Independent senator Aubrey McCarthy has proposed that Ireland should approach Qatar about the possibility of receiving a complimentary government aircraft, following reports that the Gulf state plans to gift a $100 million plane to US president Donald Trump. Speaking in the Seanad, McCarthy suggested Ireland should “throw our diplomatic hat in the ring” for a … Read more
Tánaiste and Minister for Defence Simon Harris has committed to addressing recruitment and retention challenges in Ireland’s Defence Forces, describing it as one of his “most important priorities” during his address at PDForra’s annual conference. Harris revealed he had conducted “a very detailed and frank discussion” with his senior leadership team on Monday about strengthening … Read more
Irish teenagers are among the least happy in developed nations despite leading in academic achievement, according to a new UNICEF report examining child wellbeing across 43 OECD and EU countries. The study, which ranks Ireland 24th overall for adolescent mental health, reveals that one in three Irish teenagers experience “low life satisfaction” – a condition … Read more
Over half of septic tanks inspected by local authorities in Ireland last year failed to meet required standards, posing risks to both human health and the environment, according to a new Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) report. The EPA’s 2024 Domestic Waste Water Treatment System Inspections report revealed that 56% of the 1,390 inspected septic tanks … Read more
The Irish government has announced an extra €30 million in funding and an extension of the First Home Scheme (FHS) until 2027. The FHS is a shared-equity initiative aimed at helping eligible first-time buyers and other homebuyers bridge the gap between their deposit and mortgage and the cost of a new home. Under the scheme, … Read more
Ireland is set to enjoy a stretch of sunny weather over the next ten days, with above-average May temperatures, according to Met Éireann. Deputy Head Forecaster Elizabeth Coleman reported that parts of the west could see highs of up to 24°C today and possibly tomorrow. “We’ll continue that way really through the week, so lovely … Read more
American fast food giant Taco Bell is set to make its Irish debut this summer following a new agreement with service station operator Applegreen. The partnership will bring the Mexican-inspired chain to Ireland for the first time, with the initial restaurant scheduled to open in the coming months. While the exact location of the first … Read more
Ford is set to release new safety software within 10-15 days that will provide early warnings to 2,850 Irish motorists affected by a potential battery defect in Kuga plug-in hybrid vehicles. The automotive manufacturer issued an urgent recall in early March instructing owners not to charge their vehicle batteries due to a risk of short-circuiting … Read more
Education Minister Helen McEntee is bringing forward major changes to the Leaving Certificate examination system today, presenting the reform package to Cabinet. The plan will significantly alter how students are assessed, with 40 percent of marks in all subjects to be allocated to practical examinations and year-long projects rather than final written exams. The government … 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
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