More news in brief.
FF members to give views on NI proposal
Fianna Fáil party members have been given until the end of next March to give their views on a proposal that Fianna Fáil should set up in Northern Ireland, writes Mark Hennessy, Political Correspondent.
In a letter this week to the organisation, Taoiseach Bertie Ahern said: "Whether we take the next step and seek to represent the people of Northern Ireland will ultimately be decided by you, the members of our party.
"Our republican ideals espouse inclusiveness. Let our process of consultation begin. You should be assured that we will act in a considered and strategic manner and in a way that benefits all.
"Speaking as early as November 1926, our founding father, Éamon de Valera, stated that Fianna Fáil was 'intended to be an all-Ireland organisation'." Prudently, Mr Ahern added that any such organisation on an all-Ireland basis "should take cognisance of important differences North and South; the time to start organising in the six counties would depend on conditions there".
Minister for Foreign Affairs Dermot Ahern is heading a committee to accept the contributions from rank-and-file members and propose options.
Also on the committee are Donegal North East TD Niall Blaney, the nephew of Neil Blaney, who was sacked during the 1970s arms crisis; former attorney general Rory Brady; Minister of State Brendan Smith; and former Northern Ireland adviser Martin Mansergh.
Envoy to attend Remembrance
The Irish Ambassador to Britain, David Cooney, will attend next month's Remembrance ceremony at the Cenotaph in London as an observer, as his immediate predecessor Daithi O'Ceallaigh did last year and in 2005, writes Frank Millar, London Editor.
A spokeswoman for the Irish Embassy in London confirmed that Mr Cooney had accepted the invitation from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, and that he would also attend the reception traditionally held after the wreath-laying ceremony in honour of the dead of two World Wars.
Dormant accounts to fund schools
The Government has allocated more than €3.3 million from the Dormant Accounts Fund to provide information and communications technology equipment to schools across the State, writes Steven Carroll.
Individual grants, based on pupil numbers - which range from €2,500 to €13,000 - will be issued to 815 primary and second-level schools participating in the Department of Education and Science's School Support Programme.
Equipment such as cameras, laptops and projectors will be bought with the grants. It is hoped this equipment will develop information and communication technology skills among students.
Witnesses to road death sought
Gardaí are appealing for witnesses to a fatal road incident in Maynooth, Co Kildare, last Thursday, in which a 30-year-old male pedestrian was hit by a car at about 7am, writes Steven Carroll.
The man was taken to Connolly Hospital in Blanchardstown, Dublin, where he died on Monday.
Gardaí believe the car was turning right at the junction of Straffan Road and Celbridge Road when the incident occurred.
Witnesses are asked to contact Maynooth Garda station on (01) 6292380.
Meanwhile, a 31-year-old woman who died in a crash in Co Kilkenny on Tuesday morning has been named.
Alena Svobodova, a native of the Czech Republic, with an address at Middleknock, Co Kilkenny, died when the car she was driving was involved in a crash with a truck.