State’s underlying exchequer deficit widens to €4.2bn
The Department of Finance said tax receipts, the main source of exchequer revenue, rose 3.2 per cent on the year to €78.8 billion in the 10 months to October. Tax receipts, the main source of exchequer revenue, rose 3.2 per cent on the year to €78.8 billion. [ Exchequer revenue could decline over next 40 years under scenario in major new reportOpens in new window ]It said a fall-off in such receipts could lead to a decline in exchequer revenue over the next four decades, relative to the size of the economy. “Those projections, which I published on budget day, incorporated a substantial upward revision to revenues, mostly on corporation tax. The corporation tax figure for October alone was €1.13 billion, up 165 per cent on the year.
Source:The Irish Times
November 06, 2025 12:00 UTC
Construction companies bought just a third of the land sold for housing last year
Individuals accounted for 46.5 per cent of the volume of residential land sold during the year, as well as for 11.3 per cent of the value. Furthermore, construction companies were the sellers for 11 per cent of the volume of residential land sold and 30.8 per cent of the value, while individuals were the sellers for 70.7 per cent of the volume and 40.2 per cent of the value. By way of comparison, the median price per acre of agricultural land in 2024 was €9,988. The total value of residential land sold amounted to €186.8 million, which was an increase of 84 per cent on the €101.5 million recorded in 2023. Land that was subject to the tax accounted for €128.8 million, or 69 per cent, of the land sold.
Source:The Irish Times
November 06, 2025 11:58 UTC
Horse trainer alleges billionaire Luke Comer offered him bribe to take doping blame
Eugene Gleeson SC, instructed by solicitor Robbie Dore, for Mr Gorman, was granted permission to serve notice on the proceedings on Mr Comer and his horse training firms Brookville and Seattle Slew Ltd. Listen | 36:12It said Mr Comer had not directed or authorised this conduct. Mr Comer had sought “to bribe me such that he could seek to cynically exonerate himself”, he said. Mr Comer said that if Mr Gorman accepted responsibility he would provide him with a small yard to train horses. Mr Gorman’s solicitor sought to serve proceedings seeking the information on the defendants, including Mr Comer, who is resident in Monaco, and did so.
Source:The Irish Times
November 06, 2025 11:57 UTC
US supreme court appears sceptical of legal basis for Trump tariffs
A protestor outside the US supreme court, which is hearing arguments on the legality of the Trump Administration's tariffs. Photograph: Andrew Harnik/Getty ImagesUS supreme court justices on Wednesday appeared sceptical of Donald Trump’s use of emergency powers to impose a series of tariffs in a closely watched hearing in Washington. The case was brought by groups of US businesses, who were joined by 12 US states, that argued they had been harmed by Mr Trump’s tariffs. Mr Trump has framed the case as existential. But other conservative members challenged Mr Trump’s use of IEEPA, which no other president has invoked to impose tariffs.
Source:The Irish Times
November 06, 2025 11:54 UTC
Ireland ‘must not be seen as the easy place to get into’, says Minister
Thomas Byrne, Minister of State for European Affairs, said migration would be a priority for the Irish presidency of the EU Council next year. Photograph: Alan BetsonGovernment policy should make sure that Ireland is not seen as excessively easy to get into for migrants and asylum seekers, according to Thomas Byrne, Minister of State for European Affairs. The migration issue will be a priority for the Irish presidency of the EU Council, which begins in July 2026, he said. He added that “we definitely want to make sure that we’re not seen as the easy place to get into because that damages our credibility as well within the European Union”. Mr Byrne’s Spanish counterpart, Fernando Sampedro, also spoke at the event, highlighting the “shared priorities, the shared perspective and strong mutual understanding” between Ireland and Spain.
Source:The Irish Times
November 06, 2025 11:50 UTC
Irish start-up’s affordable sensor could transform how we measure soil health
William Butterly, founder of Bionua: 'Soil health is the single most important element as we depend on it for so many things.' On the product side, it has developed a breakthrough sensor that measures soil health in real time at a fraction of the cost of traditional soil-monitoring methods. “The idea for the sensor came from a realisation that there was no way to monitor soil health and get verifiable data at an affordable cost,” Butterly says. This, in turn, gives an accurate measure of soil health. The company is now starting field trials for its soil monitor while applying for patents and looking to raise about €300,000 to fast-track the technology to market.
Source:The Irish Times
November 06, 2025 11:37 UTC
Almost €150m spent on preparations for new National Maternity Hospital
The new National Maternity Hospital is to be built on the St Vincent’s hospital campus at Elm Park, Dublin. Photograph: Nick BradshawMore than €147 million has been spent so far on preparations for the planned new National Maternity Hospital in Dublin. [ National Maternity Hospital bill projected to reach 10 times original costOpens in new window ]Department of Health secretary general Robert Watt. Photograph: Dara Mac DonaillMr Watt said significant enabling works were required for the National Maternity Hospital project. The completion date is informed by the programme of works developed by the successful tenderers and will be fully confirmed by the PCSA process.
Source:The Irish Times
November 06, 2025 11:36 UTC
Gavin Pepper will not pay legal costs in case taken against him by debt firm, judge rules
The proceedings became moot when Mr Pepper made the concessions in the terms of reliefs sought by Pepper Finance. Brian Conroy SC, appearing for Pepper Finance, said an order for costs should be made against Mr Pepper. This, Mr Justice Cregan said, does not necessarily mean Pepper Finance and Mr Wigglesworth are entitled to legal costs. He noted Mr Pepper gave the undertakings sought by Pepper Finance, something the court must have regard for. He noted that Mr Pepper later offered to pay €2,500 in costs, which Pepper Finance agreed to and, in turn, intended to donate the money to charity.
Source:The Irish Times
November 06, 2025 11:34 UTC
Lucy Cafe review: Flavours of Ukraine in Dublin 8, shaped by loss, love and the hands of nonnas
It could sound sentimental, until you scroll through Lucy Cafe’s Instagram and see three Ukrainian grandmothers folding dumplings and shaping pancakes at a high counter on Upper Clanbrassil Street. Photograph: Nick BradshawBorscht with pampushka (soup). Photograph: Nick BradshawCheesy spinach varenyky (dumplings). Photograph: Nick BradshawSyrnyk (cheesy pancakes with craft cherry sauce). Photograph: Nick BradshawLucy Cafe, 6 Clanbrassil Street Upper, Dublin.
Source:The Irish Times
November 06, 2025 11:00 UTC
Number of renters seeking help from housing charity rises more than 20% in a year
The number of renters at risk of homelessness and seeking help from housing charity Threshold has jumped by more than 20 per cent since last year, according to its latest report. While most of the cases are continuing, 97 households have been unable to secure alternative accommodation. Tenancy termination continued to be the top issue for renters contacting the charity, accounting for 37 per cent of queries. In the same period, the charity says it intervened to keep 872 households in their homes or supported them to secure alternative housing. In one example, the charity highlighted the case of a UK student who failed to secure private rental accommodation before her arrival in Dublin due to “fierce competition”.
Source:The Irish Times
November 06, 2025 10:33 UTC
Pay review in major hospitals to follow Limerick CEO salary disclosure
The examination of voluntary hospital salaries comes amid escalating tensions between the Limerick hospital and the HSE. Illustration: Paul ScottThe Health Service Executive (HSE) is examining salaries in all voluntary hospitals around the State after it emerged a Limerick hospital has been paying its chief executive a higher salary than her pay band stipulates. In August, The Irish Times reported that the salary of Emer Martin, chief executive of the St John’s Hospital in Limerick, was increased to that of a higher pay band – breaching the consolidated public pay scales. The HSE said the voluntary hospital is considered H2, under which chief executives can earn between €99,829 and €106,866. “Compliance with public sector pay policy is a clearly defined condition within the Service Level Agreements between the Health Service Executive (HSE) and each voluntary hospital.
Source:The Irish Times
November 06, 2025 10:32 UTC
All bets are off as gambling virus runs rampant through US sports
Another current player is charged with supplying inside information about injuries to assist those betting huge sums on basketball matches. Much like ESPN trying to retain credibility on these matters after trousering $2 billion for allowing its brand to be used for gambling, it was too little too late. They can’t express indignation now when they and those who run the league long ago sold their souls to gambling corporations. Seven years have passed since the US supreme court legalised sports gambling and changed all that. There was also a helpful link where fans were encouraged to bet that tally on FanDuel, the official gambling partner of the club.
Source:The Irish Times
November 06, 2025 10:31 UTC
Joy for Dublin special school after garden transformed into autism-friendly space
Denis O'Reilly, director of Difference Days, with brothers Rory and Dylan O'Connor and their mother Yvonne Nolan at Saplings Special School, Rathfarnham. Photograph: Bryan Meade/The Irish TimesParent Yvonne Nolan says she “knows the difference” the work of the Difference Days organisation has made for students at Saplings Special School in Rathfarnham, Dublin. It just feels very surreal that it’s happening.”On the day, they created a zen den – a free-standing multi-use sensory room – raised beds and accessible pathways in the school’s garden. Roman Przewoznik, originally from Poland, has been principal of Saplings School for the past three years after joining the school 10 years ago. Some elements, such as the zen den, were funded by SMBC Aviation Capital.
Source:The Irish Times
November 06, 2025 10:31 UTC
Homebuilders ‘extremely concerned’ about supply of housing going forward
Homebuilders are “extremely concerned” about the supply of housing going forward due to “significant delays” in many of the housing supply determinants, the Oireachtas has heard. Photograph: iStockHome builders are “extremely concerned” about the supply of housing in the future due to “significant delays” in many of the housing supply determinants, the Oireachtas has heard. CIF chief executive Andrew Brownlee said the supply of zoned land was the issue he was “especially concerned about”. “Unless we zone and service more land housing supply will not increase.”He said: “Some local authorities have yet to commence the process of varying their development plans and increase the amount of land zoned for housing. “For example, create exemptions for larger water and wastewater infrastructure projects by classifying them as a strategic infrastructure development,” he said.
Source:The Irish Times
November 06, 2025 09:45 UTC
Immigration debate: Dáil hears ‘Ireland of the welcomes’ in danger of being lost forever
The Minister was speaking in a Dáil debate on international protection on Wednesday, during which he outlined measures being taken to deal with asylum applications within 12 weeks. The Minister pointed to immigration figures as he outlined measures to deal with asylum applications. From 2022 to 2024, in the region of 44,000 to 45,000 people came to Ireland, claiming international protection, he said. Last year, he continued, they delivered 14,000 first decisions on asylum applications, compared to 8,500 in 2023. Sinn Féin justice spokesman Matt Carthy said the international protection system was dysfunctional.
Source:The Irish Times
November 05, 2025 23:28 UTC