EU proposes doing away with constant internet ‘cookies’ requests
People will no longer be bombarded by constant requests to accept or reject “cookies” when browsing the internet, under proposed changes to the European Union’s strict data privacy laws. The pop-up prompts asking internet users to consent to cookies when they visit a website are widely seen as a nuisance, undermining the original privacy intentions of the digital rules. Updated regulations would allow people to consent or reject internet cookies for a six-month period, before they are asked again. The EU regulations requiring websites to get consent to track information about people’s past browsing behaviour date back to 2009. European commissioner for justice Michael McGrath said the broader changes to the union’s data laws was not a “reopening” of the GDPR.
Source:The Irish Times
November 19, 2025 14:32 UTC
Shannon Airport and air traffic control operators object to Clare wind farm
Gordon DeeganAn Coimisiún Pleanala is to stage an oral hearing into a planned wind farm for southeast Clare that AirNav Ireland and Shannon Airport are opposing. The plan has drawn 74 third party submissions, most of them opposing the project which would have wind turbine tip heights of 518 feet. Arising from the objections lodged by Shannon Airport and AirNav Ireland, An Coimisiún Pleanala commissioned an independent aviation review by consultancy, Sagentia Aviation. AirNav Ireland provides air traffic management and related services within the 451,000 square kilometres of airspace controlled by Ireland. Mr O’Loughlin says the proposed wind farm “would degrade the performance of the Woodcock Hill Radar”.
Source:The Irish Times
November 19, 2025 13:53 UTC
Gordon D’Arcy: Ireland vs Springboks will be decided in a moment of desperation
Time on feet this week will need to be managed carefully to be fit and firing come Saturday against the double world champions, South Africa. TURIN, ITALY - NOVEMBER 15: Rassie Erasmus, Coach of South Africa, looks on prior to the Quilter Nations Series 2025 match between Italy and South Africa at Allianz Stadium on November 15, 2025 in Turin, Italy. Erasmus is on record in saying that he wanted a shadow South Africa 15 to be good enough to be in the top eight teams in the world. The players trust Rassie implicitly, understanding that he does what’s best for South Africa. It will be a moment of desperation, where a player works harder to get set early in attack or defence, creating or stopping a score.
Source:The Irish Times
November 19, 2025 13:31 UTC
Man who looted cigarettes from shop during Dublin riots jailed for two years
Photograph: Tom Honan/The Irish TimesA man who took part in the Dublin riots – looting cigarettes from a Gala store and helping gather rubbish which was later set on fire – has been jailed for two years. He was also seen on Dame Street helping to put some rubbish on the street which was later set alight by other rioters. Robinson was identified by gardaí from CCTV footage in the Gala store and from Dame Street. In a victim impact statement before the court, the Gala shop owner said he was “deeply traumatised” from the events that night. Defence counsel said Robinson’s involvement on Dame Street amounted to placing the rubbish on the street, not setting it alight.
Source:The Irish Times
November 19, 2025 04:11 UTC
Ireland ‘closer to where we want to be’ ahead of Springboks visit, says James Ryan
Ireland will look to draw inspiration from the Republic of Ireland’s recent wins as Andy Farrell’s side take on World Champions South Africa at the Aviva Stadium this weekend. “It was brilliant,” said Ireland secondrow James Ryan, a few of the squad having been to see Heimir Hallgrímsson’s men earn a 2-0 win over Portugal at the Aviva last Thursday. It was class.”It was a highly unusual weekend for Irish sport, with Mack Hansen and Troy Parrott collecting hat-tricks for their respective Ireland teams. They are the best team in the world, so we can’t wait.”And not unlike their Republic of Ireland counterparts, Ryan expects nothing less than a tough fight from start to finish against the Springboks. But they show real grit, real fight at times when things don’t go their way, so again that’s another thing you would admire.”
Source:The Irish Times
November 19, 2025 03:03 UTC
Willie Walsh criticises EU compensation policy for passengers over flight delays
Willie Walsh, director general of the International Air Transport Association (IATA), said on Tuesday that the European Union has taken “very little action” to address airlines’ competitiveness and criticised its passenger compensation policy. European airlines have faced numerous challenges in recent years from air traffic control strikes, especially in France, engine manufacturer issues and delays in new, fuel-efficient aircraft from Boeing. EU institutions are currently negotiating a reform of the bloc’s 20-year old passenger rights’ regulation, called EU261, which Mr Walsh said was long outdated. Mr Walsh said the compensation scheme for flight delays punishes 99 per cent of passengers as fewer than 1 per cent of flights are delayed past the three-hour threshold. The European Parliament, however, wants to axe the thresholds and add the ability to bring a free cabin bag, among other changes.
Source:The Irish Times
November 19, 2025 02:13 UTC
Dundalk IT to get university college status after agreeing merger with Queen’s of Belfast
Dundalk Institute of Technology will become a university college from next September. Photograph: Alan Betson/The Irish TimesDundalk Institute of Technology (IT) is to become a university college following agreement of a merger with Queen’s University Belfast. It has been praised as a “landmark” development for educational collaboration between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. The announcement was made on Tuesday after formal approval of the partnership by the two institutions, with the aim that the new university college will become fully operational for the start of the 2026 academic year. They will receive the same standard of education and award as those studying in Belfast, according to Queen’s.
Source:The Irish Times
November 19, 2025 01:32 UTC
Tim Magee’s pick of restaurants for great meals in England and continental Europe
I wish natural wines as a cult would become more secular, and be based on, you know, flavour. Despite the obvious obstacles, there are, again, more better places to eat in 2025 than last year, than ever. If you don’t want your restaurants replaced with vape and mobile repair shops, then go out to eat, for the love of everything. One Club RowOne Club RowThe most creative dining is still happening on our nearest neighbour’s island. If you can’t get in, go to Bilbao – it’s more real life than San Sebastian with food just as good.
Source:The Irish Times
November 19, 2025 01:23 UTC
Irish legislation on Northern Ireland legacy issues to follow UK ‘swiftly’
The SDLP's Claire Hanna said her party would push Dublin on its obligations on the Omagh [bombing] inquiry. Photograph: PAThe Irish Government will move “swiftly” to publish its legislation to address legacy issues once the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill has become law in the UK, MPs have been told. SDLP leader Claire Hanna said her understanding was that detailed work was under way in Dublin, and the “architecture” of the Irish legislation would be “compatible” with the processes put in place in the UK. The framework requires legislation in both jurisdictions to be implemented, with Irish legislation to follow once the UK Bill becomes law. DUP leader Gavin Robinson said the UK government’s “promise to protect veterans ... is a mirage” and there was “no specific protection for veterans within this piece of legislation, none”.
Source:The Irish Times
November 19, 2025 01:15 UTC
Hearing date given to father of missing child taken to Poland without his consent
The man, who cannot be identified to protect the identity of the child, told the High Court on Tuesday that Polish authorities had 'declared war' on him. Photograph: Bryan O'BrienAn Irish father who has accused the Polish state of “stealing” his child has been given a court date for the hearing of his case over the alleged inaction of authorities here in assisting with her return. He has been unable to track her down despite a Polish court order that the child be returned to Ireland, the court has heard. The Polish order, while accepted by the State here, is being appealed for the second time by the children’s ombudsman in Poland. “This is the Polish state stealing my child.,” he said.
Source:The Irish Times
November 18, 2025 23:54 UTC
All-island children’s heart surgery now world class, say doctors
Initially, there was “considerable reluctance” among parents, consultants, doctors and nurses in Dublin “to buy into an all-island congenital heart network”. Illustrating the problem, Dr Oslizlok, who chairs the all-island body, highlighted the difficulties encountered when transferring seriously ill children by ambulance between Dublin and Belfast. The Republic and Northern Ireland together have the critical population needed to make centres of excellence viable, he said, adding that the island has “just about sufficient” population for one congenital heart surgery clinic. Meanwhile, the All-Island Cancer Research Institute urged the Oireachtas committee to press for HSE funding for proton therapy for cancer patients in the Republic. Currently, treatment for patients in Britain and Northern Ireland is publicly funded, but people in the Republic must pay for it themselves, even though the expensive treatment can last for months.
Source:The Irish Times
November 18, 2025 23:40 UTC
Evidence concludes in defamation action against Denis O’Brien and spokesman
Mr O’Brien and Mr Morrissey deny the material defamed the solicitors or means what the solicitors allege. Mr Hogan put it to Mr Morrisey that if he hadn’t included “IRA” in the complained-of sentence, “we wouldn’t be here”. Asked if he wanted to apologise to Mr Mackin and Mr Booth, Mr Morrissey said: “I’m here as a defendant, and I stand over what I did. Mr Morrissey described as “a bit pejorative” a suggestion that he was in court doing Mr O’Brien’s bidding. The witness said he took responsibility for his actions, and said that he would not pass over his actions to Mr O’Brien.
Source:The Irish Times
November 18, 2025 22:52 UTC
Ireland to face Poland, Wales, Czech Republic or Slovakia in World Cup playoff semi-final
Photograph: Ryan Byrne/InphoThe Republic of Ireland will be away to one of Poland, Wales, the Czech Republic or Slovakia in a World Cup playoff semi-final next March. A 7-1 victory for Wales over North Macedonia in Cardiff confirmed Ireland will be in Pot 3 for Thursday’s playoff draw in Zurich. The four teams in Pot 4 – Romania, Sweden, North Macedonia and Northern Ireland – qualified for the playoffs via the Nations League. North Macedonia responded immediately with Bojan Miovski capitalising on some slack defending to slide the ball home inside the near post, 2-1. The four teams from Pot 1 on Thursday morning will be drawn against the four teams from Pot 4.
Source:The Irish Times
November 18, 2025 22:42 UTC
Women see safety from violence as a key aspiration for equality
Violence against and harassment of women are urgent problems that have to be faced, said Minister for Equality Norma Foley. Photograph: iStockIt was “sobering” that for many women the most important change needed to feel equal to men was to be “safe from violence”, Minister for Equality Norma Foley said on Tuesday. From Tuesday companies can report their gender pay gap to a special portal for publication on a central pay gap website. “I believe this publicly available gender pay gap portal will encourage a larger number of employers to meet their legal obligation,” said the Minister. Carlien Scheele, director of the European Institute for Gender Equality, said she was “proud” to approve of the strategy.
Source:The Irish Times
November 18, 2025 22:39 UTC
Ivan Yates ‘flabbergasted’ at attention on media training activities, committee to hear
Mr Yates also provided media training to other Fianna Fáil politicians in recent years. Mr Yates said he had an “iron and enduring rule of client confidentiality”, which prevented him from disclosing his involvement with Mr Gavin. Mr Yates is due to appear at the Oireachtas Media Committee on Wednesday evening. In his opening statement, Mr Yates says media training has been “a small element of my commercial activities over the past number of years” and training for politicians has been “even smaller”. Ms Creighton said she runs a European public affairs business and “we do not provide PR or media training services”.
Source:The Irish Times
November 18, 2025 22:36 UTC