Fáilte Ireland reports 'challenging year' as tourist numbers drop

Fáilte Ireland reports ‘challenging year’ as tourist numbers drop

Ireland’s tourism sector has weathered a difficult 2023, with visitor numbers falling significantly short of expectations, according to a comprehensive review by Fáilte Ireland. The tourism authority’s ‘360-degree view’ reveals that only 24% of Irish tourism businesses reported higher customer numbers compared to the previous year, despite a 2-3% increase in registered accommodation capacity. The … Read more

Government decides to purchase new €53m jet as current learjet faces reliability issues

Government decides to purchase new €53m jet as current learjet faces reliability issues

The Government has confirmed plans to purchase a new ministerial jet at a cost of €53m excluding VAT, marking a significant increase from the initial €45m tender issued last year. The decision comes as a direct response to ongoing reliability issues with the current Government Learjet, which has experienced multiple mechanical failures and breakdowns in … Read more

Major housing boost for Blarney as Council approves 246-home development

Major housing boost for Blarney as Council approves 246-home development

Cork City Council has approved the construction of 246 new homes in Blarney, marking a significant step forward in addressing the region’s housing needs. The development, set to be built at Ringwood east of Blarney town centre, represents the first phase of a larger housing project. According to The Irish Examiner, the approved plans, submitted … Read more

Santa gets green light for Irish Christmas delivery, confirms Taoiseach

Santa gets green light for Irish Christmas delivery, confirms Taoiseach

Taoiseach Simon Harris has officially cleared Santa Claus for entry into Irish airspace this Christmas Eve, putting to rest concerns about potential holiday delays due to Storm Darragh’s impact on key ports. According to The Journal, In one of his first actions as head of the 34th Dáil, Harris signed the crucial authorization document at … Read more

Dublin Airport's 42-acre car park to reopen in March 2025

Dublin Airport’s 42-acre car park to reopen in March 2025

The 42-acre car park at Dublin Airport, inactive since 2020, will reopen on March 10, 2025. Managed by APCOA, Europe’s largest parking company, the facility will operate under the “Park2Travel” branding. This marks a significant addition to the airport’s parking capacity. The car park boasts over 6,100 spaces and is situated just 1.5 kilometers from … Read more

Verona Murphy elected as New Ceann Comhairle in Dáil Ballot

Verona Murphy elected as new Ceann Comhairle in Dáil ballot

Independent TD Verona Murphy has been elected as the new Ceann Comhairle of Dáil Éireann, securing 89 votes in a closely watched secret ballot during the first sitting of the 34th Dáil. The election, conducted using the PR-STV voting system, saw Murphy emerge victorious after a competitive race. Sinn Féin’s Aengus Ó Snodaigh came in … Read more

HSE warns of surge in respiratory illnesses over Christmas period

HSE warns of surge in respiratory illnesses over Christmas period

The Health Service Executive (HSE) is bracing for a challenging healthcare period as respiratory illness cases dramatically increase, with a combined total of nearly 2,000 Covid-19, RSV, and influenza cases reported in the past week. HSE CEO Bernard Gloster revealed that over 600 people were hospitalized last week due to Covid-19, flu, and RSV, placing … Read more

Simon Harris resigns as Taoiseach ahead of new Dáil sitting

Simon Harris resigns as Taoiseach ahead of new Dáil sitting

Taoiseach Simon Harris has formally resigned, marking a significant moment in Ireland’s political landscape as the 34th Dáil prepares to convene for its first sitting today. The day’s primary focus will be a crucial secret ballot to elect a new Ceann Comhairle, the parliamentarian responsible for chairing Dáil meetings and overseeing parliamentary business. The election … Read more

Christmas social welfare payments: What you need to know

Christmas social welfare payments: What you need to know

The Department of Social Protection has announced important changes to social welfare payments over the Christmas and New Year period, providing crucial information for recipients across Ireland. Payment schedules will see some modifications during the holiday season. Payments due on December 16 through 20 will be processed normally, while those scheduled for December 23 through … Read more

HSE launches first patient app in major digital health upgrade

HSE launches first patient app in major digital health upgrade

The Health Service Executive (HSE) is set to revolutionize patient care with the launch of its first-ever patient app, marking a significant step towards modernizing healthcare communication in Ireland. Initially, between 1,000 and 1,500 patients will trial the new digital platform, with a broader public release planned for early 2025. Damien McCallion, HSE’s chief technology … Read more

Central Bank warns of economic risks from potential Trump presidency

Central Bank warns of economic risks from potential Trump presidency

Ireland’s Central Bank has raised significant concerns about the potential economic implications of a Donald Trump return to the White House, highlighting the vulnerability of the country’s financial landscape to potential US trade and tax policy changes. Robert Kelly, the bank’s director of economics, warned that major alterations to US tax or trade arrangements could … Read more

Electric motorbike rider seriously injured in Limerick Road incident

Electric motorbike rider seriously injured in Limerick Road incident

A man in his 20s is in critical condition following a serious road traffic incident on the Kilmallock Road in Limerick city last night. According to The Journal, the collision occurred around 7:10pm, with the young man discovered with serious injuries while riding an electric motorbike. Emergency services responded quickly, initially taking the victim to … Read more

Demand for green skills in Ireland surges by over 22%: Report

Demand for green skills in Ireland surges by over 22%: Report

The demand for green skills in Ireland increased by 22.1 per cent last year, surpassing the global average of 11.6 per cent, according to new research. According to the latest Labour Market Pulse, published by IDA Ireland in collaboration with Microsoft and LinkedIn, Ireland experienced nearly double the global growth rate for green skills, with … Read more

Off-duty Garda suffers serious injuries in violent Dublin assault; suspects held

Off-duty Garda suffers serious injuries in violent Dublin assault; suspects held

An off-duty member of the Garda Armed Support Unit (ASU) suffered a fractured skull and a brain bleed following a violent assault in Dublin city centre over the weekend, The Irish Times reported. The attack also left a fellow off-duty garda with less serious injuries. Gardai have described the incident as unprovoked and are treating … Read more

Hospital overcrowding crisis: 612 patients on trolleys across Ireland

Hospital overcrowding crisis: 612 patients on trolleys across Ireland

A total of 612 patients are currently waiting on trolleys in emergency departments or hospital wards across the country, according to the latest figures from the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO). This marks the highest level of overcrowding since October 8, when 641 patients were recorded waiting for hospital beds. University Hospital Limerick (UHL) … Read more