The Government will bring forward “an appropriate intervention” in the next week to tackle increased energy prices arising from the war in Iran, Tánaiste Simon Harris has promised. The view is that any response should be short, targeted and more limited than the extensive cost‑of‑living interventions introduced after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. File image of recent fuel prices this month. “I don’t believe there is anyone [in the Dáil] who can speak with great certainty about where the conflict in the Middle East will go and the true scale of the medium-term consequences of the conflict,” Mr Harris said. Sinn Féin’s bill would cut taxes on petrol and diesel, with finance spokesperson Pearse Doherty calling on the Government to “stop dithering” as fuel prices spiral “out of control” across the country.

Warning signs now surround crumbling wreck that was nearly a five-star hotelThe historic mansion was being considered for a £19m five-star boutique hotel development just four years ago but is now crumblingView 4 Images Warning signs surround the grade-II listed property in Blaenavon (Image: Local Democracy Reporting Service)Concerns have been raised that a former mansion, which was being considered for redevelopment as a five-star boutique hotel just four years ago, will collapse in the next two years. ‌The Grade II-listed property in Blaenavon, which is missing most of its roof, was built nearly 230 years ago. There had been hopes that a £19m redevelopment would have transformed Ty Mawr, which translates as Big House, into a thriving hotel. Nick Horler, independent councillor for Blaenavon, raised serious concerns regarding the condition of the building, also known as Blaenavon House, at Torfaen Borough Council's most recent meeting. ‌She said: "The council previously worked with the private owner of Blaenavon House/Ty Mawr to bring forward proposals for a five-star boutique hotel.

Trump’s Irish merger comment just banter, Little-Pengelly saysUS president Donald Trump’s suggestion of an Irish merger was “just banter”, deputy first minister Emma Little-Pengelly has said. It came at the start of the president’s address to the annual Speakers’ Friends of Ireland Luncheon at Capitol Hill on Tuesday. “For me it was all about making sure that Northern Ireland was on his radar in a very positive way, so I talked about why we are here this week. “I outlined that the Northern Ireland economy is growing, there is so much potential for Northern Ireland, and referred back to the very long and shared history and heritage that we have as well, from all of those Ulster-Scots or Scots-Irish, so instrumental in the drafting and of course the writing of the Declaration of Independence. “I love Northern Ireland, I really want Northern Ireland to succeed and I will always do everything I can to try to push that forward.”PA

In an article titled ‘Campaigner challenges Fermanagh delegate’s comments on Allianz links to war in Gaza’ in this week’s Fermanagh Herald (March 18) we published statements from a member of the public concerning Allianz that were inaccurate and potentially misleading. We wish to clarify that Allianz plc (Ireland) is not named, referenced, or implicated in the United Nations Special Rapporteur report referred to in the article. Allianz plc (Ireland) does not hold Israeli government bonds, has no commercial relationship with Elbit Systems, and has not engaged in, nor profited from, any activity connected with the Israel–Palestine conflict. We further clarify that Israeli government bonds are standard sovereign debt instruments and that any suggestion that Allianz is “the largest private investor in Israeli war bonds” is inaccurate and misleading. AdvertisementWe also acknowledge that Allianz plc (Ireland) is a distinct legal entity and should not have been conflated with other entities within the wider Allianz Group.

ETU.S. counterterrorism official Joe Kent resigned over the war in Iran, citing a lack of imminent threat from the nation. A U.S. counterterrorism official resigned on March 17 over the war in Iran, the first from President Donald Trump's administration. Here is what to know:What did Trump say about Joe Kent's resignation? Trump also acknowledged that others say Iran is not a threat, but Trump called them "not smart people." In his March 17 letter to Trump outlining his objections to the U.S.-Israel war with Iran, Kent said his resignation was effective immediately.

The first of the new trains is expected to enter service by late 2027, with the final vehicle in operation before the end of 2028. A contract has been awarded to Beacon for the provision of twenty-two Class 222s, and to Alstom for the associated technical support, spares, and maintenance services. The trains will undergo an extensive £80 million overhaul and refurbishment prior to delivery to ScotRail, supported by £67 million of investment from the Scottish Government. The new trains will be in place by 2028 (Image: Scotrail)The refurbishment programme will ensure the Class 222s enter service to the highest possible standard, the rail operator said – with staff also being fully trained to safely operate them. “Working in partnership with ScotRail and Alstom on the upgrade programme for these trains will enhance the on-board experience for passengers across Scotland.

Goals from Casemiro, Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko added to the rejuvenated atmosphere that Carrick has cultivated since taking charge. ‌Away from the pitch, United loanee Jadon Sancho has been touted with a permanent move away from Old Trafford. FOLLOW OUR MAN UTD FB PAGE! ‌Marcus Rashford £26m transfer delay explained as Barcelona warn Man Utd star READ MORE :Sandro Tonali to Man Utd transfer condition made clear as three moves can complete deal READ MORE :"Starting would be too much, I think, at this point, [for Mason]," Carrick explained. Join our new MAN UTD WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Manchester United content from Mirror Football.

Video: Stock markets are in chaos thanks to a major escalation in the Iran war overnightAn Israeli airstrike ignited the world's largest natural gas field, South Pars in Iran. It came as Iranian ballistic missiles caused a fire at Qatar's Ras Laffan energy complex. Ballistic missiles were also launched from Iran causing a massive explosion in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

An Iranian flag is planted in the rubble of a police station that was damaged in airstrikes in Tehran, Iran. Given what is happening in the Middle East, the exchanges in the Dáil, and the predictable criticism levelled at the Coalition for being “a do-nothing government” might seem anodyne. However, once a war starts, “people are unaware as to what the consequences of the war will be”, Mr O’Callaghan replied. The truth is, so long as Iran controls the Strait of Hormuz, there will be pressure on oil prices. The only certainty about this war is that further instability and volatility will follow.

Over half of parents have said that they plan to drop out of the hot school meals scheme, as a damning new survey reveals deep dissatisfaction with the programme. The survey found that just 43% of parents who took part planned to continue to avail of the hot school meal scheme in its current format, with 57% of parents saying they would not. It found that 80% of parents said their children would be more likely to eat a fresh lunch rather than a hot school meal. Suppliers also responded to the survey and warned that “offering both hot and cold options is not economically viable”. All primary schools can now avail of the hot school meals programme, which originally started as a pilot in 2019.

No, the purpose of the chat is to destigmatise and demystify the health issues encountered and privately endured by so many female players. The conversation was started by the recently published survey results on the health experiences of female inter-county players. “That can cause a non-relaxing pelvic floor, and it gets tighter and tighter then when you add the impact of exercise on top of it. Only 32% were actually aware of pelvic floor dysfunction as a clinical concept. “I see first-hand how any sort of pelvic floor dysfunction can influence performance.

Met Éireann has forecast a dry and sunny day, with temperatures climbing as high as 18 degrees in some inland areas. Elsewhere, it will remain largely clear and dry throughout the day with plenty of sunshine. Highest temperatures will range from 13 to 17 degrees, possibly reaching 18 degrees locally, in mostly light easterly breezes, which may become moderate at times near southern coasts. Tonight will be dry and clear, with areas of mist and fog developing again as winds remain light and variable. Friday will follow a similar pattern, with morning mist and fog clearing to leave another dry day with good spells of sunshine.

The retailer is to stop sourcing fresh, chilled and frozen mackerel by April 29, as well as tinned mackerel once its current stocks have been sold. With the most recent, highly restrictive fishing quota announcements for Ireland, will it be long before we have reduced availability of once-common mackerel in our shops? As with many other species, mackerel around our coast are also diminishing because of overfishing. We’re facing a mackerel quota reduction of more 70% this year, following recommendations by the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) because stocks are now below safe biological limits. There’s a tradition of mackerel fishing in West Cork ports like Kinsale and Baltimore, as there is of casting lines from rocks around the coast.

“I would say Europe is a great place,” the Taoiseach opened, with Mr Trump saying he was “glad to hear it”, oddly enough. “We have to have robust and fair rules around migration,” Mr Martin said. He also over-egged the pudding by plámásing Mr Trump’s work in the Middle East, two issues for which he has taken criticism at home. However, it is a strategy which Mr Martin and his team seems to have identified as a potential winner. For now, Mr Martin will be pleased with his performance within the parameters he and the Irish diplomatic corps will have set.

Gerry Adams is defending the legal action against him at the Royal Courts of Justice in London (Ben Whitley/PA)Evidence proving Gerry Adams was behind three IRA bombings in England is “extremely limited” and “bordering on non-existent”, the High Court in London has been told. After Mr Adams finished giving evidence on Wednesday, Mr Craven said to the judge: “You have actually had very little evidence of how, why and by whom these bombings were authorised. Max Hill KC, for the three bombing victims, said while cross-examining Mr Adams on Wednesday that a former volunteer, who had at one point been friends with Mr Adams, understood Mr Adams to be a “major, major player in the war”. Ms Studd also told the court that Mr Adams had “a foot in each camp” of the military and political sides of the Irish Republican movement. The barrister continued that Mr Adams was “directly responsible for and complicit in those decisions made by that organisation to detonate bombs on the British mainland in 1973 and 1996”.