In Short

A round-up of today's other stories in brief...

A round-up of today's other stories in brief...

Bullet-proof and stab-proof vests for Garda

Gardaí are to get 2,100 new bullet-proof and stab-proof vests following the publication by the Department of Justice yesterday of tender documents for their provision, writes Conor Lally.

It is estimated that the contract will cost around €750,000. The flexible vests are usually worn as over-garments but can also be hidden under clothing.

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The Garda Representative Association and Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors have repeatedly called for all members of the force to be provided with stab-proof vests.

The department yesterday also published a "request for information" from companies who may be interested in providing maintenance for the Garda fleet of vehicles over the next three to five years.

HSE board's PPARS query

The board of the Health Service Executive has sought additional information from management at the organisation on the business case for rolling out across the country the controversial PPARS computerised payroll and personnel system, writes Martin Wall.

The Irish Times reported yesterday that HSE management had recommended to the board that the introduction of the system, on which €130 million has already been spent, should restart on a phased basis.

The programme was suspended by the board last autumn amid concerns about rising costs. The additional information sought by the board will be provided by management in the weeks ahead.

Ahern urges young to aid peace

The Taoiseach appealed to young people to get actively engaged in the process of creating a lasting peace on this island, writes Stephen Collins.

He told the pupils of St Catherine's College, Armagh, that they had a huge contribution to make in building bridges between the two communities.

Mr Ahern went to the school after his meeting with Tony Blair to deliver the Cormac McAnallen lecture. The late Mr McAnallen, the Tyrone football star who died suddenly two years ago at the age of 24, was a teacher at the school.

"Lasting peace cannot be imposed from above. There must be a groundswell of support for it from below, a partnership amongst people of different backgrounds who believe in the positive change that their individual actions can bring about," Mr Ahern said.

"And that is where your role is critical. No matter at what level you decide to engage, you have a huge contribution to make. Through your own actions and attitudes you can and will influence the tide of opinion."

The Taoiseach noted his admiration for the example Cormac McAnallen provided. "The great tragedy of Cormac McAnallen's death was not that he passed away having achieved so much. It was, in fact, that he left this world at such a young age with so much more to achieve. But in having set his sights so high, in having lived his life to the full, he was a true inspiration to us all."