Transport
The Irish economy on the move: Dublin Port at daybreak
Every morning at 6am, two of the largest sea ferries in the world disgorge, onto Dublin Port, thousands of tons of imports, for sale a few hours later on supermarket shelves throughout Ireland. Within two hours these same ferries leave with thousands more tonnes of exports. Vincent Browne spent a very early morning watching the Irish economy on the move.
Overseas travel continues to grow
New figures released by the Central Statistics Office show that overseas travel by Irish people has continued to increase significantly. The CSO survey shows that almost 98000 more Irish residents travelled overseas this September than last September. The figures show 731400 trips abroad in that month, compared with 638500 in 2006, an increase of 14.5 per cent.
Ballyfermot to lose train station
Dublin's newest train station is handling half its expected passenger numbers. Ballyfermot is to lose its train station, catering for 25,000 people. By Tom Rowe
Safety not an option
A car safety device, proven to save lives and widely available in Europe, is not being fitted as standard in cars for the Irish market or promoted by the Road Safety Authority or the government. Patrick Boyle investigates
Air authority being audited
International consultants are carrying out an audit of the Irish Aviation Authority's safety and licensing activities following complaints from various organistaions. By Frank Connolly
IBEC refers truck ban to European Commission
IBEC claims the heavy truck ban in Dublin city centre may contravene EU internal market rules. By Emma Browne
Dublin Airport's expansion will do 8.4 billion global warming damage
Dublin Airport's expansion plan will cost at least €8.4 billion in climate change damage alone, and waste €13 billion in total according to a press release by United Portmarnock Residents Opposing Another Runway (UPROAR).
Taxi Drivers issued with new forms of identification
The Commission for Taxi Regulation is to issue all taxi drivers with dashboard ID and a “smartcard” which will show a photograph, name of drivers, licence number and expiry of licence. The smartcard, which will be the size of a credit card, will also contain a microchip allowing the commission's enforcement team to electronically read it and check the taxi driver's identity and licence status. As well as these two identifications the taxi drivers will also be provided with a portable photo ID as well.
Call to publish Bus Eireann crash report
Wexford Fine Gael TD Paul Keogh has called for the publication of a Bus Éireann report into a bus crash in Waterford city in 2004. The crash resulted in 18 people being injured when one bus hit another, then mounted the footpath, narrowly missing a busy bus stop. At the time the driver reported a "power surge" as the reason for the crash.