Energy prices
Food security and growing energy prices having a knock-on impact on the costs of transport, industry and farming are among the "enormous issues facing us," the Taoiseach has warned.
Micheál Martin said the implications of the outbreak of war in Ukraine will be felt for some time, and will be “fundamental” to the continent of Europe.
He said there has been an “exponential growth” in energy prices in recent weeks, and that food security will be an issue across Europe.
Mica report
The Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland has published an independent cost report for the rebuilding and remediation of homes affected by defective concrete blocks in the North West of the country.
The report provides average construction costs on a per square foot / metre basis for eight different house types, including estate type houses as well as one-off rural homes. Average rebuild costs range from €145 per square foot to €165 per square foot.
It is based on the parameters of the Government’s Defective Concrete Blocks Grant Scheme announced on November 30th 2021 and the terms of reference of the report, including which building regulations apply, the exclusion of foundations etc.
Census 2022
Ireland’s Census 2022 will take place next month, after it was postponed last year because of the pandemic.
The census, which occurs every five years, will be held on Sunday, April 3rd. There is a legal obligation on individuals to have their information recorded on the census form.
There are several changes to the 2022 census form, including eight new questions on working from home, the internet, renewable energy sources and smoking.
Ukraine conflict
The UN human rights office said it had confirmed 249 civilians have been killed and 553 injured in Ukraine during the first week of the conflict following Russia's invasion.
It said most of the civilian casualties "were caused by the use of explosive weapons with a wide impact area, including shelling from heavy artillery and multi-launch rocket systems, and missile and air strikes."
Russian forces are stepping up efforts to seize control of Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in southeastern Ukraine. Troops were trying to break through a barricade to the plant erected by local residents and territorial defence forces, Ukrainian interior ministry adviser Anton Herashchenko said in an online post
Public order offences
A former Labour party senator has been charged with public order offences at Trinity College Dublin.
Seamus Heffernan, 42, with an address at Main Street, Kilfinane, Co. Limerick, appeared at Dublin District Court on Thursday.
The court issued a bench warrant for his arrest on Wednesday when he failed to turn up to answer two charges under the Public Order Act.
