EU rejects Johnson’s backstop demands
The UK Prime Minister has said European leaders are unlikely to bow to his demands while they believe there is a chance the UK Parliament will step in to block a no-deal Brexit.
Speaking this evening, Boris Johnson again insisted that the border backstop “is going to come out” of the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement.
He accused EU leaders of being a “bit negative” in their responses to his demands but said he still believes, “we will get there.”
He said he would approach his engagements with EU leaders “with a lot of oomph” and said he expects to make some progress in the coming weeks.
Committee calls for broadband to remain in public ownership
An Oireachtas committee is calling on the national broadband network to remain in public ownership.
The Joint Oireachtas Communications Committee has found the National Broadband Plan process was based on a flawed tendering process.
The committee met today to vote on recommendations, and a final report is due to be published soon.
It will now be up to the Government whether to accept the committee's recommendations.
Rents have risen by nearly 7% this year
New data suggests rents rose by an average of 6.7% nationwide in the year to June.
That is according to the latest quarterly rental report by Daft.ie.
It found that rents in the capital are now 40% higher on average than their previous peak at the end of 2007.
In Dublin, rents were on average 4.5% higher in the second quarter of 2019 than a year previously.
High Court to announce Ryanair decision tomorrow
The High Court has finished hearing an application from Ryanair for an order aimed at blocking this week's pilot strikes.
A decision is expected tomorrow ahead of the planned walkout on Thursday and Friday.
Judge Denis McDonald says he's "acutely conscious" that Ryanair passengers will be worried about their travel plans this weekend.
But it'll be tomorrow before we know if the strikes by 180 pilots on Thursday and Friday are definitely going ahead.
Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte announces resignation
The Italian Prime Minister has resigned his position after losing the support of his far-right coalition partners.
Giuseppe Conte announced his decision in the Senate this afternoon – accusing Matteo Salvini, the leader of the right-wing League party of betraying Italian citizens by pulling support for the Government.
He said Mr Salvini had “shown that he is following his own interests and those of his party.”
“His decisions pose serious risks for this country.”
