1. Pay boost likely for public service staff after talks agreed
Public sector staff are to likely to get additional money next year after the Government agreed to hold talks with unions to address “anomalies” in pay.
The issue arose following a Labour Court recommendation which will see gardaí receive about €4,000 in increased remuneration next year.
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2. Fiscal watchdog warns of potential slowdown in economy
The State’s fiscal watchdog says there is growing evidence of a potential slowdown in the Irish economy.
The Irish Fiscal Advisory Council (Ifac) said while the economy continues to grow at a solid rate, recent data on domestic demand, output and retail sales pointed to a gradual "loss of momentum".
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3. Water charges and property tax may be combined, says FF
Fianna Fáil is to consider merging the property tax and water charges in a potential compromise.
The Irish Times has learned party leader Micheál Martin is examining the prospect of amalgamating the two levies into one household charge.
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4. Inquiry into breaches at Irish Nationwide begins
An inquiry ordered by the Central Bank of Ireland into alleged regulatory breaches at Irish Nationwide Building Society will begin its public hearings on Wednesday some 16 months after the regulator announced that it would pursue sanctions against its former senior management.
All the main players involved in running INBS before its collapse are expected to attend the hearing, including its former chief executive of 38 years Michael Fingleton.
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5. Clinton supports recount of Wisconsin ballots by hand
Hillary Clinton made her first move in the presidential election recount effort on Tuesday, declaring support for an attempt to force Wisconsin authorities to review the state's 3 million votes by hand.
Ms Clinton intervened in the case of a lawsuit brought by Jill Stein, the Green Party candidate, which seeks to bar officials in Wisconsin from carrying out recounts with machines, according to the docket for the case at Dane County circuit court.
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And finally. . . ‘Women can’t be sexist’ – I’ve rarely heard anything as sexist in my life
I think women should have the same autonomy as men, and that both sexes should have equal responsibility as people and citizens. It is important to note that equality doesn’t mean parity – I don’t believe that we necessarily must have a 50-50 gender split in every job from hairdressing to university lecturing. I believe we should all have unimpeded choice.