The retired Supreme Court Judge Catherine McGuinness has told TDs and Senators that they have no option but to legislate for abortion where there's a threat of suicide.

That's at odds with the pro-life campaigner Professor William Binchy who says there is no obligation to legislate in way the government plans.

She said only a referendum would allow legislators to remove the question of suicide from the abortion debate.

Earlier TDs were told that proper legislation would not lead to abortion on demand.

A loyalist protest planned for Dublin this weekend has been called off.

Its understood organisers agreed to cancel the demonstration after discussions with Gardai.

The Belfast Newsletter is quoting Willie Frazer of the Ulster People's forum as saying the group will soon travel to Dublin to discuss "concerns around IRA collusion and many other issues", in the "near future".

Mr. Frazer has indicated earlier that the protest would go ahead unless Gardai indicated it posed a threat to life.

Bus Eireann is now facing strike action from two separate trade unions.

SIPTU members have like the National Bus and Railworkers Union voted to down tools if CIE pushes through €9 million worth of changes to work practices from this weekend.

SIPTU says the proposals are not within reason and its members will strike from next Thursday if the changes are pushed through.

The Taoiseach says he hopes progress will be made on the country's legacy bank debt during Ireland's EU Presidency.

The National Treasury Management Agency warned earlier if a deal wasn't done it would impact on the country's ability to exit our bailout programme.

The next 3.1 billion euro instalment is due for payment at the end of March.

About 50 people have been injured after a ferry accident in New York.

The vessel from New Jersey banged into the mooring as it arrived at a dock in the city's financial district during the morning rush hour.

Witnesses say the ferry was going too quickly when it approached the pier.