“Disappointed” students, parents, and representatives are among those who voiced their concerns over potential increases to college fees. Student fees were permanently reduced by €500 as part of Budget 2026 following a major Coalition row last summer as it emerged that a €1,000 reduction in student fees was to be axed. One parent who wrote to Mr Lawless said it was the first time they had ever written to a minister to “complain”. Student nursesIn correspondence forwarded to Mr Lawless from Mr Martin, one student nurse described how any increases to student fees affect her peers. "Many student nurses cannot just get a part-time job to supplement their income in order to pay very high student fees.

Revenue from the country's toll roads has risen across the board in the last 10 years, with the M50 toll nearly doubling. Figures sent to the Dáil's Public Accounts Committee, following an appearance by the Department of Transport, shows income increases across all of the country's toll roads. There are 10 toll roads on the national network, eight of which are operated under a public private partnership model. "I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. "Therefore, matters relating to the day-to-day operations regarding national roads, including toll roads, are within the remit of TII.

US President Donald Trump has asked Russian leader Vladimir Putin to join his new Board of Peace, which is intended to supervise the next phase of the Gaza peace plan. Israeli far-Right finance minister Bezalel Smotrich on Monday dismissed the Board of Peace as a raw deal for Israel and called for its dissolution. British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said on Monday that the UK is talking to allies about the Board of Peace. Although the UK has not said whether Sir Keir has been formally invited to join, he said it is necessary to proceed with the Gaza peace plan's second phase and his country has 'indicated willingness, to play our part, and we will'. Join the debate Can Putin play a constructive role on Trump’s Gaza ‘Board of Peace’?

Funding has been allocated for a new pedestrian crossing at the Bower Secondary School on Retreat Road€4.1m in active travel funding for Westmeath projectsWestmeath County Council has been allocated €3.5 million for a range of active travel measures designed to improve walking and cycling infrastructure and reduce traffic congestion on key routes in urban areas. Meanwhile Roscommon Co Co has been allocated over €4.5m, made up of €2,750,000 for Active Travel, €500,000 for bus stop enhancement and the remaining funding going towards greenway projects. Local Authority Active Travel staff costs for engineering and administration in Westmeath have been allocated a total of €470,000 with the corresponding figure for Roscommon County Council is €338,000. Funding of €30,000 has been allocated to Roscommon County County for Active Travel Schemes in Bealnamulla, while the R363 Road at Ballyforan has been allocated €100,000 to implement Active Travel safety measures. Meanwhile, grant allocations from Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) for Greenways and national roads active travel, which was announced in tandem with funding for active travel measures in each county, will result in Westmeath receiving an additional €1.1m.

Ms Bird said there had been a serious falling short of the standards of care expected of doctors by Dr Lal. The surgeon admitted that his delay in seeking assistance from a vascular surgeon after Ms Sheedy suffered major haemorrhaging from a damaged aorta during the operation constituted professional misconduct. They claimed both Dr Lal and UHL had shown disregard for their daughter after they had trusted the consultant. Dr Lal, who qualified as a doctor in New Zealand in 2000, has been registered to work in Ireland since 2011. Simon Mills, for Dr Lal, told the inquiry chairperson, Marie Culliton, that Dr Lal had wished to offer an unqualified apology at the hearing for the shortcomings in his care.

‘Quiet crisis’ as number of elderly at risk of homelessness surges 12pc amid rising rents and lack of affordable housingStudy reveals majority of over 65s at risk of experiencing homelessness are in DublinThe number of older people facing homelessness has more than doubled in space of five years. Stock image/Getty/PosedRalph Riegel and Sarah O'Mahony Today at 06:30Soaring rents and an acute shortage of affordable accommodation has led to an alarming 12pc hike over the space of just 12 months in the number of elderly people facing homelessness.

Donald Trump will address the global elite at the World Economic Forum in Davos on Wednesday as a diplomatic crisis over Greenland spirals. 'This is the death of Davos,' Mark Blyth, a political economist at Brown University, told the New York Times. Donald Trump delivers a virtual speech at last year's World Economic Forum in Davos. Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelensky will appear at the conference in person, hoping to meet Trump and sign new security guarantees for a potential ceasefire deal with Russia. The President is expected to meet global business leaders, including CEOs in financial services, crypto and consulting, at a reception after his speech on Wednesday.

Mr. Naylor is also vice-president of Motorsport Ireland. That concern stems from the fact that some of the witnesses from Motorsport Ireland (3) and those of Mr. Naylor (8) - are all members of the Motor Sport Council and some also within the Irish Motorsport Federation. The hearing took place on the first Saturday, December 6th at the headquarters of Motorsport Ireland in Dublin and lasted some eight hours. Callum Devine (Skoda Fabia RS Rally2)2. David Kelly (Skoda Fabia RS Rally2)9.

"Germany and France agree: we will not allow ourselves to be blackmailed," German Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil said at his ministry where he received his French counterpart. "Blackmail between allies of 250 years, blackmail between friends, is obviously unacceptable," French Finance Minister Roland Lescure said at the same event. Lescure said that although the EU's anti-coercion instrument was above all a deterrent, it should be considered in the current circumstances. Klingbeil and Lescure's US counterpart Scott Bessent said on Sunday that European "weakness" necessitated US control of Greenland for global stability. "Our objective in the coming days, weeks, quarters and years is to politely but firmly convince Scott Bessent that he is wrong," Lescure said.

Arsenal transfer news: Scouts sent to Real Madrid as plans emerge to disrupt Man UtdMirror Football brings you a round-up of the latest Arsenal transfer newsView 3 Images Mikel Arteta and Arsenal are yet to sign a player this month (Image: Getty Images)Arsenal are yet to leave their mark on the January transfer window with the clock ticking for teams to conduct their mid-season business. Latest Gunners news and more on our dedicated Facebook pageGunners scout Real Madrid wonderkidArsenal are reportedly interested in signing 19-year-old Real Madrid defender Victor Valdepenas. Valdepenas is currently on the fringes of the Real Madrid first team, having made his debut at left-back last month against Alaves before being subbed off in the 78th minute. Sky Sports discounted Premier League and EFL package This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Sky will show at least 215 live Premier League games next season, an increase of up to 100 more.

Restaurant chain operator Nando’s is eyeing up potential sites for further expansion here as pre-tax profits at the company last year increased by 64pc to €7.7m. In their report, the directors state that “the company is currently looking for potential sites to open more restaurants in the Republic of Ireland”. The pre-tax profits of €7.7m follow pre-tax profits of €4.7m in the prior year. The directors state that “the company's strategy through the period is to continue to grow in terms of number of restaurants, profitability, and market share". The company says it is managing the impact of cost pressures through a number of initiatives, including “productivity gains and the roll-out of energy-efficient grills”.

That was a first run of the season for Brighterdaysahead after plans to send her novice chasing had to be shelved and Elliott is expecting her to be even better at Leopardstown. “She has improved, she’s in very good form. Whether she’s good enough to beat Lossiemouth, I’m not saying that at all as we know she is very good but ours has improved, she’s in good form and I’m happy with her. “Ballyfad was good in Leopardstown, I was happy with what I saw and he’ll definitely go for the two-miler,” said Elliott. “Mange Tout was good at Down Royal and Fairyhouse and she’s won in France before that, she’s a good mare, we like her.

Westmeath’s Ronan Wallace gets to the ball ahead of Kildare’s Brian McLoughlin in Friday's O'Byrne Cup final. The Lake County must now fully focus on next Sunday's league opener against Sligo at TEG Cusack Park (2pm). Footballers meet Sligo as attention turns to crucial league campaignFresh from their O’Byrne Cup success, the Westmeath senior footballers begin their National Football League with a home game against Sligo next Sunday, January 25. “You don’t come into this role to win O’Byrne Cups or McKenna Cups, the target is the National Football League. Westmeath’s National Football League fixturesR1 - Sunday January 25Cusack Park, Mullingar: Westmeath v Sligo, 2pmR2 - Sunday February 1Cusack Park, Ennis: Clare v Westmeath, 2pmR3 - Saturday February 14Páirc Esler, Newry: Down v Westmeath, 6pmR4 - Sunday February 22Cusack Park, Mullingar: Westmeath v Fermanagh, 1pmR5 - Saturday February 28O'Moore Park, Portlaoise: Laois v Westmeath, 6pmR6 - Sunday March 15Cusack Park, Mullingar: Westmeath v Limerick, 2pmR7 - Sunday March 22Wexford Park: Wexford v Westmeath, 2pmWestmeath’s National Hurling League fixturesR1 - Sunday February 1Tralee: Kerry v Westmeath, 2pmR2 - Sunday February 8Cusack Park, Mullingar: Westmeath v Meath, 2pmR3 - Sunday February 22Ruislip: London v Westmeath, 1pmR4 - Sunday March 1Cusack Park, Mullingar: Westmeath v Laois, 2pmR5 - Sunday March 8Cusack Park, Mullingar: Westmeath v Derry, 2pmR6 - Saturday March 21MacHale Park, Castlebar: Westmeath v Mayo, 1pm

In 2019, Mr Justice McDermott sentenced Boy B to 15 years' detention with a review after eight years from the date of the offence. Boy B previously lodged an appeal against his conviction but withdrew it on the morning of his hearing in October 2022. The evidence showed that Boy B lured Ana from her home under the guise of a "romantic encounter" with Boy A. Boy B had provided builder's tape which was used during the strangulation of Ana and "voyeuristically watched as Boy A beat and sexually assaulted Ana Kriegel and took part in an extensive cover-up afterwards". The jury accepted the prosecution's case that Boy B lured Ana to the house by telling her that Boy A wanted to meet her, knowing that Boy A intended to kill her.

Dr Crokes have appointed Edmund O’Sullivan as their new senior football manager, replacing Andrew Kennelly for 2026. Edmund is brother of Kerry Chairman Patrick O’Sullivan and son of Eddie Tattler O’Sullivan who was involved with Mick O’Dwyer during the Kingdom’s golden era. O'Sullivan was brought in as selector by Pat O’Shea in 2018 and then managed the senior squad, from 2019 to 2021. He has yet to name his backroom team as the 2024 SFC champions attempt to take the Bishop Moynihan back from newly crowned All-Ireland Champions Dingle.