This year, 349 graduates from Irish medical schools applied for 350 GP training places but 161 of them were not accepted, internal data from the Irish College of GPs shows. However, the Irish College of GPs defended the figures, saying graduates from Irish medical schools were three times more likely to get a training place than applicants from schools outside the EU. The figures, seen by the Irish Examiner, do not relate to nationality with some colleges abroad having Irish students among their graduates and Irish colleges having international students among their graduates. There were 1,311 applicants including graduates of medical colleges in Ireland, Britain, across the EU, and outside the EU. “There are no concerns about graduates from Irish medical schools,” Dr Cullen said.
Source:Irish Examiner
June 19, 2024 15:16 UTC
Ian McKellen ‘looking forward to returning to work’ after falling off stageBy Naomi Clarke, PA Senior Entertainment ReporterIan McKellen has said he is “looking forward to returning to work” as he thanked the healthcare staff who cared for him after he fell from a London stage earlier this week. “I want to thank everyone for their kind messages and support,” McKellan said in the statement posted to X, formerly Twitter. In a statement posted to X, the show added: “We are delighted that Ian is recovering well, and look forward to him returning to the production as soon as he is ready. On the stage he has played a number of Shakespearean characters including Richard II, Macbeth, Coriolanus, and King Lear. His many acting credits have led to a number of accolades over the years including several Olivier Awards.
Source:Irish Independent
June 19, 2024 15:05 UTC
The board of British consultancy firm Alpha FMC will recommend a £578million private equity takeover proposal should a formal offer materialise. FTSE 250-listed Alpha FMC said on Thursday it received the non-binding 505p per-share takeover proposal from private equity giant Bridgepoint in May. Under City rules, Bridgepoint has until 5pm on 20 June to make a formal offer or walk away. Alpha FMC said: 'There can be no certainty that any firm offer will be made for Alpha FMC. Alpha FMC competes with the consulting arms of the big four accountancy firms, as well as businesses like Accenture and IBM.
Source:Daily Mail
June 19, 2024 14:46 UTC
Over €12m grants for tourism projects in Athlone regionThe Athlone region is one of the big winners from a €32m grant allocation to projects under Fáilte Ireland’s EU Just Transition Regenerative Tourism and Placemaking Scheme announced this morning. Overall, 22 projects to receive €27.1million investment grant-aid in first round of investment approval, while 85 tourism businesses will participate in a €5.5million Digital Transformation Programme. The EU Just Transition Fund Regenerative Tourism and Placemaking Scheme 2023-2026 is co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the EU. The 22 projects approved for €27.1million investment under the scheme include walking and cycling trails on former industrial peatlands, and investment in local authority and State agency tourism and visitor experience projects. Further projects that are still in the evaluation pipeline are expected to be announced in the coming weeks and months.
Source:Irish Independent
June 19, 2024 14:35 UTC
Trolley Watch: 507 patients waiting for hospital bedsJames CoxA total of 506 admitted patients are waiting for beds this morning, according to today’s Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) Trolley Watch. Three hundred and seventy patients are waiting in the emergency department, while 136 are in wards elsewhere in the hospital. The most overcrowded hospital is University Hospital Limerick, where there are 89 patients waiting for beds. After this the most overcrowded hospitals are University Hospital Galway (60 patients), Cork University Hospital (51 patients), Letterkenny University Hospital (36 patients) and St James's Hospital (31 patients). The hospital with the most patients waiting for a bed in the emergency department was Cork University Hospital (45 patients), followed by University Hospital Galway (42 patients) and University Hospital Limerick (39 patients).
Source:Irish Independent
June 19, 2024 14:03 UTC
Angela Kerins was asked to appear before the Dáil’s Public Accounts Committee regarding State payments to Rehab. Photograph: Cyril ByrneOn February 17th, 2014, news outlets widely reported that Rehab Group CEO, Angela Kerins, earned a €240,000 salary, which headlines noted was €54,650 more than the taoiseach. READ MOREIn 2019, the Supreme Court declared that the PAC acted unlawfully by venturing significantly outside its remit. Not only did Mr Justice Alexander Owens feel he could not entertain her application for Dáil documents, but he believed her damages claim was “not maintainable”. Rejecting her appeal of this ruling, the Supreme Court said it could not untangle her claim from the words uttered.
Source:The Irish Times
June 19, 2024 12:48 UTC
By David Young, PABritish government spending rules must be changed to free up funding to tackle climate change, the Alliance Party has said. Reform of fiscal rules to allow for investment in a green new deal is one of the key policy objectives outlined in Alliance’s manifesto. The party will also call for the British government to commit more funding to integrated education in the North when it unveils its manifesto – Leading Change – on Thursday. “Alliance is already leading change in a number of areas, including better health outcomes, making communities safer, expanding integrated education and delivering affordable childcare. “We are also working to combat climate change, promote a greener and cleaner environment, and create a dynamic and vibrant economy.
Source:The Herald
June 19, 2024 11:55 UTC
My Bloody Valentine’s Loveless came out on top, closely followed by U2’s Achtung Baby and Van Morrison’s Astral Weeks. Many readers had the same response: do the same for Irish songs. Sorry Morrissey, Paul McCartney, Kate Bush… Songs from international bands featuring an Irish musician were permitted. He collaborated with the great American tunesmith Jimmy Webb on a number of songs, most notably on this extraordinary seven-minute epic. — AC45 Gemma Dunleavy, Up De Flats (2020)A contemporary Irish pop song filtered through an artist’s distinct lens, Gemma Dunleavy’s debut single is a breath of fresh air.
Source:Irish Independent
June 19, 2024 07:53 UTC
Ireland has halted Meta’s AI juggernaut... but for how long? The Data Protection Commissioner has forced Facebook’s parent company to “pause” its artificial intelligence plans over privacy concerns, as the company appeared to be absorbing users’ comments, videos and photos into its AI systemMeta CEO Mark Zuckerberg. Photo: Niall Carson/PAAdrian Weckler Today at 03:30Ireland could put the brakes on the runaway train that is AI.
Source:Irish Independent
June 19, 2024 07:27 UTC
Ulster Canal restoration a symbol of peace and reconciliation, Taoiseach saysBy David Young, PAThe restoration of the Ulster Canal is symbolic of peace and reconciliation on the island of Ireland, the Taoiseach has said. The Ulster Canal, which runs through counties Armagh, Fermanagh, Tyrone, Cavan and Monaghan, was built in the 19th century but was abandoned in the early 1930s. “The restoration of the Ulster Canal demonstrates the huge focus that the Irish Government places on investing in large-scale, cross-border projects. “The Ulster Canal restoration project embodies what Shared Island is all about – communities working together for the betterment of the island for everyone who calls it home. “The restoration of the Ulster Canal reconnects the region with its rich heritage, while also developing a modern tourism amenity for all to enjoy.
Source:Irish Independent
June 19, 2024 05:41 UTC
Weather Alert...AIR QUALITY ALERT IN EFFECT FROM MIDNIGHT WEDNESDAY NIGHT TO MIDNIGHT EDT THURSDAY NIGHT... The officials at the Indiana Department of Environmental Management have declared an Air Quality Action Day, IN EFFECT FROM MIDNIGHT WEDNESDAY NIGHT TO MIDNIGHT EDT THURSDAY NIGHT. An Air Quality Action Day for Ozone has been issued. Here are some recommended actions that the public can take: * Walk, bike, carpool or use public transportation. * Conserve energy by turning off lights or setting the air conditioner to 75 degrees or above.
Source:The Herald
June 19, 2024 01:12 UTC
A protest has taken place at the Dáil over the treatment of horses at the country’s only equine slaughterhouse. Organisers of the rally, Martina Kenny from My Lovely Horse and singer Cathy Davey, joined supporters at the Dáil. Ms Kenny told the Irish Examiner they want “transparency” for all the horses that have gone through Shannonside Foods. Up to 100 people joined the charity My Lovely Horse at Leinster House in Dublin on Tuesday. A protest was also held outside the grounds of Shannonside Foods by My Lovely Horse volunteers and supporters on Saturday.
Source:Irish Examiner
June 18, 2024 22:42 UTC
Scooter Braun has announced his retirement from talent management after 23 years. Braun said he has stepped back to focus on his role as a father, as well as chief executive of Hybe America, which acquired Braun’s company Ithaca Holdings in 2021. Talent manager Scooter Braun, Justin Bieber, Ed Sheeran and Big Narstie (Yui Mok/PA)“We had been through so much together over the last decade, but instead of being hurt I saw it as a sign.”Braun did not outline who this client was. Following the announcement, Swift took to Tumblr to share her response to the news with her fans, writing "I learned about Scooter Braun’s purchase of my masters as it was announced to the world. "Scooter has stripped me of my life’s work, that I wasn’t given an opportunity to buy."
Source:Irish Examiner
June 18, 2024 22:18 UTC
First-choice number nine Gibson-Park is ruled out by a hamstring injury, while Leinster team-mate Conan is unavailable due to personal reasons. Our Summer Tour squad for South Africa! Skipper O’Mahony said: “I am proud to be asked to lead Ireland in South Africa, a country which provides one of the toughest challenges in world rugby. “As reigning world champions, South Africa will provide the sternest of tests and we know that we will have to perform at a high level to get the results we want. Forwards: R Baird (Leinster), F Bealham (Connacht), T Beirne (Munster), C Doris (Leinster), T Furlong (Leinster), C Healy (Leinster), R Herring (Ulster), C Izuchukwu (Ulster), O Jager (Munster), R Kelleher (Leinster), J McCarthy (Leinster), P O’Mahony (Munster, capt), T O’Toole (Ulster), A Porter (Leinster), C Prendergast (Connacht), J Ryan (Leinster), D Sheehan (Leinster), N Timoney (Ulster), J van der Flier (Leinster).
Source:The Herald
June 18, 2024 22:04 UTC