Shannon Airport Group calls for rail link and strategic regional investment in new proposal to government
In their proposal, the Group urged 'decisive action' to 'address critical infrastructure deficits in the Southern Region'.
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RTÉ News
12 hours ago
- RTÉ News
EU chief to meet Trump in Scotland for trade talks
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said she will meet with US President Donald Trump in Scotland this weekend to address the EU-US tariffs standoff, with a week to go until the 1 August negotiating deadline. "Following a good call with @POTUS, we have agreed to meet in Scotland on Sunday to discuss transatlantic trade relations, and how we can keep them strong," Ms von der Leyen wrote on X. Earlier, Mr Trump said there was a "50-50 chance" that the United States would reach a trade agreement with the European Union. He was speaking before he left the White House to head to Scotland for several days of golfing and bilateral meetings. Taoiseach Micheál Martin has said he hopes a framework trade agreement between the European Union and the United States can be "signed off before the weekend is over". Speaking in Luxembourg, Mr Martin said he would "welcome an end to the uncertainty" around the trade dispute between the bloc and the US. "The agreement will be a headline framework agreement," he said, adding that there will be detailed discussions afterwards in respect of many products. "I know there are intensive discussions ongoing and the reason for the intensity of those negotiations is to try to tie up as much as we can, and get certainty around the sectoral tariffs," said Mr Martin. "The European Union is not anxious for a retaliatory scenario, is not anxious to engage in a trade conflict with the United States." A 'critical moment' Tánaiste Simon Harris has said the EU and US have reached a "critical moment" in terms of their trade and tariffs talks. While saying he remains "cautiously optimistic that a deal can be reached", the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade said we are now at a "critical" stage and that it is "long past time to strike a deal". In a statement, the Tanaiste said: "Over recent weeks, the EU has been engaged in intensive negotiations with the US to try and bring about an outcome that avoids unnecessary trade barriers. "We have been calm and measured in our response and as we approach the deadline for the talks I will continue to engage with the European Commission and other member states. "EU unity at this moment is critical as is reaching a deal that allows for the mutually beneficial trading relationship with the US to continue. €300m for water infrastructre projects The European Investment Bank is to provide a new €300m loan for water infrastructure projects in Ireland. The announcement was made this morning after a meeting between the Taoiseach and President of the EIB Nadia Calviño in Luxembourg. Mr Martin, attending a signing ceremony for the new loan at the EIB, said the bank was a "key partner for transformational investment across Ireland". He said the new investment will help Uisce Éireann to upgrade vital water infrastructure and that the loan aligned with the Government's new National Development Plan, announced earlier this week. The loan, signed in cooperation with the National Treasury Management Agency, is designed to enhance water security by extending water supply infrastructure and upgrading wastewater treatment plants. It also includes investments in stormwater drainage facilities to future-proof against more extreme periods of rainfall. Chris McCarthy, the chief financial officer of Uisce Éireann, said the investment will accelerate the development of Ireland's critical water services infrastructure. In recent years, the EIB has provided approximately €1 billion annually for public and private investment in water, housing and energy projects in Ireland.
Irish Examiner
14 hours ago
- Irish Examiner
High-security intelligence hub to be built at Garda HQ under long-delayed national upgrade
A new multi-storey, high-tech facility for Ireland's internal security service is to be built at Garda HQ, the Irish Examiner understands. The project marks a significant investment in Ireland's security infrastructure and capabilities but comes nearly seven years after the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland (CoFPI) urged such investment and prioritisation. The facility is expected to take five years to build and fit out, and will provide high levels of physical and cyber security. The Garda National Crime and Security Intelligence Service (GNCSIS), currently located within the existing Garda HQ complex in Phoenix Park, will move into the new building. It is understood that the service could be expanded as part of the development, though details remain unclear. The GNCSIS is both a security and organised crime intelligence service. It also has a large operational arm, including firearms operations and anti-terrorism investigations. The new facility is being built under the renewed National Development Plan, published this week. The building will be located on the existing Garda HQ site and will comprise a multi-storey, bespoke facility built to high standards of physical and cyber security. The facility is seen as a key element in strengthening the GNCSIS, which serves as Ireland's internal security service. The CoFPI report, published in September 2018, stated that the Garda's security and intelligence capability 'must be strengthened.' It called for a 'ring-fenced budget' and the ability to 'recruit specialist expertise — analytical, technological, and legal — directly and quickly.' It said this was a 'matter of urgency,' as international terrorism and organised crime are constantly evolving, and it assessed the risks to the State as 'serious.' Those particular recommendations have yet to be implemented but are expected to be examined as part of the review of 'national security structures' promised under the Programme for Government. It is believed that this internal review — currently being carried out by the National Security Committee, which includes senior civil servants and top Garda, Defence Forces, and cyber officials — is ongoing. The investment in Garda security structures comes just days after a judge overseeing the use of phone-tapping powers urged that the role and powers of military intelligence in State security be clarified in legislation. Mr Justice Tony O'Connor said the Irish Military Intelligence Service (IMIS) moved into a 'new bespoke secure facility' last March. 'The new facility is a welcome development and affords a modern and professional aspect,' he said. 'The new building is purpose-built to top secret clearances and security specifications.' While An Garda Síochána is responsible for internal security, including State security, the Defence Forces are also tasked with State protection, particularly against external threats. CoFPI recommended the creation of a national security analysis and coordination body under the Department of the Taoiseach. One of its primary tasks would be clarifying the roles of Garda and military intelligence and ensuring 'no overlap' between them. This clarity has not yet been achieved, despite the wishes of Garda and military intelligence. The National Security Analysis Centre (NSAC), set up under the Department of the Taoiseach, never established a coordination function for intelligence agencies. The ongoing national security review is expected to examine this issue. NSAC also failed to produce a National Security Strategy, which was initially expected in 2021 and meant to cover the 2020–2025 period. NSAC was quietly dissolved as a standalone body earlier this year and now operates as a secretariat within the department. It is expected to finally publish Ireland's first National Security Strategy later this year. Read More Gardaí investigating teenage gang attacks on Indian nationals
Irish Times
18 hours ago
- Irish Times
Taoiseach to ‘delve into' Amazon's scrapping of Dublin plant over failure to secure power supply
Taoiseach Micheál Martin has said he plans to 'delve into' the circumstances of Amazon scrapping its €300 million plans to build a large industrial plant in Dublin, over difficulties securing electricity supply. The move has closed off the prospect of more than 500 jobs being created in the proposed plant at Ballycoolin in northwest Dublin, near the Co Meath border, where Amazon already has a large base. ' ESB Networks were saying that they hadn't concluded any engagement with the company, so I'd have to delve a bit more into the background of this as to what exactly happened in relation to this specific case,' Mr Martin said. The Government had been clear about the need for 'significant investment' in the country's energy grid, to meet the demands of the expanding economy, Mr Martin said. READ MORE 'We have real issues now in terms of utilities, that's why the Government and the National Development Plan (NDP) have pivoted to very strong investment in our utilities'. Speaking to The Irish Times in Luxembourg, at the end of an official two-day visit, Mr Martin said water supply, public transport infrastructure and the energy grid were 'absolutely essential' to economic growth. Amazon's cloud computing unit AWS, wanted the new site for making high-tech server racks, a form of specialist shelving used in data centres that drive artificial intelligence (AI) technology. Data centres are buildings that house energy-intensive computer systems for storing internet and business data. Regulators have imposed curbs on new data centres in the Republic because of the electricity shortage. But failure to provide Amazon with electricity surprised people familiar with the plan because prospective power demand from the proposed plant, which was not a data centre, was considered relatively modest. The AWS plan had Government support, while Fingal County Council planning permission for the 23,600sq m site – with 562 car-parking spaces – was in place since 2022. IDA Ireland, the inward investment agency, saw the project as a good way of positioning the State to take advantage of the next wave of AI technology. However, Amazon stopped the AWS investment when ESB Networks said there was no scope to provide an electricity connection within the company's time frame because of constraints in power networks in that area. 'AWS was disappointed that it did not prove possible to proceed with this project. If conditions allow, we do hope to be able to make other high-tech investments elsewhere in Ireland,' said Amazon. Replying to questions, ESB Networks said it 'can confirm that it was in discussions and progressing a feasibility assessment with the developer for works to connect a server recycling facility, not a data centre, to the distribution system – the initial connection was required in 2027'. The State-owned company added: 'ESB Networks was still actively working on this with the developer up until the decision was taken not to proceed in Dublin.' Days after the Cabinet signed off on a €100 billion plan to boost national infrastructure between now and 2030, Amazon's move highlights how serious limitations on the power network are hampering industry. The revised NDP includes €3.5 billion for new electricity grid infrastructure. With Ireland's economic model already under threat from US president Donald Trump 's plan for steep tariffs on European Union trade, the Amazon case is likely to raise fresh concerns about Dublin's capacity for new multinational industrial investment. This is in addition to water and electricity constraints that have held back the delivery of new homes. The proposed AWS plant was seen in Government circles as a serious investment project, not least because Amazon has invested some €22 billion in Ireland since 2004. The company employs 6,500 people in the State. There was no IDA Ireland comment. Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Peter Burke said while he could not comment on individual projects, 'I can confirm that [the] Government and IDA continues to work closely with companies who are seeking to invest in Ireland.' Citing electricity-grid money in the National Development Plan, Mr Burke added: 'I am acutely aware of access to energy infrastructure, which may have been a barrier to development in specific locations, for specific types of industrial investment.' EirGrid , the State-owned operator of the national grid, said it does not comment on individual connection requests or offers for confidentiality reasons. 'However, we note that the case in question was not related to a request to connect to the transmission system [EirGrid].'
