News & Weather 15th March 2024

News & Weather 15th March 2024

News 15th March 2024

A ship towing a barge loaded with food has arrived off Gaza, witnesses said, as a test run for a new aid route by sea from Cyprus into the devastated Palestinian territory where famine looms after nearly six months of Israel’s military campaign.

The ship, arranged by the World Central Kitchen charity, is carrying nearly 200 tonnes of aid to be delivered via a jetty being prepared in Gaza, with a second ship expected to sail soon.

There are few details on how the aid delivery and distribution will work once it is ready to unload in Gaza, with UN relief agencies having described huge obstacles to getting relief supplies to those in need.

If the new sea route is successful, it may help to ease the hunger crisis affecting Gaza, where much of the population faces malnourishment and hospitals in the worst-stricken northern areas have reported children dying of starvation.

However, bringing in aid by sea and through air drops will not be enough to make up for difficulties getting in supplies by land, aid agencies have repeatedly said.

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The relationship between Ireland and the US could not be stronger, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said.

On the eve of a bilateral meeting with US president Joe Biden, Mr Varadkar attended an event hosted at the Irish ambassador’s residence in Washington DC.

Speaking at the event, Mr Varadkar said: “A hundred years of official diplomatic relations have woven a relationship that is stronger and deeper than ever.”

In his remarks, he also celebrated the countries’ long-standing, two-way trade relations, emphasising that he was “proud” Ireland was one of the top 10 investors in the US. On Friday, Mr Varadkar will meet US vice president Kamala Harris before a bilateral meeting with Mr Biden at the White House.

He will also meet the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mike Johnson, at Capitol Hill. On Sunday, The Taoiseach will also gift Mr Biden a bowl of shamrock as part of an annual tradition to mark St Patrick’s Day.

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Consumer queries to the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission were up 20% last year, with faulty goods and services being the subject of most contacts.

Almost 40,000 people contacted the helpline throughout the year.

The CCPC has released its helpline report for 2023 to coincide with World Consumer Rights Day.

Most queries to the commission concerned issues with faulty goods and services, followed by contract deposits, payments and charges and contract performance.

The company most often named by consumers contacting the CCPC to make a report or seek information was telecoms company eir, followed by Ryanair, Currys, Vodafone and Harvey Norman.

Commenting on the report, CCPC Director of Communications Grainne Griffin said the commission wanted to remind consumers their rights are set out in law.

“Again this year, issues with faulty goods and services were the main driver of calls and emails to our helpline. Consumers should be able to rely on the products they buy and the services they pay for, and when problems arise they have the right to redress,” she said.

She added: “But all too often they’re having trouble getting the repair, replacement or refund they’re entitled to under the law.

“This World Consumer Rights Day, we want to remind consumers the law sets out your rights when things go wrong. Whether you’re buying a T-shirt, signing up for a streaming service, or hiring a car, you have rights as a consumer. Those rights are stronger and last longer than many people expect.

“Know your rights, contact the seller not the manufacturer, complain in writing – and if you’re unsure, give us a call.”

Speaking on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland, Ms Griffin said issues with vehicles was another reason people contacted them.

“Vehicles are always a significant area of concern for us because ultimately they are potentially very dangerous. So if you buy a used car and it turns out that car has been crashed in the past, potentially that car is dangerous, that’s being covered up by the trader, that is a very serious issue.”

She said that generally a lot of issues are resolved at local level, with one third getting it resolved within the week.

In 2023, the CCPC referred 8,731 consumers to the Small Claims Court to resolve issues.

The CCPC also provides financial tools on its website, including a mortgage comparison tool.

Mortgages and equity releases topped the list of personal finance queries last year, but the report also finds there was a notable increase in consumer contacts relating to motor insurance and loans.

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Around 105,000 passengers are expected to travel through Dublin Airport today as the Bank Holiday begins, with Dublin Airport reminding passengers to arrive at their terminal two hours before a short-haul flight and three hours prior to a long-haul flight

Passengers planning to travel over the coming days are advised to consider how they will get to and from Dublin Airport and are encouraged to travel by bus where possible.

The demand for the parking is high, particularly in the short-term car park, and passengers are asked to book as far in advance as possible to ensure best rates and availability.

Media relations manager Graeme McQueen said “The influx of tourists ahead of St Patrick’s Day will pick up pace from Thursday onwards, with around 183,000 people set to fly into Dublin Airport between Thursday and Sunday ahead of St Patrick’s Day itself.

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The Kilkenny Roads Policing Unit launched their St Patrick’s Bank Holiday road-safety campaign in conjunction with Kilkenny County Council at Foulkstown on the Waterford Road earlier this afternoon. A large Garda operation is underway across the country this weekend with Gardaí expected to be out in force carrying out mandatory intoxication checkpoints for drink and drug driving.

“Our message is never ever drink or take drugs and drive, drive within the legal speed limits and never drive while holding your mobile phone,” a Garda spokesperson said. 

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That’s according to the latest daily INMO trolley watch figures.

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Weather

Today

A cloudy and damp start this morning with patchy outbreaks of rain and drizzle. Drier and brighter weather will quickly follow through the afternoon, with long sunny spells developing. Highest temperatures of 11 to 13 degrees in moderate northwest winds, easing later.

Tonight

Cold and clear for much of the night with some frost possible. Cloud will increase towards dawn, along with freshening southwest winds. Lowest temperatures of 0 to + 2 degrees.

Tomorrow

A wet day with rain developing during the morning and persisting for much of the day. Rather breezy too with moderate to fresh southerly winds. Highest temperatures of 11 to 13 degrees.