A round-up of today's other stories in brief...
UUP leader applauds Sir Reg promotion
Ulster Unionist Party leader Tom Elliott has congratulated his predecessor Sir Reg Empey on his appointment to the House of Lords at Westminster.
Sir Reg, a former minister of education and learning, said he was pleased and honoured that he was being elevated to the House of Lords and that in his new role, he would continue to work for Northern Ireland.
Mr Elliott said Sir Reg had played a pivotal role in Northern Irish politics over many decades.
“I am sure that his skills and knowledge will be of great benefit in the Lords and in ensuring that Northern Ireland has a voice on the [British] government benches in the upper house,” he said.
Plan to introduce Bill defining crime of financial treason
Green Party finance spokesman Senator Dan Boyle plans to introduce a Private Member's Bill defining the crime of financial treason, writes Marie O'Halloran.
He said that “while much public anger has a political focus. . . the inability to bring to justice those whose self-interest and greed so undermined our national wellbeing is something that must end”. Labour finance spokeswoman Joan Burton said the “overhaul of legislation dealing with white-collar crime is absolutely urgent”.
Farmers protest over Tesco prices
Pig, poultry and beef farmers protested outside Tesco in Cavan town yesterday over the prices being paid to suppliers.
The farmers claim retailers are enjoying high margins, while the costs of producing continue to rise for producers. Thousands of farm jobs are in jeopardy unless retailers increase the prices they pay for meat and dairy products, farmers say.
Walking routes open in Carlingford
Three new looped walking routes for the medieval town of Carlingford, Co Louth, have been opened.
The Common’s Loop, Slieve Foye Loop and Barnavave Loop walks offer walkers the opportunity to enjoy both Carlingford and the Cooley peninsula.
Each of the routes begins at the Carlingford tourist office car park. They are designed to suit average levels of fitness.
Gift certificates for teachers will help Dublin's needy at Christmas
Families in Dublin who buy Christmas gifts for their children's teachers are being asked to spend the money in a way that helps the needy this year, writes Patsy McGarry.
Crosscare, the agency that helps over 70,000 people in Dublin every year, is asking children to make a donation to help the poorest in the city at this difficult time, for which the children can print off a specially designed Thank You Teacher certificate which can be given to teachers as Christmas gifts.
It is estimated that families spend more than €250,000 in gifts for teachers at Christmas - much of which end up in the bottom of a wardrobe or a charity shop.
Parents can log on to www.crosscare.ie and download this special gift for teachers. The gift idea was launched this week at the Crosscare charity shop in Dublin with boys from the Palestrina Choir. Further information on the gifts is available from Michael McDonagh of Crosscare at 087 671 0442.
Pancreatic cancer surgical centre opens
A national surgical centre for pancreatic cancer was officially opened at St Vincent's University Hospital in Dublin yesterday.
The centre incorporates a satellite unit at Mercy Hospital, Cork. Some 400 patients are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in Ireland every year. Most are aged over 65 and it is widely anticipated that the incidence will increase significantly over coming decades as the population ages.
Brandon Books founder dies
Author and founder of independent publisher Brandon Books Steve MacDonogh has died after a short illness at the age of 61.
Originally from Dublin, Mr MacDonogh lived for many years in Dingle, Co Kerry, where he founded Brandon Books in 1982.
The imprint published several leading Irish authors, including Gerry Adams, Alice Taylor and Neil Jordan.
In 2003, Brandon Books published the Sinn Féin president's personal account of the peace process, entitled Hope and History: Making Peace in Ireland.
Mr Adams yesterday expressed his condolences to Mr MacDonogh's family, saying the author's contribution to Ireland, the arts and to the world of publishing and free speech was immense. He said he would be sadly missed.