The Health Minister’s back in hot water this evening after changing his story on the selection of a site in his own constituency for a primary care centre.
James Reilly’s adamant he’s done nothing wrong, but revelations that one of the sites was owned by a political connection has raised fresh questions about his role.
And a number of Labour party figures outside of the Dáil have called for him to resign.
Newstalk’s Political Correspondent, Páraic Gallagher’s in Leinster House:
style="text-align: right;"> style="text-align: left;">The EC President says the deal to separate Ireland’s sovereign and bank debt will happen.There’s been uncertainty since last week when the Finance Minister’s of Germany, Finland and The Netherlands issued a joint statement saying the new European bailout fund should not be used for historic bank debt.
Taoiseach Enda Kenny pressed the matter during a series of meetings in Brussels today after which the President of the European Commission Jose Manuel Barosso says the deal struck last June must be adhered to.
style="text-align: left;"> style="text-align: left;"> style="text-align: left;"> style="text-align: left;"> style="text-align: left;"> style="text-align: left;">There’s bad news on the jobs front in Cork today.90 jobs are to go at pharmaceutical plant Merck Sharp and Dohme in Brinny over the next six months.
The company says the move is necessary for the site to remain competitive.
Management say they will do all they can to support those losing their jobs.
style="text-align: left;"> style="text-align: left;"> style="text-align: left;"> style="text-align: left;"> style="text-align: left;"> style="text-align: left;">Welsh police with sniffer dogs are now searching a vacant farmhouse close to where five year old April Jones was abducted.A 46 year old man – Mark Bridger – was arrested by police in Mid Wales yesterday.
His Landrover has also been seized and is being examined.
Earlier April’s mother Coral made an emotional appeal for information about her daughter’s whereabouts.
style="text-align: left;"> style="text-align: left;"> style="text-align: left;"> style="text-align: left;"> style="text-align: left;">New figures show 45 per cent of people signing on the Live Register are in long term unemployment.The Central Statistics Office says the seasonally adjusted total fell by 400 in September to 435,200 people – the lowest level in more than two years.
The report also shows the rate of unemployment last month stood at 14.8 per cent – unchanged from August.
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