Consumer spending in April climbed 11 per cent year-on-year, according to the latest AIB Spend Trend survey, with online purchases up 16 per cent and in-store spending rising by 6 per cent. Cinema spending soared by 47 per cent compared to April 2024, driven largely by the Easter release of A Minecraft Movie and boosted … Read more
Friends of the Irish Environment has launched a judicial review against plans for a 600 MW gas power plant in County Kerry, challenging the project’s environmental credentials and potential climate impact. The proposed development by Shannon LNG Ltd would be located on a 630-acre site between Tarbert and Ballylongford and includes a 120 MWh battery … Read more
The United States and China have reached a landmark agreement to dramatically reduce trade tariffs, marking a significant step towards easing tensions in their ongoing economic dispute. In a joint statement following weekend talks in Geneva, the two economic superpowers agreed to reduce their previously imposed high-level tariffs to more moderate levels. US Treasury Secretary … Read more
Ireland is set for another week of warm weather, though it begins with rain tonight and tomorrow before improving later in the week, according to Met Éireann’s latest forecast. Today will bring a divided weather pattern across the country, with the western half enjoying spells of sunshine while eastern areas experience cloudier conditions accompanied by … Read more
Rural health services in Cork and Kerry are facing significant staffing challenges, with the housing crisis making it increasingly difficult to attract healthcare professionals to these areas, according to reports from healthcare officials. The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) has raised alarm that the staffing shortages are directly impacting patient care, with much-needed hospital … Read more
Temperatures across Ireland are expected to reach as high as 21 degrees Celsius today in what Met Éireann describes as “very mild” conditions, before a shift to wetter weather begins tomorrow. The national forecaster predicts mostly light southerly or variable breezes throughout Sunday, with only isolated light showers affecting western and northwestern counties. The warm … Read more
A pioneering computer game designed to help students identify online grooming tactics is being developed for classroom use in Irish schools, with plans for implementation this September when the new school term begins. The educational tool, created under the Grosafe project—a collaboration between the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (ISPCC) and … Read more
More than 90,000 applications have been submitted for compensation following Storm Éowyn, which brought record-breaking gusts of 184km/h in January. The storm caused around €200 million in damage and left 768,000 electricity customers without power. According to figures obtained by TG4’s 7LÁ programme, over 92,000 people have registered for the Department of Social Protection’s Humanitarian … Read more
Revenue officers have confiscated 55,000 litres of suspected illegal fuel during an operation targeting a distributor and two petrol stations in County Louth, authorities announced today. The seizure followed an intelligence-led investigation by Revenue’s Customs Service, which had identified the stations as suspected sellers of laundered fuel. The seized product has been removed for further … Read more
Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) has moved forward with plans to develop a new public viewing facility for aircraft enthusiasts after submitting additional information requested by Fingal County Council regarding its proposal. The project aims to transform “The Mound” – a long-established but informal plane-spotting location on Old Airport Road that has been popular with aviation … Read more
Taoiseach Micheál Martin has conveyed the best wishes of “all Irish people, of all traditions” to newly elected Pope Leo XIV, following the selection of American Cardinal Robert Prevost as the leader of the Catholic Church. The Chicago-born pontiff addressed thousands gathered in St. Peter’s Square shortly after white smoke emerged from the Sistine Chapel … Read more
Negotiations between post-primary teacher unions and Education Minister Helen McEntee regarding proposed changes to the Leaving Certificate examination system have concluded, with the outcome now heading to a membership vote. Both major teaching unions—the Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland (ASTI) and the Teachers’ Union of Ireland (TUI)—will present the minister’s latest proposals on senior cycle … Read more
The Irish government has released new guidelines outlining the responsible use of artificial intelligence (AI) within the public service, advising against the use of free generative AI (GenAI) tools such as ChatGPT and DeepSeek. The framework warns that while these tools are widely accessible, they present significant risks due to a lack of oversight and … Read more
Consumer prices in Ireland rose by 2.2 per cent annually in April, up from 2 per cent in March, according to new figures from the Central Statistics Office (CSO). This marks the second consecutive month that inflation has been at or above the 2 per cent mark. The Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices (HICP), which … Read more
Ireland’s bathing waters have received an exceptionally positive assessment in the latest Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) evaluation. According to the newly released “Bathing Water Quality Report 2024,” the vast majority of Ireland’s swimming locations have been classified as either “excellent” or “good.” The report, which monitors and assesses the quality of designated bathing sites across … Read more