Driving licence:The Irish Pharmacy Union (IPU) has expressed concerns at changes to the driving licence, which will see photos being taken exclusively by a service provider appointed by the Road Safety Authority (RSA).
The IPU says the decision will have a “devastating and unfair” impact on hundreds of companies, including community pharmacists, who have invested considerable sums on photographic equipment.
The IPU says the change, which comes into effect in September 2013, will also cause serious inconvenience to the public, who will no longer have the option of getting their photographs locally for their driving licences.
Mind your mouth: The Irish Dental Association has welcomed the decision by the GAA to make it compulsory for players to wear mouth guards in football games and training. At the weekend, the GAA Congress passed a motion making it mandatory for juvenile players up to minor grade to wear mouth guards from the start of this year. The rule will come into effect for senior players from the start of 2014.
While some senior players have expressed reservations about the rule, Dr Maurice Quirke of the IDA has urged all players, parents and coaches to support it fully. “Players are important role models for children so it is particularly important that they back the move,” he said.
IDA figures indicate Ireland has one of the highest rates of sport-related oral injuries in the EU.