‘There’s a seismic change looming’: Social housing bodies come under increasing scrutiny
Not-for-profit approved housing bodies are now a major force in the delivery of homes in the State, collectively building more social homes than local authorities in 2021, 2022 and 2023. Photograph: iStockIn a series of findings handed down since September, five not-for-profit social housing bodies were deemed “non-compliant” with rules governing a sector that provides housing to tens of thousands of tenants. The determinations were made after a form of audit conducted by the Approved Housing Bodies Regulatory Authority (AHBRA), which was established in 2021 to oversee hundreds of approved housing bodies (AHBs) that are funded with public money. AHBs built more social homes than local authorities in 2021, 2022 and 2023 but the number they built in 2024 (3,914) was exceeded, slightly, by local councils (3,957). [ More than 50% of assessed not-for-profit housing bodies ‘non-compliant’ with rulesOpens in new window ]In a State grappling for years with a deep housing crisis, the expanding footprint of the AHB sector is little understood.
Source:The Irish Times
November 29, 2025 18:01 UTC
Apple braces for life after Tim Cook’s $3.6tn tenure
There’s been much speculation lately that Apple chief Tim Cook, now 65, will step down next year. In the 14 years since he took over from Steve Jobs, Cook has helped add roughly $3.6 trillion (€3.1 trillion) to Apple’s market value. Few corporate records come close, and the scale of Cook’s achievement makes Apple’s succession process a delicate one. That enormous valuation surge makes for a flattering comparison for Cook, and an unforgiving one for whoever follows him. [ Apple intensifies succession planning for CEO Tim CookOpens in new window ]
Source:The Irish Times
November 29, 2025 18:01 UTC
‘The admin’: why it’s not easy to rename streets called after Prince Andrew
Streets named after Andrew, formerly known as Prince but now plain Mountbatten-Windsor, can be found from Broadstairs to Belfast to Birmingham. In Maidenhead, Berkshire, there is a double whammy of Prince Andrew Road adjoining Prince Andrew Close, where some residents have complained of “surface-level embarrassment” , “smirks” and “raised eyebrows” whenever they give their address. A road in Norwich, however, is disputed, with one local councillor claiming it is in fact named after Prince Philip’s father, Prince Andrew of Greece. Under the current legal framework, set out in the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023, local authorities must demonstrate they have secured “sufficient local support”. [ Finn McRedmond: Prince Andrew is not a problem that can be solved by clever PR moves or renouncing a titleOpens in new window ]Removing plaques seems a lot easier.
Source:The Irish Times
November 29, 2025 17:59 UTC
Trump says he plans to cancel most of Joe Biden’s executive orders
Donald Trump has declared he intends to cancel most of the executive orders signed by Joe Biden, his predecessor as president of the United States. Mr Trump has also obsessively cast doubt on the validity of pardons and other documents that Mr Biden signed with an autopen, even though for decades other presidents have relied on the device to sign key papers. Mr Trump himself has used an autopen in the past. The sweeping announcement left many questions about how Mr Trump would nullify Mr Biden’s pardons and executive orders, given that US presidents are allowed to use the autopen – and that there has been no concrete evidence of any attempt to bypass Mr Biden’s will at the end of his second term. Legal experts have also warned that attempts to void past executive actions could set a problematic precedent, given that so many other presidents have utilised the autopen.
Source:The Irish Times
November 29, 2025 17:52 UTC
Matt Williams: Scrum laws must change for the good of the game
Today, if a team loses the contest in a scrum, play is never restarted because the current interpretation of the law demands that the loser of the contest be penalised. The time taken from awarding the Wallabies a scrum, through its formation, winning the scrum contest for possession, then six Australian backline passes before Michael Lynagh dived over and broke Irish hearts, took all of 29 seconds. All of this damage was inflicted on our game with the sole aim of empowering a few international teams at the expense of the entire world game. Our current scrum laws are the foundational reason of why our game is failing on both fronts. If Rugby 360 flourishes, the responsibility will rest firmly on the shoulders of our leaders at World Rugby, who have continuously ignored the existential threats that our scrum laws and adjudicating system currently pose to our game.
Source:The Irish Times
November 29, 2025 16:57 UTC
The German arms giant capitalising on renewed fear of Russia
As chief executive of German arms giant Rheinmetall, Armin Papperger has gone from leading a relatively unknown business outside Germany to now being at the head of one of the most high-profile companies in Europe. Rheinmetall is profiting not from war, Papperger argues, but a realisation around Europe that many overdid it with the post-Cold War peace dividend and invested “almost nothing” in defence and security. A Rheinmetall Caracal Air Assault vehicle at the Defence and Security Equipment International fair in London, England. Looking to the future, Papperger sees greater potential for closer European defence co-operation – once, that is, the deals are lead by Rheinmetall. “I am a major investor in this firm,” he said, “and I am very relaxed.”[ Lessons for Ireland from German unificationOpens in new window ]
Source:The Irish Times
November 29, 2025 16:54 UTC
Caspar Gabriel has found a home away from home with Terenure and Leinster
What’s more, Caspar Gabriel was still shy of his 14th birthday but playing among boys who were two years his senior. Afterwards, Donau Wien were hosted by Terenure RFC in Lakelands Park before going to a Leinster game. Terenure's Caspar Gabriel scores for Terenure against Clongowes in the 2023 Leinster Schools Senior Cup. Gabriel actually played for Donau Wien in an under-12s game in Terenure two years before that day in 2019. He talks about the “class environment” at Leinster and his debt to Terenure, where he’d love to win an AIL title.
Source:The Irish Times
November 29, 2025 16:53 UTC
Mark Moriarty’s 15-minute desserts: few ingredients, impressive results
This week I’m keeping everything short and sweet, with two desserts that can be made in record time and would happily sit on many a restaurant menu. So not only are this week’s desserts quick to produce, they contain only a handful of ingredients. Speedy chocolate soufflé. The chocolate soufflé was served at the end of a marathon and memorable meal. Fifteen minutes is all you have to wait for one of the best desserts in town.
Source:The Irish Times
November 29, 2025 16:37 UTC
An extraordinary find in the Irish Sea left experts gobsmacked
Flannery could hardly believe what he saw: what on Earth was a flapper skate egg doing in the Irish Sea, a place where the species had long gone all but extinct? Could the presence of a flapper skate egg in the Irish Sea be a hint that the species is slowly recovering? Today, their numbers are vanishingly small, with only a handful occasionally spotted off the coast of Kerry - never in the Irish Sea. There is no evidence of a viable population in the Irish Sea, but because scientists had long assumed the population was, in Collins’s words, “kaput”, nobody has been looking. It’s a tantalising prospect: that the Irish Sea is benefiting from an overspill from marine protected areas in other jurisdictions.
Source:The Irish Times
November 29, 2025 16:34 UTC
Candidate Hutch: Why Cab, the Spanish police and a State watchdog cannot stop his Dáil run
So if Hutch is not tax compliant, can he run in the byelection and, should he win, can he take a seat in the Dáil? “Investigation reports are provided to the Committee on Members’ Interests of Dáil Éireann, and laid before Dáil Éireann.”Gerry Hutch campaigns in the Dublin Central constituency during last year's general election. Cab, in evidence to the High Court, has previously described Hutch as the leader of “the Hutch organised crime group”. Twelve months ago, Hutch stunned the political establishment by running in the general election, securing 3,100 first-preference votes and almost winning the fourth and final seat. And Hutch will be fresh, he hasn’t been around for the past year, so he will be novel again,” says O’Malley.
Source:The Irish Times
November 29, 2025 16:32 UTC
A long road of lessons learned brought Jason Ryan to Ballygunner
When the Wexford footballers needed a new manager at the end of 2007, four others said no, and Jason Ryan said yes. Jason Ryan in 2012, during his time as Wexford manager, speaking to Graeme Molloy and Anthony Masterson. “And so it was a really tough year – really, really tough. “People don’t understand what he put into Wexford football.”Jason Ryan with Kieran McGeeney during Kildare's O'Byrne Cup game against Wexford in 2013. Kerry really, really, really went to town on us.”Ryan stepped away from the front line.
Source:The Irish Times
November 29, 2025 16:32 UTC
Rent for former commissioner’s Phoenix Park home paid by Garda during his term of office
Photograph: Stephen Collins/CollinsFormer Garda commissioner Drew Harris did not have to pay rent on his home in the Phoenix Park during his term of office. The Garda paid €21,000 a year, or €1,750 a month, to the Office of Public Works (OPW), for use of the property between 2018 and earlier this year, when Mr Harris left office. Mr Conlon said the renovation work was part of the OPW’s normal programme of works and not in preparation for Mr Harris. It said the OPW set the rent for the property, which was paid by An Garda Síochána. “While personal tax details are confidential, it is understood that the former Commissioner paid benefit in kind in respect of this arrangement,” the spokesman said.
Source:The Irish Times
November 29, 2025 16:31 UTC
Government tightens screws on migration – but will changes fix issues the country faces?
It took four years for him to be granted refugee status on appeal, before being joined by his daughter under the family reunification policy in 2023. For example, how will a stipulation that refugees seeking family reunification be “self-sufficient” be applied? NGOs say these thresholds already place reunification beyond the reach of many workers. “Remember, we have left our own countries to be here.”Bethel Muzaya at a protest held in relation to migrant family reunification outside the Dáil on November 20th. For those who are here or arrive, Hennessy argues that the real-world effect of the changes, once implemented, will increase hardship, especially those around family reunification.
Source:The Irish Times
November 29, 2025 16:31 UTC
Government to examine reducing number of visas granted to English language school students
Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan said the Coalition was 'having discussions at present in respect of student visas'. The Government will examine reducing the number of visas granted to students in English language schools, with the sector due to face extra scrutiny as part of ongoing reforms. Some 60,000 student visas were issued last year by the State. The English language sector accounts for around half. Another source said it was likely a reduction in student visas would be considered, with an initial focus on the English language sector.
Source:The Irish Times
November 29, 2025 16:31 UTC
Aimee Connolly: ‘I’m not ready to sell – I want to be a top 10 global beauty brand’ – The Irish Times
And Connolly, with her Sculpted by Aimee brand, is leading the charge. Unlike many other Irish beauty brands, she has done it herself. Aimee Connolly started the business with €10,000 in savings and retains 100 per cent ownership. “Because I’m also an individual, Aimee Connolly, outside of Sculpted.” She chooses carefully who she affiliates herself with. Photograph: Bryan O’BrienFor someone who started off on the shop floor, retail is an important part of the Sculpted brand.
Source:The Irish Times
November 29, 2025 16:31 UTC