A Dublin District Court judge has written to numerous Government ministers and other State agencies expressing his "utmost concern" over the welfare of some children in care, and the likelihood of future legal challenges as a result of what he described as current "systemic" shortcomings.

Retained firefighters are expected to ballot to resume strike action after a ‘majorly disappointing’ Labour Court recommendation. 

A new Atlantic “railway spine” running from Ballina to Rosslare, a train line to Donegal, multiple freight connections to ports and higher-speed travel between major cities are expected to be included in the Island Strategic Rail Review, which is due to come before Cabinet later this month.

The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) has opened an inquiry into the GAAGO platform, to determine whether it complies with competition law.

Russia suspended road and rail traffic across a key bridge to Crimea after state television reported that local residents heard two loud explosions in the early hours of Monday that damaged a section of roadway on the giant bridge across the Kerch Strait that links Russia to Crimea.

A one-off double payment of child benefit for parents is under consideration as part of government Budget negotiations.The Government has also agreed to increase State-funded parent’s leave by another two weeks, meaning parents will be able to take up to nine weeks off work after their children are born.

A consumer watchdog has urged a probe into the insurance sector after a surge in the cost of covering homes.

ZEN

Hundreds of golden retrievers gathered in Scotland last week for the 155th anniversary of the breed’s founding.