Sinn Féin's spokesperson on Enterprise, Trade and Employment Arthur Morgan TD visited the East Cork Region on Friday, 14 December. Morgan's visit came after the failure of the Government to create new jobs in the region was brought to his attention by local councillors. According to the TD, the purpose of his visit was "to assess what needs to be done to create new jobs in regional towns which have been hit by a recent state of job losses". Free article

SPEAKING at a 'Save St Luke's Hospital' rally in Dublin last weekend, Mary Lou McDonald MEP has urged people to intensify the campaign to protect cancer services from Government cuts. Free article

COUNCILLOR Pat Treanor has become the first Sinn Féin cathaoirleach of a Vocational Education Committee (VEC) when he was unanimously elected into that position in Monaghan this week. Free article

As controversy and community opposition to proposed new overhead power-lines grows, Sinn Féin Cavan-Monaghan TD Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin has challenged Environment Minister John Gormley on his "double standards" on key planning legislation which facilitates major projects with minimal community consultation. Free article