Retired CIÉ group staff look set to receive the first increase in their weekly pension in 17 years, reports Martin Wall. Increases of up to 5 per cent will be set out as part of a deal drawn up following talks by the CIÉ group and trade unions, and backed by the Government after years of campaigned by close to 6.400 former CIÉ staff.

Eoin Burke-Kennedy has a report warning that a steep fall-off in housing starts combined with a slowdown in residential investment raises further doubt about the Government’s housing targets. Housing commencements fell to a four-year low in the first quarter of the year.

As Taco Bell prepares to launch its first outlet in Ireland, Conor Pope examines the attraction for Irish people down the years of not entirely healthy fast food born in the USA.