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2 months ago | 
nova.ie | Dan Pitcher |Daniel Pitcher
Ireland is set to significantly enhance its maritime security, with the Defence Forces preparing to join a European intelligence-sharing alliance amid growing concerns over foreign surveillance activity in Irish waters. Tánaiste and Minister for Defence Simon Harris has instructed his department to fast-track the acquisition of advanced sonar and radar systems.
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2 months ago | 
nova.ie | Dan Pitcher |Daniel Pitcher
Plans to introduce a long-awaited national register for short-term lets such as Airbnb have been delayed following a Cabinet row over late-stage amendments linked to planning law. According to the Irish Independent, Enterprise and Tourism Minister Peter Burke had been due to present the Fáilte Ireland-managed register to ministers at Tuesday’s Cabinet meeting, but the item was pulled from the agenda at the last minute.
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2 months ago | 
nova.ie | Dan Pitcher |Daniel Pitcher
HIQA has published a damning report into the use of unauthorised springs in spinal surgeries at Temple Street Children’s Hospital. The health watchdog says the use of the unregulated devices should not have happened, and children were not protected from the risk of harm. This investigation was commissioned by the then-Health Minister 18 months ago, after it emerged non-CE marked metal springs were implanted in three children with the intention to treat scoliosis.
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2 months ago | 
nova.ie | Dan Pitcher |Daniel Pitcher
The system used for the assessment of children with complex needs is failing and in urgent need of reform, according to Children and Disabilities Minister Norma Foley. Speaking to the Irish Independent, Minister Foley said the current Assessment of Need (AON) process is “not serving anyone” and must be completely “reimagined”.
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2 months ago | 
nova.ie | Dan Pitcher |Daniel Pitcher
Forestry staff are keeping a close watch on the aftermath of a large forest fire that broke out in County Wicklow last night. The blaze began around 8pm in Djouce Woodlands, with fire crews from Bray and Greystones responding to the scene. The fire spread quickly through dense tree growth and embankments in the area. Coillte staff worked alongside the fire brigade, and the fire was finally brought under control in the early hours of this morning.
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2 months ago | 
nova.ie | Dan Pitcher |Daniel Pitcher
Ireland’s economy is set to feel the strain following US President Donald Trump’s newly announced tariffs, which is set to include levies on pharmaceutical exports—a sector that forms a cornerstone of Irish trade. The move has sparked concern among government officials, business leaders, and workers, as Ireland is one of the world’s largest suppliers of medicine to the US. The pharmaceutical industry accounts for billions in exports annually and employs Thousands of people across the country.
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2 months ago | 
nova.ie | Dan Pitcher |Daniel Pitcher
The Irish Road Haulage Association (IRHA) has raised concerns about an increase in dangerous driving behaviours on Irish roads, calling for enhanced enforcement measures and legislative changes to improve road safety. The association reports that since the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a noticeable uptick in reckless driving, including speeding, impaired driving, and mobile phone use behind the wheel. Recent statistics support that.
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2 months ago | 
nova.ie | Dan Pitcher |Daniel Pitcher
A new report has revealed that people of African descent and Brazilians in Ireland face widespread racial profiling and discriminatory policing, leading to a deep lack of trust in An Garda Síochána. The study, conducted by the Irish Network Against Racism (INAR) and commissioned by the Policing Authority, documents disturbing accounts of wrongful arrests, aggressive stop-and-search practices, and other incidents that have had long-lasting impacts on the affected communities.
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Mar 28, 2025 | 
nova.ie | Dan Pitcher |Daniel Pitcher
The cost of a second-hand home in Dublin rose by 1.9% in the first three months of the year, bringing the average price to just under €600,000—an increase of more than €50,000 since March 2024. New figures from DNG show that annual house price inflation in the capital remains at 9.6%, with south Dublin seeing the sharpest rise at 10.9%, followed by north Dublin at 8.6% and west Dublin at 7.8%.
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Mar 27, 2025 | 
nova.ie | Dan Pitcher |Daniel Pitcher
The Department of Justice has announced a significant acceleration in the processing of asylum applications in Ireland, committing to a much faster turnaround under newly submitted plans to implement the EU Migration and Asylum Pact. At the moment, individuals seeking asylum in Ireland can wait up to 29 months before receiving a final decision on their application for international protection. This extended timeframe includes the period between an initial rejection and the outcome of an appeal.
