Enda Kenny's apology does not go far enough say survivors of Magdalene laundries

Representatives of the survivors of Magdalene laundries and their families say Enda Kenny's statement in the Dáil yesterday does not go far enough.

The Justice for Magdalene group says it wants an apology from the religious orders, but a full apology from the State would be the most meaningful.

But survivors have expressed their dismay at the Taoiseach's apology and are calling for a suitable compensation package.

Investigations are continuing into the company at the centre of the horsemeat scandal

Yesterday, Gardaí and a team of special investigators from the Department of Agriculture raided the home of Co Monaghan meat trader Martin McAdam - and seized records, laptops and other electronic material.

His company, McAdam Foods, imported Polish beef product which was found to contain up to 80% horse DNA.

In a statement last night, the company said it had ''no awareness or knowledge whatsoever'' of the horsemeat.

Aer Lingus has reported a 40% rise in profits for 2012 to just over €69 million

Revenues rose by 8% to €1.4 billion - helped mainly by a good performance by the airline's long haul routes to America.

The airline says 2012 was a record year in terms of passenger numbers with a total of 10.8 million passengers choosing to fly with them.

Aer Lingus says the new year is proving positive too - with the highest day of revenue in the history of the airline booked in January.

Five people have been killed by a tsunami which followed a powerful undersea earthquake off the Solomon Islands

A tsunami generated by a powerful undersea earthquake off the Solomon Islands is reported to have killed five people, flattened three villages and damaged dozens of homes.

Local officials in the Solomons say two 1 and a half metre high waves hit the western side of Santa Cruz Island after the magnitude eight quake.

Charity workers on the islands say four coastal communities were most affected and Lata airport is closed.

Team Ireland will touch down at Dublin Airport this evening following a successful Special Olympics World Winter Games in South Korea

The athletes won 12 medals in the Alpine Skiing and Floorball competitions at the seven day event.

Their haul includes three gold medals, six silver, three bronze and six pace-ribbons.