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Ireland - Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Simon Harris and Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Peter Burke, today officially launched the Government’s Action Plan on Market Diversification, a strategic whole of government initiative designed to bolster Ireland’s economic resilience and expand global trade opportunities for Irish businesses.
The Action Plan jointly developed by the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and
The Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary TD, and Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation, Jack Chambers TD, have announced today (Thursday, 28 August) that funding of €35.75 million has been approved for Galway County Council to proceed with the Inis Oírr pier extension project, a flagship infrastructure project under the Government’s National Development Plan.
The funding approval has enabled Galway County Council to award the main construction
Ireland - A €35.75 million investment has been announced by Ministers Dara Calleary and Jack Chambers to upgrade the pier on Inis Oírr, the smallest of the Aran Islands.
The project, part of the revised €275 billion National Development Plan, includes a €30 million construction contract awarded to Ward & Burke Construction. It will involve extending the concrete pier and building a breakwater to protect the harbour from storms and improve ferry access during busy summer months.
This is the largest ever investment in the offshore islands and the Gaeltacht by the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht. Construction is expected to begin in spring 2026 and take two years to complete.
The project will improve safety, increase tourism capacity, and boost local economic activity. It will also strengthen the long-term sustainability of the island community and represents a major commitment to preserving the Irish language and way of life on Inis Oírr.
Ireland - Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, James Lawless TD, and Minister of State with special responsibility for Further Education, Apprenticeship, Construction and Climate Skills Marian Harkin TD, today launched WorldSkills Ireland 2025.
WorldSkills Ireland 2025 is a free-to-attend event and will run alongside The Irish Times Higher Options at the RDS Simmonscourt, Dublin, from September 17–19, 2025.
As Ireland’s largest gathering of second-level students, with over 30,000 expected attendees,
Ireland - The Office of Public Works and Dublin City Arts Office are pleased to present a new exhibition of work by Eithne Jordan RHA curated by Margarita Cappock. It takes place at the Casino Marino, from 30 August to 5 November 2025. The exhibition is open everyday from 10.00am to 4.00pm and admission to the exhibition is free.
Eithne Jordan is one of Ireland’s pre-eminent painters. In this exhibition, Jordan has turned
Ireland - The Office of Public Works (OPW) is delighted to welcome the Biodiversity Festival and Honey Show taking place on Saturday, 6 September 2025 in the Phoenix Park, Dublin. From forest bathing to mythological tree tours, to pond dipping to the honey show, visitors can expect an exciting programme of free tours, lectures, and activities catering for nature enthusiasts both young and old.
Minister of State with the responsibility for the Office of Public Works, Kevin ‘Boxer’
I strongly condemn Russian missile attacks on Ukraine overnight.
These brutal attacks also damaged civilian infrastructure, including the EU Delegation in Kyiv.
This morning, I have directed my officials to summon the Russian representative at their Embassy here so they can be left in no doubt as regards our outrage at what happened in Kyiv last night.
Russia must immediately halt its criminal attacks and agree to a full and unconditional ceasefire.
Ireland - Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity, Christopher O’Sullivan TD has today confirmed that an Asian Hornet nest was found yesterday evening (August 27th). The nest was found following intensive monitoring and survey activities by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) working with experts from the National Biodiversity Data Centre, the National Museum of Ireland and local expertise.
Reacting to the news the Minister said:
“The Asian Hornet poses a significant threat to pollinators and the sighting of one
Funding of up to €2.7 million is available for projects that aim to increase the integration and employability of people who have moved here as migrants.
Funding is being made available under the Integration and Employment of Migrants action of the Employment, Inclusion, Skills & Training (EIST) Programme 2021-2027.
Organisations can apply for funding for projects supporting:
The funding will support a small number of significant projects and €200,000 is the minimum grant that can be applied for.
All applications must be submitted by email to iem@justice.ie.
Applications for funding will remain open until noon on Thursday 11 September.
Further information and the application form are available online at gov.ie.
“Today, as Ukraine celebrates its Independence Day, I pay tribute to the ongoing and outstanding courage and determination of its people.
“More than ever, we remain steadfast in our support for a free and independent Ukraine.
“More than ever, we will work with EU colleagues and the US for a just, secure and lasting peace for the people of Ukraine.
“Happy Independence Day.”
The Minister of State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works (OPW), Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran, TD is pleased to announce an increase in the funding supports available to local authorities through the OPW’s Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme (the Minor Works Scheme). The OPW Minor Works Scheme provides funding to local authorities to carry out localised flood relief and coastal erosion protection works.
Speaking today, the Minister said, “Everyone will, no doubt, recall the serious flooding and
Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity, Christopher O'Sullivan T.D., has today (20 August) launched a public consultation process on the draft 2025 Sectoral Adaptation Plan (SAP) for Biodiversity. The Plan sets out the policy and context for biodiversity adaptation policy in Ireland and a series of actions and objectives to safeguard Ireland’s biodiversity and its resilience to the impact of climate change.
Minister O’Sullivan said:
“Significant investment in recent years from government and large scale
The Minister for Health, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill TD has today announced that an expanded Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Immunisation Programme will run throughout Winter 2025-2026.
The immunisation will be offered in maternity hospitals to all babies born between 1 September 2025 and 28 February 2026. It will also be available to babies who are aged less than six months old on 1 September, to offer them protection ahead of the seasonal upsurge in infection with RSV later in autumn/winter.
This year’s programme was developed following an evaluation of the First Pathfinder
“I welcome today's publication of the Joint Statement on trade between the European Commission and US.
“It brings greater clarity and certainty to what the agreement between the EU and the US will mean in practice. This is especially important for enterprises that either import from or export to the US.
“Given the scale of the pharmaceutical and semiconductor sectors in Ireland, it is important
Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien has today published Ireland’s first Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Policy Roadmap, as committed to under the Programme for Government.
The aviation sector faces a particular challenge to decarbonise. The development and deployment of SAFs will play a crucial role in helping us reach our decarbonisation goals, which will enable our aviation industry to operate and develop in a sustainable manner.
To assist in the development of the Roadmap, the Department of Transport established
The Department of Defence has today (21 August) announced that the World Bank has been engaged to provide technical assistance to the Office of Emergency Planning (OEP) in its review of the National Strategic Policy Framework for Emergency Management in Ireland.
The OEP is a joint Civil/Military Office located in the Department of Defence and and
The Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, Jim O’Callaghan today, 21 August, welcomes the launch of tenders for two initiatives under the government’s Family Justice Strategy 2022-2025.
The initiatives are the Children's Court Advocate Pilot and the Family Law Reporting Project.
Minister O’Callaghan said:
I am extremely pleased to announce that my Department is currently tendering
