The absence of Sabbatarianism in this debate is striking and possibly suspicious to anyone over the age of 40. All the parties opposed to extension have criticised this legal wheeze but none has suggested closing the loophole at Stormont, where the legislation falls under a DUP minister. As the DUP has toned down its confessional politics, other parties feel freer to discuss Christian concerns. Sinn Féin, the SDLP and the Greens stuck to secular arguments during the Sunday opening debate a decade ago, when all three were opposed. Parties are losing their fear of being associated with DUP religious fundamentalism when they speak up for Christian interests.

eui.euProspective postgraduate students may also apply for the various funds offered by the Irish Research Council. crc.ieSusiThe Student Universal Support Ireland (Susi) grant can provide financial support to those who need assistance in order to pursue their postgraduate degree. There are three different types of funding available to postgraduate students under Susi. Unlike Susi, this option is not means-tested, allowing all postgraduate students – or their fee-payers – to apply. The scholarship, worth €10,000, is available to women candidates looking to complete a part-time postgraduate course in the school.

An award-winning bookshop with a built-in lifestyle, occasional celebrity visitors, and a link to Maeve Binchy, has just come to market in West Cork, offering the buyer a rare chance to turn the page on a new life chapter. Kerr's Book Shop, ClonakiltyVisitors to the store have included the likes of locally based Oscar-winning movie producer David Puttnam and Oscar-winning actor Jeremy Irons. When the Kerrs started their bookshop in 1992, the premises had been unoccupied for three or four years and required substantial renovation. He described Kerr’s Bookshop as “a cornerstone of the local community and a must-visit destination for book lovers”. Kerr’s Bookshop (www.kerrsbookshop.ie), located on the famed Wild Atlantic Way, is just minutes from Inchydoney’s beaches.

The ESRI now expects inflation to average 3.2 per cent this year as the Iran crisis is likely to have a lasting impact on prices in Ireland. Photograph: Georgi Licovski / EPAMeasures announced to shield consumers from the current energy price shock represent a “subsidy to higher income households”, the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) has said. The think tank said a general cut to excise duty on fuel was untargeted even as it warned that rising energy costs linked to the Iran crisis will push inflation to 3.2 per cent this year. The ESRI expects approximately 37,400 units to be completed in 2026 and 38,000 in 2027. It warned that if the current energy price spike feeds into construction inflation, that would pose a further risk to Government targets.

Scientists in Ireland fear misinformation and AI-generated content will undermine knowledge and understanding among the public and politicians. They were highlighted in a survey of 350 scientists and researchers who have joined the all-Ireland Science Media Centre, a non-profit organisation set up to provide free expert analysis for news outlets. Ireland’s is the eighth Science Media Centre after the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Spain, Germany, Taiwan and Korea. There was a huge amount of misinformation circulating.”The row dissipated after multiple news outlets carried explainers gathered by the Science Media Centre to debunk the wilder theories. The experts who signed up to the all-Ireland centre told a survey on joining they believed a similar service was needed on the island.

Independent Senator Michael McDowell said “nobody can predict where the population is going to go after that” as he introduced a motion calling for the Government to initiate legislation for such a referendum to cap the maximum number of TDs. He acknowledged it had gone down to 160 and there was a “significant jump” in the last election from 160 to 174. Independent Gerard Craughwell said the system for calculating TDs was “designed for an Ireland that no longer exists”. He said population growth alone now dictates the expansion of the Dáil – not institutional need nor strategic planning but “simple arithmetic”. He said the Government’s consideration of the issue should be done “in the context of the broader national question” and a unity referendum.

James Talarico, the Texas Democratic state representative and Presbyterian seminarian, has said he forgives Pete Hegseth’s pastor for praying for his death. You may pray for my death, Pastor, but I still love you. I love you more than you could ever hate me.”The 36-year-old’s response comes after Potteiger wished for his death last on a Christian nationalist podcast called Reformation Red Pill, which Hegseth has appeared on several times. Potteiger had joined a discussion about Talarico with podcast host Joshua Haymes, a former pastoral intern at Potteiger’s church who previously claimed that the Bible is “pro-Ice raids”. - Guardian[ James Talarico wins Democrat race in Texas amid voting chaos and chicanery claimsOpens in new window ]

€1m Lotto Plus winning ticket sold locallyThe midweek Lotto draw saw a Westmeath player become an overnight millionaire after scooping the top prize of €1 million in the Lotto Plus 1 draw. The National Lottery has confirmed that the winning store location will be revealed tomorrow, Friday. The winning numbers in Wednesday's Lotto Plus 1 draw were: 14, 15, 16, 30, 37, 38 and the bonus was 31. The Wednesday night winner is advised to sign the back of the tickets and to make contact with the National Lottery Prize Claims team on 1800 666 222 or email claims@lottery.ie and arrangements will be made for them to collect their prizes. National Lottery spokesperson Sarah Orr said: “We are urging all of our players who may have purchased their Wednesday night Lotto tickets in the Westmeath area to carefully check their tickets today as one person now has a ticket worth €1 million.”As there was no winner of the €4,428,509 jackpot on offer, Saturday’s Lotto jackpot is now set to roll towards an estimated €4.8 million.

Video: Inside Yorkshire's poshest hotel - where you can pay £3,000 a night for 10 personal staff, pillow menus and a Royal Suite so beautiful it brings guests to tearsInside Yorkshire’s most luxurious hotel, where guests can pay £3,000 a night for the Royal Suite, complete with 10 personal staff, bespoke pillow menus and top-tier service.

The Prince of Wales, who grew his own beard in the summer of 2024, admired the moustaches of the soldiers during a visit to the 1st Battalion The Mercian Regiment at Bulford, Wiltshire. Stroking his beard, he said: "I might end up taking mine off and leaving a tash." ‌Told by Lt Jack Austin, 26, that the craze had started when 1 Mercian was serving in Estonia last year, the Prince noted that the style is "creeping in now". View 4 Images William inspects some of the drone technology being used in urban combat (Image: PA)Article continues belowHe praised the exercise for its creativity, and developing skills the regiment had learned on deployment. The Prince also presented three Long Service and Good Conduct medals to soldiers before posing for a photograph with families.

But December 13th, 2013, is the date the owners of 44 Mountain View Road in Ranelagh signed on the dotted line. What followed was a full year of renovations before the family moved in for Christmas 2014. The house was rewired, replumbed and re-roofed, a rear extension was added, and its energy rating was improved to a B3. The rear of the house steps down into the extension, linking the original structure with the newer addition. The owners say the space came into its own during the pandemic, when it functioned as a home office away from the noise in the family rooms downstairs.

Focus on football in Dáil during Leader’s Questions ahead of Prague matchBy Bairbre Holmes, Press AssociationIreland’s upcoming match against Czechia was raised repeatedly in the Dáil during Leaders’ Questions, with the Social Democrats’ Gary Gannon using the fixture to highlight a lack of facilities in inner-city Dublin. In a rare bout of harmony during the session, Government and Opposition leaders joined together to wish the Irish team luck ahead of their match in Prague on Thursday. Gary Gannon, Social Democrats TD, said there was no full-sized football pitch available to children in inner city Dublin. Dublin receives €26.50 per person from the Sports Capital Programme, Gannon said, which is half the national average. He also said the Government could “do more through sports funding” to target disadvantaged communities in both rural and urban areas.

Manchester City midfielder Rodri has opened the door to a future move to Real Madrid. Real have long been admirers of the Ballon d’Or winner, with suggestions they will test City’s resolve this summer ramping up in the Spanish capital. During a 48-minute interview with radio station Onda Cero while on international duty, Rodri revealed he will want a return to La Liga. And even as a former Atletico Madrid player, switching to the Bernabeu would not be an issue. ‘They wanted to pit us against each other, but I have a deep admiration for Vinicius,’ Rodri added.

Where better than to study France, the Six Nations champions, and runners-up, Andy Farrell’s Ireland? With the addition of European games, French players could have played a maximum of 23 games, Irish players 17. The outhalf has started all 16 matches he has played in with an average of 71 minutes on the pitch. The benefit of regular match minutes is evident as these two players have developed from teenage phenomena into outstanding senior internationals. Or will Leinster, the last province standing in the premier European tournament, benefit from the IRFU’s player management programme?

‌PSG and Strasbourg are the only two French clubs still in UEFA competitions. However, he said Liverpool cannot do so because of the Hillsborough anniversary. But Liverpool can't play on 15 April, we had to respect their history, because it's a tragic date for the club." ‌The 15th of April will mark the 37th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster – the unlawful killing of 97 Liverpool supporters in 1989. ‌The All Things Liverpool account added: "Did PSG just use Hillsborough as an excuse to try and get the Lens game postponed?....