More news in brief.
Women to get extra leave for maternity
More than 43,000 women will benefit from an increase of four extra weeks in paid maternity and adoptive leave which applies from today.
The increase brings to 26 the number of paid maternity leave weeks mothers can take, while they can further avail of 16 weeks unpaid leave.
More information on legal fees urged
Solicitors and barristers should have to give clients more information in advance about the costs of a legal action, a major review will today recommend.
The expert group, headed by Desmond Miller, also proposes that a regulatory body be set up to govern the setting of fees, to require itemised billing and create more transparent rules.
Five girls hit by car at bus stop
Five schoolgirls suffered minor injuries when a car went out of control and hit them as they waited on a bus in Dublin yesterday. They were standing at a bus stop on the Greenhills Road shortly after 6pm when the car collided with them.
It is understood the driver lost control after suffering a heart attack.
Cost of postage stamps up 7c
The price of a standard postage stamp is to rise by seven cent to 55c from today. The increase is the first since August 2003 in the standard mail category.
The rate for international letters up to 100g has also increased, from 75c to 78c.
President to meet pope in Rome
President Mary McAleese will meet Pope Benedict during an official visit to the Vatican City and Rome on March 23rd. This will be the third time they have met.
The President will also meet King Albert in Brussels and launch the 400th anniversary celebrations of the Irish College in Louvain.
Derry man killed in Italian crash
A Derry-born teacher has been killed when the car he was driving collided with a train in northern Italy.
William Doherty (41) emigrated to Italy after studying for the priesthood and continued his studies in the Irish College in Rome, before becoming a language and religion teacher in Pettinengo, northern Italy.