The Government says the planned referendum on Children’s rights is historic.

The wording of the referendum’s been published today – it’ll put a section into the constitution dedicated to children for the first time.

Minister Frances Fitzgerald says it’s the clearest statement the country can make to leave the legacy of abuse and neglect behind.

Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore says people will be asked to give children a voice:

/> Economic analysts are forecasting a continued rise in the level of long term unemployment.

A new CSO report shows there were 308,500 people out of work at the end of June – a rise of 4,000 or 1.3 per cent on the same time last year.

However the number of people unemployed for more than 12 months increased by 20,600 or 12.5 per cent during the period – to almost 185,000.

It means that long term unemployment accounted for almost 60 per cent of the total jobless number – figures not seen since the late 1990s.

Joe Durkan – an economist at the Economic and Social Research Institute – says the trend is going in the wrong direction:

Theres been some light on the jobs front today with the announcement of 450 jobs.

Northern Trust, a finacial services firm is expanding its Limerick operations with the creation of 400 new positions over the next 5 years.

While online payments company Realax is to create 50 jobs in Dublin.

The company currently employs 120 people and plans to increase this number to 170 by the end of next year.

Jobs Minister Richard Bruton says its a sign that the economy is starting to shift in some sectors:

A Swedish celebrity magazine has published pictures of Kate Middleton sunbathing topless in a three-page spread that went on sale on newsstands today.

The spread includes 11 controversial paparazzi pictures taken during the couple’s vacation in southern France several weeks ago, five of which show the princess topless.

One grainy shot taken from the front shows her removing her bikini bottoms.

The magazine was the fourth publication to print the pictures which have outraged the British royal family.

A Danish gossip magazine says it’s publishing the pictures tomorrow.

A 32-year-old man has appeared before Waterford District Court this afternoon, charged
/> with the possession, and the sale and supply of drugs.
/>
/> Niall Hutton is originally from Carlow but now has an address at 411 O’Connell Court, Penrose Lane, Waterford.

Mr Hutton’s been remanded in custody, to appear again before the district court next Tuesday.

Further, more serious charges are expected to be brought against Mr Hutton.

It’s as analysis is carried out on a haul of synthetic drugs seized in Waterford City on Monday – the drugs, worth 800-thousand euro, are thought to have been flown in from China.