1. Polls show Brexit vote remains too close to call
The two sides in Britain's EU referendum have clashed on the consequences of leaving the EU for immigration and the economy, as tightening polls suggest that Thursday's vote remains too close to call. Leading figures from the rival campaigns faced off before thousands of people at London's Wembley Stadium in the most combative debate of the campaign. As Leave campaigners accused the Remain campaign of "Project Fear" over the economy, London mayor Sadiq Khan said the Leave campaign was pursuing 'Project Hate' over immigration. He said the Leave campaign had failed to outline a plan for Britain's economy and trade after Britain left the EU. "How do you make sure that jobs won't suffer, how will you make sure small businesses wont suffer, the last time there was a recession hard working people suffered many lost their homes and what's important Boris is you answer their questions, what is your plan?" he said.
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2. Ministers seek free vote on fatal foetal abnormalities Bill
A number of Ministers are seeking a free vote on a Bill allowing for abortion in cases of fatal foetal abnormalities. Members of the Independent Alliance have urged Taoiseach Enda Kenny to allow them to support legislation proposed by Independent TD Mick Wallace. The legislation, which will be debated in the Dáil next week, will be the first test of Government cohesion. It is understood the alliance, which includes Minister for Transport Shane Ross and Minister of State at the Department of Health Finian McGrath, met on Tuesday and agreed that a free vote was needed. Minister of State at the Department of Jobs John Halligan confirmed he would back the Bill. "Providing the Bill is constitutional, I will be voting in favour of it," he said. "Since I was elected I have called for a change in legislation to allow for terminations in these tragic cases. My position has not changed. I believe there should be a free vote."
3. Teachers march over pay inequality
Hundreds of young teachers have marched on Leinster House to highlight pay inequality in the profession. Organisers described the gathering as a "grassroots protest" sparked by anger among newly qualified professionals over the two-tier pay gap for public sector teachers. The march did not have the formal backing of any individual trade union group, but a significant number of local branch members of the Irish National Teachers' Organisation (INTO) were present. Mary Jarrett, a primary school teacher, said that six years after pay cuts for teachers were imposed, the frustration had reached a tipping point for many. "This is all about equality," she said. "We are trying to get the message out there that it is not fair that newly qualified teachers are on significantly lower pay scales than other teachers for doing the same job. "We are demanding pay equalisation for all and full restoration of pay."
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4. Minister for Defence to attend Nato summit
The Government has no plans to withdraw from the Partnership for Peace, Minister of State for Defence Paul Kehoe has said. He plans to attend a Nato summit in Warsaw next month. "I really believe this will be beneficial to the Defence Forces in interoperability and in being able to look at the way other states operate." He said participation in Partnership for Peace "is fundamental to Ireland being able to meet its obligations in providing professional peacekeepers for international crisis management and peacekeeping operations mandated by the UN". Ireland co-operates with Nato through the Partnership for Peace, which the State joined in 1999. The State participated in the partnership "to improve Defence Forces' capabilities to ensure that our Defence Forces are interoperable with the forces of other states engaged in UN-mandated crisis management operations", the Minister said.
5. O’Neill to shuffle the pack
Where Giovanni Trapattoni stuck with his established players for that final game because of what they might say about him abroad, current Republic of Ireland manager Martin O'Neill has no such concerns and appears to be falling back on the survival instincts that served him and his team so well at the critical moment of the qualifying campaign. The manager looks to be lining up at least four changes to the side that was beaten in Bordeaux by Belgium for tonight's game against Italy in Lille. And there is the potential for more. The precise extent of the overhaul is impossible to call but Ciaran Clark and James McCarthy are expected to pay the price for their disappointing form, while Stephen Ward is likely to make way for Robbie Brady at left back, with either Daryl Murphy or James McClean filling the gap he leaves in midfield.
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Misc:
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Joe Biden begins Irish visit: US vice president presented with hurley as he meets Enda Kenny at Government Buildings
Setback to Donald Trump plan for Doonbeg wall: Not proven that 2.8km, 200,000-tonne rock 'berm' needed to protect course
Miriam Lord: Whose turn is it to take out the bins this time?
