31/01/2008

News Briefs

Garda Chief To Establish Organised Crime Unit



A permanent unit targeting organised crime has been established by the Gardaí Commissioner. Fachtna Murphy, speaking at his first gardaí graduation since he became Commissioner, said he made the decision to set up the full-time unit after the success of a temporary unit set upin November 2005. There will be 70 Garda members attached to the unit which will focus on "targeted, intelligence-led operations across a range of criminality", the commissioner said.



Drogheda Deep-Water Port Approved



Legislation to pave the way for a €300 million deep-water port near Drogheda has been approved by the Government. It will provide for the limits of Drogheda Port to be extended to facilitate the building of the new port in Bremore, north Dublin. It has been suggested the facility may be the long-term replacement for Dublin Port.





Extra Teacher Training Places Announced



The Government has announced it is to increase the places available to postgraduate students on primary-teacher training courses. Minister for Education and Science Mary Hanafin said an extra 210 places were being provided, bringing the number of places to 490. She said :"Taking the numbers studying for postgraduate programmes along with those undertaking the B.Ed, there are now over 3,600 men and women studying to become primary school teachers." Ms Hanafin said 1,280 new primary school teachers are set to qualify in 2009, increasing to 1,500 next year.



Government To Cut VAT On Condoms



The Government is planning to reduce the VAT on condoms. The move is outlined in the Finance Bill, formally putting into law details announced in the Budget.



(VB)

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