Supreme Court refers to Europe dispute over which country damages claim can be fought in
That order arose out of unsuccessful proceedings in Norway by SJI against a number of former board members of Norwegian household renovations company, RenoNorden ASA. Mr Vigeland said SJI Investments decided not to fund the RenoNorden lawsuit any further after the costs of the claim overran expectations. Zurich asked the High Court to rule that Norway and not Ireland was the proper jurisdiction for the case. In November 2023, the High Court ruled that Norway was the correct jurisdiction for him to bring his case. He appealed and the Court of Appeal (CoA) which, in February 2025, upheld the High Court decision.
Source:The Irish Times
November 18, 2025 05:58 UTC
Call for ‘zero tolerance’ approach after latest children’s play facility arson attack
A north Dublin playground destroyed by arson at the weekend may not reopen before Christmas, Dublin City Council’s management has said. The surface of the facility was badly scorched and requires replacement, while a slide was damaged beyond repair. Local councillors on Monday called for a “zero tolerance” approach following a spate of attacks on children’s play facilities in the city in recent months. The previous month there were arson attacks at playgrounds in Ringsend and Lucan. We need to be very forceful on how our approach is, we need to give both barrels when it comes to arson”.
Source:The Irish Times
November 18, 2025 04:23 UTC
Government signals plan to replace apartment planning standards amid legal challenge
Minister for Housing James Browne issued guidelines for far-reaching changes to apartment sizes. Photo: Sam Boal/Collins PhotosThe Government has indicated it intends to replace apartment planning standards published in July amid an ongoing legal challenge. They are seeking several orders, including one quashing the Minister’s apartment guidelines. As provided for in the Planning and Development Act 2024, a national planning statement comprises policies to support proper planning and sustainable development, and guidance for the implementation of those policies. According to the letter, the Minister proposes adopting a “precautionary approach” by carrying out an environmental impact assessment of the national planning statement to replace the existing guidelines.
Source:The Irish Times
November 18, 2025 04:19 UTC
Applications open for 229 Land Development Agency cost-rental apartments in Dublin
The interior of one of the homes at Cooper Square, a cost-rental apartment scheme being delivered by the LDA and Cairn Homes in Dublin 22. The Land Development Agency (LDA), the Government body charged with building homes on State-owned lands, has opened applications for the first phase of a large-scale cost-rental housing scheme in Dublin. Cooper Square, which will eventually comprise more than 600 apartments, is being delivered in partnership between the LDA and Cairn Homes at Seven Mills in Dublin 22. Applications are now open for the first 229 of the 600 homes the LDA is delivering on site. Monthly rents for the apartments at Cooper Square start at €1,350 for a one-bedroom apartment, €1,500 for a two-bedroom apartment and €1,790 for a three-bedroom apartment.
Source:The Irish Times
November 18, 2025 03:17 UTC
Ukraine in ‘urgent’ need of funds, von der Leyen warns EU leaders
Photograph: Christophe Ena/Pool/AFP via GettyUkraine’s need for more financial backing from its allies has become “urgent” and the European Union cannot afford to hesitate in helping Kyiv shore up its position on the battlefield, Ursula von der Leyen has said. In a letter to the leaders of the EU’s 27 states, Ms von der Leyen said a decision would need to be taken before the end of the year about how to fill a looming shortfall in Ukraine’s wartime budget. A big injection of finance was urgently required to strengthen Ukraine’s position “on the battlefield and at the negotiating table”, Ms von der Leyen said. Ms von der Leyen said the loan would be designed to comply with international law, meaning the EU would not technically be confiscating the Russian state cash. The commission president’s letter said financial markets could be spooked if the loan “was incorrectly perceived by others as a confiscation”.
Source:The Irish Times
November 18, 2025 03:13 UTC
Coming AI revolution needs a serious Government response
For some jobs, AI will make existing roles more productive, enhancing the value of individuals’ output to society. AI is likely to enhance the amount that economies produce with the same inputs of people and capital, increasing productivity. The researchers assessed which existing jobs may become more productive via AI, and which jobs may be at risk of disappearing. Even during the recession that followed the financial crash of 2008, graduate jobs in Ireland grew every year. Our education system needs to foster that flexibility and adaptability, and prepare people for a world permeated by AI.
Source:The Irish Times
November 18, 2025 02:51 UTC
What happens when housing supply is driven by markets?
Housing is shelter, but it is also an asset class. All of it creates a paradigm in which housing supply is driven by the markets, rather than Main Street. That’s not to say that investors don’t have a role to play in the housing market. Private equity firms helped set a floor under the housing market in the wake of the Great Financial Crisis, for example. Policymakers also need a more systemic understanding of the housing market.
Source:The Irish Times
November 18, 2025 01:30 UTC
Ireland reminded naysayers they haven’t gone away with dismantling of Australia
Robbie Henshaw scores Ireland's sixth try at the end of Saturday's Test match against Australia at the Aviva Stadium. And on a squally Saturday night in a packed Aviva, so a record win over Australia came to pass. Robbie Henshaw celebrates with Ireland teammates after his try against Australia on Saturday added gloss to the scoreline. The same may also be said for playing Gibson-Park at fullback for the last 10 minutes in considering a 6-2 bench split. AUSTRALIA: M Jorgensen; F Daugunu, J Suaalii, L Ikitau, H Potter, J O’Connor, J Gordon; A Bell, M Faessler, A Alaalatoa, J Williams, T Hooper, R Valetini, F McReight, H Wilson (capt).
Source:The Irish Times
November 18, 2025 01:11 UTC
Government will not oppose joint Opposition motion on Occupied Territories Bill
The Government will tell the Dáil this week it intends to bring forward the Occupied Territories Bill – but it has not yet decided whether services can be included in its remit. The Coalition will not oppose a joint Opposition motion on Wednesday urging immediate presentation of the Bill and its passage through the Oireachtas before Christmas, sources briefed on the issue said. [ Opposition to exert pressure on Coalition to include services in Occupied Territories BillOpens in new window ]Opposition leaders accused the Government of “dragging its heels” on the legislation and played down the prospect of consequences for Ireland if the Bill is passed. “It’s been seven years since the [Occupied Territories Bill] was introduced in the Seanad,” she said. Senator Frances Black, who put forward the original Occupied Territories Bill in 2018 said “we have an obligation to pass this Bill in its entirety with goods and services.”
Source:The Irish Times
November 17, 2025 23:13 UTC
Ireland v South Africa: Kick-off time, TV details, team news
Ireland face South Africa in their final fixture of the Autumn Nations Series. Stuart McCloskey has been ruled out of the South Africa game with a groin injury. South Africa have called up hooker Bongi Mbonambi and prop Ntuthuko Mchunu for their final two autumn matches against Ireland and Wales. Their last meeting was during Ireland’s two-Test tour to South Africa in July 2024. Jack Crowley in action for Ireland against South Africa during the meeting between the sides at the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
Source:The Irish Times
November 17, 2025 21:49 UTC
McDonald expresses regret SF members ‘in proximity’ to man arrested in far-right investigation
Last week it emerged the home of a Sinn Féin party member had been searched by investigating gardaí, and the member’s partner was later arrested. One of the properties searched was the home of the Sinn Féin party member and her partner. Last Wednesday a man – the Sinn Féin member’s partner – was arrested for questioning in the midlands as part of the investigation. It emerged last week that the now-expelled Sinn Féin member and her partner were previously signed into Leinster House on two occasions. It is understood the arrested man also took part in a Sinn Féin event in April commemorating the 1981 IRA hunger strike.
Source:The Irish Times
November 17, 2025 21:47 UTC
Germany moves to resume sales of weapons to Israel
Israel relied on Germany for components including gearboxes made by the Bavarian company Renk that are used in Merkava tanks. But Israel relied on Germany for components including gearboxes made by the Bavarian company Renk that are used in Merkava tanks operated by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). The vehicle has been the workhorse of Israel’s invasion of the besieged enclave. Following the partial embargo, Renk threatened to shift some production to the US so that it could continue supplying Israel. German chancellor Friedrich Merz announced an export freeze on weapons that could be used in Gaza in August.
Source:The Irish Times
November 17, 2025 20:15 UTC
Is Ireland’s supercharged growth a mirage?
[ Irish economy forecast to grow at eight times euro area averageOpens in new window ]Most of it related to exports by pharma giant Eli Lilly. The commission expects Irish GDP to expand by 10.7 per cent this year, eight times the growth it is forecasting for the euro zone as a whole. In other words, GDP overstates the size of the Irish economy by about 40 per cent. That 40 per cent disparity is why the real feel in the Irish economy differs so strikingly from the headline growth metrics that surround it. Throw in an aggravated housing crisis and a dysfunctional health service and Ireland’s turbo-charged economic performance can seem illusory.
Source:The Irish Times
November 17, 2025 19:54 UTC
Dublin Airport operator fought back over greenwashing advertising complaint
Lynn Boylan's complaint argued that many people would not be aware that the emissions referred to in the advert did not include the colossal amounts of pollution generated by aircraft. The operator of Dublin Airport hit back over complaints it tried to paint itself as environmentally friendly in a dispute over an advertising campaign about emissions. Sinn Féin MEP Lynn Boylan submitted a complaint to the Advertising Standards Authority of Ireland last year saying the phrase “halving airport emissions” was highly ambiguous. In response, the DAA said the use of the phrase “airport emissions” provided a “degree of specificity” about what they were referring to. Asked about the records, a DAA spokesman said: “DAA takes its climate obligations very seriously and we fully respect the decision of the ASAI.
Source:The Irish Times
November 17, 2025 18:07 UTC
Housing finance lender to provide builders with €770m
Developments funded by Activate have delivered new houses, apartments and student accommodation across Ireland’s cities and key urban areas. Residential development lender Activate Capital is to commit €770 million for new housing, the company has said. Activate’s original investing partners, the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund (ISIF) and global investment firm KKR, have committed to put forward the financing. Developments funded by Activate have delivered new houses, apartments and student accommodation across Ireland’s cities and key urban areas. ISIF director Nick Ashmore said housing is one of its key investment themes.
Source:The Irish Times
November 17, 2025 16:43 UTC