Latest news with #PaulCunningham
RTÉ News
22-07-2025
- Business
- RTÉ News
Govt outlines spending on housing and energy projects
Conor O' Connell, Director, Housing, Planning & Development with the Irish Home Builder's Association, discusses the updated version of the National Development Plan. Paul Cunningham, Political Correspondent, reports from the Dáil.
RTÉ News
27-06-2025
- Politics
- RTÉ News
Behind the Story: 'Wild west' of corporal punishment, defence spend and Jeff Bezos wedding
The 'wild west' of corporal punishment in school is something that Paul Cunningham remembers well. RTÉ's Political Correspondent has opened up about his personal experience of the practice on Behind the Story. Remembering a particular incident back in 1978 as a 10-year-old, Paul recalls 47 years later how it stays with him. He reflects on recent changes which give schools guidance on how they should deal with former pupils who come forward and report historic abuse. The policy - Child Protection Procedures for Schools, 2025 - is an update on its original 2017 document. Katie and Paul also talk through plans for Ireland to partake in a new EU programme SAFE, or Security Action for Europe. The procurement scheme would enable the State to quickly acquire defence systems and help streamline procurement policies across the bloc. What does it mean for Ireland - and what could be in store for Irish troops amid a shifting interntional stage at the United Nations? Also the duo toast the 'wedding to the year' in Venice between Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez. You can listen to Behind the Story which is available on the RTÉ Radio Player.
RTÉ News
20-06-2025
- Politics
- RTÉ News
Gaza facing drought
The UN children's agency UNICEF is warning that the Strip is facing a man-made drought - as its water systems collapse amid the ongoing Israeli bombardment. Juliette Touma Communications Director with the UN's Palestinian agency UNWRA joins Paul Cunningham to discuss.
BBC News
28-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Privately rented property licenses will 'improve living standards'
A new licensing scheme covering 5,000 rented properties will improve housing conditions, councillors in a Norfolk town are being Yarmouth Borough Council said a selective licensing scheme, if agreed at a meeting on 3 June, would cover the Nelson, Cobholm and Southtown, and Central and Northgate would replace a previous scheme that covered 1,500 properties, which private-sector landlords criticised as being costly and of little Paul Wells, portfolio holder for licensing, said: '''We know some privately rented properties are in a poor condition and we are determined to try to improve standards.'' The council said it carried out a feasibility study which included data about demographics and the condition of rental accommodation in the said the initial scheme led to considerable improvements and helped the landlords understand their responsibilities and "what good property management looks like".If introduced, the scheme - which would include 60% of the borough's private-rented housing - would not be allowed to make a profit. Running costs would be covered by a proposed licence fee of £784 for landlords. Paul Cunningham, chairman of the Eastern Landlords Association said: "I have brought this to the attention of the MP to say this is a pointless exercise."It is another way of Great Yarmouth Borough Council alienating landlords. Of all the local authorities I work with GYBC is the most difficult to deal with. They are anti-landlord and are the only council in Norfolk to look at selective licensing."The cost will be passed on to tenants and therefore the rents will be increase and more and more landlords will sell."There is already a lack of landlords across the area and country, and this will make housing asylum seekers look more attractive." Mr Wells added: ''Generally, we have responsible landlords, but not everyone has a home that is safe, warm and good quality. This scheme would mean landlords must comply with a number of licence conditions."Bad housing has a detrimental impact on the lives of people and our residents deserve better where there are problems." He added: ''We already have some powers related to housing, but this scheme will allow us to more effectively deal with a range of issues that impact people. "We will be better able to tackle health hazards and overcrowding – which is a real problem for some of our residents.''We would be able to systematically inspect properties to make sure things like gas and electric certification are up to date, rather than simply reacting to complaints as we currently do.''Where necessary, we could refuse to issue a licence and hold people accountable.'' Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Idaho needs independent veteran voices in government
Idaho's future deserves leaders who understand that loyalty belongs to the people, not the party, write guest columnists Paul Cunningham and Patrick Riceci. (Getty Images) Idaho is at a crossroads. Our state's Legislature has become increasingly polarized, with partisanship often drowning out pragmatic problem-solving. It's time for a new approach — one that draws on the leadership, service and integrity of a cadre of independent veterans willing to step into the political arena. These efforts should not be confined to the Legislature but should also include veterans' participation in city council, school board, library district and highway district elections, all of which provide an opportunity for veterans to lead and problem solve in their communities. CONTACT US As a share of the population, Idaho has one of the highest number of veterans in the United States. Those veterans bring something Idaho desperately needs at all levels of government: firsthand experience putting mission above ego, country above faction and teamwork above personal gain. They understand sacrifice, discipline and the importance of making hard choices for the greater good. Imagine what a group of veterans — running as independents, free from the grip of party machines — could do for the people of Idaho, whether that is as a legislator, city council member, county commissioner or highway district commissioner. These candidates would not be beholden to rigid platforms or state or national agendas. Instead, they would focus on local issues: improving access to affordable housing, strengthening education at the local level, supporting the transportation (including walking and biking) needs of local communities, protecting farms and water from urban encroachment and fostering economic opportunity for all Idahoans. Their independence would allow them to work across party lines and rebuild the trust and civility so often missing from our various seats of government, including the Statehouse. We need veterans not just as symbols of service, but as active leaders helping reshape Idaho's political landscape. We call on veterans across the state to consider stepping up — not as Republicans or Democrats, but as principled independents ready to serve again, this time in the helm of government at all levels. Idaho's future deserves leaders who understand that loyalty belongs to the people, not the party. Let's help make that future a reality. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
