Air-traffic-controller shortages threaten summer schedules at Dublin and Cork airports
Department of Justice data show 63,000 Irish visa refusals over two years
Government launches TrustEd accreditation with spot checks on language schools to curb student-visa abuse
Latest News
EU Entry/Exit System and ETIAS: what Irish-based travellers need to know before 2026 roll-out
An explainer published 15 February clarifies how the EU’s forthcoming Entry/Exit System and €20 ETIAS visa-waiver will work. While Ireland is outside Schengen, non-EU and UK staff based in Irish operations will need ETIAS authorisation and EES biometric enrolment before travelling to continental Europe from 2026, creating new lead-time and budget considerations.
Ireland grants one-year extension of Temporary Protection residency to March 2027
The Irish government has automatically prolonged all Temporary Protection permissions by 12 months to 4 March 2027, covering more than 105,000 mainly Ukrainian refugees. Existing yellow certificates remain valid for work, services and re-entry, eliminating the need for immediate renewals and easing administrative pressure. Employers gain certainty that Ukrainian staff can stay and work for at least another year, aiding workforce planning.
Flooding around Dublin Airport snarls road access but flights remain on schedule
Torrential rain closed several roads leading to Dublin Airport on 13 February, forcing bus diversions and delaying motorists, although flights operated normally. Travellers were advised to add extra time and heed diversions, highlighting the need for contingency planning around Ireland’s main air hub as extreme weather becomes more frequent.
Defence Forces propose foreign-national recruitment with citizenship fast-track to plug staffing gaps
Facing a severe manpower shortage, the Defence Forces have proposed letting qualified foreign nationals join up and gain Irish passports on an accelerated basis. The plan would waive the standard five-year residence rule and the €1,000 naturalisation fee after a period of service, offering a new citizenship pathway for immigrants and potentially reshaping corporate mobility strategies.
Irish ministers head to Munich Security Conference amid heightened global travel and security demands
Foreign Affairs Minister Helen McEntee and Minister of State Thomas Byrne are in Germany for the Munich Security Conference, where they will discuss migration, border security and Ireland’s visa alignment with EU partners. The visit spotlights the specialised travel logistics around high-level diplomatic missions and may foreshadow policy shifts affecting corporate mobility and export controls.