Flanagan: Request for release of Ibrahim Halawa has been made

The Foreign Affairs Minister Charlie Flanagan says a formal request for the release of Ibrahim Halawa has been made to authorities in Egypt.

It comes after a London based law firm said that there were a number of options available to the government that could see the Dublin teenager freed.

Ireland provided over €85m in humanitarian aid last year

A report shows Ireland provided over €85m in humanitarian assistance around the world last year.

The annual report of Irish Aid outlines how 269 tonnes of essential humanitarian supplies like blankets and tents were distributed.

Dublin remembers the children killed in Gaza one year ago

It is one year ago today since the start of the 50-day conflict in Israel which saw the destruction of thousands of buildings in Gaza - 12 months later the process of rebuilding these homes has not started and over 100,000 Palestinians remain homeless.

Two thirds of public favour decriminalising abortion

A new poll commissioned by Amnesty International has found that two thirds of the public is in favour of decriminalising abortion in Ireland.

The survey canvassed opinions of over 1,000 people found that 67 per cent want the Government to end criminal penalties for women who have terminations. Conversely, 25 per cent are in favour of keeping the law as it stands.

Cowen addresses Banking Inquiry: I only met financial regulator twice as finance minister

Brian Cowen has admitted he only met the Financial Regulator twice during his four years as Minister for Finance.

That's despite his admission that he met Anglo Irish Bank's chairman Sean Fitzpatrick twice within three months in 2008.