A review of the press
It’s time to end the casual use of homophobic language in Ireland
TheJournal.ie: Excusing homophobia by saying it’s ‘just a joke’ is no excuse and it’s not funny, writes Rory Geraghty.
Read more – http://www.thejournal.ie/readme/column-its-time-to-end-the-casual-use-of-homophobic-language-in-ireland/
Same-sex unions can give marriage a new cachet
Irish Times – In the intensifying US debate over same-sex marriage, what I sometimes find hardest to understand is why so many opponents don’t see gay people’s longing to be wedded as the fundamentally conservative, lavishly complimentary desire it is. It says marriage is worth aspiring to and fighting for. Flatters it. Gives it reinvigorated cachet, extra currency, a sorely needed infusion of fresh energy.
Read more – http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/opinion/2012/0222/1224312169079.html
Ian Paisley making ‘steady progress’
BBC News – Former NI First Minister Ian Paisley is making “steady progress” as he recovers from illness, his son has said. Last week, Mr Paisley was moved out of intensive care at the Ulster Hospital in Dundonald where he is being treated for heart problems. His son, North Antrim MP Ian Paisley Junior, told BBC Radio Ulster’s Talkback his father had “demonstrated that there is life in the old dog yet”.
Read more – http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-17110120
U-turn made over cuts to Irish schools
Belfast Telegraph – The Irish Government has been forced into a U-turn over cuts to disadvantaged schools with more than half the original redundancies proposed being retained. Education Minister Ruairi Quinn announced in Cabinet that only 193 so-called legacy posts in Deis schools are to be axed – 235 positions less than anticipated in the 2012 Budget.
Read more: http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/republic-of-ireland/uturn-made-over-cuts-to-schools-16120770.html#ixzz1n6Dc7zgv
Also – http://www.thejournal.ie/ruairi-quinn-reverses-235-legacy-post-cuts-from-deis-primary-schools-362002-Feb2012/
Gilmore opens door for Vatican to relax embassy requirements
TheJournal.ie – Eamon Gilmore tells the Dáil that the Holy See embassy closure could be revisited if the Vatican relaxes rules on dual embassies.
Read more – http://www.thejournal.ie/gilmore-opens-door-for-vatican-to-relax-embassy-requirements-361820-Feb2012/
MLA issues plea for organ donors
Belfast Telegraph – An impassioned plea for an increase in organ donors has been made by an MLA whose son’s life was saved by a transplant. Ulster Unionist Jo-Anne Dobson told Assembly members the government must raise awareness of the great need for organ donors. The Upper Bann representative said her family had experienced the life-saving potential of such procedures.
Genetic parents of surrogate children may not be recognised – Irish Government
TheJournal.ie – New guidelines state that Irish women who have children in surrogacy arrangements can never be legally recognised as the mother.
Read more –
http://www.thejournal.ie/genetic-parents-of-surrogate-children-may-not-be-recognised-government-361919-Feb2012/