By the time you contacted me, you had spent hours on the phone over several days being passed between Direct Line departments (often getting cut off and having to start from scratch). I felt this wasn’t fair, and neither did you, so I asked Direct Line to investigate. After several weeks of cajoling by both you and me and on combing through your complaint, Direct Line eventually agreed that the information in the document was ‘confusing’ and that you had received poor service. In fact, you told me you have already taken out a more expensive version of your foreign usage cover (still with Direct Line) for future trips to France. Direct Line’s customer service says it will provide feedback to its motor cover business to help it improve its confusing cover document.

Sir, – As a cyclist commuter, I want to offer an opinion on Eamon Ryan’s ideas of cycling being the main form of transport for Irish people in the near future. Cycling is the most efficient way for me to get to work from a time, money and environmental perspective. I’m 34, enjoy cycling, have a dedicated cycle path for 80 per cent of my journey, don’t have a physical job, I only have to be in the office two to three days a week of my choosing, and my office has secure bike storage and shower facilities. It is only because of these very specific set of circumstances that cycling is a viable option for me, and for many others it is not and will not be a viable option given the Irish weather, low-density city layout and road network. Dublin city centre businesses are struggling already; Dublin needs to be opened up, not closed down.

Photo: National Children's Hospital. Final bill for children's hospital to reach almost €2.25 billionThe Government has today approved an increased capital and current budget for the New Children’s Hospital (NCH) project, bringing the total approved budget to €2.24 billion (previously approved budget was €1.73 billion). Speaking following the Government decision Minister Donnelly said:“We all want to see this hospital open as soon as possible. Today’s approval by Cabinet to increase the capital and current budget sanctions for the New Children’s Hospital project will assist in achieving the opening of what will be a world-class hospital. Cabinet approval also includes an increase to the non-recurrent funding of the Children’s Hospital Programme.

RTÉ releases updated version of Toy Show The Musical report with names revealedBy Gráinne Ní Aodha and Cillian Sherlock, PAThe anonymity given to most RTÉ executives and board members in an independent report on Toy Show The Musical has been lifted following calls for accountability. The report into the musical, which recorded a €2.2 million loss after a single season in 2022, found that the proposal had required board approval – but it was not sought or provided. Grant Thornton, who compiled the report into the musical, did not publish any names and referred to those interviewed in the report as ‘Person 1’ through to ‘Person 26’. “Grant Thornton subsequently contacted each individual included in the report to ask if they would consent to their anonymity being removed,” it said. Twenty of those who were interviewed agreed to their names being included in the report.

The HSE and the public health service have been notified of two confirmed cases and one probable case of meningococcal illness at Abbey Community College in Boyle. Principal David Harding told the Roscommon Herald “We are working with the HSE on the best approach to the situation. The most important thing is the recovery and health of the individual students and their privacy. “The school is working with public health on the management of the issue and we will be guided by them. It is also hoped by doing so it will treat any cases that might be slow to emerge.

Bohemians have called on the Government to “rapidly allocate funding” for Dalymount Park as the longer a pile of rubble remains around the Jodi and Mono stands, the more expensive the project will cost. Planning permission has been granted by Dublin City Council (DCC), the proprietor of the iconic ground, but demolition and rebuilding an 8,034 capacity stadium in Phibsborough cannot begin until the central funds are released to cover at least 70 per cent of overall costs. READ MOREBohs, as anchor tenants, will not contribute financially to the Dalymount project so local and national government must cover the spiralling costs. Photograph: Dublin City CouncilDalymount’s current planning permission is believed to be non-appealable to An Bord Pleanála so the focus switches to a tender for construction, the LSSIF releasing money and work beginning in early 2025. Planning permission includes reorientation of the pitch to a north-south axis, new stands on the east and west side with terraces behind either goal.

Alice and Jack - perfect for Valentine’s DayTV WEEK (Wednesday 14th to Tuesday 20th)TOP SPECIALSAlice and Jack (CH4, Wednesday 14th, 9pm)Perfect for this Valentine’s Day, Andrea Riseborough and Domhnall Gleeson play a pair of young lovers bound by a connection so powerful it seems nothing can break it. My Uni Life (RTÉ 1, Friday 16th, 8pm)The new season kicks off on Freshers Week at UCC, where we meet final year student Thérèse, who is already in rehearsals for the choral society’s Christmas concert. Ready, Set, Love (Netflix)This Thai series explores a world where women significantly outnumber men, who are considered ‘national treasures’. The New Look (Apple TV)A new 10-part historical drama series starring Ben Mendelsohn as Christian Dior and Juliette Binoche as Coco Chanel. It chronicles their lives as trend setters in fashion design, set against the World War II Nazi occupation of Paris.

Presenter of Love in the Country, Anna Geary. Hit RTÉ 2 dating show on the hunt for rural-based singletons for new seriesReal People, real lives and real romance. 'Love in the Country' sees six rural-based singletons take the bull by the horns in their search for love. For many, the inspiration to actually make that dream a reality, is meeting someone special and falling in love. Kite Entertainment is now casting for the second series of this hit show, and the makers of the RTÉ show is on the lookout for single men and women who find themselves distanced from the urban dating scene.

Pictured Dr Paul Liston, Lecturer in Business engrossed in the Postgraduate Research Impact display, hosted on the TUS Athlone Campus, Main Building. TUS highlights impact of its research projectsThis week, Technological University of the Shannon (TUS) is spotlighting the significant impact of its research and innovation projects, both regionally and beyond. Now in its second year, the ethos of TUS Research Week is to highlight the A-Z of research activities taking place across its campuses in Athlone, Moylish, Clare St, Clonmel, Thurles and Ennis. Vice President for Research, Development and Innovation Dr Liam Brown said: "Research Week serves as a cornerstone of the academic calendar at TUS. It provides an unparalleled opportunity for staff, students and the public to delve into the impact of TUS research.

The median venture growth deal value declined 17.4% in the three months to end September compared to the same period 2022, according to data from PitchBook, while median valuations slumped by 26.1%. The proportion of ‘down rounds’, in which a firm accepts investment on worse terms than in previous funding rounds, increased to 21.3% from 14.8%. Since the start of 2023, scores of tech firms from food delivery business Gousto to fintech giant Revolut have seen their valuations cut by investors.

Alarm was sparked last summer when the huge freshwater lake in the centre of Northern Ireland was beset by noxious blooms of blue green algae. Algae on the surface of Lough Neagh at Ballyronan Marina last September. A cross departmental water quality steering group is currently drafting recommendations to tackle blue green algae in Lough Neagh. He said he visited Lough Neagh with his first few days in office, and has made a commitment to go back regularly. “In the next few weeks I will bring to the Executive a new environment strategy which I will propose is adopted as Northern Ireland’s first environmental improvement plan,” he said.

O’Reilly appealed the first notification he got to say his account was suspended immediately. The author’s account had over 100,000 followers and was around 14 years old, he said. So I do think it is quite noteworthy and quite surreal, to be honest.”READ MOREO’Reilly appealed the first notification he got to say his account was suspended immediately. The suspension cited platform manipulation and spam as its reasoning, which he wrote in his appeal that he had nothing to do with. O’Reilly has a Saturday column in the Irish Examiner, and formerly had a column with The Irish Times.

When does 'American Idol' start?Season 22 premiere date, how to watch, judges and moreWhen does 'Love Is Blind' Season 6 premiere? 'Love is Blind' Season 6 episode scheduleNetflix will not be dropping all 12 episodes of "Love is Blind" Season 6 on Feb. 14. Here's what the episode schedule looks like:Episodes 1-6: Feb. 14Episodes 7-9: Feb. 21Episodes 10-11: Feb. 28Episode 12 (finale): Mar. 6Where does 'Love Is Blind' Season 6 take place? 'Love is Blind' Season 6 castSeason 6 of "Love is Blind" has an exciting new "pod squad" with 30 eligible singles aged between 25 and 37.

Garda Stations in Dublin need mobility plans to help tackle chaotic parking outside stations according to Dublin MEP Ciarán Cuffe (Green Party). Cuffe said: “That’s a lot of cars parked outside Pearse Street Garda Station. Time for a Garda transport and mobility plan?”Cuffe told this website: “I took the video January 5th, 2024. That's a lot of cars parked outside Pearse Street Garda Station. "A number of Gardaí … in fact do walk and cycle or where necessary use public transport."

Speaking exclusively to The Herald about his new role, Mr Currie said: “I think it is very exciting. But I guess what got my attention with Ardgowan was the aspiration and scale and quality that they are looking for. Mr Currie said it is unlikely that Ardgowan will launch a three-year-old spirit, as other new distillers have. Asked to describe the style of whisky Ardgowan will ultimately produce, Mr Currie replied: “It is going to be sherry-led, if not sherry-exclusive. Mr Currie said: “I really do feel strongly about that.