Budget airline Ryanair has removed a long-standing restriction that prevented non-EU nationals from purchasing ordinary shares in the company. EU regulations require that at least 51 per cent of an airline’s shares be held by EU nationals to maintain operational rights. While non-EU investors could previously buy shares, these were classified as restricted, meaning they … Read more
Nearly a third of households are finding it difficult to afford housing expenses, according to latest data from the Central Statistics Office (CSO). The report revealed that 29.5 per cent of households experienced housing costs as a heavy financial burden in 2024. These costs include rent, mortgage payments, insurance, utility bills, and maintenance expenses. While … Read more
The Department of Housing has stated that there are no current plans to introduce charges for excessive household water use. In a statement, the department clarified that while Minister for Housing James Browne had received a briefing on the matter, no formal proposal has been presented to him, and such charges are not part of … Read more
Unions representing health workers in the charity and voluntary sectors have reached a tentative agreement with government representatives to resolve a long-running pay dispute. The deal, finalized during extensive negotiations at the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC), includes a 9.25% pay increase to be implemented over a two-year period from October 2024 to October 2026. According … Read more
Approximately 7,000 homeowners across Ireland are currently being charged interest rates of at least 8.5% on their mortgages by vulture funds, according to a newly released Oireachtas paper. The document highlights the financial strain being placed on these households, who are paying significantly more than the standard variable rates typically offered by mainstream lenders. These … Read more
Large energy users would face significant risks if Ireland’s power grid were to come under attack, Tánaiste Simon Harris will warn a government taskforce today. Harris is chairing a meeting of the Government’s Taskforce on Emergency Planning where discussions will focus on Ireland’s preparedness and ability to respond to potential attacks on the national energy … Read more
Enterprise minister Peter Burke has announced the expansion of employment permits, aiming to tackle labour shortages in the construction and home care sectors in Ireland. An additional 1,000 home carers from outside the European Union will be allowed entry through general employment permits, while town planners will be added to the critical skills permit list. … Read more
A NEW SYSTEM of judicial selection is set to be implemented in Ireland this week, marking a significant change in how judges are appointed across the country. Following the approval of the Judicial Appointments Commission Bill by the Seanad in July, a nine-person Commission comprising both judges and laypersons will replace the former Judicial Appointments … Read more
THE IRISH NURSES and Midwives Organisation (INMO) and Fórsa are today serving formal notice of industrial action to the HSE and Section 38 voluntary hospitals amid an ongoing dispute over staffing levels. The industrial action will take the form of a work-to-rule, with healthcare workers set to refuse overtime and out-of-hours duties requested by management, … Read more
IRELAND’S LARGEST PRIVATE landlord is seeking to implement a €200 monthly surcharge for new tenants at one of its Dublin properties. Ires Reit plans to add the “common area” fee to monthly bills for prospective residents of The School Yard, a 61-apartment complex on North Circular Road in Drumcondra built in 2022. Despite the significant … Read more
A possible establishment of direct air service between Ireland and India is among the key actions being explored to improve connectivity between both nations, according to a report in Business Post. The proposal, part of a draft action plan, follows a meeting between India’s foreign minister, S Jaishankar, and Tánaiste Simon Harris in Dublin earlier … Read more
Ireland and India agreed to set up a Joint Economic Commission (JEC), following a bilateral meeting between S Jaishankar and Tanaiste Simon Harris earlier today in Dublin. The meeting assumed significance as it marked the first visit by an Indian Foreign Minister to Ireland and was the first high-level political visit from India since the … Read more
Ryanair has delayed plans to eliminate physical boarding passes, pushing back the transition to a fully paperless system by several months. The budget airline had originally intended to implement the change in May, ahead of the busy summer travel season. However, in a statement released this week, Ryanair announced the digital-only policy will now take … Read more
THIS WEEKEND WILL bring breezy and showery weather for much of the country, according to the latest forecast from Met Éireann. This morning will begin cloudy with patches of mist and fog developing in some areas. Eastern and southern parts of the country can expect drizzle throughout the morning hours. By afternoon, showers will move … Read more
A recent survey conducted by property website MyHome.ie has revealed that nearly 50% of Irish citizens believe that rent pressure zones (RPZ) should be abolished as part of the solution to the country’s persistent housing crisis. The findings come amid growing public frustration with the effectiveness of current housing policies, as Ireland continues to grapple … Read more