More regional news in brief.
Government to spend €70m on islands
The Government has pledged to spend some €70 million on improving the quality of life on Ireland's 30 inhabited islands over the next three years.
Major infrastructural projects including coastal protection works, an airstrip and a number of new pier developments are in the pipeline, Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs Éamon Ó Cuív said yesterday.
"If you don't put in the investment, island communities will die off completely," Mr O Cuív said.
Work has already commenced on a lift bridge that will connect Achill Island with the mainland in Co Mayo. The bridge will allow for the passage of local boats as well as road traffic.
Among the projects that have been given the green light are: a development of Cill Rónáin pier and harbour on Áran, which is expected to cost some €40 million; an airstrip on Inishbofin costing €5 million; and a new pier on Inis Meáin costing €13 million.
Other developments being actively advanced include a major pier development on Inis Oírr; the construction of an airstrip at Clifden; and enhanced passenger facilities at Ros an Mhíl harbour.
Ennis hospital upgrade approved
Planning permission was yesterday granted for a €40 million upgrade of Ennis General Hospital, seven years after plans for the development were first announced by Government.
However, the decision by Ennis Town Council to give the Health Service Executive (HSE) the go-ahead has failed to quell local fears on the future of the hospital's consultant-led A&E service.
The plan approved yesterday will increase the number of overnight beds at the hospital from 140 to 168. The plans state the redevelopment is the first of two phases that will eventually result in 186 beds.
Principal's court action struck out
A High Court action by a Limerick national school principal who had disputed the manner in which the school board proposed to deal with bullying allegations made against her was struck out on consent shortly after it opened yesterday.
Bernadette Mee, Gortnagreine, Ballyclough, Castletroy, Limerick, had brought proceedings against the board of management of Monaleen National School after it hired an investigator to look into 15 allegations of bullying made against her by other staff at the school.
Bishop may sell off more land
The Bishop of Killaloe, Dr Willie Walsh, has raised the possibility of a sell-off of Church-owned lands across the diocese, though he stressed that there would be no sudden sale.
Dr Walsh said he had begun a consultation amongst the diocese's priests and a diocesan pastoral council and had "asked a small sub-committee to look at that whole issue of how do we apply Gospel values to our property and whatever finance we may have available to us".