Ireland’s planned rollout of digital driving licences has been pushed back to later this year following accessibility concerns identified during pilot testing. The digital licence will be part of a broader “digital wallet” initiative that allows citizens to store official documents on their smartphones. The new system, which has received €20 million in funding for … Read more
Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin is set to reclaim the position of Taoiseach today as part of a carefully planned transition that will reshape Ireland’s government leadership and Cabinet composition. The day begins at 11 AM in Leinster House, where early proceedings are expected to be marked by controversy over speaking rights for the Regional … Read more
Global financial services firm BNY Mellon announced today it will close its Wexford office, affecting 310 employees, as part of the company’s real estate review. Only a small number of staff will be offered remote working opportunities, while others face potential relocation or redundancy. The closure marks a significant blow to Wexford, a town of … Read more
A controversy has erupted in the Dáil over the decision to allow four Regional Independent TDs to speak from opposition benches despite their involvement in drafting and supporting the new government’s programme. Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy’s ruling to temporarily grant opposition speaking rights to Michael Lowry, Danny Healy-Rae, Barry Heneghan, and Gillian Toole has sparked … Read more
A spectacular astronomical event is set to grace Irish skies from tonight, with four planets becoming visible to the naked eye in a rare alignment that will last until February 27. Saturn, Venus, Jupiter, and Mars will be visible stretching across the southern sky from west to east, according to Blackrock Castle Observatory’s resident astronomer … Read more
The path to Ireland’s new government reaches its final stage today as Fine Gael’s parliamentary party prepares to vote on the draft programme for government, following Fianna Fáil’s strong endorsement yesterday at their special Ard Fheis in Dublin. Fine Gael TDs and senators will cast their ballots between 11am and 12pm at Leinster House, with … Read more
Parentline, Ireland’s national helpline for parents, reports a concerning increase in calls from parents seeking guidance about their children accessing pornographic content online. The helpline has noted a rising trend of worried parents reaching out for support in handling situations where their children have been exposed to adult content. Adding to these concerns, parents are … Read more
Revolut has announced the introduction of a “buy now, pay later” (BNPL) service for its credit card customers, enabling them to repay purchases in fixed instalments. The feature allows Revolut cardholders to divide their repayments over three, six, nine, or 12 months, with interest rates set at 9.5 per cent (9.98 per cent APR). It … Read more
A new pilot scheme is set to transform rural transport in Ireland by introducing an app-based booking system for Local Link bus services, allowing residents to schedule pickups from their homes or local towns. The innovative service will operate similarly to popular taxi-hailing apps like FreeNow, bringing modern convenience to rural public transport. Under the … Read more
Ireland’s newly announced transport security force will likely operate with powers similar to airport police and customs officers, though exact details of their authority remain unclear, according to security sources. The incoming government’s plan, revealed in their draft Programme for Government, aims to create a specialized force under the National Transport Authority to enhance safety … Read more
International drug gangs have implemented a sophisticated new smuggling system along Ireland’s coast, with intelligence suggesting up to a tonne of drugs from a suspected ‘mothership’ off Kerry has already left the country. The complex operation uses a “cell structure” where separate teams operate independently, communicating only through encrypted channels with external controllers. The system, … Read more
Fuel prices in Ireland have risen for the third month in a row, adding financial pressure on motorists as crude oil costs climb to a six-month high. The ongoing increases reflect a challenging trend for drivers grappling with higher expenses at the pump. According to the January AA Ireland Fuel Survey, petrol prices rose by … Read more
Professional job openings in Ireland decreased significantly by 14.6% in the final quarter of 2024, as global economic uncertainties led companies, particularly multinationals, to adopt a more cautious approach to hiring. This was highlighted in the latest employment monitor released by recruitment agency Morgan McKinley, covering the period from October to December 2024. Despite the … Read more
The winter flu season continues to pose significant challenges for Ireland’s healthcare system, with officials reporting 56 flu-related deaths so far this winter amid “very high” infection levels throughout the country. The severe flu situation is compounding problems in Irish hospitals, which are already struggling with significant overcrowding issues. This combination of high flu transmission … Read more
Killarney National Park is facing significant challenges from invasive species, with experts and officials disagreeing over the effectiveness of current control measures despite quadrupled spending on management efforts. Key developments: NPWS spent over €4.3m on invasive species management nationwide (2020-2024) Rhododendron control spending in Killarney increased from €254k to €1.08m since 2017 286 deer culled … Read more