A round-up of today's other stories in brief...
Racer calls for safe motorsport outlet
Trying to stop young people driving fast is like trying to stop a soccer fan from kicking a ball, a top young rally driver has said.
Toni Kelly (22), of Donegal, said young people needed a safe, alternative outlet to enjoy motorsport after the launch of a road safety initiative by Motorsport Ireland yesterday. Providing an alternative would help educate young people about the difficulties of driving and lessen the temptation to speed, she said. The initiative was launched yesterday by the president of the Federation Internationale de lAutomobile (FIA), Jean Todt.
Nolan to head NUI Maynooth
UCD vice-president Prof Philip Nolan has been appointed president of NUI Maynooth, writes Seán Flynn.
Prof Nolan has been a key figure in reform of manage- ment structures pushed through by UCD president Dr Hugh Brady.
Yesterday, Prof Nolan said his priorities would include strengthening NUI Maynooth’s national and international reputation through outstanding teaching that equips students for careers and life.
His appointment comes as NUI Maynooth is forging a new strategic alliance with DCU and the College of Surgeons.
Prof Nolan will take up the position in August.
Over two thirds for protecting unborn
Some 68 per cent of people who took part in a Red C poll backed constitutional protection of the unborn child, anti-abortion campaigners have said, while 62 per cent said Government should legislate to protect the human embryo.
The poll, commissioned by the Pro-Life Campaign, was carried out between February 8th and 10th and surveyed 1,025 adults. Respondents were asked: “Are you in favour of, or opposed to, constitutional protection for the unborn that prohibits abortion but allows for the continuation of the existing practice of intervention to save a mother’s life in accordance with Irish medical ethics?” Some 26 per cent were opposed.
Call to scrap Poolbeg plant
Waste companies will create more than 750 jobs if the Poolbeg incinerator project is scrapped by the next government, the Irish Waste Management Association has said.
An investment of €173 million would be made in the creation of 210 long-term jobs and 550 construction jobs before the incinerator was due to operate in 2014, the association said, but only if the plant did not go ahead.
Not only would association members not create jobs if the plant was constructed but up to 1,000 existing jobs in the waste industry would be lost because waste would be diverted to Poolbeg.
“This facility will be so dominant in the market that it will kill competition in the sector and investment in waste alternatives,” association spokesman Brendan Keane said.
HSE wants contract finding overturned
The HSE has asked the High Court to overturn a Labour Court finding that a consultant employed at Cavan General Hospital for periods totalling more than four years under two temporary contracts was entitled to a permanent contract.
Mr Justice John Hedigan has reserved judgment in the case.
Dr Ali Umar, who has since died, had twice applied unsuccessfully to be made permanent in positions as an AE consultant.
The HSE submitted it had shown the necessary “objective grounds” under employment legislation entitling it to continue employing Dr Umar on fixed-term contracts. It was “absolutely essential” the HSE could employ temporary consultants pending the selection of a successful candidate for a permanent post, it submitted.