THE Fianna Fáil/PD/Green Party Government rushed a Bill through the Dáil this week ostensibly to plug a legal loophole but to give legal backing to the notorious private for-profit hospital co-location plan. Free article

For republicans, December is traditionally prisoners' month. Unfortunately this year is no different as there are republicans languishing in three septate jails across Ireland. Free article

THE British Government has rejected calls to bring the North's corporation tax rate into line with that of the 26 Counties. Free article

MARY LOU McDonald stood up in the European Parliament this week and told fellow MEPs to let the Irish people get on with their own referendum on the EU Treaty. Free article

SINN FÉIN President Gerry Adams MP has condemned the recent arson attacks on Orange Halls and has called for them to end. Free article

A government climbdown this week on water charges for schools in the 26 Counties will merely result in a two-year exemption. Free article

BHUAIL Gearóid Mac Ádhaimh agus toscaireacht ó Shinn Féin, Francie Brolly MLA agus Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD san áireamh, le hAire na Gaeltachta, Éamon Ó Cuív Déardaoin, 13 Nollaig. Free article

A sectarian attack on a schoolboy in the Country Antrim village of Stoneyford has been linked to ongoing intimidation of a Catholic family in the area. Free article

The unionist paramilitary campaign against GAA clubs in the North continued last week with a pipe bomb attack at a Gaelic football pitch in County Down. A viable pipe bomb was discovered at Ballela GAA club near Banbridge following a telephoned warning. Free article

SINN FÉIN MEP Bairbre de Brún has welcomed the fact that a framework has been set out at the Bali climate conference on a future regime to combat climate change post-2012 but has expressed disappointment that more concrete targets were not agreed at this point. Free article