Behind the Story: How water demand could hamper housing supply
It comes as a treatment plant in Ringsend is currently approaching maximum capacity.
In addition, lower than average rainfall over the past 14 months has resulted in less water in the capital's reservoirs and a warning by Uisce Éireann for the public to conserve water in 12 counties.
Uisce Éireann is hoping for a green light for a massive new drainage scheme in the capital.
Katie and David also look at how a move towards greener energy could actually be hampering the grid's ability to deliver as more power is needed for new technologies like EV chargers.
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RTÉ News
10 hours ago
- RTÉ News
Outcome of EU-US tariff talks 'not certain'
European Union commissioner Michael McGrath has said "the world has changed" and that economic terms "we had six months ago are no longer available" amid ongoing discussions on an EU-US tariff deal. Speaking to RTÉ's This Week programme, the commissioner also said that while it has been reported a 15% tariff deal could be agreed today, it is "not a case of turning up and signing on the dotted line" and that today's talks "will take on a dynamic of its own". Mr McGrath said this evening's meeting between European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen and Us President Donald Trump is a "positive" sign, the outcome is "not certain". He described today's talks as "a live negotiation", and said "we [the EU] are hoping for a conclusion and a good outcome, but we also have to be prepared, other outcomes are possible". Mr McGrath said "we are close to the deadline of 1 August" for a tariff deal to be struck and that "very often it's the case you narrow negotiations down to a select amount of items". Mr McGrath declined to discuss the prospect of a 15% tariff deal, saying he "can't get into numbers at this time". However, he said the EU's "objective" is to "bring clarity and certainty" to businesses, including the pharmaceutical sector, adding that "it remains to be seen whether that can be achieved today". "What we will see today is hopefully a political statement, a political declaration, although that is not certain," he said. Asked if a 15% tariff rate would be a bad deal for the EU, Mr McGrath said: "I don't think we should reach any conclusion yet". He added that any deal needs to be seen in the context that "the terms we had six months ago are no longer available". Questioned on whether EU member states will all agree to any potential deal, he said that would ultimately be up to member states themselves, before reiterating "the world has changed", and that negotiators are trying to find "the best deal for the European Union".
The Irish Sun
a day ago
- The Irish Sun
‘It's the end of an era' – Major blow as the only post office in one of Ireland's most scenic spots is set to close
A MAJOR blow is on the way for hundreds of locals as the only post office in one of Ireland's most scenic spots is set to close. The last post office on the Fánaid peninsula in Advertisement 2 Baile Láir Post Office is at risk of closing due to rising costs Credit: RTE 2 The spot is located on Donegal's scenic Fánaid peninsula Credit: RTE Situated on the edge of the northwest coast, Fánaid is a remote stretch of land known for its rugged beauty, golden Baile Láir Post Office has served this tight-knit Gaeltacht community since 1872, operated by the McElwaine Running the post office and attached grocery shop, Wendy and Ronan McElwaine say they can no longer keep it going under the current financial pressures. And after 150 years, the Advertisement READ MORE IN MONEY The area's population has declined over the decades, and the owners said the footfall isn't enough to cover the cost of running the post office year-round. Residents are now faced with a 15km journey to Kerrykeel or Carraig Airt for basic postal services. Local schoolteacher Gráinne Uí Dhubhthaigh told RTÉ that the community is heartbroken, calling the likely closure a huge loss to the area. And with Advertisement MOST READ IN MONEY She said: 'People and business in the area depend on the post office. The heart is being pulled out of the area. "If you get the Local Link bus to Kerrykeel some 20kms away, you will have to wait another 2 hours to return." Celebrity chef closes down seaside restaurant after 16 years Farmer Dónal Ó Siadhail told RTE that Fánaid once had 17 shops and a bustling local economy - a time when his milk rounds included a stop at the McElwaines'. He said: 'Now there are only two or three shops in the peninsula. It is the end of an era, without a doubt. Advertisement "Everything is closing down" Tourism has become more important to Fánaid in recent years, with the local lighthouse drawing thousands of visitors each Grínne Nic Suibhne, who works at the lighthouse, said they depended on the post office to send off visitor packages and merchandise. She said: "Now we will have to bring all that to Kerrykeel to send" Advertisement 'VERY REAL PROSPECT' They said: "Ballylar like most post offices in run by a Postmaster - an independent contractor who provides post office services for the people of that part of the Fanad peninsula. "An Post has been trying to find an alternative contractor to provide post office services here. We have been actively seeking a new business partner to take on the vacant contract, advertising the vacancy and canvassing local business. "No applications have been received to date, and we are in the process of advertising the vacant contract position a second time. Advertisement "We are facing the very real prospect of the post office closing in the coming months. "It is looking like that closure will take place in October and we will transfer customers to Kerrykeel post office which is some 14km away. "The closure, if it happens, is much regretted by An Post but right now we will continue trying to find a new contractor.' "It is not the case, as cited in local media that some action of An Post cased the current situation. Advertisement "Postmasters generate their income on the basis of transactions carried out with customers to the office. Their income is fixed to that level of transactions."
Irish Examiner
2 days ago
- Irish Examiner
TV licence fee revenue down €58m after RTÉ payment scandal, new figures show
TV licence fee revenue has decreased by over €58m in the last two years. New figures confirm that revenue from the licence plummeted following a range of financial scandals engulfing RTÉ in the summer of 2023, which sparked a wave of non-payments. Before the scandals, between July 2021 and June 2023, some 1.9m people paid the €160 annual fee, resulting in revenue of €306m. This included 1.7m people who renewed the licence, as well as 243,179 first-time purchases. However, figures for the two-year period after the RTÉ controversies, between July 2023 and June 2025, reveal revenue decreased by €58.4m compared to the previous two years. Some 1.55m people paid the licence fee, a decrease of more than 365,0000 people. This resulted in revenue of €247.6m, a decrease of 19% compared to the preceding two years. There has, however, been a slight increase in the number of people paying the fee since the Government announced a new funding arrangement for RTÉ on July 24, 2024. Between July 2022 and June 2023, some 947,999 paid the €160 fee. This fell to 761,762 payments between July 2023 and June 2024. In the last 12 months, the number of licences bought increased to 785,595. However, this is still 17% below the pre-scandal levels. This year to date, some 376,140 people have paid the licence fee. Figures for the two-year period after the RTÉ controversies, between July 2023 and June 2025, reveal revenue decreased by €58.4m compared to the previous two years. Picture: Colin Keegan The figures were provided to Fine Gael TD Micheál Carrigy following a parliamentary question to media minister Patrick O'Donovan. The RTÉ scandals included revelations that former Late Late Show host Ryan Tubridy was paid €345,000 over six years that had not been declared by RTÉ in its annual declaration of top-paid stars' salaries. It later transpired that money had been paid to Mr Tubridy as part of a three-year 'side deal' that would see Renault pay him €75,000 per year. They pulled out of the agreement after the first year, with RTÉ paying the remaining €150,000. Subsequent Oireachtas committee hearings heard of extravagant spending at RTÉ, including €5,000 on flip-flops, memberships to swanky London clubs, and a failed musical based on The Late Late Toy Show. Mr O'Donovan has reconvened the interdepartmental technical working group (TWG) on the TV licence to 'examine potential enhancements to the television licence'. 'I will consider the report of the TWG when I receive it and decide the next steps,' he added. It was reported last month that the number of people being taken to court or prosecuted for non-payment had dropped. In 2022, An Post made 13,709 summons applications for non-payment and pursued 7,263 court cases. There were 13,198 summons applications and 6,555 court cases in 2023. However, last year this fell to 12,229 summons applications and 5,392 court cases. The Government announced plans last year to provide RTÉ with €725m in funding over three years. Media minister Catherine Martin confirmed that the TV licence would remain in place, with the State providing top-up funding to ensure that RTÉ had a certain amount of ring-fenced funding each year.
