The hotel industry has privately expressed support for introducing a tourist tax in Ireland, provided the government demonstrates how the revenue will be used, according to Fine Gael TD James Geoghegan. Speaking about “off-the-record” briefings he has received from Dublin hotel operators, Geoghegan revealed that the accommodation sector is willing to implement a hotel room … Read more
Met Éireann has issued a status yellow fog warning for the majority of Ireland on Thursday morning, affecting visibility across Leinster, Cavan, Monaghan, and Munster until 9am. Road users are being advised to exercise caution due to poor visibility conditions during the morning commute, with the fog expected to be particularly persistent along southern and … Read more
Ireland’s universities have delivered their strongest ever performance in international league tables, with all eight institutions featuring among the global top 800 for the first time and seven showing improved rankings this year. The QS World University Rankings 2026 has recognized Ireland as the “most improved” country in Europe and second most improved globally, trailing … Read more
Naas in County Kildare has been named Ireland’s Best Kept Town, coming out on top in a competition that drew entries from all corners of the island. The town triumphed over strong contenders including Carrigaline in County Cork, Buncrana in County Donegal, and Derry. The announcement was made at a special ceremony held in Farmleigh … Read more
Ireland will require an additional 1,200 general practitioners to meet a projected 30% increase in demand for GP visits over the next 15 years, according to new research from the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI). The findings highlight a looming capacity crisis in primary healthcare as the country’s aging population and ongoing healthcare reforms … Read more
The Climate Change Advisory Council (CCAC) has urged the Government to introduce an additional €10,000 in grants for low-income households to support the purchase of electric vehicles. The recommendation particularly targets communities with limited access to public transport, where reliance on private vehicles remains high. In addition to increased grants, the CCAC is also calling … Read more
A team of archaeologists from Atlantic Technological University (ATU) has uncovered more than 1,000 historical artefacts during a three-week excavation at the Green Fort in Sligo town. The site, perched on Fort Hill, is a significant remnant of the town’s 17th Century defences and represents one of only 65 bastioned forts known across Ireland. The … Read more
A judicial review challenging plans to develop housing on the site of the former Central Mental Hospital will add approximately €30 million to the project’s overall cost, the Oireachtas housing committee has been told. John Coleman, chief executive of the Land Development Agency (LDA), informed TDs and senators that the legal challenge would result in … Read more
Ireland is experiencing a surge of warm weather this week, with temperatures expected to peak at 23 degrees on Friday as the jet stream draws heated air from continental Europe across the country. Met Éireann forecaster Mark Bowe explained that the pleasant conditions are being driven by atmospheric patterns that are pulling warm continental air … Read more
Ireland’s new opt-out system for organ donation has come into effect today under the Human Tissue Act 2024, fundamentally changing how the country approaches organ transplantation by presuming consent unless people actively choose to opt out. Under the new legislation, individuals who do not wish to be organ donors must now add their name to … Read more
The Irish State has sold its final shareholding in AIB, completing a 16-year journey that began with the bank’s rescue during the 2008 financial crisis and generating €305.3 million in the process. Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe announced the sale of the State’s remaining 2.06% stake at €6.94 per share through an accelerated bookbuild transaction, marking … Read more
The introduction of a second, targeted child benefit payment remains under consideration for Budget 2026 as the government explores options to address child poverty, Taoiseach Micheál Martin has confirmed. Speaking ahead of budget preparations, Martin said the government was examining “all options” for a second tier of child benefit payments that would specifically target families … Read more
Ireland’s largest trade union body has called on the government to abandon its “over-dependence” on corporation tax receipts, warning that the current economic model is unsustainable and leaves the country vulnerable to external shocks. The Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU), representing more than 800,000 workers across Ireland, made the appeal at the National Economic … Read more
Irish households purchased a record 93 million electronic devices in 2024, representing a dramatic surge in consumer appetite for electrical goods driven primarily by the popularity of vaping products and renewable energy installations. The figures, released by Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Ireland, show that electronic device sales have increased by 75% over the … Read more
Card transactions in Ireland reached a record high of just over 80 million in May, with Metallica ticket sales and favorable weather driving increased consumer spending across multiple sectors, according to AIB data. Overall spending increased 9% year-on-year and 2% month-on-month in May, with cumulative spending from January to May 2025 also up 9% compared … Read more