EU’s stance on Protocol has 'hardened' in face of UK threat, says Coveney
The EU’s stance on the Northern Ireland Protocol has “hardened” in the face of the UK threat to unilaterally scrap part of the arrangements, the Minister for Foreign Affairs has warned.
Simon Coveney urged the UK government to step back from its plan to publish domestic legislation that would override elements of the post-Brexit protocol governing trade between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
The UK government is expected to table its controversial Bill in Westminster next week amid reports of differences within the Cabinet on how far-reaching the legislative proposals should be.
Keir Starmer accuses Boris Johnson of taking ‘wrecking ball’ to UK-Irish relations
UK Labour Party leader Sir Keir Starmer has accused the British prime minister of taking a “wrecking ball” to relationships with Ireland and the EU with his controversial plan to unilaterally scrap aspects of the Northern Ireland Protocol.
Mr Starmer is on a visit to Dublin to meet senior figures in the Irish Government to discuss the deepening row over the post-Brexit trading arrangements.
Boris Johnson’s government has revealed plans to introduce domestic legislation that would override parts of the Brexit deal for Northern Ireland.
UK foreign secretary Liz Truss announced plans to legislate last month and the Bill is expected to be published in the coming days.
Inflation in Ireland rises to highest level in 38 years
Inflation in Ireland has risen to the highest rate since 1984.
New figures from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) show inflation hit 7.8 per cent in May, up from 7 per cent in April.
The increase was largely driven by spikes in fuel prices.
The cost-of-living crisis facing households across the country has dominated politics in Ireland in recent months, amid concerns about the impact on the poorest.
Colin Cotter, a CSO statistician, said: “Prices have been rising on an annual basis since April 2021, with an annual inflation of 5.0 per cent or more recorded each month since October 2021.”
According to CSO data, electricity prices jumped by 41 per cent in the last year, while home heating oil rose by more than 100 per cent.
The cost of diesel also increased by 42 per cent and petrol by 26 per cent.
Woman (80s) dies after falling from building in Galway city
A woman has died after falling from a building in Galway city on Thursday morning.
Gardaí said the woman, aged in her 80s, was found dead after falling from the upper floor of a building on High Street.
The woman's body was taken to University Hospital Galway, where a post-mortem examination is due to take place.
Anyone who was in the High Street area, between 8.45am and 9.05am on Thursday morning, who has dashcam footage, is also asked to make it available to officers at Galway Garda station.
