Farmers demonstrate
Farmers staged several rallies across the country today to voice their concerns about the future of the agricultural sector in Ireland.
The rallies took place ahead of Budget 2022, which is set to be published on October 12th.
The Irish Farmers Association organised an early morning demonstration in Cavan and another in Roscommon, with further rallies later in Portlaoise and Cork.
Mica redress protest
Hundreds of homeowners from several counties converged on Parnell Square in Dublin just before midday on Friday for the latest protest in support of a 100 per cent redress scheme for mica-damaged properties.
The crowd arrived at the Garden of Remembrance to voice their support for a Government commitment to fix thousands of homes, mainly in the north-west, crumbling from the use of defective building blocks.
Earlier this week, Minister for Housing Darragh O’Brien said today’s protest should be the last time mica-affected home-owners feel they need to demonstrate.
Northern Ireland centenary
Taoiseach Micheál Martin has defended a decision by his Government to attend an event marking Northern Ireland’s centenary, which President Michael D Higgins turned down an invitation for.
Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney and Chief Whip Jack Chambers will represent the Government at the religious service in Co Armagh to mark the 100th anniversary of the establishment of Northern Ireland and the partition of the island.
President Higgins previously said he would not attend the event on the grounds that it is political in nature and commemorates the “centenary of the partition of Ireland”.
Tributes to James Brokenshire
Former Northern Ireland Secretary James Brokenshire, who had been suffering from lung cancer, has died aged 53.
Mr Brokenshire, a Conservative MP in England, died on Thursday evening with his family at his bedside, and had been in hospital since Sunday.
Taoiseach Micheal Martin, who was on a visit to Belfast today, praised Mr Brokenshire’s commitment.
“He was a dedicated politician and public servant whose sincerity and commitment always shone through, specifically in the context of his work in Northern Ireland,” he said.
Bank of Ireland closures
Bank of Ireland customers at 88 branches across the Republic are using their local services for the last time today.
Some of these services will now be offered at post offices instead. It marks the latest step in an accelerated shift away from over-the-counter banking towards digital and online services.
Click here for a full list of the branches set to close.
