News | Latest Breaking News Stories & Headlines

James Browne came up with a politically ham-fisted plan

Coalition botches top role as it grapples with housing

Minister for Housing James Browne faces a monumental task, after a dreadful year for housing in 2024, when the Government missed its target for residential construction.

Business • 03 May

EU trade chief Maroš Šefčovič is viewed as a safe pair of hands as he is one of the longest-serving EU commissioners, taking on different portfolios since 2009

EU's 'Mr Fix-It' Maroš Šefčovič takes on biggest task

Dubbed "Mr Fix-It" in Brussels for handling the thorny task of Brexit, EU trade chief Maroš Šefčovič is no stranger to a challenge, but negotiating with the United States to avert a trade war might just be his biggest yet.

Europe • 04 Apr

Firefighters continue battling Palisades fire as flames rage across Los Angeles, California (Official Flickr account of Cal fire)

Wind, warmth and drought fuelled LA fires, scientists say

Scientists say the wind-whipped wildfires impacting the arid Los Angeles landscape mark the latest in climate-fuelled weather extremes that are likely to escalate further as global temperatures continue to climb.

US • 09 Jan

In 1980, Ronald Reagan asked the US public: 'Are you better off today than you were four years ago?'

Sinn Féin focus on cost of living with US election query

"Do you feel better off than you did five years ago?," Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald asked at her party's manifesto launch - a question posed previously by US presidents Ronald Reagan and Donald Trump.

Election 24 • 19 Nov 24

The families of the victims were given a standing ovation when proceedings began

Overdue apology an important moment for Stardust families

Taoiseach Simon Harris dispensed with any preamble and got straight to the point of his Dáil speech, an overdue State apology. A moment the Stardust families had already waited 43 years to receive, writes Paul Cunningham.

Comment and Analysis • 23 Apr 24

Simon Harris was elected in the Dáil by 88 votes to 69

Harris avoids making enemies with limited reshuffle

Within three short weeks, Simon Harris went from a position of relative calm, a hiding in plain sight minister in a department with little controversy, to holding the top job.

Comment and Analysis • 10 Apr 24

Grace O'Malley-Kumar, Barnaby Webber and Ian Coates were killed in the attacks last year

Calocane case puts manslaughter pleas into focus

The issue of accepting manslaughter pleas in homicide cases is often difficult. This was put into focus after the announcement by prosecutors that manslaughter pleas had been accepted from Valdo Calocane for the Nottingham attacks this week.

Comment and Analysis • 27 Jan 24

Ministers Michael McGrath and Paschal Donohoe

How two Budget announcements could have lasting impact

Robert Shortt analyses how two moves delivered in Budget 2024 may have a long-lasting legacy

Ireland • 11 Oct 23

ChatGPT is an artificial intelligence programme that generates text in a way that simulates human conversation

ChatGPT: Revolutionising education, but at what cost?

This week a most unusual guest joined first-year students at Boherbue Comprehensive school in north Cork during history class.

Education • 25 Mar 23

Customers are returning online purchases at a higher rate than before - which is costing businesses, and the environment

Return to Sender: The costs of sending clothes back

Customers are sending more of their online purchases back, prompting some retailers to stop covering the cost of returns. Adam Maguire looks at why returns are up, and what rights you have when buying online.

Business • 19 Jun 22

Comment and Analysis