Today - 07/04/2009

Presented by John Humphrys and Evan Davis. Massive doses of tranquillisers and other drugs that were given to residents of a children's home in the 1970s and 1980s could lead to them having children with birth defects, the BBC has learned. Shadow Children's Minister Tim Loughton discusses the Today programme's investigation. Correspondent Peter Hunt reports on the second Irish Republic budget in six months as the economy contracts sharply. Jan Griffith describes the remarkable story of her pet dog Sophie Tucker. A man burned terribly in a fire is being given a new face and two new hands in an extraordinary transplant operation. Professor Peter Butler says a face transplant could happen in the UK within a year. Correspondent Dominic Hughes reports from the city of L'Aquila following the devastating Italian earthquake. Somali pirates have seized a British-owned cargo ship and a Taiwanese ship, maritime officials say. Commander Gerry Northwood discusses the seizure. Arts correspondent Lawrence Pollard talks to the men from Abba, Benny Anderson and Bjorn Ulvaeus, about 10 years of their stage show Mamma Mia! and if there is any chance of a comeback tour. Thought for the day with Canon Dr Alan Billings. Dr Palitha Kohona, Permanent Secretary to the Sri Lankan Ministry of Foreign Affairs, discusses why Sri Lanka's government has rejected calls for a ceasefire. Hundreds of girls heavily sedated in UK care homes during the 1970s and 1980s may be at risk of having children with birth defects, the BBC has found. Reporter Angus Stickler explains the evidence he found from a group of former care home residents. Home Secretary Jacqui Smith discusses her role in the expenses row, and apologises for what was done, saying it was a bad mistake, but wished it had been brought to her attention earlier. Steve Rolles, head of research at Transform, says the current policy of drug prohibition is not cost effective. The Ukraine is marking the bicentenary of the great Ukrainian writer Mikola Hohol. Russia is marking the 200th anniversary of the birth of the great Russian writer Nikolai Gogol. Correspondent Gabriel Gatehouse considers which country should be celebrating his birthday. Young public speaker Benedict Townsend and Lord Digby Jones, chairman of the Speakers Trust, discuss what makes a good public speaker. Niall Dickson, chairman of the health charity the King's Fund, discusses to what extent drugs should be relied on by medical professionals.