on the findings of the Morris Tribunal as the basis for their attacks on McDowell, Ó Caoláin decided on a broad attack, raising all the issues that make it clear that the Minister is totally inadequate. He called on the Taoiseach to remove him from office.

Tension over 'Tour of the North' parade

Nationalist residents in North Belfast have expressed serious concern after the Parades Commission gave permission for the triumphalist 'Tour of the North' Orange parade to pass nationalist homes and the flashpoint Ardoyne shops area this coming Friday 17 June. In its ruling, the Parades Commission said that loyalist supporters cannot accompany the march between the junction of Woodvale Road and Woodvale Parade and the junction of Crumlin Road and Heskith Road, "until directed by the PSNI".

Debt deal is only the first step

"A new deal between the rich and poor of the world" was how British Chancellor Gordon Brown described the landmark decision of the British and American Governments to cancel the debts of 18 states. US treasury secretary John Snow said the €45 billion deal was "historic". Yes, the clichés, superlatives and a lot of mutual backslapping were all in abundance last weekend, as the British and US negotiators unveiled their debt deal in what Gordon Brown hopes will be a series of positive measures, culminating in July's G8 summit at Gleneagle's in Scotland and even on into ongoing World Trade Organisation talks. So what does it all mean? Who really benefits? What are the downsides and what do the anti-debt campaigners and NGOs, who are on the ground in Africa and other regions, think of the debt deal?

Suicide awareness mural unveiled

The Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams, speaking at the unveiling of a mural dedicated to the many young people from West Belfast who have taken their own lives over the past number of years, praised the courage of their families who have carried their burden of grief with such dignity.

Fáilte roimh stádas Aontais Eorpaigh don Ghaeilge

Following months of campaigning by Irish language groups and Sinn Féin MEPs, the Dublin Government has finally relented and pushed the issue of Official Working Status for the Irish language at the European Union. The decision by the European Council this week means that Irish will join the other EU languages as a functional language in all aspects of EU business from 1 January 2007.

Photo: Gaelscoil pupils protest outside the EU offices in Dublin

Return to Top