THE political establishment in the 26 Counties has been shaken by the results of last weekend's Red C opinion poll which showed a dramatic swing against the Lisbon Treaty, with the 'Yes' side leading by just 6 per cent when undecided voters are excluded. Free article

A SECRET decision by a British former Secretary of State to block the public inquiry into the killing of solicitor Pat Finucane in 1989 has been exposed. A decision to halt the proceedings was taken by Peter Hain in 2006 but the Finucane family was never informed. Free article

THERE has been much media comment about the contribution of Sinn Féin Dáil leader Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin during statements on 23 April marking Bertie Ahern's last Dáil working day as Taoiseach. While Establishment media commentators were critical that his remarks 'missed the mood of the House' there has been a positive public response with Sinn Féin members receiving encouraging feedback. Fianna Fáil is enjoying the benefits of a virtual political truce courtesy of Fine Gael and Labour for the past month since Bertie Ahern announced he was stepping down and as they all campaign on the 'Yes' side in the Lisbon Treaty referendum. With Brian Cowen due to be elected Taoiseach next week, Sinn Féin is stepping up its opposition, especially to the cuts in public services. We carry here the full text of Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin's Dáil statement. Free article

THE right to live free from sectarian harassment, as enshrined in the Good Friday Agreement, must be upheld, Sinn Féin's John O'Dowd has said. The Upper Bann MLA was commenting on the publication of an interim report by the Strategic Review of Parades. Free article

FAMILIES affected by killings by the British Army's Parachute Regiment in Belfast's Ballymurphy neighbourhood in 1971 met representatives of the various political parties at Leinster House in Dublin on Wednesday. Free article

SINN FÉIN Dublin MEP Mary Lou McDonald and the party's Workers' Rights Spokesperson Arthur Morgan TD launched the party's 'Defend Workers' Rights - Vote 'No' to Lisbon' national leafleting campaign, in advance of this week's May Day celebrations, in Dublin on Wednesday, 30 April. Free article