By Sarah Finnan
09th May 2023
09th May 2023
Your speedy summary of today's must-read stories.
Minister to outline options for expected €65bn public finance surplus
Minister for Finance Michael McGrath is expected to bring a paper to Cabinet today outlining options on how to manage the huge surpluses expected in the public finances over the next few years. The expected surpluses are due to record levels of corporation tax, a big part of which is considered by the Department of Finance to be once-off in nature.
RTÉ
‘This must be condemned in the strongest terms,’ says Justice Minister Simon Harris after prison officer stabbed in face by convicted killer
A prison officer was stabbed in the face by a convicted killer during an attempted escape in Dublin yesterday.
Independent.ie
Regulator ‘encouraging’ energy suppliers to pass on price reductions ‘as soon as possible’
The commission for the Regulation of Utilities (CRU) says it is encouraging all energy suppliers to reduce prices “as soon as possible”. Appearing before the Oireachtas Environment Committee today, representatives from the commission will state that it remains “very concerned at the impact of high energy prices on households and businesses”. In its opening statement to the committee, the CRU states that the recent reductions in wholesale gas and electricity prices are welcome, acknowledging that some suppliers have announced price reductions for certain customer segments.
The Journal
Changes made to Cork City development plan to allow for more parking despite concerns
The Cork city development plan has been changed to allow more parking in places despite concerns that it could weaken the 15-minute city concept and undermine city efforts to become climate neutral by the end of the decade.. The variation, just nine months into the life of the new plan, effectively relaxes the minimum parking standards in a parking policy which was agreed when the plan came into effect last August.
The Irish Examiner
Putin says world at ‘turning point’ in Moscow Victory Day speech
President Vladimir Putin has told Moscow’s Victory Day parade that the world is at a “turning point”, as some events around the country are scaled back due to security concerns. The annual military parade commemorates the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in World War Two. Putin again sought to link Russia’s invasion of Ukraine to the struggle against Nazism, claiming that Russia was defending its sovereignty.
BBC News
Harry’s ghostwriter John Moehringer reveals ‘row’ with prince over Diana comment anecdote
The ghostwriter behind Prince Harry’s book has revealed he shouted at the royal in a row over an anecdote that referenced Princess Diana. John Moehringer recalled the pair having a 2am Zoom call over some of Harry’s edits for Spare, with one story sparking a heated disagreement. He said it involved a hostage scenario during the prince’s military training when one of the “captors” made a “vile dig” at his mother.
Sky News
Today’s forecast
Sunny spells and showers today, some heavy and thundery with a chance of spot flooding. The showers will mostly occur in the west and southwest at first, but they will gradually spread eastwards, becoming widespread for a time this afternoon. Highest temperatures of 13 to 17 degrees in light to moderate westerly or southwesterly breezes. Showers will continue tonight, most frequent across Connacht and Ulster with the best of any dry intervals in the south and east. Lowest temperatures of 7 to 10 degrees in light to moderate westerly or southwesterly breezes, fresher near Atlantic coasts.
Met Éireann