Salary growth across a range of professional careers has slowed sharply across the Irish labour market, with median permanent salary movement ranging from a largely flat to 2% with increases tracking at or below inflation, recruitment firm Morgan McKinley has said. However, outside of these areas, salary growth has “effectively stalled”. Salary growth in this area has “largely plateaued”, with most permanent roles seeing increases of between zero and 2%. Salary growth across the sector has averaged 2%-3%. Salary growth in the legal, risk and compliance has cooled to modest levels as firms focus on retention through flexibility, culture and workload management rather than pay escalation.

The State’s competition authority has called on the Government to open up the taxi market, as new research shows a large number of people have experienced difficulty in getting taxis, particularly in more rural areas. The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) said its research highlighted a supply shortage in the taxi sector, as four in 10 people who tried to get a taxi in December reported difficulties doing so. The research found 53% of respondents surveyed tried to get a taxi in December 2025. When asked whether they would prefer a fixed fare or a metered fare, 60% of people said they would support a fixed fare option. Regulatory barriersChair of the CCPC Brian McHugh said regulatory barriers in the taxi market had “failed to facilitate innovations that have flourished in other countries, and consumers are suffering as result”.

Ireland U20 head coach Andrew Browne has made one personnel change and a couple of position switches to his team for Friday night's Six Nations clash with England. Munster's Billy Hayes comes into the team in place of Leinster second row Dylan McNeice. Hayes will play at openside flanker while Josh Neill moves to the blindside and Joe Finn switches to the second row. Leinster's Sean Walsh steps up to take a place on the bench. That was a 30-27 victory for Ireland at Virgin Media Park against the Italians as they recovered from the heavy opening round defeat to France.

A Canadian visitor to Cork City sleeping in a campervan at the Mardyke and a homeless man living in a tent nearby were both victims of robbery when they were set upon and robbed of their mobile phones and other property. The sentencing judge remarked that it must have been a terrifying experience for both of them, and even though one man was holidaying in a campervan and the homeless man was in a tent when the robberies were carried out, the crimes against them effectively occurred in their homes, albeit temporary ones.

The opposition have accused the Government of seeking to rush through new laws to reform Ireland’s asylum process, as TDs hit out at a prolonged Dáil debate. The International Protection Bill is a major reform to Ireland’s asylum laws, seeking to align State policy with that of the EU migration and asylum pact. Sinn Féin justice spokesperson Matt Carthy accused Mr O’Callaghan of rushing through the draft laws. Mr O'Callaghan rejected assertions that the laws were being rushed through the Oireachtas, citing “careful consideration” of the general scheme in pre-legislative scrutiny. Mr O’Callaghan said there would be discussion on all 267 amendments.

Johnny Sexton praised Jack Crowley’s performance off the bench against Italy but warned the Ireland fly-half he will have to perform to the same levels from minute one at Twickenham if he gets the number 10 jersey to face England. “I think the way he came on and attacked the game at the weekend was very impressive,” Sexton said of Crowley. I suppose it can be different from the start, you have to manage the game a bit more. I know he didn't have a lot of kicks (against Italy) and he missed a couple of bad ones. There’s a World Cup in 18 months’ time and do we need to have guys ready for that?

Judge brands man 'a bloody fool' after breaching suspended sentenceHe was told: 'You should pay the costs for your own stupidity'View Image Stephen Fraser admitted breaching the suspended sentence by possessing cannabis (Image: Hull Live)A drug user who was caught with cannabis – despite narrowly avoiding prison for crack cocaine dealing – has been told by a judge: "You are a bloody fool." ‌He had been given a two-year suspended prison sentence in March last year. Fraser, 37, of Baptist Place, Bridlington, admitted breaching the suspended sentence by possessing cannabis on December 11. Judge Gurdial Singh said that Fraser had been "a bloody idiot" to be in possession of drugs in breach of a suspended prison sentence. Article continues belowFraser had shown "sheer arrogance" to carry drugs when he faced having the suspended sentence activated.

‌Matthew Coward, 35, of Shantalla Drive, Santry, Co Dublin, was handed a three-year sentence in November 2023 after pleading guilty to sexual exploitation and producing child abuse materials. ‌The former Swim Ireland coach, who set up cameras at his poolside office in Dublin and recorded young girls over a year period, is set to walk free from Dublin’s Arbour Hill Prison tomorrow morning. ‌It’s believed he almost broke his hand after thumping a wall in the jail last Sunday as news of his release emerged. Judge Orla Crowe said at the time that Coward was in a position of dominance as a coach and that young children worshipped him. The once well-regarded swim coach gave her a specialist swimsuit that could take up to 20 minutes to try on.

Permanent move preferred by Rashford - The England international has expressed a strong desire to stay in Catalonia permanently rather than returning to Manchester United. While Barcelona hope to negotiate the £26 million purchase option even lower, Manchester United are reportedly standing firm on that price. Interim boss Michael Carrick, a former teammate of Rashford, is reportedly open to bringing the forward back into the fold. Manchester United remain in a strong position regardless, as his successful season in Spain has significantly restored his market value. Read the full stories: Man Utd chiefs REGRET Marcus Rashford deal and believe he is now worth £50m, Marcus Rashford makes final decision on Man Utd return after Michael Carrick lifeline and Michael Carrick wants Marcus Rashford BACK at Man Utd next season - but there's a catchEnsure our latest headlines always appear at the top of your Google Search by making us a Preferred Source.

‌Since then the ground has remained unstable and continues to deteriorate, leaving the locals of Llanthony Valley effectively stranded. ‌"We all pay council tax yet we have effectively been cut off with little warning, inadequate communication and no clear or safe plan to protect residents' welfare." Some residents now face journeys of up to 37 miles and a 90-minute detour to reach Abergavenny. "Monmouthshire County Council recognises the disruption this causes to local residents and is working to ensure public safety is maintained. We will continue to keep residents updated via a dedicated area on the council's website."

A53 Stoke-on-Trent delays as manhole 'collapses'It's been 'secured' but won't be fixed until the end of the weekView Image A lane has been shut (Image: Daily Post Wales)Motorists are being warned of delays after a manhole collapsed on the busy A53. ‌But it won't be getting fixed until the end of the week. A spokesperson for Stoke-on-Trent City Council said: "Due to a collapsed manhole cover, we have closed one lane of Etruria Road, Hanley – heading towards the Basford Bank direction. ‌"The area has been secured and a permanent fix will be completed towards the end of the week. ‌It comes at time the A53 is busy with motorists looking to access Festival Park from Festival Way - by the flyover.

Bukayo Saka limped from the field against Wolves, just days before the North London Derby against Tottenham. Image: Carl Recine/Getty Images) Carl Recine/Getty Images)"If Man City win all their games now on, they win the league. "You can't play in second gear. You can't play like that. If Arsenal play at a high tempo, Wolves can't live with them.

Andy Cook scores twice as Grimsby Town held to a draw against WalsallThe Mariners played half the match against ten men after the visitors' goalkeeper saw redView Image Grimsby Town's Andy Cook during the match against Walsall at Blundell Park (Image: Jon Corken)Andy Cook’s first two league goals for Grimsby Town in almost 12 years were not enough to see them through the victory as they drew 2-2 with 10-man Walsall at Blundell Park. ‌A red card for Walsall goalkeeper Myles Roberts for a wild challenge on Cook brought the Mariners into the game after they had fallen behind in the first half. Maldini Kacurri was back in for his second Town start, and Andy Cook continued his run of consecutive selections in the league as he was rotated back in for Jaze Kabia up top. Walker kept popping up in dangerous areas for Town, and he had another goalbound shot diverter wide by a last-gasp block as the game ticked into the final ten minutes. Town could not muster another convincing attack to regain the lead and had to settle for a draw, leaving them three points outside the play-offs.

Masters champion Rory McIlroy is heading back to Augusta next week but will first look to continue to "shake off the rust" at The Genesis Invitational. "I'm going to go up there and play with the chairman next week actually," said the world number two, whose previous return to Augusta was for some promotional work. But while next week's trip will be relatively informal in its nature, this week's second Signature Event of the season offers the chance to sharpen his competitive edge. The Riviera Country Club is a more forgiving course and the world number two is looking to take advantage. "I learned quite a bit about my game last week, played well for a lot of it.

Gordon Ramsay has shared a glimpse of the vast renovations he's made to his £7.5 million mansion in London after months of planning rows. Gordon and Tana were previously forced to vacate their home in 2022 while extensive renovations were made. He won permission to undertake extensive renovations to his London pad in 2021 and permission for steel gates was included at the time. As well as altering the entry and basement levels of his property, Gordon has also refurbished the second floor of his home and adding a new wall and garage. Gordon previously won planning permission to erect two super-trendy 'igloos' at his London home.