The upper age limit of 50, currently used in the advertisement and filling of public service posts, should be removed immediately, according to the Fianna Fail spokesman on equality and law reform, Dr Michael Woods. He described the policy as a discriminatory practice" and said the public service should lead by example in this area.
The work of the murdered journalist Veronica Guerin is praised by the chairman of Independent Newspapers, Dr Tony O'Reilly, in the newspaper group's interim results statement published yesterday.
"She has become a symbol to all citizens and journalists that the preservation of the State can only be ensured through the prosecution of the truth and a free and fair news service," Dr O'Reilly writes.
"Our policy as a board is quite simple. Nobody who works for Independent Newspapers in a journalistic capacity can be a member of or sympathiser with, any paramilitary or criminal organisation. We will adhere to this view, and know it will have the support of every right thinking journalist throughout the nation and beyond."
