Its claimed that thousands of points have been quashed for motorists without any justification.

The Department of Justice says its reviewing the allegations and has sought a report from the Garda Commissioner Martin Callinan who has appointed an Assistant Commissioner to examine the claims.

The Transport Minister Leo Varadkar says the allegations are being investigated.

The Archbishop of Dublin, Dr. Diarmuid Martin, believes that when it comes to the issue of abortion, Ireland has been wrongly portrayed on the international stage.

Dr. Martin says he agrees with the Taoiseach Enda Kenny that the debate on the matter can't be rushed. 

But he added that the current guidelines for doctors should be reviewed if they're not sufficient. 

His comments come as HIQA has published the terms of reference for its investigation into the death of 31 year old Savita Halapanavar at Galway University Hospital last month. 

HIQA says its investigation will examine the care given to patients - including pregnant women - at risk of clinical deterioration, including the diagnosis and management of patients with septicaemia.

There's been widespread criticism of reports suggesting child benefit is to be cut by €10 in the budget.

The National Women's Council says the reduction, as reported in today's Irish Independent 

would make children pay for the mistakes of others.

While Sinn Fein says the proposal is equivalent to taking clothes off the backs of children.

An investigation is underway following the discovery of a man's body in Co. Kildare.

The remains of a man in his fifties were found when the fire brigade attended the scene of a blaze at a house in Leinster Walk, Kildare town, at 5am this morning.

Gardai say the house hadn't been occupied for some time.

The body has been removed to Naas General Hospital Morgue, where a post

mortem examination will shortly be carried out.

A court in Northern Ireland has ordered Facebook to remove a page monitoring paedophiles.

A convicted sex offender who can't be named has won his legal challenge to have it taken down.

A High Court judge ruled his human rights had been breached.

The social networking site has been given 72 hours to comply.