More news in brief
The Labour Party in government would revamp the various affordable housing schemes, party environment spokesman Eamon Gilmore said yesterday.
He said the party would ensure that "people in full employment can buy their own home reasonably near work or extended family".
Mr Gilmore was responding to a report in The Irish Times yesterday in which Minister of State for Housing Noel Ahern said that he was examining plans for a new category of affordable housing that would be targeted at low-income individuals who are unable to afford a mortgage.
The Labour spokesman said that people in need of housing could have no confidence "in this type of eleventh-hour pronouncement" from a dying Government.
Siptu 'recognised' by Aircoach chiefs
Siptu said yesterday it had secured trade union recognition from the management of private bus operator Aircoach following a 20-month campaign.
The union first began recruiting drivers at the company in January 2005. Aircoach, which is owned by UK operator First Group, agreed to recognise the union after more than 90 per cent of drivers voted in favour of representation by Siptu in May this year.
Siptu organiser Paul Hardy said the union hoped to build on the recognition agreement and the "improved industrial relations atmosphere at the company" to secure improvements in drivers' terms and conditions.
Man found on road with head injuries
Gardaí say they are following a definite line of inquiry after a 20-year-old man was found with serious head injuries on Leopardstown Road, in south Dublin, in the early hours of Monday morning.
The man remained in a critical condition on a ventilator machine at Beaumont Hospital last night. He had been transferred there from St Vincent's hospital.
A spokesman for the Garda press office said a number of people had been interviewed in relation to the assault.
The man was found lying on the ground at Leopardstown Road at approximately 4.14am on Monday.
No arrests have yet been made.