Scotland has a better arrangement than Northern Ireland
Read more: Why do they deny us the same rights as Northern Ireland? Today, however, one of our correspondents argues that Scotland is actually in a more favourable position. Peter A Russell of Glasgow writes:"Eric Melvin (Letters, February 13) is quite wrong when he tells us that the people of Ireland 'have the constitutional right to hold a referendum on whether there should be a united Ireland'. "Mr Melvin is also wrong when he unfavourably compares the Northern Ireland situation with that of Scotland. Sign up to our daily Letter of the Day newsletter"To put the decision into the hands of elected bodies rather than in those of a single individual (who in the case of Northern Ireland is not accountable to single voter who would be affected) is surely a much better arrangement.
Source:The Herald
February 14, 2024 21:35 UTC
New Champions League prize money REVEALED by UEFA as they boost pot for bonus payments... and Man City could be first club to break £100m barrier if they defend title
Manchester City can become the first club to break the £100million prize money barrier if they went on a run to defend their Champions League title. UEFA has again increased the pot for bonus payments through the competition, with last year’s total after winning the showpiece final around £85m. Guardiola has been positive about City’s chances this term, suggesting that last year’s success has given them additional belief. Kevin De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva and Phil Foden scored as they eased Copenhagen aside on Tuesday night with City now firm favourites to make the last eight. ‘I look around the changing room and still see the determination and hunger – so I don’t see why not.’
Source:Daily Mail
February 14, 2024 21:07 UTC
:quality(70):focal(4905x1740:4915x1750)/cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/UOWA33DUIZAMPPNKNBS7FDANEI.jpg)
You’ve considered an electric bike, but what about an electric motorbike?
In fact I am really, really not a biker. Second, it can be bought as a down-tuned, speed-restricted version that’s limited to 4kW of power and a 45km/h top speed. Neil Briscoe testing the BMW CE02 electric motorbikeNot that I was riding that one. BMW's CE02 electric motorbike in Europe is €7,500 and to that you’ll have to add Irish VRTBut, no. BMW CE02 electric motorbike: A secure and comfortable rideIt’s really, really not worth scrimping on this stuff.
Source:The Irish Times
February 14, 2024 19:56 UTC
No increase in self-harm rate in second year of pandemic despite fears
There was no increase in self-harm rates during the second year of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2021, contrary to fears. The registry said that during 2021, a total of 12,661 self-harm presentations were made to hospital by 9,533 individuals. The rate of individuals presenting to hospital following self-harm in 2021 was 196 per 100,000, similar to the rate of 200 per 100,000 reported in 2020. Last year, in 2020, the peak rate was among 25-29 year-old men, though in the years prior to that, the peak rate was consistently among 20-24 year olds. The number of self-harm presentations subsequently increased across the first four months of 2021 when Level 5 restrictions applied.
Source:Irish Independent
February 14, 2024 19:41 UTC
Sam to play love interest in second series of RTÉ comedy drama
Tullamore's Sam Keeley in a scene from the upcoming second series of 'The Dry' due to air later in the spring. Sam to play love interest in second series of RTÉ comedy dramaTullamore's Sam Keeley is set to appear in the upcoming second series of 'The Dry' as main character Shiv's new love interest. The eight-part comedy drama, described by some is the 'Irish Fleabag' is produced by the Oscar nominated production company Element Pictures, in a co-production with ITVX, and is due to air later in the spring on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player. In the second series a new friendship alsoarises for Bernie (Pom Boyd) with her sponsor Billy (Thommas Kane Byrne), and we see a return to home comforts for Ant (Adam Richardson) and Caroline (Siobhán Cullen). Written by BAFTA-nominated screenwriter Nancy Harris and directed by Paddy Breathnach, 'The Dry' streams exclusively on ITVX in the UK from March 14.
Source:Irish Independent
February 14, 2024 19:02 UTC
FA approves Jim Ratcliffe’s Man Utd stake purchase as deal nears completion
FA approves Jim Ratcliffe’s Man Utd stake purchase as deal nears completionBy Simon Peach, PA Chief Football WriterThe Football Association has approved Jim Ratcliffe’s purchase of a 25 per cent stake in Manchester United. A further SEC update has now revealed that approval from the FA has also been obtained as completion edges closer. Within an amended tender offer statement published on Wednesday afternoon came confirmation that the national governing body’s approval “has already been obtained”. The period in which holders of Class A shares can tender them for sale has been extended from February 14th until 23:59 on February 16th. The PA news agency understands that completion of the deal is unlikely to immediately follow the closure of the tender offer but looks likely to come next week.
Source:Irish Independent
February 14, 2024 18:52 UTC
Ireland's most romantic towns revealed
The team at HenParty.ie have examined online search data over a five year period to find the most loved-up spots across the nation. Based on their findings, Athy, Co. Kildare has been crowned as Ireland's most romantic town, scoring 578 out of a possible 800 on HenParty.ie's loved-up scale. Ballinasloe makes the list of the ten most romantic towns in Ireland. Kildare town, Co. Kildare 8. All of these towns ranked in the bottom 10, making them some of the most unromantic towns in the country.
Source:The Herald
February 14, 2024 12:52 UTC
SALLY SORTS IT: Direct Line left us stranded in France with a £1,650 bill after holiday prang. What can I do?
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.
Source:Daily Mail
February 14, 2024 12:14 UTC
Cycling and commuting
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.
Source:The Irish Times
February 14, 2024 07:37 UTC
Final bill for children's hospital to reach almost €2.25 billion
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.
Source:Irish Independent
February 14, 2024 02:00 UTC
RTÉ releases updated version of Toy Show The Musical report with names revealed
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.
Source:Irish Independent
February 14, 2024 01:06 UTC
Cases of meningococcal illness confirmed at County Roscommon school
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.
Source:The Herald
February 14, 2024 00:22 UTC
:quality(70)/cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/65KE4XNYRBB3NNWEIJQ6U4TRRI.jpg)
Bohemians call for quick allocation of Dalymount funds after council grants planning permission
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.
Source:The Irish Times
February 13, 2024 23:27 UTC
Alice and Jack - perfect for Valentine’s Day
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.
Source:Irish Independent
February 13, 2024 20:01 UTC
Hit RTÉ 2 dating show on the hunt for rural-based singletons for new series
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.
Source:Irish Independent
February 13, 2024 19:33 UTC