EU launches new legal action against UK
The European Commission has launched two new legal proceedings against Britain after London published plans to override some post-Brexit rules governing Northern Irish trade, and resumed another challenge it had previously paused.
The proceedings could result in fines imposed by the European Court of Justice, although these would likely be more than a year away.
European Commission vice-president Maros Sefcovic told reporters in Brussels the UK government had set out to “unilaterally break international law”.
The plan would mean “breaking an agreement that protects peace and stability in Northern Ireland, an agreement reached together only three years ago” by Boris Johnson’s government and the EU.
Mr Sefcovic said: “Let there be no doubt: there is no legal nor political justification whatsoever for unilaterally changing an international agreement.
House price inflation
House price inflation has slowed for the first time in almost two years.
According to the latest residential property price index, property prices nationally rose by 14.2 per cent over the year to April, down from a seven-year high of 15.1 per cent in March.
In Dublin, residential prices saw an increase of 11.5 per cent, down from 12.7 per cent in March, while property prices outside Dublin were 16.4 per cent higher year-on-year.
President’s speech on housing may have ‘overstepped the mark’
President Michael D Higgins may have “overstepped the mark” by condemning the housing crisis as “a disaster” and “our great, great, great failure,” a constitutional law expert has said.
Mr Higgins addressed the housing crisis in a forceful and emotional speech at the official opening of a new facility for young homeless people near Naas in Co Kildare on Tuesday.
Praising the redevelopment of Jigginstown Manor, a former residential home, into the Tiglin facility for homeless youth, the President used the event to question local and national policies to provide more homes for people and better facilities for the Travelling community.
Mr Higgins also strongly condemned the speculative nature of investment in housing, questioning the Republic that has been created 100 years on since the foundation of the State.
Trade unions call for speedier rollout of living wage
A trade union official has called for a swifter implementation of the new living wage announced by the Government on Tuesday.
Dr Laura Bambrick, head of social policy and employment affairs at the Irish Council of Trade Unions (ICTU), said she welcomed the plan to replace the current minimum wage of €10.50 per hour with a new living wage, to be phased in over four years from 2023.
However, there was concern that as prices rise the increase would be negated, she told Newstalk Breakfast.
“This is a hugely significant and positive move for hundreds of thousands of workers,” she added.
RTÉ ‘disappointed’ after Dublin Pride ends partnership
Dublin Pride has ended its partnership with RTÉ due to what it described as “extremely harmful anti-trans” discussions aired on Joe Duffy's Liveline on RTÉ Radio One.
In a statement released on Tuesday, Dublin Pride confirmed it will part ways with the national broadcaster. Organisers said they were “angered” and “disappointed” by what they called “unacceptable” and “triggering” discussions on the show.
“Over the past three years, we have worked together with the national broadcaster to increase the positive representation of LGBTQ+ people on TV, radio, and online, and to see the good work of so many people undone is saddening in the extreme and negates much of the efforts made to date,” the statement said.
