Spreading the tax burden equitably, investing wisely and spending prudently. These are three things in the history of the 26-County state that no government has managed to do. They are though the core themes of the Sinn Féin Emergency budget submission launched this week. A fair approach to revenue raising and a positive strategy to ending government waste through carefully thought through cost saving proposals are the key pillars of the Sinn Féin document. Free article

THE people behind a series of bomb scares and hijackings across west and north Belfast on Monday and Tuesday should explain how these actions will, in any shape or form, advance a united Ireland, Sinn Féin Assembly member Paul Maskey said this week as angry residents and workers dealt with the disruption. Free article

THE positive achievements made in the Irish-language sector were outlined by Sinn Féin Education Minister Caitríona Ruane at the annual conference of Comhairle na Gaelscolaíochta last week. Ruane noted that it was more than a year since she set out her hopes for the Irish-language education sector and the Review of Irish-Medium Education. She took the opportunity to highlight the positive achievements made in that time and her aims for the future. Free article

SR Technics has rejected a Labour Court recommendation that it make good the deficit in its workers' pension funds. The company announced last month that it is to close its plant at Dublin Airport with the loss of around 1,100 jobs. Up to 600 people are set to be let go by the company at the end of this week. Free article

TRADE UNION leaders say workers will occupy the Visteon car parts factory in Belfast until they can reach agreement over terms of redundancy. On Tuesday, the company announced the closure of the plant with the loss of more than 200 jobs. Davy McMurray, from the Unite trade union, said the way the job cuts were announced was "brutal". Free article

A VOTER registration drive was launched by Sinn Féin Cllr Tom Hartley on Tuesday with a new information leaflet for citizens to claim their rights. Andersonstown Sinn Féin representative Pól Deeds and north Belfast Sinn Féin constituency manager Shauneen Baker joined the Belfast Mayor in unveiling the new leaflet detailing how people can apply to get onto the register, how to get photographic ID, and how to apply to vote from home if a person is physically unable to make it to the polling station. Free article

SINN FÉIN'S Assembly Team gathered at the party offices in Stormont on Tuesday to launch this year's drive encouraging citizens to honour Ireland's dead and wear an Easter Lily. Free article