Government approves National Broadband Plan at cost of almost €3bn
The Government has officially given the go-ahead for the National Broadband Plan.
The consortium led by Granahan McCourt - the sole remaining bidder in the tender process - has been named as the preferred bidder.
Cabinet approved the plan after a much longer than expected meeting this afternoon.
The turbulent, twisted road to the National Broadband Plan
File photo dated 15/01/14 of a broadband router and cable. Image: PA ImagesIt has been a turbulent and twisted road, but seven years after it was first mentioned, a plan was finally brought before Cabinet for approval today.
Before we begin to dissect the details of the plan or speculate about future issues that may lie ahead, let's look back at the path that led us to where we are today.
State Pathologist's Office will not use Waterford hospital mortuary 'for time being'
The State Pathologist's Office will not conduct autopsies at University Hospital Waterford's mortuary 'for the time being'.
Post-mortems needed during criminal investigations in the South East will now be carried out elsewhere.
Recent weeks have seen facilities at the mortuary come under scrutiny after four consultant pathologists at the hospital wrote to the HSE to say it was way over capacity.
Lyra McKee mural appears in Belfast city centre
A mural of Lyra McKee in Belfast city centre | Image: David Young/PA Wire/PA ImagesA mural of Lyra McKee has been created in Belfast city centre.
The 29-year-old journalist was shot and killed by the so-called 'New IRA' while covering rioting in Co Derry last month.
The image was created by Dublin street artist Emma Blake as part of street art festival 'Hit the North'.
Rehab Group says its care services are at risk due to 'urgent' funding issues
The Rehab Group says its in desperate need of urgent funding to save its care services, insisting they'll have to end those operations next year if the situation isn't resolved.
The disability group said it's planning to inform the HSE of 12 months' notice of "termination of its entire care services" due to under-funding.
However, Health Minister Simon Harris has urged the group to not issue the notice.
