Ireland

Rathdown School, a private all-girls school in Glenageary, is to admit boys to its secondary and high schools for the first time in response to parental demand and wider trend analysis

Lawmakers could soon start voting remotely in a select number of situations, including potential future pandemics, according to a debated bill that would amend the Irish constitution

An amnesty scheme for undocumented persons was recently opened; it will last until the end of July and will give many people the chance to apply for official residence, including people with an existing deportation order

Relatives of the 1972 victims marched Saturday to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Bloody Sunday, when British troops fired on unarmed civilians, leaving 14 dea, in the protest organized by NICRA against internment without trial

The country has the 17th highest fuel prices in the world: over the past year, fuel prices have risen by a third and are close to the highest levels ever recorded

A group of experts will be commissioned by the government to examine whether there should be a mechanism for individual complaints about online content in a draft law on online safety and media regulation

As the use of any festive fireworks must be overseen by a professional operator, a considerable smuggling from Northern Ireland, where regulations governing the sale of fireworks are more permissive, is reported every year

Minister for Housing has sought advice on extending rent pressure zones countrywide, while hundreds of new rental homes will be delivered in 2022 to help dampen costs in the market; the controversial shared equity scheme will open before June

Schools expect “huge absenteeism” rates this week due to fears among parents over rising numbers of Covid-19 cases and proximity to the Christmas holidays; primary and secondary schools are due to close on December 22nd, and reopen on January 6th, 2022

Environmental Protection Agency report highlights a strong need to end over-reliance on incineration for waste management, seeking other solutions and promoting reuse and recycling

At 3pm today the Catholic Bishops will undertake a pilgrimage to Knock where they will concelebrate Mass for all those who died in Ireland during the pandemic and their families and offer prayers of thanksgiving for all those who selflessly sacrificed

A new portrait of Nobel Peace Prize winner John Hume will be unveiled at a major art fair in Dublin; the painting is by acclaimed Irish artist Vincent Devine