Difference between revisions 9149838 and 9156405 on enwiki

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==[[6 January]] [[2005]]==
*A public awareness campaign is started by the [[Republic of Ireland|Irish]] [[Irish Government|Government]] to inform motorists of the changeover to [[metric]] [[speed limit]]s in two weeks time. [http://www.rte.ie/news/2005/0106/metric.html (RTÉ)]

==[[5 January]] [[2005]]==

* Work begins on upgrading the [[N7 road|N7]] [[Naas]] [[roads in Ireland|road]] in [[Dublin]], [[Ireland]]. The project is part of a €1.1 billion plan that includes upgrading the [[M50 motorway|M50]] and associated [[interchange]]s. [http://home.eircom.net/content/irelandcom/topstories/4799124?view=Eircomnet (Irish Times - eircom.net)]
*Year-end figures released by the [[Republic of Ireland|Irish]] [[Exchequer]] show a €33 million [[budget surplus]], as opposed to the €2.8 billion [[budget deficit|shortfall]] forecast by the [[Irish Government]] at the beginning of the year. [http://home.eircom.net/content/irelandcom/topstories/4799104?view=Eircomnet (Irish Times - eircom.net)]
*[[Chief executive]]s of the [[Republic of Ireland]]'s semi-amalgamated [[The Eleven Kingdoms|health boards]] meet under the new "Health Service Executive". Health services will continue to be administered separately in the eleven regions for at least six months. [http://home.eircom.net/content/irelandcom/breaking/4792212?view=Eircomnet (Irish Times - eircom.net)]
* [[2004 Indian Ocean earthquake|Asian tsunami]]:
** The [[Republic of Ireland|Irish]] [[Irish Government|Government]] cabinet meets to discuss the aid situation. A [[Garda Síochána|Garda]] team is to be sent to the area. There have been calls for the government to increase their €10 million pledge to match rising public donations. [http://home.eircom.net/content/unison/national/4792508?view=Eircomnet (Irish Independent - eircom.net)]

==[[4 January]] [[2005]]==
* Work begins on widening the [[N7 road|N7]] [[Naas]] [[roads in Ireland|road]] in [[Dublin]], [[Ireland]]. The project is part of a €1.1 billion project to upgrade Dublin's main arteries, including the [[M50 motorway|M50]] and associated [[interchange]]s. [http://home.eircom.net/content/irelandcom/topstories/4786429?view=Eircomnet (Irish Times - eircom.net)]
* [[Smoking]] has been [[smoking ban|banned]] in all [[Northern Ireland]] [[civil service]] offices. Public health lobbyists are calling for a complete workplace ban, similar to that in force across the border in the [[Republic of Ireland|Republic]]. [http://www.rte.ie/news/2005/0104/smoking.html (RTÉ)]
* [[2004 Indian Ocean earthquake|Asian tsunami]]:
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* A man has been arrested in connection with the murder of [[pregnant]] teenager Amy Williams in [[Telford]]. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/shropshire/4137045.stm (BBC)]
* New [[Chip and PIN]] legislation comes into effect today.  It makes retailers liable for fraudulent transactions if they have failed to sign up to the scheme. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4139211.stm (BBC)]

==Earlier British and Irish events==

[[British and Irish December 2004 events]]