‘We need support for indigenous Irish businesses' – distillery boss says 15pc tariffs would be ‘extremely challenging'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Examiner
8 minutes ago
- Irish Examiner
Brittany Ferries increasing Rosslare-Cherbourg services as passenger volumes up 40% and freight units double
Brittany Ferries is increasing its presence at Rosslare Europort after confirming on Tuesday it will increase sailings to Cherbourg following Stena Line's decision to leave the service. Brittany Ferries, which is long established in Cork, will increase both capacity and frequency of sailings from Rosslare to the French port from the end of September, with departures rising from five to seven every week. Brittany Ferries launched their Rosslare to Cherbourg service in 2021 in a post-Brexit response to demand from hauliers, to obviate the need to cross the UK-landbridge when moving freight between Ireland and France. Passenger volumes have soared nearly 40% this year while freight units have doubled. Brittany Ferries says the increased service can ensure business continuity for Irish hauliers, as well as offering more choice to holidaymakers. 'News that our competitor was stepping back, started the firing pistol in a concerted effort to secure port slots and better serve customers in Ireland and France," said Brittany Ferries chief executive Christophe Mathieu. 'It means greater choice for holidaymakers and even more opportunity for freight operators seeking to by-pass the UK entirely, cutting down on bureaucracy and delays at the UK border. Our new train connection in Cherbourg only adds further strings to the multimodal bow.' The company's first train is being rolled out, which will utilise rail line links from Cherbourg and Bayonne, carrying unaccompanied trailers over 970km of the French rail network. Glenn Carr, director of commercial business units for Iarnród Éireann Irish Rail-Port Authority for Rosslare Europort said since Brexit, direct sailings between Rosslare Europort and the European continent have increased six-fold. "Our priority has been to ensure we maintain that capacity and choice for industry and tourism alike." Stena announced its decision to withdraw its existing three-day Rosslare-Cherbourg service after "an extensive review" with the intention of strengthening the company's investment in the Irish Sea, where it said it will strengthen its Irish Sea network. "We have recently announced investments of almost £40m in our Liverpool and Belfast terminals, as well as the upgrading of the Fishguard port infrastructure. We will also be increasing capacity across the Irish Sea with two new freight vessels planned for the Belfast–Heysham route and an additional freight vessel for the Dublin–Liverpool route," said Stena trade director Johan Edelman.
Irish Daily Mirror
8 minutes ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Tanaiste holds talks with Haitian counterpart over Gena Heraty kidnapping
Tanaiste Simon Harris has held talks with his Haitian counterpart about the kidnapping of Irish woman Gena Heraty. Mr Harris, Ireland's Minister for Foreign Affairs, spoke to Haiti's foreign minister, Harvel Jean-Baptiste by phone and asked that everything is done to ensure the release of Ms Heraty and the other hostages, including a three-year-old child. Ms Heraty was kidnapped along with seven other people from an orphanage in Haiti. Ms Heraty is originally from Westport in Co Mayo. She oversees the orphanage, which is run by the humanitarian organisation Nos Petits Freres Et Soeurs (Our Little Brothers And Sisters). It is understood Ms Heraty was among seven employees who were taken in the incident as well as the young child. Speaking after the call, Mr Harris said: "I welcome my engagement with Minister Harvel Jean Baptiste after what has been an extremely traumatic few days for the Heraty family, as well as the families of all those who were kidnapped. Tanaiste Simon Harris (Image: Cillian Sherlock/PA Wire) "The minister assured me of his support in our work to ensure the safe release of Gena, and all the hostages, who have gone through the most horrendous of ordeals. "We have agreed to stay in touch about the case, which remains extremely sensitive. "My officials in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade are in constant contact with the Heraty family. "When we have further updates, we will provide them." Mr Harris said he had been in contact with Ms Heraty's family on Monday. Ms Heraty is a member of Viatores Christi, a lay missionary organisation. In a statement, the group said Ms Heraty was taken by armed individuals from her home at the NPFS (Nos Petits Freres et Soeurs) compound in Kenscoff on Sunday morning. "Gena has worked in Haiti for over 30 years, dedicating her life to children and adults with disabilities through her leadership of NPFS's Special Needs Programme," it said. Port-au-Prince, Haiti's capital city, close to where the kidnapping occurred (Image: Getty) "Her commitment, compassion and steady presence have made a lasting difference to many families in the region. "Our organisation has supported NPFS's work for a number of years and has seen first-hand the impact of Gena's efforts. We are in close contact with our partners on the ground and remain hopeful for her safe return. "We are thinking of Gena, her family and colleagues, and the adults and children in her care. We ask that her privacy — and that of those closest to her — be respected as efforts continue to clarify the situation." The Department of Foreign Affairs said it is aware of the incident and is providing consular assistance. Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: Sign up here.
RTÉ News
an hour ago
- RTÉ News
Dutch are first to buy US arms for Ukraine under NATO deal
The Netherlands will buy €500m of US weapons for Ukraine, becoming the first NATO member to fund a full package under a new scheme to speed deliveries from American stockpiles, the defence ministry said. The purchase will be under the Prioritised Ukraine Requirements List (PURL) mechanism launched by US President Donald Trump and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte last month. Under the scheme, countries pay Washington for defence systems and munitions in US warehouses that are then shipped to Ukraine, which has been battling a Russian invasion since February 2022. "The Netherlands is now taking the lead in supplying military equipment from American stockpiles," Dutch Defence Minister Ruben Brekelmans said on X. "By supporting Ukraine with determination, we are increasing the pressure on Russia to negotiate." Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky thanked Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof in a call yesterday evening. "These weapons are badly needed," Mr Schoof posted on X, highlighting the near-daily drone and missile attacks by Russia. The Dutch package includes US Patriot missile parts and other systems tailored to Ukraine's front-line requirements, according to the defence ministry. Mr Brekelmans called the Russian air strikes "pure terror" and warned that Moscow's advance into Ukrainian territory could pose a broader threat to Europe. "The more Russia dominates Ukraine, the greater the danger to the Netherlands and our NATO allies," he said. Mr Rutte welcomed the move, calling it a vital first step under the new framework. "Great to see the Netherlands taking the lead and funding the first package of US military equipment for Ukraine," he said on X. "I thank Allies for getting Ukraine the equipment it urgently needs to defend against Russian aggression." Two children among wounded in Kharkiv, officials say Meanwhile, one person was killed and 10 people, including two children, were wounded early today in Russia's largest air attack on the Ukrainian town of Lozova since the war began, officials said. The "massive strike" damaged the train station and other infrastructure in the town, a transport hub in the Kharkiv region bordering Russia, state rail operator Ukrzaliznytsia said in a statement. Photos shared by emergency services appeared to show a damaged train and rubble covering a train platform. "Critical infrastructure, apartment buildings and private homes have been damaged ... Lozova has endured the largest attack since the beginning of the war," town council head Serhiy Zelensky wrote on the Telegram messaging app. Two children were wounded in the attack that left parts of the region without power and water, he added. Ukrzaliznytsia said one of its employees died and four more were injured. Emergency services said 10 people in total were injured in the attack. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russia struck civilian infrastructure in Lozova with more than 25 drones, damaging a depot and a station. Ukraine's air force downed 29 of 46 drones launched by Russia across the country overnight, according to its statement on Telegram. One ballistic missile and 17 drones struck various locations, it said. Reuters could not independently verify the reports of casualties and damage. There was no immediate comment from Russia.
