Latest from Irish Independent
Irish Independent
27 minutes ago
- Politics
- Irish Independent
Labour Party ‘determined' to give Carlow voters a ‘real choice' in next elections
During the Labour Party's heyday, there were a number of Labour councillor feet on the ground in the county, which has slowly dwindled over the years to just one Labour councillor in Carlow County Council. Up until last year, Labour had two councillors sat on Carlow County Council. But in February of 2024, longstanding Labour councillor, Will Paton, left the party in a shock move as he turned Independent. That left Cllr Willie Quinn as the last remaining Labour councillor in Co Carlow. However Cllr Quinn was seemingly unfazed by Will Paton's departure as he told the Irish Independent in February of 2024, 'I might be the lone ranger in the Carlow council chamber, but I'm also a good sniper'. Cllr Quinn's confidence was not unfounded as he was re-elected to Carlow County Council as Labour's only councillor in the county during the local elections of June 2024. Now the Labour Party seem to be focusing their attention on growing the party from a party of one in Carlow to a party of many. Although the next local and general elections won't be for a number of years, the Labour Party seem to be implementing the tactic of 'the early bird always gets the worm'. During a meeting of Labour Party members that took place in the Seven Oaks Hotel in Carlow Town, members spoke of their plans for the party's future. Labour Party TD for Kildare South and spokesperson on social protection Deputy Mark Wall responded to many queries on housing from party members at the meeting. 'We are hearing loud and clear from communities across Carlow that housing is an emergency,' said Deputy Wall. 'Labour is committed to fighting for better investment in public housing and delivering real change for working people.' Meanwhile, Carlow's only Labour Councillor, Willie Quinn, promised members that he will continue the 'proud Labour tradition' in Carlow. "In my nearly 20 years in Carlow County Council I have been a voice for working families and rural communities, and I look forward to continuing that proud Labour tradition and assisting the people of Carlow in the years ahead.' Next to speak was Carlow-Kilkenny constituency chair of the Labour Party and Kilkenny County Councillor Seán Ó'hArgáin. Cllr ÓhArgáin returned to politics when he was elected to Kilkenny County Council during the June 2024 local elections. He also hoped to win a seat for Labour as a TD in the Carlow-Kilkenny constituency during the general elections in November of 2024 but was unsuccessful. "The Labour Party is determined to give people in Carlow a real choice at the next elections,' said Cllr Ó'hArgáin as he addressed his fellow party members. "We want to address the cost of living impact that families are experiencing, investment in public housing, timely access to healthcare and education for all.' The meeting ended with a call for more people to get involved with the Labour Party in Carlow that want build a fairer and more equal Ireland.
Irish Independent
42 minutes ago
- General
- Irish Independent
Roman-era mosaic panel stolen during Second World War returns to Pompeii
©Associated Press A mosaic panel on travertine slabs, depicting an erotic theme from the Roman era, was returned to the archaeological park of Pompeii on Tuesday, after being stolen by a Nazi German captain during the Second World War. The artwork was repatriated from Germany through diplomatic channels, arranged by the Italian Consulate in Stuttgart, Germany, after having been returned from the heirs of the last owner, a deceased German citizen.
Irish Independent
an hour ago
- Climate
- Irish Independent
Kerry's famous Aqua Dome set to temporarily close after discovery of damage to structure
The structural issue was identified during routine maintenance checks, prompting immediate action to ensure the safety of all patrons and as a precautionary measure, an evacuation of the pool and facility was carried out swiftly and safely. The Aqua Dome will remain closed until further notice while the damage is fully assessed and necessary repairs are undertaken Chair of the Aqua Dome, Brian Durran, said: 'We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience caused by this unexpected closure. The safety of our visitors and staff is our absolute priority. We are working closely with engineers and structural experts to assess the extent of the damage and to plan the required remedial works. We hope to reopen the Aqua Dome as soon as it is safe to do so and will keep the public informed of any developments.' The Aqua Dome team will be updating its website ( and social media platforms with further information as it becomes available.
Irish Independent
an hour ago
- Business
- Irish Independent
Simon Harris says 30pc tariff would stop trade from functioning between the EU and US and warns of job losses
The EU and US had been engaged in negotiations ahead of a deadline last week, but US president Donald Trump announced he was pushing back the imposition of a higher rate of tariffs until August 1. Mr Trump also said he would impose 30pc tariffs on the bloc if a deal is not reached, in a move that EU trade commissioner Maros Sefcovic said would make trade between the two regions almost 'impossible'. If negotiations on a deal fail and the EU imposes countermeasures worth €72bn, this would hurt both the US and the EU, Mr Harris will tell ministers today. Speaking on Newstalk's The Pat Kenny Show, the Tánaiste said the 30pc tariffs "would, in many ways, stop trade from functioning between Europe and the US". 'There is a very significant difference between baseline 10pc tariffs and an extraordinary level of tariffs of 30pc on the European Union," Mr Harris said. 'We've got to really pull together now as a country, and we've got to pull together as a European Union and work our way through this. I believe it's still possible to have a negotiated agreement, because the trade relationship between Ireland and the US - and the US and the EU - matters. 'It matters in both directions, but it is a deeply concerning development that when the European Union was engaging in good faith - and was very close to what we believed was a framework agreement - that this development has now happened over the course of the weekend," he said. He said that Ireland and the European Union are facing a "moment of major economic challenge" if the 30pc tariffs on EU exports are imposed. However, Mr Harris added: 'I think in his heart of hearts, [president Donald Trump] knows, as a businessman, that tariffs of that level would not just disrupt trade, but in many ways stop trade as we know it from functioning between Europe and the US." Ministers will also be updated on plans to engage with the pharmaceutical industry later this week, a sector Mr Harris will say is an area of significant concern for Ireland. ADVERTISEMENT There is a real resolve to continue with those negotiations in good faith Meanwhile, Agriculture Minister Martin Heydon, who is in Brussels for the EU Agri-Fish council, said the mood has been one of calm. Mr Heydon said the EU believed the announcement over the weekend was a negotiating tactic. 'There is a real resolve to continue with those negotiations in good faith. In one way, nothing has changed. Because it is still about August 1,' he told the Irish Independent. 'It's not that long ago, 50pc was being threatened. Now 30pc is in a letter. We have to continue to negotiate in good faith,' he added. Mr Heydon said while more time to negotiate is welcome, there is significant concern over the uncertainty it is causing businesses. 'Every business can deal with changes if they know what the future looks like, but the future keeps changing,' he said. 'We were glad there was an extension to August 1, that we avoided a cliff-edge date, but at some stage, we do need a final decision here. We do need clarity about the future for our companies, because there's been so much turmoil this year that's not good for supply chains.' Mr Heydon said while talks will continue, it was important the US knew that the EU would have a firm response to high tariffs, which will come in the form of a list of retaliatory measures. 'In all negotiations, you try and avoid escalating them, but the other side has to know that at some point you do have options open to you,' he said. 'The European Union recognises its strength and recognised [its strength] on Brexit, and it will recognise it in its negotiations with the US. 'That's why the counter list comes up. There has to be that possibility of a firm response should the other tariffs come into play.' Speaking yesterday, following a meeting with US ambassador to Ireland Ed Walsh, Simon Harris said the EU has to 'prepare for all scenarios'. 'The message I relayed to the US ambassador is a consistent one and a very straightforward one: we in Ireland, we in Europe, want a deal,' he said. 'We want a trade deal that is good for Ireland, good for Europe, good for the United States of America, and I believe there is a clear landing zone in relation to that.' He continued: 'I believe there was a landing zone very nearly there last week, and it's regrettable that wasn't arrived at.' However, he remains confident that a deal can happen in the days ahead. The European Commission is due to publish an expanded list of counter- tariffs that would be implemented if an agreement is not reached. If there isn't a deal Europe also has options at its disposal Mr Harris said the 'optimal position' would be to get to a deal where 'we can rip up that list and never need to see it implemented'. 'A countermeasure list is an important step of saying to president Trump: 'Hang on, we want a deal here, we want a way forward, but if there isn't a deal Europe also has options at its disposal',' he added. The Tánaiste said the Government will also analyse the list and engage with the commission over any 'areas of concern for Ireland' that arise. Mr Harris said the pharma sector remains an area of significant concern. 'Europe must remain calm, must remain united – our strength is in being united, 460 million of us – and must of course prepare for all scenarios,' he said. Earlier, European commissioner for democracy, justice, the rule of law and consumer protection, Michael McGrath said the bloc's response to 30pc tariffs would be 'firm, quick and robust'.
Irish Independent
an hour ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Dubliner Andrada Pop dumped from Love Island villa in ‘shocking' elimination
She was dumped from the villa alongside Ben Holbrough, when the pair ranked in last place after the public were asked to vote for the most compatible couple. "It was shocking because we didn't even gather round the firepit, we just received the unexpected text,' she said. "I didn't think that Ben and I were the weakest couple. I felt like mine and Ben's bond was getting stronger and stronger. It's bittersweet but I'm happy to be leaving with Ben.' The Dubliner entered the main villa after returning with Ben from Casa Amor, a part of the show where the male and female contestants are separated to test their loyalties and see if sparks fly with a spate of new faces. Speaking after her elimination, Andrada said it had been hard to 'like two people and crack on with them both under the same roof'. "You have to be selfless and go after what you want. I had different connections with them both,' she added. "Ben is the boy version of me but Dejon was like the candy that you couldn't have. Your ego comes into play when you wonder if you could turn someone's head. As time went on, I could see myself more and more being with Ben on the outside.' She hit out at Dejon after the dumping, describing him as a 'very smart and calculated guy who knows how and when to use his words' who 'shut it off' when they returned to the main villa. "We would have a flirty conversation wherein he'd ask me a question, I'd answer it, then I'd return the same question but he wouldn't answer because it would make him look bad,' she said. "When we got back into the main villa, he was still open but then Meg got on his back and was upset. Then he shut it off. ADVERTISEMENT "I don't think that he shut it off because he wanted to, he did it because Meg told him so. I definitely feel like things would have been very different if she wasn't there.' She said that she 'didn't leave on bad terms with anybody' and she wants to 'see where things go' with Ben as they 'get along very well'. "There's nothing I can fault about the guy. He's a gentleman and treats me like a princess.' Asked to summarise her experience on the show, she said: 'It was the best experience ever and I'm grateful for the opportunity.'
