ISPCC calls on Seanad to address shortcomings in Children's First Legislation

The ISPCC has contacted Senators to call for what they perceive as shortcomings to be addressed in the proposed Children First Legislation.

Senators will debate the bill in the Seanad today.

IFA calls for improvements in farm safety

Farm families are being asked to check for risks and improve safety.

Today is National Farm Safety Awareness Day, run by the IFA.

As well as assessing risks, it calls for control measures to be put in place to prevent accidents.

Turkey to step up Syrian border security after explosion kills 30 people

The Turkish government has promised to increase security on the country's border with Syria after 30 people were killed and over 100 wounded in a bombing yesterday in the town of Suruc.

Investigators think the blast was caused by a female suicide bomber from the Islamic State group.

The attack triggered violent protests in Istanbul, with police using water cannon, teargas and rubber bullets.

Banks and borrowers could benefit from mortgage rate cuts

Banks and borrowers could benefit from a cut in interest rates on standard variable mortgages.

That is according to global credit ratings agency Fitch.

It says that if banks cut the cost of the mortgages, the debt becomes more affordable for the borrower, and the lenders are in with a better chance of getting their money back.

Coalition warned spending plans unsustainable without higher tax

The coalition has been warned that its spending plans for the next Budget don’t have enough tax increases to pay for them.

The warning comes from the incoming head of the ESRI - Professor Alan Barrett - who has conducted a report into the National Economic Dialogue hosted by the Government last week.