The Irish Passport Service was recognized for its outstanding achievement with the World Class Civil Service award at the Civil Service Excellence and Innovation Awards at Dublin Castle in November. The award was made in respect of the Online Passport Renewal Project, which saw launch of the online passport application system in March. The service means that Irish citizens … [Read more...] about Irish Passport Service Wins World Class Civil Service Award
Politics
Ireland’s First President
By Darina Molloy, Contributor
Douglas Hyde, born in Roscommon in 1860, was a leading figure in the Gaelic revival and Ireland’s first president. A couple of unplanned events shaped the course of Douglas Hyde’s early life. He should have been born in County Sligo, where his family resided, but instead, he arrived on January 17, 1860, in Castlerea, County Roscommon, where his mother was visiting her … [Read more...] about Ireland’s First President
Referendum to be Held on Abortion
For the first time ever, a referendum will be held on whether Ireland’s constitutional ban on abortion, which puts women who illegally abort their pregnancies at risk of prison terms up to 14 years, will be lifted or loosened. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar announced in September that the referendum vote will be held between May and June next year. The eighth amendment of the Irish … [Read more...] about Referendum to be Held on Abortion
E.U. Sues Ireland Over Billions Apple Owes in Tax Revenue
Ireland is being sued by the European Union for its failure to collect a year-old bill of €13 billion (over $15 billion) from Apple, Inc. In October, the European Commission referred the country to the European Court of Justice for failing to recoup the money, which was due January 3 but will likely not be collected for another six months. The European commission presented … [Read more...] about E.U. Sues Ireland Over Billions Apple Owes in Tax Revenue
Congressman Boyle Honored in Sligo
Congressman Brendan F. Boyle, a Democrat from Pennsylvania, received a warm welcome from the villagers of Easkey in Sligo, when he arrived with his father, Francis, a Donegal native, and his brother, State Representative Kevin Boyle, in mid-August. More than 100 people gathered at the Easkey Community Center to welcome the Congressman to the village where his maternal … [Read more...] about Congressman Boyle Honored in Sligo