"Citizens believe that the EU is behaving too bureaucratically...What they expect is more results, better responses to practical issues and not a European Superstate....Citizens are calling for a clear, open, effective and democratically controlled Community". These were just some of the highlights of the Laeken Declaration agreed by EU leaders in Belguim last week. Free article

Sinn Féin TD, and former member of Monaghan Urban District Council, Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin, has slammed the decision of the town council to abandon the traditional refuse collection service, in favour of private contractors. He said the decision could double refuse charges and end the waiver system, which helps those on low income. Free article

The Derry Bring Them Home committee unveiled a mural for the Colombia 3 campaign, on Saturday, 8 December, at the back of Free Derry Wall. Free article

A West Belfast community worker has contacted the Police Ombudsman's Office to raise his concerns over RUC confiscation of his personal details. Free article

While Bertie Ahern attended the EU Summit in Laeken last Friday, his colleagues at home were pushing a Bill through the Oireachtas to effectively abolish the Referendum Commission, which took much of the blame from the Establishment for their humiliation in the Nice referendum. It was an entirely appropriate co-incidence, as Irish democracy was undermined in Laeken and Leinster House. Free article

Sinn Féin TD Caoimhghín Ó Caolain has written to the 26-County Minister for Foreign Affairs, Brian Cowen, urging him to publicly support the right to national self-determination of the people of West Papua, which is currently occupied by the Indonesian state. Free article

A substantial fall in IDA job figures and a bleak economic outlook are just the latest pointers in an economy that is clearly in a substantial downward cycle. The new economic data was ignored by the Dublin Government, who have yet to show any real vision on how we can ensure maximum employment through the ongoing recession. Free article