Labour seeks a new leader after Spring resignation

Saturday/Sunday

It was confirmed that Mr Dick Spring would inform his parliamentary party on Wednesday that he wished to resign as Labour Party leader. The announcement followed the resignation of his senior adviser, Mr Fergus Finlay.

The family of Mrs Bridget McCole called for a full Garda investigation into their mother's death from hepatitis C after receiving contaminated anti-D. Mrs McCole's eldest daughter, Brid, spoke of the family's disappointment at the decision of the Director of Public Prosecutions not to bring any prosecutions following the controversy.

Over 500 Irish truck drivers were caught in the blockade by French hauliers of ports, border crossings and fuel depots.

The Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, said he had "no hang-ups" about revisiting the issue of cabinet confidentiality after the referendum was passed by a narrow majority.

Monday

One in eight second-level principals who responded to an Association of Secondary Teachers, Ireland survey reported a student suicide in recent years, 80 per cent were boys.

The VHI announced five additional health-care plans.

Speaking in Dublin, the British Foreign Secretary, Mr Robin Cook, said Britain's mission during its EU presidency will be to "give Europe back to the people".

The President-elect, Mrs McAleese, confirmed that she wants the GAA ban on the RUC and British army personnel joining the association removed.

The most popular specialist activity in Irish tourism is golf, a Bord Failte report revealed. It predicted an 8 per cent growth in tourism in 1998.

The influential US Fortune magazine judged Dublin as Europe's best city to do business in.

Tuesday

Hundreds of cases were dismissed by District Court judges following a High Court decision the previous Friday, in which it was found that a court clerk had been improperly appointed. It was confirmed that the State is to appeal Mr Justice McCracken's decision, which resulted in the State's 185 District Court clerks having to be formally reappointed.

The Government announced it will raise pension payments to retired public servants in line with public sector pay deals. Nearly 77,000 pensioners are to get an average of £300 a year.

The Sinn Fein president, Mr Gerry Adams, warned of republican grassroots dissatisfaction at the slow pace of Stormont talks.

The Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, told the French Prime Minister, Mr Lionel Jospin, that if the French truckers' strike is prolonged it could affect employment.

A new environmental campaigning organisation, Voice (Voice Of Concern for the Environment), was inaugurated in Dublin.

Two English fans were given suspended sentences for their part in the Lansdowne Road riot at the Republic of Ireland soccer international against England in 1995.

Wednesday

Mr Spring formally announced his resignation as leader of the Labour Party. The battle to to replace him began with Mr Ruairi Quinn and Mr Brendan Howlin equally confident of victory.

Almost 50 schoolboys and several adults were admitted to hospital after an articulated lorry crashed into a double-decker coach on the Chapelizod by-pass in Dublin. Witnesses reported seeing two youths riding bareback across the road at the time.

The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Andrews, told the Northern Secretary, Dr Mo Mowlam, of the Government's concern about Britain's delay on a further inquiry into Bloody Sunday in Derry.

Mrs Mary McAleese announced she would not wear a poppy at her inauguration ceremony on Tuesday.

Martin Cahill, the criminal figure known as The General, was shot dead by a "cool, experienced and dedicated killer", the inquest into his death was told.

Thursday

The latest Central Bank figures showed mortgage borrowing in September running 15.4 per cent ahead of last year and total borrowing 21.7 per cent ahead of 1996, confirming extremely strong economic growth.

Mr Brendan Howlin's supporters were claiming he will secure an easy victory in the Labour leadership contest. The two candidates agreed a set of ground rules for their campaigns to minimise divisiveness.

At least a dozen senior Sinn Fein members in Co Louth resigned and walked out of a meeting in Dundalk in protest at the party's signing up to the Mitchell Principles of nonviolence.

Irish students drink more, get drunk more and smoke more than the typical European student, a new survey showed.

The Government announced a £250 million fund to help educational institutions rectify computer, electronics and other skills shortages.