Rosslare search
A search operation is being carried out off the coast of Rosslare, Co Wexford after a man is believed to have gone overboard during a sailing of a Stena Line ferry.
The ferry was travelling from Cherbourg, France to Rosslare Europort on Monday morning when the alarm was raised.
All passengers were detained on arrival at Rosslare, where a headcount of all the people onboard was carried out, while Gardaí said emergency services are conducting searches of the harbour.
Russian sanctions
Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney has admitted that EU sanctions to date against Russia were not working.
However, he said Ireland will support a fifth package of sanctions in the coming days, stating the measures were “real and practical next steps that can be taken by the EU”.
When asked what evidence there was to suggest the sanctions were stopping Russia, Mr Coveney said: “They’re clearly not,” but added they could be used as a deterrent for the continuation of war.
Climate report
Minister for the Environment Eamon Ryan has advised households to reduce car journeys and spend less time in the shower as part of public awareness campaign around energy costs, following the publication of a report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).
The Government is working on finalising a cost-of-living package to help households with spiralling costs, however, no additional financial supports are expected, so the new campaign will focus on "behaviour-led" measures.
The IPCC's report comes as a new report from the UN warned substantial reductions in the use of fossil fuels are needed to tackle the climate crisis, and meeeting goals agreed by countries to limit temperature rises to 1.5 degrees to avoid the worst impacts of climate change requires rapid, deep and immediate greenhouse gas emissions cuts in all areas.
Birth rate increase
Birth rates increased for the first time last year since the financial crash, suggesting Ireland may be on course for a post-lockdown baby boom.
In 2021, there were 59,874 babies born in hospitals and maternity units, which is an increase of 3,000 on 2020 figures.
Sociologist and Research fellow at NUIG Dr Jo Murphy Lawless said the increase may be a result of the pandemic.
