General News
• Letter to Taoiseach calls for 'new conversation' on Ireland. More than 1,000 representatives across Ireland and among the diaspora have signed an open letter to Taoiseach Leo Varadkar calling for a "new conversation" about the constitutional future of the island of Ireland. The letter also asks for the formation of a Citizens' Assembly to reflect "the views of citizens North and South", and welcomes the discussion it says are taking place among unionists about their future place on the island.
• Varadkar criticised over comments on immigration. Comments made by Taoiseach Leo Varadkar about illegal immigration have been described as "very dangerous" by a migrant rights group. Mr Varadkar was quoted in The Sunday Independent as saying migrants from Albania and Georgia with fake documents were behind a rise in the numbers seeking asylum in the country. Nick Henderson, chief executive of the Irish Refugee Council (IRC) said " to pick out particular nationalities is dangerous and to suggest that a country is de facto safe for all is very dangerous".
• Government officials and Special Forces attempt to return Smith to Ireland. Members of the Defence Forces and Government officials have started a "Non-Combatant Evacuation Operation" to repatriate Islamic state supporter Lisa Smith and her young daughter. Ms Smith (38) left Ireland several years ago, travelling first to Tunisia and then to Syria where she joined up with the terrorist group and married one of its fighters, a man who was later killed. A delegation from the Department of Foreign Affairs has been deployed to the border area of Turkey to facilitate the return of Ms Smith and her daughter to Ireland where she may face charges for aiding a terrorist group.
• GPO staff face relocation by end of 2020. An Post staff have been told they will move from the GPO "temporarily or permanently" by the end of next year, raising questions over the future of the historic O'Connell Street premises. In an internal email, chief executive David McRedmond said the building is in need of major refurbishment, while its lease is due to run out "in a relatively short time".
• 'Catastrophic' storm surge in Dublin inevitable, says climate change expert. A catastrophic storm during high tide which will leave thousands of homes, businesses and landmark buildings in Dublin under water is inevitable over the coming decades, one of the country's foremost climate change experts has warned. Prof Peter Thorne, from Maynooth University, said Ireland had been lucky to "dodge a bullet" until now during major storm events because they have struck during low or neap tides but it was only a matter of time until the elements combined for a devasting surge.
• German ambassador claims ‘new dynamism’ in relations. The German ambassador to Ireland, Deike Potzel, has said there is a “new dynamism” in Irish-German relations as the countries work closer together as a result of Brexit. Ms Potzel was the keynote speaker as the annual Armistice Day commemoration in Woodenbridge World War One Memorial Park in Co Wicklow on November 3rd. Speaking after the service, Ms Potzel said Germany was working hard to deepen bilateral relations having recognised a need to work more closely with its partners, including Ireland due to Brexit.
• ‘He shone a light on Irish life’, Higgins pays tribute to broadcaster. President Michael D Higgins has led a tribute to the late broadcaster Gay Byrne, remarking upon his sense of justice, as well as his ability to challenge Irish society and shine a light on the dark sides of Irish life. “A man of great charisma, Gay Byrne was someone who exuded warmth and presence, who was possessed of effortless wit, charm and who had a flair for broadcasting,” said Mr Higgins.
• Paramilitarism still ‘profoundly destabilising’ in Northern Ireland. Paramilitarism remains a “profoundly destabilising factor” in Northern Ireland which carries “serious risks” to peace and reconciliation, the latest report from the Independent Reporting Commission (IRC) states. It also warns that Brexit has “the potential to add fuel to the fire of continued paramilitarism”.
• Sinn Féin calls on voters to back remainers. Sinn Féin is to stand aside in three Northern constituencies in December’s general election and has urged its voters to back other candidates who support staying in the EU in order to help defeat the pro-Brexit DUP. The party will not run candidates in East Belfast, South Belfast or North Down, with Sinn Féin suggesting voters instead support Alliance party leader Naomi Long, Claire Hanna of the SDLP and independent unionist Lady Sylvia Hermon.
• TDs may need to use fingerprint for voting. TDs could be required to use fingerprint technology to vote in the Dáil and check in for the purposes of claiming expenses under moves being considered by the Oireachtas. Reform of the voting system and how TDs clock in around the Houses of the Oireachtas is expected to be on the agenda for a meeting next week of the body that runs Leinster House.
• Byelections to fill Dáil seats set for November 29th. The Government will move the writ in the Dáil on Thursday for the byelections on November 29th to replace TDs who were elected to the European Parliament. Minister for Housing and Local Government Eoghan Murphy will bring a motion before the Dáil giving the go-ahead for the elections in Cork North Central, Dublin Fingal, Dublin Mid-West and Wexford.
• AG clears way for law that favours adoptees. The Attorney General has cleared the way for a new adoption law that would favour the release of birth information to adopted people for the first time. Minister for Children Katherine Zappone has been engaged in extensive consultations with stakeholders and the Attorney General Séamus Woulfe, over the last number of months in a bid to break an impasse over the proposed new Adoption and Information Tracing Bill.
• Tusla finds 60,000 pupils a day miss school. An average of 60,000 children miss school every day, with pupils in urban areas more likely to be absent due to stress and anxiety, according to the State agency which monitors school attendance. Tusla, the child and family agency, has said approximately 12 per cent of the referrals it received about absenteeism last year related to mental health.
• Environmental charges to include coffee cup levy. A new levy of up to 25 cent on a disposable coffee cup is one of a number of environmental charges being announced by the Government. Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Mr Richard Bruton said “a coffee cup levy has clear benefits for the environment”, noting that 22,000 disposable cups are used every hour.
• RTÉ plans 200 job losses and pay cut for top earners. RTÉ is planning substantial job cuts and a 15 per cent pay reduction for its highest-earning presenters as a part of a financial restructuring to save €60 million over three years.
• Refugee student wins State scholarship to study medicine. Three years ago, Suadd Alshieh a newly arrived 14-year-old Syrian asylum seeker arrived in Ireland with dreams of becoming a doctor. This year she secured a place studying medicine at the Royal College of Surgeons Ireland after an impressive Leaving Cert which included top marks in chemistry and biology. Ms Alshieh was named as the first recipient of a new State scholarship (worth €5000 a year) for disadvantaged students studying science in higher education.
Business and Economy
• EY Ireland reports revenues up 5% to €330m. EY Ireland has reported a 5 per cent rise in its revenues in the Republic to more than €330 million in the year to the end of June 2019. Stripping out the effect of expenses incurred on behalf of clients, it says its turnover increased by 16 per cent.
• Corporation Tax surges to record €6.9bn high. Corporation tax receipts hit a record of €6.9 billion for the year to October, more than €660 million ahead of the Government’s target, the latest exchequer returns show. The figures show receipts from the business tax of €6.88 billion in October, 10.6 per cent ahead of what has been forecast.
• AIB to cut over 300 jobs this year as low ECB interest rates squeeze income. AIB plans to shed more than 300 jobs this year to rein in costs as a “very challenging” interest rate environment internationally is squeezing lending margins and income. The bank currently in the middle of a hiring freeze looked for 200 people to put their names forward for voluntary redundancies by the middle of this month across its problem loans division as well as its mortgages and consumer credit businesses. Staff taking up the offer will exit just before Christmas.
• Unemployment rate falls below 5% for first time since financial crash. The State’s unemployment rate has fallen below 5 per cent for the first time since the crash, reflecting the ongoing strength of the labour market. The Central Statistics Office (CSO) said the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for October was 4.8 per cent, down from 5.7 per cent a year ago.