A round-up of today's other stories in brief
People's Movement says young emigrants should be given vote
The People's Movement has called for votes for young Irish emigrants to influence politics in the Republic, reports
Michael O'Regan.
Mary Crotty of the movement’s national committee said young people forced to leave the State must retain a voice in its future. “Votes for Irish emigrants in all national elections would present the opportunity to introduce real and radical alternatives to current political norms in Ireland,” she said.
Artist Robert Ballagh said the movement had pointed out that Ireland had sacrificed an element of its sovereignty and democracy with every treaty signed with Europe. “Now we find ourselves . . . with practically all of our sovereignty lost.”
Jim Jennings new head of RTE Radio 1
Late Late Showexecutive producer Jim Jennings has been named the new head of RTÉ Radio 1, writes
Ronan McGreevy.
Mr Jennings (48) replaces Ana Leddy who is stepping down from her position to return to producing.
His appointment was by public competition and may be regarded as something of a surprise as most of his recent experiences have been in television.
He has worked in RTÉ for almost 20 years and was involved in the revamp of the Special Olympics opening ceremony in 2003.
Ibec urges change to labour policies
Employers group Ibec has said traditional arrangements for setting minimum terms and conditions for workers in various sectors of the economy should be scrapped, reports.
The Government announced in its recent four- year plan that an independent review of registered employment agreements and employment regulation orders would be carried out.
Ibec director Brendan McGinty said: "The regulation of the labour market has an enormous effect on competitiveness . . . The current system . . . should be abolished."
He said that many regulated wage rates were too high.
Mr McGinty added that the problem was most acute in the hospitality, wholesale and retail sectors.
"The legal basic rate for an entry grade worker is 33 per cent higher in the case of hotel staff and 39 per cent higher in the case of contract cleaning, when compared with Northern Ireland," Mr McGinty said. "This is simply not sustainable in the current economic climate."
Bailout challenge fails in High Court
The High Court has refused to grant leave to a Dublin man to bring a judicial review to challenge the €85 billion bailout plan agreed to by the Government with the International Monetary Fund and the European Central Bank.
John Wolfe contended that the Government acted unconstitutionally by not putting the plan to a vote in a referendum and had no legal power to use public money to bail out banks as private companies. The court refused to grant leave to bring proceedings against the Government.