More news in brief.
Delays on M50 as truck sheds its load
M50 motorists incurred significant traffic delays yesterday after a truck shed its load and led to a collision in which four people were injured. The collision occurred at the peak traffic time of 8.30am on the southbound dual carriageway between the Firhouse and Tallaght exits.
Derek Ryan of AA Roadwatch said some motorists would have incurred delays of up to an hour when part of the M50 motorway was closed and traffic diverted on to the Tallaght by-pass.
Invitation for son of 1916 leader
A Labour TD has called on the Taoiseach to ensure that the last surviving child of an executed 1916 leader is given an honoured place at the commemoration of the 90th anniversary of the Easter Rising.
Dublin North East TD Tommy Broughan said he had recently been informed by a close relative of Fr Joseph Mallin, the surviving son of Comdt Michael Mallin, that he had not received an invitation to the Easter Sunday ceremonies,
"I contacted the Taoiseach's office and have now been informed that an invitation is at last being sent to Fr Mallin SJ who has worked in Hong Kong since 1948," Mr Broughan said.
"He is now 92 years old and corresponds with his Dublin relatives every fortnight. He is in good health and on his visits home stays with the Dublin Jesuit community. He was an honoured guest of the taoiseach and government at the 50th anniversary of the Rising in 1966."
His relatives believe that Fr Joseph is the last surviving child of the executed 1916 patriots.
Labour selection for Meath West
A member of Kells Town Council is to contest the next general election in the new Meath West constituency for the Labour Party. Brian Collins (31), was selected by delegates at the Meath West Labour selection convention. His nomination was uncontested.
Mr Collins is a senior administrative assistant with the Institute of Public Administration.
Sellafield records request refused
A senior member of Fine Gael has complained that most of his requests for official documents relating to the Sellafield nuclear site have been turned down.
Environment spokesman Fergus O'Dowd told the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Environment and Local Government that 89 documents he had asked for under the Freedom of Information Act were withheld "on grounds that it would endanger the security of the State".
These were items of correspondence between Minister for the Environment Dick Roche and his EU counterparts, as well as communications between the Department of the Environment and the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland.
Concern at lack of fire safety certs
Surveys indicate that more than 25 per cent of building works carried out since 2000 did not have a fire safety certificate before the works started, the Oireachtas Joint Committee on the Environment and Local Government has heard.
Dave Stuart of the Chief Fire Officers Association yesterday welcomed the Building Control Bill 2005 which is intended to counteract unauthorised developments.