Other News In Brief

Public Warning After Large Rodent Spotted In Dublin

The public has been asked to be on the lookout after a large rodent species was seen near the Royal Canal in Dublin.

Waterways Ireland issued the alert after the Coypu was spotted in the Ashtown area. The species has bright orange teeth and can grow up to one metre in length.

It can carry a number of diseases and may be harmful to both humans and domestic animals.

Waterways Ireland released a list of physical features to help people recognise the rodent:

• Large semi-aquatic, up to one meter in head to tail length.

• Weighs 5-9kg.

• Webbed hind feet.

• Dark fur, often with lighter ends and has a white muzzle.

• Has long cylindrical tail (not fur like otter) and small, slightly protruding ears.

• Distinctive features are large bright orange-yellow incisor (front) teeth usually visible.

Anyone who comes across the rodent is urged to contact the National Parks & Wildlife Service.

Labour Party Call On Govt To Address Higher Education Funding Crisis

The Labour Party has issued a call to the Ministers for Education Joe McHugh and Mary Mitchell O'Connor to "wake up to the ongoing funding crisis in Higher Education".

Education spokesperson Aodhán Ó Ríordáin made the comments in support of the #FundTheFuture march in Dublin yesterday, Thursday 21 March, and is calling for fully funded higher education.

Senator Ó Ríordáin said: "The Labour Party supports today's action in Dublin, and around the country, in support of publically funded education. It is time to Fund the Future.

"The two Fine Gael Ministers for Education needs to get off the fence and make their position on the funding of higher education known. Fianna Fáil is afraid to make their position known, lest they upset anyone. This constant indecision by the two Government parties is ultimately hurting those directly involved. Third level institutions and students are suffering from the lack of certainty surrounding the future of funding.

"We know that employers benefit from a well-educated workforce and they should contribute just a little more towards the National Training Fund. The state should contribute a good bit more.

"My generation of students in the 1990s benefitted from Labour's belief in free education, it is time for a whole new generation to benefit in this way too.

"Labour's plan for full and equal access to higher education should become a reality in Ireland."

Court Of Appeal Numbers To Increase By Six

The Minister for Justice and Equality, Charlie Flanagan TD, has welcomed the Government's approval of a new Bill to increase the number of ordinary judges in the Court of Appeal from 9 to 15.

The Minister said he was delighted by the decision which will address the waiting times for cases and improve efficiency in the appeals process and in the administration of justice overall.

"Both the President of the Court of Appeal and the Chief Justice had made the case to the Minister that additional judges be appointed to the Court of Appeal to address delays in cases coming before the courts and the consequential negative impact on access to justice and costs. The Bill provides for the amendment of the relevant primary legislation in order to increase the number of judges in the Court of Appeal.

"It is clear that the Court of Appeal has a very significant volume of work, both in terms of the caseload it inherited from the Supreme Court on its establishment as a new court in 2014, and of the volume of new cases it is taking on in its own right. On the criminal side, the current waiting time is an acceptable six months.  However on the civil side it is much longer. I do not want to see a situation where those waiting times could end up at a similar level to that of the Supreme Court prior to 2014. Waiting times then, were over four years."

The Bill will be published under the relevant procedures in the coming days.



(JG)