Happy News Blitz!
Updated : Jul 6, 2009
Post Card From Europe
The Department of Foreign Affairs says it will be sending a postcard to every household in Ireland explaining the recent legal guarantees secured by the Government in relation to the Lisbon Treaty.
The guarantees clarify that the treaty will not affect Ireland's current policy on military neutrality, its prohibition on abortion and its right to decide its own taxation levels.
The EU has also decided that all member states should retain one representative on the European Commission.
The Government says these were the main issues that caused voters to reject the Lisbon Treaty last year.
It now hopes to hold a second referendum on the treaty in October.
Orange Oder Parade Passes Peacfully
An Orange Order parade through Drumcree in Portadown has passed off peacefully this afternoon.
It follows an offer from the North's First Minister Peter Robinson yesterday to meet Orangemen and nationalist residents over the long-running dispute involving the Garvaghy road.
The parade has been banned from going down the road for the last 11 years.
The Garvaghy Road Residents' Coalition has accepted his request and it is thought a meeting will take place later next week.
New Deal Between Ireland and Vietnam Re Orphans
A new deal is to be worked out to restore adoptions between Ireland and Vietnam.
The Minister for Children Barry Andrews has returned from the country where he met with the Vietnamese Minister for Justice Ha Hung Cuong.
Ireland's bilateral agreement with Vietnam lapsed in May, causing outcry among prospective parents who were caught up in the process.
Mr Andrews said significant progress was made during his trip, although Vietnamese authorities say it is not possible to put in place interim adoption arrangements.
A new bilateral agreement is to be worked out to allow Irish people to adopt from Vietnam.
