Ireland - news and events

A spell of hot weather is turning Ireland's scenic landscapes into a growing fire risk. After a large gorse fire burned around 15 hectares in Killarney National Park, firefighters are urging people to be extra careful, warning that discarded glass and disposable barbecues can quickly spark wildfires. Officials expect more blazes as temperatures stay high and the tourist season gathers pace, with authorities blaming human activity for many recent incidents. Sometimes protecting nature is as simple as making sure nothing is left behind.

Workers say they don't need another one-off giveaway-they need paychecks that go further every month. Ireland's largest trade union group, ICTU, is urging the government to deliver a worker-focused budget, calling for a €1 increase in the minimum wage, lower costs for essential public services, tax changes, and stronger investment in public transport and green energy. Union leaders argue that short-term tax breaks and temporary incentives have done little to improve living standards, while long-term support for working people has been left behind. With the next budget approaching, the debate is shifting from quick fixes to whether Ireland is willing to invest in lasting economic security.

The biggest fight over AI in Ireland isn't happening in a tech lab-it's happening over who owns creativity. Irish musicians, songwriters, and composers are urging lawmakers to back a new copyright bill that would require consent, licensing, and fair payment before copyrighted works can be used to train AI systems. Artists, including The Script's Danny O'Donoghue, argue that generative AI is flooding the market with synthetic music while using creators' work without permission, and they want Ireland to use its EU leadership role to push for stronger protections. As AI reshapes the music industry, Ireland is trying to send a clear message: innovation shouldn't come at the expense of the people who write the songs

The sea is for everyone-that's the idea making waves in Galway this weekend. Ireland's Inclusive Water Sports Games welcomed around 300 participants and 200 volunteers, offering people of all ages and abilities the chance to try sailing, kayaking, canoeing, waterskiing, powerboating, and other activities in an accessible environment. President Catherine Connolly officially opened the event, which aims to make water sports more inclusive and encourage wider participation across the country. Sometimes the biggest achievement isn't winning a race-it's making sure everyone gets the chance to reach the starting line.

How should mental health care for children really work? Ireland is asking the public to help answer that question as the Mental Health Commission launches a six-week consultation to shape new national standards for Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services under the Mental Health Act 2026. The standards are designed to strengthen children's rights, dignity, and safety while improving the quality and consistency of care in both community and inpatient settings. Sometimes the best healthcare rules don't begin in an office-they begin by listening to the people who use them.

Getting dinner delivered could soon cost a little more-but there's a trade-off behind the extra euros. Ireland is preparing to implement new EU rules by December that will classify many food delivery couriers as employees instead of self-employed contractors, giving them access to benefits such as paid leave and social protections. Restaurants and delivery platforms are expected to face higher labor costs, and experts believe some of those expenses will likely be passed on to customers through higher delivery prices. Sometimes the cheapest takeaway isn't really cheap-it just means someone else has been paying the hidden cost.

A label saying "zero sugar" isn't much help if the drink inside says otherwise. Ireland's Food Safety Authority has recalled three batches of Capri-Sun Orange Zero after discovering that some multipacks were mistakenly filled with regular sugary drinks, a mix-up that could pose risks for people who need to monitor their sugar intake, including those with diabetes. The affected 10-pack products, made in the UK, carry expiry dates in April 2027, and retailers have been instructed to display recall notices. It's a reminder that sometimes the smallest printing error can have much bigger consequences than anyone expects.

The green economy isn't just creating cleaner buildings-it's creating jobs, too. Irish energy company SE Systems plans to hire 150 new employees over the next two years as it opens a new headquarters in Cork and expands operations across several regions to meet growing demand for solar, heat pump, and energy-efficiency projects. The new roles will span engineering, software, project management, technical support, and business development, supporting the company's goal of doubling its annual revenue by 2030. As demand for lower energy bills keeps rising, the clean-energy sector is proving it can power careers as well as homes.

Sometimes the biggest environmental battles end up in a courtroom before they ever reach a construction site. Ireland's High Court has upheld permission for a long-delayed wastewater treatment plant in Kilkee, ruling that the public interest in ending years of untreated sewage being discharged into the sea outweighs legal objections from local residents. Campaigners argue the project could harm the town's famous cliff walk and tourism, while officials insist the facility is essential to protect public health and the environment. After 18 years of delays, the bigger question may no longer be whether the plant should be built-but whether the town can afford to wait any longer.