‘No plans’ for reduction of corporation tax in Northern Ireland – Murphy
There had previously been calls to cut the corporation tax rate in Northern Ireland in the hope of becoming more competitive as a place to invest. As part of the Government’s recent Safeguarding the Union command paper, there is a commitment to work urgently to devolve corporation tax powers to Stormont. File pic of People Before Profit MLA Gerry Carroll (PA)People Before Profit MLA Gerry Carroll questioned Mr Murphy on his view on cutting corporation tax at the Assembly on Monday. Mr Murphy responded telling MLAs that it is “not something we’re rushing into”. Many workers and their families are denied a decent standard of living,” Mr Murphy told MLAs.
Source:The Herald
February 19, 2024 17:49 UTC
Mobile phones analysis following deleted WhatsApp messages ‘ongoing’ – O’Neill
Analysis of mobile devices used by former Stormont ministers and special advisers during the coronavirus pandemic over the deletion of messages is ongoing, Michelle O’Neill has said. It emerged at the UK Covid-19 Inquiry in London in December that some WhatsApp messages during the pandemic appear to be lost after government-issued electronic devices were wiped. Asked about the matter during her first First Minister’s questions at Stormont, Ms O’Neill said an investigation into the matter is ongoing. “The group head of NICS internal audit service was commissioned to undertake a fact-finding investigation into how some mobile devices returned by ministers and spads came to be reset. “The analysis of devices is ongoing and the Covid inquiry will be advised of the final outcome of that exercise.”
Source:Irish Examiner
February 19, 2024 17:09 UTC
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‘After Eircom I decided I should stay away from things I know nothing about’
The only shares I ever bought were Eircom and we all know what happened there. After that, I decided I should probably stay away from things I know nothing about. My dad and most of his family follow racing, and he always cautioned against throwing money at something you know nothing about. I think online betting has changed everything and made gambling far more dangerous. It’s never been my main motivating force, and I know that I’m fortunate to have two jobs that I love – broadcasting and writing.
Source:The Irish Times
February 19, 2024 16:28 UTC
Daily Mail faces £100K claim from Labour donor pictured next to ‘sex harassment’ headline
Green energy industrialist Dale Vince was “seriously defamed” by a Daily Mail article which he claims falsely suggested he was the subject of sexual harassment allegations. Mr Vince is suing the paper’s publisher, Associated Newspapers Limited (ANL), after the article headlined “Labour repays £100,000 to ‘sex harassment’ donor” was printed in June last year. The story reported that the Labour Party was handing back money to donor Davide Serra, who has been accused of sexual harassment, while also referencing fellow donor Mr Vince. Future Of Media USA Our weekly does of strategic insight about the future of news media aimed at US readers. The online version was amended 74 minutes after publication to change the picture of Mr Vince to one of Mr Serra, and the headline was then changed the next day to match the printed version.
Source:Daily Mail
February 19, 2024 16:28 UTC
TUS on top of the world as it achieves five-star rating
Pictured at TUS Moylish Campus Limerick celebrating the news of the QS* 5 Star University rating were, President of TUS Professor Vincent Cunnane with TUS Students, Shashank Chopra, Weronika Urbanik, Lucy Smyth, Oluwadamilola Dorcas Akinsola and Justin Dillon-McKnight. Picture: Alan PlaceTUS on top of the world as it achieves five-star ratingTechnological University of the Shannon (TUS) is now a QS 5 Star university, having achieved the highest possible number of stars to become one of the top-rated universities in the world. Today’s announcement revealed TUS has received maximum stars in all categories assessed, and is also Ireland’s first-ever university to receive 5 Stars in the Arts and Culture category. The performance of such institutions is considered as “Excellent” in the QS Stars rating system”. The QS university rating system is considered one of the most influential and credible ratings for universities internationally, as ratings are entirely based upon an institution’s performance.
Source:Irish Independent
February 19, 2024 15:44 UTC
REGARI Wellness Workshops being rolled out
REGARI (Roscommon East Galway Advancing Recovery in Ireland) is a HSE based initiative. Some examples of workshops include ‘Developing our Self-Compassion’, ‘Strategies for Managing Anxiety’, ‘Managing Setbacks’ and ‘Trauma and Healing’. All modules developed at REGARI Recovery College are co- produced by people who use the mental health services, their supporters, health professionals and by anyone with an interest in mental health and wellbeing. One person who attended workshops in the past said “REGARI Recovery College has helped me to develop an awareness of mental health difficulties. Peer educator Amanda Hunt from the recovery college said “REGARI is a lovely space to meet up and connect with others in a warm and friendly environment.
Source:The Herald
February 19, 2024 14:27 UTC
Damage to bilingual signs in Tyrone village probed as sectarian hate crime
Damage to bilingual signs in Tyrone village probed as sectarian hate crimeBy Rebecca Black, PAPolice are investigating after a number of bilingual signs in a Co Tyrone village have been damaged in recent weeks. It is being investigated as sectarian hate crime. In the latest incident, police received a report of criminal damage to a street sign in the Radergan Road in Beragh last Thursday. A police spokesperson said this is “just one of a number of reports” that dual language signs in the Moylagh and Radergan road areas have been damaged in the last fortnight. “We are investigating this as a sectarian hate crime and are appealing to anyone who may have any information or anyone with CCTV or other footage that could assist with inquiries to contact police on 101 quoting reference number 795 15/02/24,” they said.
Source:Irish Independent
February 19, 2024 14:19 UTC
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Legal body criticises ‘sexist’ amendment on carers
The Free Legal Advice Centres has expressed concern the likely legal consequences and benefits to diverse families of the proposed amendment 'have not been explained adequately to date'. Photograph: Dara Mac DónaillA legal analysis carried out by the Free Legal Advice Centres (Flac) concerning next month’s referendum proposals has led to it supporting the proposed “family” amendment to the Constitution but not the “ineffective” and “implicitly sexist” amendment on carers. The care amendment is unlikely to provide carers, people with disabilities or older people with new enforceable rights or improved services from the State, Flac said. The proposed care amendment involves replacing language in article 41 around “duties” of women in the home with language providing the State will “strive to” support care within families. In relation to the “care” amendment, Flac said it was “highly regrettable” voters did not have the choice to simply delete the so-called “women in the home” provision “which is ineffective, sexist and offensive”.
Source:The Irish Times
February 19, 2024 13:53 UTC
Sports Quiz: A move for Mbappé?
Sports Quiz: A move for Mbappé? Michael BoltonThe Airtricity League of Ireland got underway on Friday night, while the Champions League has entered the last 16 as the chase for silverware heats up. Take our quiz to see how closely you are following the top sporting action at home and further afield...
Source:Irish Independent
February 19, 2024 11:45 UTC
25% jump in passenger numbers on town bus service since it went electric
An electric bus on Athlone's Town Bridge. 25% jump in passenger numbers on town bus serviceAs Ireland's first all-electric town bus service celebrates its first anniversary in Athlone, Bus Éireann has revealed there has been a 25% jump in passenger numbers since the launch. During the first year of service, eleven state-of-the-art zero-emission electric buses completed over 530,000 emission-free kilometres. Stephen Kent, Chief Executive Officer, Bus Éireann said: “We are delighted to mark this milestone of the Athlone service. The next phase of the electrification of Bus Éireann-operated public bus services will see the first electric buses operating services in Limerick in March which will see 34 double-deck electric buses entering service.
Source:Irish Independent
February 19, 2024 11:18 UTC
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Baftas 2024: Cillian Murphy scoops best actor award for Oppenheimer
Cillian Murphy accepts the leading actor award for Oppenheimer at the 2024 Baftas, held at the Royal Festival Hall in London. Photograph: Kate Green/Bafta/Getty ImagesCillian Murphy has been named best actor at the British Academy of Film and Television Arts Awards, in London, for his performance as the eponymous father of the atomic bomb in Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer, which also won the award for best film. He therefore remains on track to become the second Irish person – and the first born in the country – to win best actor at the Oscars. “Oppenheimer was this colossally knotty, complex character, and he meant different things to different people,” Murphy said. Da’Vine Joy Randolph, looking unbeatable at the Oscars, won best supporting actress for the charming period comedy The Holdovers.
Source:The Irish Times
February 19, 2024 08:54 UTC
Global manufacturing may point to recovery for Irish factories and rest of eurozone
Global manufacturing will get a temperature check from closely-watched measures of activity for Europe and Asia, an opportunity to gauge whether a nascent recovery in factory output is gaining traction. That could in turn mean good news for Irish factories because an outsized proportion of all Irish goods are destined for world markets thanks to the US pharma and medical equipment manufacturers based here. The AIB purchasing managers' index for Irish manufacturing in January showed some sort of pickup, but conditions had contracted from December nonetheless. While still projected to remain in contraction territory, economists expect a modest improvement in February in the surveys for the eurozone and Britain. Policymakers are highly focused on workers’ pay as they debate whether to start cutting rates in April or June.
Source:Irish Examiner
February 19, 2024 01:13 UTC
Top 14: O'Gara furious after loss to Lyon - 'It’s a black day for the club, for me'
“Lyon were dying in front of us at 14-3, and we could not kill the game,” O’Gara fumed. His break, leaving three La Rochelle tacklers in his wake, and offload in the 27th minute gave Baptiste Couilloud all the space he needed for his 49th Top 14 try, to spark Lyon’s revival. La Rochelle lacked ‘everything’, according to the coach. “Aggressiveness, precision, serenity, ability to see space and execute, desire... It’s a black day for the club, for me,” he said. It’s a second consecutive loss at home for Stuart Lancaster’s side, and their third Top 14 defeat on the bounce.
Source:Irish Examiner
February 18, 2024 23:19 UTC
‘I’ve been hospitalised and a friend was killed.’ Will Ireland ever be safe for cyclists?
‘I’ve been hospitalised and a friend was killed.’ Will Ireland ever be safe for cyclists? Minister Eamon Ryan is investing millions in infrastructure, but we still have a long way to go to become a great cycling nationIs cycling in Limerick safe? Geraldine Herbert Sat 17 Feb 2024 at 03:30The recent announcement of an extra €290m in funding for walking and cycling brings the total invested by the Government in the past four years to €1bn or €50 per head per year.
Source:Irish Independent
February 18, 2024 22:20 UTC
Blinken urges Northern Ireland leaders to deliver prosperity for the people
Spokesperson Matthew Miller said Mr Blinken congratulated the First Minister and deputy First Minister on their appointments and welcomed the restoration of the powersharing government at Stormont. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken (PA)He said he “encouraged the leaders to work collaboratively to deliver prosperity for the people of Northern Ireland and to model co-operative powersharing for the world to see”. Mr Miller added that Mr Blinken “affirmed the US commitment to Northern Ireland’s future and to preserving the gains of the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement for all”.
Source:The Herald
February 18, 2024 18:03 UTC