Ireland

A severe potato shortage is increasingly likely as heavy rains flooded soils and are making planting impossible; Irish Times 2021 data showed an average Irish is the world's largest consumer with 85 kg potatoes/year, more than double the global average

Simon Harris, 37, appointed Prime Minister of Ireland to replace Leo Varadkar, is the youngest Irish prime minister ever

Teachers are "dropping out of education en masse," with an ever-increasing amount of paperwork and bureaucracy yet not reflected in adaptations to the increased cost of living and new roles and responsibilities

Foreign Minister suggested that the threat to exclude countries from the EU and "constructive abstention" could be "creative ways" as deadlock situations in key votes have long plagued the EU because they require unanimous consent

For St. Patrick's Day, yesterday 17 March, an estimated 500.000 people participated in the traditional parade in Dublin, with 100.000 visitors from abroad

Two referendum will be held on 8 March to amend the constitution on the themes of marriage as fundament of the family and on the role of women in the family; proposed texts would bring the basic principles - fully respected - closer to 'real life'

University of Galway study shows decline in well-being and high rates of self-harm among adolescents, noting that young people who have suffered adversity, such as bullying or conflict with parents, are substantially more at risk of self-harm

Almost 30% of new rents across Ireland exceeded €2.000 per month in the third quarter of last year, and in Dublin over half of new lettings exceeded this figure, according to the latest Residential Tenancies Board index

Residents of Oliver Bond House flats in Dublin are 2,4 times more likely to have asthma and have called on the local authority to speed up plans to redevelop the area from 2021, as 83% of residents live with mould and damp

Homeless organisations told the government of their 'deep concerns' over a potential move to restrict access to emergency accommodation, warning that it would lead to an increase in sleeping rough and the risk of illness and death

More than 20 primary schools who reported to be in financial difficulty due to rising costs sought contingency funding from the Department of Education last year; just one school was successful in securing additional funding