Net migration tops 59,700 as housing deficit bites, sparking calls for tighter visa controls
Gale-force winds cancel multiple Irish Sea ferry sailings
Met Éireann issues Status-Yellow rain alert for Wicklow, warns of ‘difficult travel conditions’
Latest News
Lithuania courts Irish outbound market with wellness & heritage push at Holiday World Dublin
A Lithuanian business delegation used Dublin’s Holiday World Show to pitch the country’s wellness resorts and UNESCO heritage to Irish tour operators, signalling new short-haul incentive-travel options for corporate mobility planners.
Dublin Airport debuts heritage pop-up and new air-side pub to enhance passenger experience
Dublin Airport unveiled a historical pop-up exhibition and opened Ryan’s Pub in Terminal 2, adding local flavour and extra dwell-time options as the hub sharpens its passenger-experience credentials ahead of an airport-charges review.
Ireland pushes for coordinated EU returns policy at Cyprus Justice & Home Affairs summit
At the 23 Jan 2026 EU JHA meeting in Cyprus, Ireland urged partners to speed up the return of irregular migrants and align reintegration support across the bloc, signalling tougher enforcement ahead. The discussion is directly linked to Ireland’s own International Protection Bill 2026 and the move toward a single work-and-residence permit. Corporate mobility teams should brace for stricter compliance checks and possible changes to carrier-liability rules.
Thailand’s new ‘Destination Thailand Visa’ officially open to Irish digital nomads
Thailand opened its five-year Destination Thailand Visa on 23 Jan 2026, letting Irish remote workers stay up to 180 days per visit for €350, provided they show THB 500,000 in funds and proof of remote employment. The scheme offers Irish companies a legitimate template for ‘work-from-Thailand’ requests but raises tax-residency and compliance questions for HR.
EU launches consultations on cross-border labour mobility – Irish border regions urged to respond
Two EU consultations opened on 23 Jan 2026 seek feedback on cross-border labour mobility and skills recognition. Irish employers operating in or near Northern Ireland stand to benefit from simplified qualification recognition and digital social-security coordination, and are encouraged to submit evidence before 2 Feb and 27 Feb deadlines.
European Tourism Day preview: new EU strategy could reshape Ireland’s inbound and outbound travel
The Commission will use European Tourism Day on 26 Jan to finalise input for an EU Sustainable Tourism Strategy. Announced 23 Jan, the plan could tighten emissions rules on short-haul flights and introduce digital travel credentials—changes that will affect Irish carriers, tour operators and corporate travel managers.
Switzerland adopts tougher EU visa-suspension mechanism – what it means for Irish travellers and employers
Switzerland confirmed on 23 Jan 2026 that it will apply the EU’s tougher visa-suspension rules, making it easier to re-introduce visa requirements for certain nationalities at short notice. Irish firms moving non-EU, visa-exempt talent into Switzerland should prepare contingency plans in case exemptions are suddenly lifted.