More news in brief.
Taoiseach likely to travel to US in July
Taoiseach Brian Cowen is likely to make his first visit in his new role to the United States in July to attend an Irish/American function in New York, writes Mark Hennessy, Political Correspondent.
On Thursday, Mr Cowen met with the chairman of the Irish Lobby for Immigration Reform, Niall O'Dowd in Government Buildings for an hour-long meeting focused on Irish people living illegally in the United States.
Following the meeting, Mr O'Dowd described it as "very positive", saying that it was clear that the Taoiseach was committed to doing everything he could for the undocumented Irish in the US.
Mr Cowen's predecessor, Bertie Ahern, suffered deteriorating relations with the immigration lobby in March after he insisted that Ireland could not win an amnesty from Capitol Hill.
Mr O'Dowd invited Mr Cowen to New York to speak at a function in July, and it is understood that the Taoiseach is likely to accept and add other events to the trip - though not a visit to Washington.
Contract for new defence building
A contract to build the new €22 million decentralised headquarters of the Department of Defence in Co Kildare was awarded yesterday.
The three storey, 7,500sq m building in Newbridge, Co Kildare will be designed and built by contractor P Elliott and Co Ltd.
The office will cater for 260 Department of Defence staff, many of whom will be transferred from the current headquarters near Phoenix Park, Dublin.