12 December 2002 Edition
Budget Day and the Dáil Bar
12 December 2002
There is a scene in Star Wars shortly before Luke and Obi Wan meet Han Solo for the first time. The two are standing on a cliff overlooking Mos Eisley and Obi Wan informs young Luke that 'You will never find a greater hive of scum and villainy. We must be careful.' Wise though he might have been, Obi Wan clearly never visited the Dáil bar on Budget Day. Free article
Savage cuts for people with intellectual disabilities
12 December 2002
Sinn Féin health spokesperson Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin TD has condemned the cut in the budget for services for people with mental handicap/intellectual disabilities. He said the cut from €38 million this year to €13.3 million next year would mean that existing services cannot be maintained. Free article
New Coiste group takes on government neglect
12 December 2002
All over the country, republican ex-prisoner groups, under the umbrella of Coiste na n-Iarchimí, the republican ex-prisoner support network, are emerging, and beginning to further community involvement in the process of building the new Ireland of Equals. Free article
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What Sinn Féin is doing
12 December 2002
Recognising how far Sinn Féin has to travel, a number of gender impact assessment seminars have been organised around the country to discuss gender proofing policies and issues in terms of the party and in society as a whole. Equality is the watchword for this ongoing series. Free article
Ferris story mischievous and inaccurate
12 December 2002
A Sunday newspaper report impugning the reputation of Sinn Féin TD Martin Ferris has been dismissed by a Sinn Féin spokesperson as inaccurate and mischievous. Free article