CRITICISM of Justice Minister Dermot Ahern's idea of an 'ATM tax' by banks on customers withdrawing their own money from ATM machines to cover the costs of 'tiger kidnappings' has forced the Fianna Fáil deputy to backtrack

The senior Fianna Fáil figure went public with his idea after the kidnapping of an AIB bank manager’s wife who was held hostage by an armed gang until her... Free article

DEPUTY MAYOR PEADAR TÓIBÍN has organised a rally in support of Our Lady’s Hospital in Navan at 1pm this Saturday after this week’s revelation that surgical services are being removed.

Peadar Toíbín (left) said:

“People are rightfully angry at the closing of services. During the last general election, Minister Noel Dempsey promised to ‘go to the wire’ for the county hospital.... Free article

SINN FÉIN Senator Pearse Doherty has told the Government: “Move the writ for the Donegal by-election by October 18^th or I’ll see you back in the High Court.”

The Donegal senator (right) was responding to media reports that the Government could try and dodge a High Court verdict by saying it will hold the by-election sometime next year. Senator Doherty said only moving the actual... Free article

A FIANNA FÁIL TD’s ‘Bob Cratchit attack’ on the Employment Rights Agency has been lashed by Sinn Féin TD Martin Ferris (right), who said the agency fights for workers denied wages and fair conditions.

Ferris, Sinn Féin’s Workers’ Rights spokesperson, said Fianna Fáil TD Frank Fahey’s call for Government funding for the Employment Rights Agency be cut or that it be ‘amalgamated’... Free article

SINN FÉIN activists, including local TD Aengus Ó Snodaigh, stage a protest against plans close Our Lady’s Hospital for Sick Children, Crumlin, in Dublin and relocate services to the northside of the city in 2014.

https://www.youtube.com/user/aprnonline#p/u/1/xkfkhT5BlxQ

SINN FÉIN Foyle MLA Raymond McCartney has urged older people to make sure they don't miss out on the Winter Fuel Allowance (WFA). People over the age of 60 are entitled to the benefit, which helps alleviate the financial strain on older citizens during the winter period.

"There are many people over 60 who do not realise that they are entitled to claim this money. They have been... Free article

THE  true unemployment rate could be close to 20%, says Congress Economic Advisor Paul Sweeney.

He says that the official figures "significantly underestimate the 'true' level of unemployment and thus the scale of the social and economic devastation in communities across the country."

"When you add in the tens of thousands who have been forced to emigrate, the tens of ... Free article

THE Irish Congress of Trade Unions has warned the Government it will "vigorously oppose" its new work-for-dole scheme if it is not voluntary.

http://www.independent.ie/national-news/ictu-warns-it-will-fight-work-for-dole-scheme-2319445.html

UNEMPLOYMENT in the 26 Counties hits new high as 455,000 sign on.

Sinn Féin warns the Fianna Fáil/Green Party Government to shift its focus to job creation.

http://bit.ly/dtQPBY

TWO weeks left for job-seekers to sign up for FREE business or computing course at National College of Ireland worth up to €5,750

http://short.ie/q92w75