A round-up of today's other stories in brief...
Labour to run two candidates in Waterford despite TD retiring
The Labour Party has decided to run two candidates in Waterford for the first time in 42 years despite the imminent retirement of one of its most experienced TDs.
Following the decision by Brian O’Shea to retire from the Dáil, Labour made the decision to run a candidate at either end of the county.
The party organisation was last night expected to ratify the candidacies of two local councillors – Dungarvan-based Ciara Conway and Séamus Ryan of Waterford City Council – who went forward to the selection convention in Dungarvan unopposed. Labour has traditionally returned one TD from the four-seat Waterford constituency.
No referendum on children’s rights on election day
The Government will not be holding a constitutional referendum on children’s rights to coincide with the general election, a spokesman for Minister of State for Children Barry Andrews has said.
However, a Bill for the holding of the referendum will still be published “in the next week or two”.
“Given the truncated session that is left, it would be logistically and from a legislative point of view impossible to hold the referendum on the same day as the election, given that a referendum commission would need to be established and a public information campaign launched,” the spokesman said.
The publication of the Bill leaves the incoming government with the choice of pursuing the matter further when it takes office.
It is understood that the detail of the referendum, which runs to about 300 words, has been made available to the Opposition parties and the children’s lobby sector.
No date has, as yet, been officially announced for the general election, but it is expected to take place on February 25th.
Concern at Corrib gas fast-tracking
Shell To Sea in north Mayo has expressed concern that the resignation of the two Green ministers may “fast- track” outstanding consents for the Corrib gas pipeline.
Former minister for the environment John Gormley and former minister for energy Eamon Ryan were due to rule on separate consent applications lodged by Shell EP Ireland for a foreshore licence, and consent under the Petroleum and Gas Acts, to lay the final section of pipeline approved by An Bord Pleanála.
A Shell to Sea spokeswoman said Mr Gormley had said “unless something can be fast-forwarded”, the licence application would not be on his desk for “quite a while”.
Independent TD to run in election
Independent TD for Wicklow-East Carlow Joe Behan has announced his intention of running in the general election. There had been speculation the former Fianna Fáil TD would be stepping down.
“As a matter of conscience, I resigned from Fianna Fáil in 2008 when the Government withdrew the automatic entitlement to a medical card for people over 70 years,” said Mr Behan.“I stand over that decision to this day.
“Protecting the fundamental interests of all the people of Wicklow-East Carlow, as well as ensuring the survival of our nation as a sovereign State, will be my duty and responsibility if I am re-elected.”