By Sarah Gill
21st Apr 2023
21st Apr 2023
Your speedy summary of today's must-read stories.
State abortion laws
The State abortion law review recommends that women shouldn’t have to wait three days for a termination. Health Minister Stephen Donnelly will bring a memo to Cabinet, and the government was legally obliged to have carried out. The review found a lack of sufficient clarity as to how certain sections of the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 apply, requesting fresh ministerial guidelines on issues around fatal foetal abnormalities in particular. The report is also said to suggest 60 operational changes in relation to termination services and laws.
Ulster Bank
The remaining 63 Ulster Bank branches around the country will close their doors permanently later today as part of the lender’s gradual withdrawal from the Irish market. This comes three weeks after all in-branch transactions ceased, and will result in 450 staff leaving the bank and leave some areas with just one other full-service bank branch nearby.
Dublin Airport anti-drone technology
DAA has confirmed that anti-drone technology will be deployed at Dublin Airport within weeks following the closure of the airport six times in the first two months of the year due to disruptions cause by illegal drone activity. A DAA spokesperson told Newstalk that authorities need to have the ability to take a drone down when a member of the public breaks the law and flies one near Dublin Airport.
Garda caught with drugs at Dublin Airport
A female garda in her 30s has been arrested after being caught with a small quantity of controlled drugs at Dublin Airport. She was taken to Ballymun garda station and later released without charge. The inquiry is currently ongoing.
Dublin Port plan
Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan has outlined “significant concerns” he has over the final phase of Dublin Port’s masterplan. Known as 3FM, the project is the third part of the port’s masterplan project and is currently out for public consultation, which includes constructing a new bridge over the River Liffey. In a letter to the board, Mr Ryan said he is “troubled” that the plan “reflects a continued reliance on unsustainable models of maritime trade and logistics that run counter to our national climate, circular economy, housing and biodiversity objectives”.
Also Read
