Latest news with #O'Sullivan
Irish Independent
12 hours ago
- Irish Independent
Investigation launched after white-tailed eagle poisoned in Kerry
The young female eagle was brought in as a chick from Norway in 2024 by the white-tailed eagle Reintroduction Programme, managed by NPWS, under the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. Sadly the bird was found dead in Glencar in April of this year and toxicology reports show it was poisoned by a illegal substance. The NPWS have launched an investigation into the death of the eagle and have strongly criticised the incident. Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity, Christopher O'Sullivan TD also criticised the incident. The young female eagle released in Killarney National Park in 2024. Since 2020, all eagles released as part of this programme are monitored via satellite-tags. Concerns were raised in early April, as the eagle's satellite tag showed that she had remained stationary for several days. NPWS staff went to the location of the satellite tag and located the partially decomposed carcass of the eagle in a woodland. Toxicology tests have confirmed it had been poisoned with Carbofuran, an insecticide which has been banned in Ireland since 2007. It is not known how the eagle ingested this substance at this time. The NPWS said it 'deplores the deliberate killing of rare and endangered species, and takes bird of prey persecutions extremely seriously.' Deputy O'Sullivan said that the loss is 'regrettable' but will not stop efforts to introduce the bird of prey. 'Any loss in the wild not due to natural causes, is usually the result of human activity and this tragic loss is deeply regrettable.' ADVERTISEMENT 'We will continue with our efforts to introduce, nurture and protect these birds as part of The Reintroduction Programme which has been making significant progress in restoring this lost flagship species to Irish skies. The white-tailed eagle is part of Ireland's natural heritage and are important for our biodiversity, as they are a good indicator species regarding the health of our ecosystems.' Considerable efforts in recent years to reintroduce this iconic species, which was driven to extinction in the 19th and early 20th century by human persecution, have successfully contributed to the species re-establishment in Ireland. The white-tailed eagle Reintroduction Programme, which began in 2007, has so far released nearly 200 young eagles which have been supplied by the Norwegian Government. Currently, there are 13-16 breeding pairs, with 64 chicks fledged by the end of 2024. Sadly, however, a number of the eagles brought in as part of the programme have met untimely deaths. Recently, it was announced that a male eagle which held territory in Lough Derg for 17 years had been found dead, also suspected due to poisoning. The NPWS said the 'persecution by humans is the biggest threat to the reintroduction programme in Ireland." "The misuse/illegal use of poisons accounts for nearly 50% of eagle deaths where the cause of mortality was able to be determined, and at least one eagle has been shot. In terms of natural causes of death, a number of eagles have succumbed to avian flu, as well as other conditions,' they said. The NPWS have now launched an investigation and are appealing to the public for information. 'We appealing for any information the public may have in relation to the incident, or any other suspected poisoning or other unlawful killing of birds." Any information in respect of this or any suspected breaches of the Wildlife legislation should be reported to the NPWS head office or local offices or via email to wildlifeenforcement@ Wildlife crime incidents can also be reported to An Garda Síochána. The NPWS has also stressed that in the interests of public health and safety, the public should not handle dead birds.
Irish Independent
12 hours ago
- General
- Irish Independent
‘Deplorable' poisoning of White-Tailed Eagle in Kerry under investigation
The young female eagle was brought in as a chick from Norway in 2024 by the White-tailed Eagle Reintroduction Programme, managed by NPWS, under the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. Sadly the bird was found dead in Glencar in April of this year and toxicology reports show it was poisoned by a illegal substance. The NPWS have launched an investigation into the death of the eagle and have strongly criticised the incident. Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity, Christopher O'Sullivan TD also criticised the incident. The young female eagle released in Killarney National Park in 2024. Since 2020, all eagles released as part of this programme are monitored via satellite-tags. Concerns were raised in early April, as the eagle's satellite tag showed that she had remained stationary for several days. NPWS staff went to the location of the satellite tag and located the partially decomposed carcass of the eagle in a woodland. Toxicology tests have confirmed it had been poisoned with Carbofuran, an insecticide which has been banned in Ireland since 2007. It is not known how the eagle ingested this substance at this time. The NPWS said it 'deplores the deliberate killing of rare and endangered species, and takes bird of prey persecutions extremely seriously.' Deputy O'Sullivan said that the loss is 'regrettable' but will not stop efforts to introduce the bird of prey. 'Any loss in the wild not due to natural causes, is usually the result of human activity and this tragic loss is deeply regrettable.' 'We will continue with our efforts to introduce, nurture and protect these birds as part of The Reintroduction Programme which has been making significant progress in restoring this lost flagship species to Irish skies. The White Tailed Eagle is part of Ireland's natural heritage and are important for our biodiversity, as they are a good indicator species regarding the health of our ecosystems.' Considerable efforts in recent years to reintroduce this iconic species, which was driven to extinction in the 19th and early 20th century by human persecution, have successfully contributed to the species re-establishment in Ireland. The White-tailed Eagle Reintroduction Programme, which began in 2007, has so far released nearly 200 young eagles which have been supplied by the Norwegian Government. Currently, there are 13-16 breeding pairs, with 64 chicks fledged by the end of 2024. Sadly, however, a number of the eagles brought in as part of the programme have met untimely deaths. Recently, it was announced that a male eagle which held territory in Lough Derg for 17 years had been found dead, also suspected due to poisoning. The NPWS said the 'persecution by humans is the biggest threat to the reintroduction programme in Ireland." "The misuse/illegal use of poisons accounts for nearly 50% of eagle deaths where the cause of mortality was able to be determined, and at least one eagle has been shot. In terms of natural causes of death, a number of eagles have succumbed to avian flu, as well as other conditions,' they said. The NPWS have now launched an investigation and are appealing to the public for information. 'We appealing for any information the public may have in relation to the incident, or any other suspected poisoning or other unlawful killing of birds." Any information in respect of this or any suspected breaches of the Wildlife legislation should be reported to the NPWS head office or local offices or via email to wildlifeenforcement@ Wildlife crime incidents can also be reported to An Garda Síochána. The NPWS has also stressed that in the interests of public health and safety, the public should not handle dead birds.
RTÉ News
a day ago
- Politics
- RTÉ News
Bill passed extending Rent Pressure Zones across country
The Dáil has agreed to pass a piece of legislation without a vote which will extend Rent Pressure Zones across the country. The bill will go to the Seanad tomorrow and it is expected to be signed into law by President Michael D Higgins on Friday. The Government rejected amendments to the bill which were tabled by Sinn Féin and Labour. The legislation will mean that all current renters will be covered by a 2% annual rent hike cap once the bill is signed by the President. Wider changes to the rent rules will be introduced next March and this will require further legislation to be passed in autumn. Opposition parties have stated that they will not support these more extensive rent reforms which will allow landlords to reset rents to market rates every six years. Minister for Housing James Browne has said that renters will get greater security of tenure as part of the changes. Sinn Féin's Spokesperson on Housing Eoin Ó Broin earlier described the legislation as "an utter shambles" and "utterly defensible". He told the Dáil that he has never witnessed such a "haphazard, ramshackle, back of the envelope" approach to a crucial policy, adding that it is a "farce". Minister of State at the Department of Housing Christopher O'Sullivan, who introduced the bill, said that the Government was moving fast because tenants need protection and this will be delivered by extending RPZs. "This is an immediate and concrete protection against high rent inflation," he added, claiming that it would create certainty, stability and clarity for the sector. Mr O'Sullivan added that "this will come as a great sigh of relief" to many of his constituents in Cork South-West. However, Mr Ó Broin described the Government move as an "assault on renters" who "will be the losers". Ministers, he added, "scrambled around" to add references to students to the bill after failing to mention them in any advance briefing. "It is the Fianna Fáil rent hike bill," the deputy said, adding that the party's solution to rising rents "is to keep those rents rising". Mr Ó Broin also said that the move amounts to the dismantling of Rent Pressure Zones and "rips the heart out of the RPZs". He claimed that "in the best case scenario" the proposals will create a modest increase of (housing) supply in high-value areas "and everybody else will be left behind". Security of tenure changes will benefit a small group of tenants, Mr Ó Broin conceded, but said they will create more complicated and difficult rules that can be exploited by rogue landlords and will lead accidental landlords to make mistakes. All this will add to the workload of the already overloaded Residential Tenacies Board (RTB), he said. Mr O'Sullivan defended the bill, claiming the Government is aiming to strike a balance in its approach. "We aim to attract investment, but we know that tenants deserve and need fair treatment," he said. The minister noted that a larger landlord - with four or more tenancies - cannot end a tenancy created on or after March 2026 via a no-fault eviction. "No-fault evictions will be restricted to smaller landlords and outlawed for larger landlords," Mr O'Sullivan said. The minister added that rent resetting would be allowed only in specific circumstances. "This will come as a great sigh of relief" to many of his constituents in Cork South-West, the minister added. Minister of State John Cummins said that 17% of tenancies are outside RPZs. He emphasised the role of enforcement and noted that the RTB has launched "several in-depth investigations into serious, deliberate and repeated breaches of rental law". The board investigated 16,052 tenancies for excessive rent hikes and €70,911 was returned to tenants following 114 compliance interventions, he added. Connolly accuses Govt of normalising homelessness "We have turned language on its head", Independent TD Catherine Connolly said of the Government's claim to protect renters, when the reailty is that it is normalising insecurity and homelessness. "We are in serious trouble as a republic. More and more in Ireland, there's a lack of faith in anything the Government says," she told the Dáil. "We stopped building [houses] in 2009," Ms Connolly said, adding that the housing crisis is a consequence of repeated decisions made by successive governments which treated housing as a product and simply backed the market. She said that her office is struggling to manage the level of housing problems that constituents are presenting with.
Irish Examiner
a day ago
- Business
- Irish Examiner
US buyers showing increased interest in Irish homes
THE appetite for € 1m homes in Cork is heating up heading into the summer months , with demand split between city properties and lifestyle driven coastal and country homes, according to new data f rom Lisney /Sotheby International Realty . The data, contained in Lisney/Sotheby's 2025 spring/summer residential market review, also shows a 10.4% jump in house prices in Cork and Kerry in the 12 months to February 2025. The price rise was less dramatic in Dublin where the Residential Property Price Index recorded a 7.7% increase in the 12 months to February 2025. In both cities, where housing shortages are acute, the number of homes sold fell. In Dublin, the figure was down 3.4% compared to the previous 12 months, with approximately 12,600 units sold. The drop was steeper in Cork, where the sale of c 3,800 homes represented a 10.8% decrease compared to the previous 12 months. Both cities also recorded c15% fewer second hand properties for sale at the end of April, compared to six months earlier. New home figures were up in Cork by 16% compared to a year previous, and down by 9% in Dublin. Nine in 10 new homes in Cork were houses compared to just 40% in Dublin. Over the 12 months to Q1 2025, almost 44,000 mortgages were drawn down, with first time buyers accounting for 61% of all drawdowns. The 'mid-price' range remains the most competitive market in Cork 'with properties often selling in excess of the asking price due to strong local demand for well-located, energy-efficient, ready for occupation homes', said Lisney Cork office divisional director Trevor O'Sullivan. Meanwhile, the upper end of the market, above €1m, was 'gaining momentum heading into the summer season', Mr O'Sullivan said. Interest from international buyers 'particularly relocating Americans, has been strong, with many seeking period or country homes'. While the announcement of new US trade tariffs 'initially caused a dip in viewings', confidence had been restored by the introduction of a tariff 'holding period'. 'Activity has since rebounded,' Mr O'Sullivan said, adding that 'direct contact from the US buyers relocating to Ireland is now a regular feature'. The country homes/castles sector continued to attract international buyers, 'particularly cash purchasers making lifestyle-driven decisions', said Lisney's head of research, senior director Aoife Brennan. These included both returning Irish 'often individuals who emigrated in the 1980s and built successful careers in the US, UK or mainland Europe', as well as overseas nationals seeking a second home. 'Ireland has become increasingly attractive to this cohort, particularly in comparison to traditional locations such as France, Spain, Portugal and Italy where rising summer temperatures now influence purchase decisions.' 'Ms Brennan said fully renovated homes in good condition attract the strongest interest, 'particularly among international purchasers who are less inclined to take on refurbishment projects or manage contractors from abroad'. As a result, they attract higher prices than those needing significant work. In Dublin, demand for family homes priced between €1.5- €2m in desirable neighbourhoods remains strong, although Ms Brennan said buyers are more cautious than a year ago, 'driven by global instability'. That same instability was making some sellers nervous and resulting in supply still falling short of demand. Moreover the delivery of new homes was being impacted by planning and infrastructural delays and viability challenges. Nonetheless, the new homes market 'remained exceptionally busy in the first part of 2025, with strong buyer sentiment continuing to outpace demand. First time buyers trying to exit the rental market or move out of family homes were particularly active. In Cork, 2025 got off to a 'slow start' but sentiment in the residential market is positive 'pointing to a busy second half of the year', Mr O'Sullivan said.
RTÉ News
a day ago
- Politics
- RTÉ News
Bill to extend Rent Pressure Zones 'an utter shambles'
The Dáil is debating legislation to extend Rent Pressure Zones (RPZs) across the country. The Residential Tenancies (Amendment) Bill 2025 is expected to be passed by the lower house of the Oireachtas today and go to the Seanad tomorrow. Sinn Féin's Spokesperson on Housing Eoin Ó Broin described the proposed legislation as "an utter shambles" and "utterly defensible". He told the Dáil that he has never witnessed such a "haphazard, ramshackle, back of the envelope" approach to a crucial policy, adding that it is a "farce". Minister of State at the Department of Housing Christopher O'Sullivan, who introduced the bill, said that the Government is moving fast because tenants need protection and this will be delivered by extending RPZs. "This is an immediate and concrete protection against high rent inflation," he added, claiming that it would create certainty, stability and clarity for the sector. Mr O'Sullivan added that "this will come as a great sigh of relief" to many of his constituents in Cork South-West. However, Mr Ó Broin described the Government move as an "assault on renters" who "will be the losers". Ministers, he added, "scrambled around" to add references to students to the bill after failing to mention them in any advance briefing. "It is the Fianna Fáil rent hike bill," the deputy said, adding that the party's solution to rising rents "is to keep those rents rising". Mr Ó Broin also said that the move amounts to the dismantling of Rent Pressure Zones and "rips the heart out of the RPZs". He claimed that "in the best case scenario" the proposals will create a modest increase of (housing) supply in high-value areas "and everybody else will be left behind". Security of tenure changes will benefit a small group of tenants, Mr Ó Broin conceded, but said they will create more complicated and difficult rules that can be exploited by rogue landlords and will lead accidental landlords to make mistakes. All this will add to the workload of the already overloaded Residential Tenacies Board (RTB), he said. Mr O'Sullivan defended the bill, claiming the Government is aiming to strike a balance in its approach. "We aim to attract investment, but we know that tenants deserve and need fair treatment," he said. The minister noted that a larger landlord - with four or more tenancies - cannot end a tenancy created on or after March 2026 via a no-fault eviction. "No-fault evictions will be restricted to smaller landlords and outlawed for larger landlords," Mr O'Sullivan said. The minister added that rent resetting would be allowed only in specific circumstances. "This will come as a great sigh of relief" to many of his constituents in Cork South-West, the minister added. Minister of State John Cummins said that 17% of tenancies are outside RPZs. He emphasised the role of enforcement and noted that the RTB has launched "several in-depth investigations into serious, deliberate and repeated breaches of rental law".
