THE Eastern Health Board has agreed to suspend for six months a plan to open a drugs clinic in the grounds of the James Connolly Memorial Hospital in Blanchardstown, Dublin, writes Jim Dunne.

The plan has been bitterly opposed by residents, who feared it would encourage drug dealers in to the area.

The EHB proposed last October to open a clinic which would eventually distribute methadone and conduct needle exchanges for addicts.

Yesterday, a joint statement by the EHB and Dublin 15 Community Council and Action Group said the service would be confined to information, advice, counselling and education for at least six months.

The Minister of State at the Department of Justice, Ms Joan Burton, welcomed the agreement. DAIL colleagues have little to fear from The Green Diamond, Ma ire Geoghegan Quinn's first novel, writes Padraig O'Morain.

The Fianna Fail deputy's book is set safely back in her student days in the 1960s. It is about four students living in a Dublin housing estate called The Green Diamond.

Ms Anne O'Donnell of the publishers, Marino Books, says that given the author's political background, the book would include references to politics.

It was not an Edwina Currie type novel with steamy scenes, but was "good craic", she said. The book will appear in May.

Mrs Geoghegan Quinn said she was delighted the book will be published this year as she is celebrating 21 years in the Dail.

"For years I've had a dream to write a book and now, finally, after several attempts, the dream has become a reality.