Irish business lag US on adoption of next gen AI, survey says
Irish businesses expect the new generation of AI technology to drive productivity and reshape the workplace, a new survey has found, but they are still some way from fully capitalising on the developments. The survey, by PwC, said AI agents - AI that can autonomously carry out tasks on a user’s behalf - could also help reduce costs, but further investment is needed if Irish companies want to keep up with their US peers. The survey looked at the trends in AI agents across Irish organisations, comparing the results to a similar US study. It found adoption and trust in the technology is lower in Ireland than in the US, offering what PwC described as a “pivotal opportunity” for Irish companies. Among the barriers to adoption are data issues and integrating AI agents with legacy systems“Organisations should broaden their mindset from seeing AI as an efficiency driver to a reinvention enabler,” Mr Lee said.
Source:The Irish Times
November 12, 2025 10:32 UTC
Ireland backs coach Andrew Goodman out to get the better of mentor Joe Schmidt
Ireland backs coach Andrew Goodman and Australia head coach Joe Schmidt ahead of last year's Test between Ireland and Australia at the Aviva Stadium. Australia head coach Joe Schmidt returns to Ireland – the place where he threw down roots and made his name as an international coach. Andrew Goodman, the Irish backs coach and former Tasman Mako captain,faces the man who first drew him away from New Zealand to come halfway around the world to Leinster. Goodman was teaching physical education for six months of the year at Nelson College and also playing with Tasman. Ireland backs coach Andrew Goodman hopes to see an improvement in Saturday's performance against Australia.
Source:The Irish Times
November 12, 2025 10:32 UTC
Micheál Martin not stepping down ‘any time soon’, EU commissioner believes
EU commissioner Michael McGrath has said he does not anticipate that Taoiseach Micheál Martin will be stepping down from his role “any time soon”. Mr Martin will face further criticism from backbench TDs and Senators over Fianna Fáil’s failed presidential campaign and the performance in Government. Speaking in Brussels on Tuesday, Mr McGrath said it had been “a very difficult few weeks for him [Martin] and indeed for his family”. “I think he will know himself when it is time to depart and I don’t anticipate that will be any time soon,” said Mr McGrath. Photograph: Sam Boal/CollinsReflecting on the election on the day of Catherine Connolly’s inauguration, Mr McGrath expressed regret that “what transpired resulted in a very limited choice for voters”.
Source:The Irish Times
November 12, 2025 10:32 UTC
Housing plan aims to deliver 90,000 ‘starter homes’ over five years
Details relating to the Government's new housing plan will be published on Thursday. Photograph: Andrew Matthews/PA WireThe Government’s new housing plan, to be called Delivering Homes, Building Communities, will aim to deliver 90,000 “starter homes” over the next five years. The new plan, to be brought to Cabinet by Minister for Housing James Browne on Wednesday, will be published on Thursday. As many as 12,000 social homes and 15,000 affordable housing units could be delivered per year, on average, under the funding available for the housing plan. It was previously announced that €3.5 billion has been earmarked in the NDP for equity investment in energy projects, with ESB Networks and EirGrid to help deliver electricity infrastructure to support housing development.
Source:The Irish Times
November 12, 2025 09:02 UTC
Aer Lingus pilots resign safety roles in support of suspended colleague
A captain's suspension has sparked a row between Aer Lingus and its pilots' union. Photograph: Naoise CulhaneTwo Aer Lingus pilots at Manchester Airport have resigned safety roles in support of a suspended colleague, it has emerged. “The processes referred to by Aer Lingus are in regard to an individual pilot and are not the subject of the no-confidence motion,” he said. Their manager complained to Aer Lingus in Dublin as such crews normally sit in business class. Aer Lingus is investigating the safety report, while its fact-finding exercise follows a subsequent complaint from one of the positioning crew.
Source:The Irish Times
November 12, 2025 09:01 UTC
Tadhg Beirne and Aoife Wafer cap memorable year with top awards from Irish rugby writers
Tadhg Beirne with his Guinness Rugby Writers of Ireland Men’s Player of the Year award. Photograph: Ben Brady/InphoTadhg Beirne and Aoife Wafer have been announced as the winners of the Player of the Year awards from the Guinness Rugby Writers of Ireland for the 2024/25 season. Ireland’s unconvincing Japan job Listen | 37:21Beirne and Wafer were presented with their awards at Tuesday night’s ceremony at the Guinness Storehouse in Dublin. Aoife Wafer with her Guinness Rugby Writers of Ireland Women’s XV’s Player of The Year award. Carr, an 11-times capped Irish openside flanker, was an important member of Ireland’s 1985 Triple Crown-winning team.
Source:The Irish Times
November 12, 2025 09:01 UTC
England recall Ford and Steward but drop Genge to bench for New Zealand clash
George Ford returns at outhalf for England's game against the All Blacks at Twickenham on Saturday. Ford comes back in at outhalf after sitting out the 38-18 victory over Fiji while Steward returns at fullback. But Borthwick has kept Tom Curry on the bench and opted to name Genge as well as fellow Lions Luke Cowan-Dickie and Will Stuart among the replacements. – GuardianENGLAND (v New Zealand, Twickenham, Saturday, 3.10pm): Freddie Steward; Tom Roebuck, Ollie Lawrence, Fraser Dingwall, Immanuel Feyi-Waboso; George Ford, Alex Mitchell; Fin Baxter, Jamie George, Joe Heyes; Maro Itoje (capt), Alex Coles; Guy Pepper, Sam Underhill, Ben Earl. Replacements: Luke Cowan-Dickie, Ellis Genge, Will Stuart, Chandler Cunningham-South, Tom Curry, Henry Pollock, Ben Spencer, Marcus Smith.
Source:The Irish Times
November 12, 2025 08:48 UTC
Cade Carmichael marks Test debut with half-century as Ireland take advantage of Bangladesh drops
Cade Carmichael made a half-century on his Test debut for Ireland on the opening day of the first Test against Bangladesh in Sylhet. Photograph: Sam Barnes/Sportsfile1st Test, Day 1: Ireland 270-8 (P Stirling 60, C Carmichael 59, C Campher 44, L Tucker 41, J Neill 30, B McCarthy 21no; M Hasan Miraz 3-50, H Murad 2-47) v Bangladesh. Cade Carmichael marked his Test debut with a battling half-century as Ireland closed on 270 for eight after the first day of their series opener against Bangladesh in Sylhet. Off-spinner Mehidy Hasan Miraz was the pick of the bowlers with three for 50. The plan includes a 4,240-capacity ground, with a player and match official building, a high-performance centre, plus additional supporting infrastructure and parking facilities.
Source:The Irish Times
November 12, 2025 08:40 UTC
The Irish Times view on President Connolly: defining a new era – The Irish Times
Catherine Connolly’s inauguration as the 10th President of Ireland took place on a day of ceremony, celebration and a firm assertion of principle. Her inaugural address, delivered in both English and Irish, did not shy away from the positions that have defined her political career. She also promised to place the Irish language at the centre of her presidency, pledging that Irish would not be spoken in a low voice in Áras an Uachtaráin. On early evidence Connolly may prove a more low-key orator than her immediate predecessor, though that does not imply timidity. In that context any intervention by a President known for strong views has the potential to cause discomfort for the Coalition.
Source:The Irish Times
November 12, 2025 08:30 UTC
Conor Pope’s spud obsession, Patrick Freyne’s dark dining secrets: What Irish Times writers love to eat
What’s your favourite comfort food? What’s your ultimate food indulgence? Everybody has different answers when it comes to personal food choices, and sometimes it might even be better to keep them to yourself. Our Irish Times writers have no such reservations, however, generously sharing here some fascinating and, quite honestly occasionally chilling, insights into their domestic food lives. [ 100 great restaurants, cafes and places to eat around Ireland for winter 2025Opens in new window ]
Source:The Irish Times
November 12, 2025 08:17 UTC
Banned driver who was ‘too drunk to remember Garda pursuit’ is jailed
Photograph: Dave MeehanA disqualified driver was so drunk he has no recollection of his involvement in a garda pursuit, a court has heard. Gardaí ran a check on the registration plate of the Renault Fluence and noted it had been stolen the previous evening. Garda Dean O’Donnell told Marc Murphy, prosecuting, how at one point Carroll swerved around a pedestrian who was crossing the road. The chase came to an end when Carroll drove straight into a wooden pillar. The passenger was arrested immediately, but Carroll ran off and jumped over the wall of a nearby house.
Source:The Irish Times
November 12, 2025 06:01 UTC
Cullie Tucker to take over as Ireland Under-20 coach for 2026/27 season
Cullie Tucker will take over as Ireland Under-20 head coach for the 2026-27 season. Photograph: EJ Langner/Inpho/Steve Haag SportsThe IRFU have confirmed Connacht scrum coach Cullie Tucker as the new Ireland Under-20 head coach from the start of next season. Tucker took charge of the Ireland XV for their victory over Spain in Madrid last weekend as was an assistant coach on Ireland’s summer tour to Georgia and Portugal and with Ireland ‘A’. He also acted as interim Connacht head coach last season when Pete Wilkins stepped down from the role. “Cullie is an outstanding home-grown coach who has gained a huge amount of experience both at provincial and national levels.
Source:The Irish Times
November 12, 2025 05:39 UTC
Markets rise while AI nerves persist
Markets rose on Tuesday but Softbank’s €4 billion-plus Nvidia sale prompted more nerves about AI stocks. Upbeat results prompted a 7 per cent rise in the company’s stock on Monday. The index closed up 112.45 points, 1.2 per cent, at 9,899.60, raising the prospect of it hitting the 10,000-mark. Swiss stocks hit a two-week high, with Richemont climbing 1.6 per cent and Swatch Group gaining 3.6 per cent. Health stocks rose 1.6 per cent, with drugmakers Eli Lilly, Merck and Amgen up between 2.1 per cent and 3.6 per cent.
Source:The Irish Times
November 12, 2025 01:42 UTC
Drug-driving surging due to ‘really concerning’ rates of cocaine use
Drug-driving has surged in the Republic this year, with Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly saying cocaine was the substance of choice for most drivers caught, and he was now “really concerned” about it. The popularity and availability of the drug was behind the record drug-driving figures, the sources said. Mr Kelly said the Garda organisation was projected to increase to 16,000 sworn members by the end of 2029. Mr Ward said while Garda visibility had improved around Dublin city centre, this needed to be replicated in the suburbs. He said the Dublin west area was a priority region to be allocated more gardaí as numbers in the force increased.
Source:The Irish Times
November 11, 2025 23:55 UTC
Investor angst over Big Tech’s AI spending spills into bond market
Investors have been selling off the debt of US tech heavyweights, showing how jitters over Silicon Valley’s boom in spending on artificial intelligence have spilled into the bond market. The widening spread highlights how investors are increasingly concerned with the way tech groups are turning to debt markets to finance their investments in AI infrastructure. It raised an additional $30 billion in bonds at the end of October, the biggest corporate bond deal since 2023. Meanwhile, Alphabet sold $25 billion of bonds in early November, $17.5 billion of which were raised in the US and $7.5 billion in Europe. Oracle sold $18 billion of bonds in September to fund infrastructure leases such as OpenAI’s “Stargate” data centre in Abilene, Texas.
Source:The Irish Times
November 11, 2025 23:48 UTC