Latest news with #SamBoal
Extra.ie
11-06-2025
- Business
- Extra.ie
Explainer: Rent Pressure Zones and what new changes could mean
Rent Pressure Zones (RPZs) are set to be extended nationally for the first time since they were implemented. The new national rent control system means that the areas, where rent is capped, means that the zones will be extended to all areas in the country in order to try and combat rapidly rising rents. The implementation of RPZs has been controversial since they were first introduced, but the Housing Minister James Browne has said that the extensions will be brought in once the current RPZ deal ends on December 31. Rent Pressure Zones (RPZs) are set to be extended nationally for the first time since they were implemented. Pic: Getty Images Rent Pressure Zones (RPZs) are, essentially, parts of the country where the rent is capped. Initially introduced in parts of Dublin and Cork, RPZs saw rent increases being capped at 4% in these zones, but have changed since July 2021 during the onset of the cost of living crisis — where rents were capped either at 2% or the rate of inflation, whichever was lower. So, for example, if the rate of inflation was 1.9% or lower, then rent increases would be capped at 1.9%. Any higher than 2%, and increases would be capped at 2%. Landlords that have four or more properties will be unable to carry out 'no fault' evictions. Pic: Shutterstock The changes are set to be brought before Cabinet by Minister for Housing, James Browne, but the government agreed to the new system to be retained for existing tenancies, who will keep their rent cap of 2% kept. For landlords, they will be able to hike rents up if a tenant leaves the rented accommodation voluntarily, but not if they're evicted. When it comes to evictions, 'no fault' evictions will be banned for landlords who own four or more properties, while smaller landlords who own three or less will be able to evict tenants on circumstances such as financial difficulties or if they plan to have a family member moving in. Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage James Browne said that he hopes that the new rules will bring rent prices down. Pic: Sam Boal/Collins Photos New tenancies that are created from March 1, 2026 will be set at market value and have a minimum six-year rolling tenancy, with the rent being able to 'reset' and put back on to the market in 2032. Prohibition of setting rents above market value will also remain prohibited. While the government leaders have welcomed the move, there has been some pushback/skepticism from opposition parties. Minister Browne said that he's hoping the new expansion of the rules will see rents fall over time, but admitted 'What that particular length of time is, I won't be able to predict.' He added that he hopes tenants will report rule-breaking landlords to the RTB, saying 'Nobody should be able to game the system,' and hopes that fines can be increased. However, there has been some pushback — with Labour's housing spokesperson Conor Sheehan saying that the government were 'making it up as they go along.' '[The] Government need to clarify what exactly they are proposing in terms of any proposed ban on no-fault evictions which must be watertight and unequivocal,' Mr Sheehan said. 'The devil will be in the detail in relation to this and we need to see the proposals when they are published.'
Irish Independent
03-06-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
David W Higgins: How the Occupied Territories Bill could risk triggering Ireland's own damaging trade war
David W Higgins: How the Occupied Territories Bill could risk triggering Ireland's own damaging trade war If Ireland can remove all involvement with Israel, why wouldn't it do the same to us? People protesting outside Leinster House in Dublin, calling on the Government to enact the Occupied Territories Bill. Photo: Sam Boal /Collins David W Higgins Today at 03:30 The Trump trade war continues. The EU has joined China with a 90-day reprieve. A burst of dealmaking is unfolding behind the scenes. Exporters are continuing to count the fallout. Everyone has more questions than answers.
Extra.ie
28-05-2025
- Climate
- Extra.ie
Met Eireann give weather verdict for Bank Holiday weekend
Met Éireann have given their verdict for the weather this Bank Holiday weekend… with a mixed bag on the way. After two weeks of sunshine and high temperatures, the glorious conditions came to a screeching halt last week. With some people hoping for a reprieve this long weekend as we kick off the official summer season, Met Éireann have said that the country will be mixed with rain and cloud, but one day is expected to be 'largely dry.' Met Éireann have given their verdict for the weather this Bank Holiday weekend… with a mixed bag on the way. Pic: Rasid Necati Aslim/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images Looking to the weather for today (Wednesday), Met Éireann have said that there will be a mix of sunny spells and scattered showers, but cloud will thicken from the southeast this afternoon. Outbreaks of rain will extend northeastwards over the country this evening, with highs of 14C to 18C. It will be mild on Wednesday night, becoming rather breezy with further spells of rain and drizzle, heaviest in the west and north overnight. Lowest temperatures of 10C to 13C. Thursday will be a bad one, with Met Éireann saying that it will be windy, damp and cloudy with patchy outbreaks of rain and drizzle, heavy for a time in the north and northwest. Some temporary bright/sunny spells will occur in the afternoon, mainly across the north and east. Mild in some parts and humid in others with highest temperatures of 15C to 20C. Some parts of the country will be rainy while others will be sunny, with temperatures still set to remain around 17C-21C. Pic: Sam Boal/Collins Photos Thursday night will be mostly cloudy with outbreaks of rain and drizzle, becoming increasingly confined to the south and southeast as clearer breaks develop further north and west. Lowest temperatures of 10C to 15C. Friday will be largely dry for many, with variable cloud and sunshine. Any residual rain and drizzle in the south and southeast will clear in the morning, with well scattered showers following for the rest of the day. Highest temperatures of 16C to 21C. A mix of cloud and clear spells will come on Friday night, with a few mist patches forming around dawn. Lowest temperatures of 9C to 13C. Saturday will start off dry, but even then some thundery spells are on the way. Pic: Sam Boal/Collins Photos Saturday will be mainly dry to begin, but a spell of rain, possibly heavy, will spread from the west through the morning and afternoon. Clearing to the Irish Sea in the afternoon, and will be followed by sunshine and showers, some heavy in the northwest. Thunder is also possible, with highest temperatures of 15C to 20C. It will be breezy on Sunday, with a mix of sunshine and showers, some heavy and possibly thundery. Things will cool off a little bit as well, with highest temperatures of 13C to 17C. For the Bank Holiday itself, Met Éireann have said that current indications suggest a mainly dry and bright start with a few showers in the mix. It will tend to cloud over later with rain spreading from the Atlantic, later in the day. Highest temperatures of 14C to 17C.
Extra.ie
26-05-2025
- Extra.ie
Four women killed in serperate collisions over the weekend
Four women have been killed in separate road collisions across the country over the weekend. A woman in her 70s died while cycling in Co. Clare in a crash involving a tractor at Toonagh, Tulla, 10km outside Ennis on Saturday, shortly before 1 pm. She was pronounced dead by the emergency services at the scene and was removed to University Hospital Limerick for a post-mortem. Four women have been killed in separate road collisions across the country over the weekend. Pic: Sam Boal/ The road was closed for technical examination by Garda forensic collision investigators. There were no other injuries reported. Another fatal collision occurred later on Saturday at Curraghgraigue, Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford, at 3 pm, in which a female pedestrian in her 20s was killed. After gardaí and emergency services responded to the collision involving a car on the R702, the woman was removed from the scene to Wexford General Hospital, where she later passed away. Pic: Artur Widak/NurPhoto/REX/Shutterstock (14458825g) The driver of the car, a man in his 20s, received a medical assessment at the scene. Gardaí have stated that investigations are ongoing and have appealed for witnesses. A woman in her 60s, also a pedestrian, was killed on Saturday evening outside Ashbourne, Co. Meath, after being struck by a car on the Dublin Road between Nine Milestone and Coolquay at around 7.10 pm. The woman, named locally as Theresa Morgan, was pronounced dead at the scene. Her body was removed to Our Lady's Hospital, Navan, for a post-mortem. The number of road deaths so far in 2025 is now at 65, a decrease of eight from last year's figure for the same period, of 73. Pic Stephen Collins/Collins Photos The male driver, as well as the passenger of the car, both in their 20s, were taken to Connolly Hospital Blanchardstown with non-life-threatening injuries. Bernadette 'Bernie' Cranley, 82, from Lifford, Co. Donegal, died when a Toyota Vitz she was driving collided with another car on the notorious A5 road between Omagh and Newtownstewart, Co. Tyrone, on Saturday afternoon. The other driver, a woman in her 70s, was taken to hospital and is understood to have serious injuries. The number of road deaths so far in 2025 is now at 65, a decrease of eight from last year's figure for the same period, of 73. Ms Cranley's fatal crash was not recorded on the Garda database as it took place north of the border. A fatal collision has occurred on average once every two days since the year began.
Extra.ie
18-05-2025
- Extra.ie
Young boy dies after getting into difficulty in water off Sligo beach
A young boy has died after getting into difficulty in the water off the west coast of Ireland. Irish police said they and other emergency services attended an incident at Lissadell Beach in Co Sligo on Saturday afternoon involving a young child. A Garda spokesperson said: 'The male child was airlifted by Rescue 118 to Sligo University Hospital in a serious condition. He has since passed away. 'A file will be prepared for the Coroner's Court.' A young boy has died after getting into difficulty in the water off the west coast of Ireland. Pic: Sam Boal / The incident came just one week after two teenagers died after getting into trouble in the water in Co Donegal. Emmanuel Familola, 16, originally from Nigeria, and Matt Sibanda, 18, originally from Zimbabwe, had been playing football in Buncrana on Saturday when they went into the sea after a ball and got into difficulty. Emmanuel was laid to rest following a funeral in Buncrana on Saturday morning.
