A round-up of today's other stories in brief...
Most winter wheat and spring barley harvested
Close to 60 per cent of the country's winter wheat and spring barley were harvested over recent days in a major drive by cereal farmers to save a crop which was at risk from wet weather, writes Seán Mac Connell.
According to Teagasc, the agriculture and food development authority, farmers in the southeast took in as much as 90 per cent of the harvest. Drier weather on Friday and Saturday allowed cereal farmers go on what they called "a smash and grab" exercise.
Council grants permission for Cliffs of Moher parking facilities
Clare County Council yesterday granted planning permission to contentious plans for park-and-ride facilities to serve the €32 million Cliffs of Moher visitor centre.
The council granted the permission to Clare-based company Atlantis Developments Ltd to construct the facilities at Doolin and Liscannor in spite of strong opposition from within the communities.
Under the plan the company has secured planning permission for 385 parking spaces at Liscannor, along with space for 10 buses, while 120 parking spaces are planned for Doolin, with spaces for three buses.
Ennis not complying with water directive
Clare County Council admitted yesterday it remained in non-compliance with an Environmental Protection Agency directive that all water in the Ennis public water supply be treated for cryptosporidium.
Ennis town engineer Tom Tiernan said to retain a water supply the council had no choice but for the water to partially bypass treatment for cryptosporidium.
Describing the risk for cryptosporidium as "relatively low", he said Ennis water quality was as good as most other supplies.