Every afternoon, TheJournal.ie brings you five things you really need to know at 5 o’clock.
FIANNA FÁIL: Micheál Martin has announced his new front bench, naming Mary Hanafin as the new Deputy Leader of Fianna Fáil.
With the exception of Hanafin, who will also serve as spokesperson on Environment & Local Government, Martin has introduced 14 new names. The existing serving ministers will continue to be spokespeople in their areas.
IVOR THE TERRIBLE: The High Court has ruled that Senator Ivor Callely be paid almost €17,000 for loss of earnings over the Seanad decision to suspend him without pay for 20 days. He was also awarded costs.
The court found that Callely’s right to fair procedures and natural justice had been breached.
IRISH ECONOMY: The Central Bank has revised its forecast for Irish economic growth for 2011.
In contrast to just three months ago, when the Central Bank thought the economy would grow by 2.4 per cent in 2011, the figure has now been revised to a more modest 1 per cent.
INSURERS: Home owners have been warned that insurers are planning to raise house premiums by as much as 15 per cent, as well as reduce coverage and force customers to pay up to €1,000 of claim costs.
The Irish Brokers Association said the decision to raise premiums was a direct consequence of the rise in house insurance claims during wintertime.
MISSION IMPOSSIBLE? If that’s all a little depressing, why not check out the latest offering from Fine Gael HQ – a very slick video piece chronicling the meeting between the Fine Gael leader, his finance spokesperson Michael Noonan, and European Commission president Jose Manuel Barroso. (You won’t be sorry.)
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