Bank of Ireland contactless payments surged to record levels during the final quarter (Q4) of 2025, according to an analysis of customer transactions.

Q4 2025 eCommerce contactless card transactions (digital wallets, Apple Pay/Google Pay) increased by 10% when compared to Q4 2024, whilst contactless 'tap and go' payment levels rose by 4%.

Over 2 million contactless 'tap and go' payments took place on 23 December, a new all-time peak for these payments as people rushed to complete their Christmas shopping, whilst over 1.1m eCommerce contactless card transactions were recorded on 28 November – another single day record for Bank of Ireland customers.

Along with a major focus on improving digital payments capabilities, Bank of Ireland introduced SEPA Instant last year, allowing personal and business customers to make a euro payment within ten seconds, 24 hours a day, to any European bank. Verification of Payee (VoP) and Fraud Payment Interrupt (FPI) were also introduced, providing an additional layer to further strengthen payment security and enhancing the Bank's ongoing commitment to customer fraud prevention.

Ongoing investment in digital platforms has enabled faster lending for small business and agri customers – they can apply for a loan and access funds in as little as 24 hours. And the use of AI has helped protect customers from fraud – scam detection technology using AI and machine learning assessed c.1 billion card transactions for potential fraud and prevented €9.7 million in losses in 2025.

Further technology improvements will launch in 2026, including Zippay (mobile-to-mobile payments), and the Bank's new mobile banking app.

Ciarán Coyle, Chief Operating Officer, Bank of Ireland said: "We made considerable progress in delivering technology enhancements throughout 2025, providing greater stability and resilience and a smoother, more secure customer experience. We will continue this focus and momentum, with the rollout of our new mobile app, and other improvements including the launch of Zippay mobile-to-mobile payments.

"Later this year we will launch our new strategy, where we will outline further investments in our digital platforms, providing colleagues with the best technology to serve our customers brilliantly."

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More about Irish Tech News

Irish Tech News are Ireland's No. 1 Online Tech Publication and often Ireland's No.1 Tech Podcast too.

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Irish Tech News have a range of services available to help promote your business. Why not drop us a line at [email protected] now to find out more about how we can help you reach our audience.

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Sara Daw is Group CEO of The CFO Centre and The Liberti Group, and the author of Strategy and Leadership as Service – How the Access Economy Meets the C-Suite, which explores the fractional leadership trend and the impact on employees.

The remote vs in-office workplace debate continues to burden leaders. Return-to-office mandates are on the rise, with the idea that they will boost engagement, productivity and collaboration. But do they?

Worryingly, the opposite can be true. A recent Gartner survey found that among high-performing employees, their intent to stay was 16% lower with strict RTO mandates. Conversely, Gallup's latest State of the Global Workplace report reveals that remote workers are the most likely to be engaged at work (31%).

Employees Work' Matters Less Than 'How They Work'

While it is important for each company to decide what work arrangements work best for them – whether remote, hybrid, or in office full-time – this misses the overarching point. Instead of arguing over the 'where' of work, leaders should be focusing more on the 'how'.

This is where "psychological ownership" comes in – our ability to feel that our job belongs to us. When employees feel psychologically tied to their roles, the more likely they are to be engaged and perform at their best. So how can leaders develop psychological ownership in their staff, regardless of where they work from?

The Three Roots of Psychological Ownership

There are three roots that underpin a sense of psychological ownership – efficacy, self-identity and having a place:

1. Efficacy – leaders, employees and their team members must understand each other's needs and feel confident that the relationship is working to meet desired goals.

2. Self-identity – work isn't just about completing tasks; it's about expressing individual skills, values and purpose. Employees need to feel that their role fits their identity and reflects who they are.

3. Having a place – individuals fundamentally want to belong. When teams work together, individuals feel part of a group of like-minded people with a shared mission, strengthening their commitment and engagement.

These three roots are particularly important for a blended workforce, with employees split between working in-office and from home. So, what steps can leaders take to nurture these roots of psychological ownership in their staff?

Create Control

When staff have a say over their work, they achieve a sense of control in their role. This helps them to feel ownership of their tasks, boosting their motivation, engagement and performance. To increase feelings of control in employees, leaders should:

Clarify the purpose and goals of staff's work but let them choose the best way to achieve them.

Encourage staff to share their knowledge and insights with others – this strengthens their feeling of control by demonstrating their competence and confidence.

Foster open communication channels by determining when individuals are and aren't available

Build Intimacy

Intimacy is a key ingredient for creating a positive and fulfilling work environment, particularly in a blended workforce. Intimacy leads to a stronger sense of belonging with colleagues, increases collaboration and conflict resolution, and deepens our appreciation of our role, its purpose and its impact. Leaders can build intimacy with and between employees by:

Scheduling regular one-to-one meetings and informal catch-ups to check in on each other's well-being, goals, and challenges

Be empathetic, actively listen and ask open-ended questions to show interest and understanding

Arrange social events and activities that promote getting to know each other outside of work

Build trust via transparency, sticking to commitments, and being consistent.

Encourage self-investment

How much employees invest themselves personally in their work influences their sense of ownership over their jobs. Investment can take many forms – time, skills, ideas, physical and psychological, and intellectual ener...

We're at a critical moment in education. New research and emerging technologies, such as Generative AI, have the potential to reshape how we teach and learn. With decades of leadership in education technology, Dell Technologies is supporting schools in this transformation – equipping students and educators with tools and programs designed for the AI era, ensuring they are prepared for the opportunities ahead.

This commitment is reflected in Dell's expanded education portfolio – including new Dell Pro Education and Dell Chromebook devices – alongside programs that help prepare students for the future. These new PCs are purpose-built for modern learning environments: durable enough to withstand the school day, serviceable enough to maximise institutional investment and powerful enough to support the curricula.

Expanding the Portfolio: New Purpose-Built Devices for Education

Dell is expanding its education portfolio with new devices designed to meet the diverse needs of modern learning environments.

These PCs are engineered for the realities of student life – ruggedised to military standards (MIL-STD 810H) with reinforced corners, spill-resistant keyboards and 180-degree lay-flat hinges tested to withstand tens of thousands of cycles. Powered by Intel N-Series processors, they deliver all-school day battery life and the performance modern curricula demand.

Serviceability is built in from the start, with customer-replaceable batteries, shared parts across models and up to five years of warranty coverage to maximise investments and reduce e-waste. Wi-Fi 6E connectivity, built-in security and robust device management give IT teams the tools they need to deploy and support technology at scale, while Dell's Managed IT Services offer schools 24/7 monitoring, proactive issue resolution and dedicated support options.

The lineup includes:

Dell Pro Education 11 Laptop & 2-in-1 (Windows OS): Compact and lightweight with optional touch capability, ideal for younger students.

Dell Pro Education 14 Laptop (Windows OS) and Dell Chromebook 14 Laptop (Chrome OS): New 14-inch additions to the portfolio offer larger screen real estate for multitasking, well-suited for high school students. Schools can choose the operating system that best fits their environment and curriculum needs.

This expanded portfolio joins the Dell Chromebook 11, launched late last year, giving schools more choice in how they equip their students and staff.

Shaping the Future Through Education Programs & Partnerships

Beyond technology solutions, Dell has focused on making a lasting impact through collaboration with educators, non-profits, and community leaders to foster critical skills for the digital era. Recent examples include:

Student TechCrew (U.S.): A program that helps schools create a student-led helpdesk, teaching 9th -12th graders about technology and repair while supporting peers and school staff with tech issues. Learn how to start a Student TechCrew chapter at your school here.

Girls Who Game (U.S./Global): Fosters early interest in STEM fields while building leadership and critical thinking skills. This program was developed in partnership with Microsoft and Intel. Learn more about Girls Who Game here.

Tech Career Circuit (Global): In partnership with Discovery Education, this initiative equips students in grades 6-12 with complementary hands-on resources, digital skills and AI-focused learning to prepare for in-demand IT careers. Access the Tech Career Circuit resources here.

Data Dunkers (Canada): A program that uses basketball statistics to teach students in grades 5-12 data science and AI skills, fostering critical thinking and career exploration. Learn more about how to bring Data Dunkers to your school here.

U.S. Presidential AI Challenge (U.S.): Dell is the technology partner to the U.S. Presidential AI Challenge, expanding access to free, on-demand training for K-12 students focused on tech literacy and workforce readiness. Learn more about the Presi...

The University of Galway has today launched its new Medical Device Prototype Hub, supported by medical device company Medtronic.

The development of the facility is part of the five-year €5 million signature innovation partnership between Medtronic and the University, announced in 2023, which focuses on three pillars: developing the MedTech ecosystem, STEM engagement and research.

President of University of Galway, Professor David Burn, said: "The launch of the Medical Device Prototype Hub at University of Galway marks a hugely significant milestone in our signature partnership with Medtronic but it also sends a strong message to all those in the sector and all those who are driving innovation – University of Galway is creating the ecosystem in which our partners in research and innovation can thrive. We look forward to celebrating the breakthroughs and successes that this initiative enables."

Ronan Rogers, Senior R&D Director, Medtronic, said:

"Today's launch of the Medical Device Prototype Hub represents an exciting next step in our long?standing partnership with the University of Galway. Medtronic has deep roots in the west of Ireland, and this facility strengthens a shared commitment to advancing research, accelerating innovation, and developing the next generation of medical technologies.

We are proud to invest in an ecosystem that not only drives technological progress but also supports talent development. This Hub will unlock new avenues for discovery and accelerate the path from promising ideas to real?world medical solutions for patients."

The Medical Device Prototype Hub forms part of the Institute for Health Discovery and Innovation, which was established in the University in 2024, as part of the signature innovation partnership. It will be further supported through collaborations with government agencies and industry leaders.

The Medical Device Prototype Hub sits within the University of Galway's new Technology Services Directorate, which provides shared research infrastructure and technical expertise to underpin activities across both the Institute for Health Discovery and Innovation and the Institute for Clinical Trials, established in 2024 and 2023, respectively.

The Hub will be further enhanced through partnerships with government agencies and industry leaders, creating a collaborative environment that supports translation, innovation, and regional growth in life sciences and medical technologies.

The development is part of an integrated ecosystem at the University of Galway, which enables sustained, research-led development, further positioning Galway as the centre of Ireland's global MedTech hub and the University as integral to research for the public good on the world stage.

Aoife Duffy, Director of Technology Services Directorate at University of Galway, said:

"The Technology Services Directorate brings together key research facilities that support fundamental research at University of Galway. It aims to advance our research excellence by bringing together state-of-the-art core facilities and making strategic decisions on infrastructure and investment. The new prototype hub significantly enhances the innovation pathway available for the university research community and wider, and we look forward to working with Medtronic on this partnership".

Professor Ted Vaughan, Director of Institute for Health Discovery and Innovation (IHDI), said: "The Medical Device Prototype Hub will serve as a central core facility, providing the engineering infrastructure and expertise to design, build and test new devices. It adds to the vibrant healthtech and medtech ecosystem in the west of Ireland and provides fertile ground to drive its growth.

"Our vision is to make sure we have the best possible conditions for the R&D of new technologies for healthcare. Our aim is to address remaining gaps in the development pipeline, from discovery to innovation."

The Medical Device Prototype Hub has expert staff to facilitate concept c...

Innovation in medical technology (MedTech) has always been driven by curiosity, creativity and the pursuit of better patient outcomes. Today, however, the pace of change is accelerating, and technology is no longer simply supporting innovation in MedTech – it is helping power it.

As populations age and chronic diseases become more prevalent, the demands on those working in healthcare will intensify. Clinicians and patients alike are seeking innovative solutions that offer increased levels of precision, faster recovery times and more personalised care.

Meeting these expectations requires more than leadership and talent alone; it demands new ways of thinking and new tools to drive progress. Technology has emerged as one of the most powerful catalysts of change.

Advances in engineering and manufacturing are fuelling a new wave of innovation and new ways of designing and delivering medical solutions. By enabling smarter healthcare solutions, we can assist clinicians worldwide to deliver better outcomes for patients and ultimately improve lives.

Digital technology transforming care

Up until recent years, MedTech innovation has relied on incremental improvements, such as the enhanced surgical instruments and more precise implants. While these remain critical, companies across the sector, including Stryker, are leveraging technology to reshape what is possible.

Across the industry, we are seeing firsthand how engineering is transforming not just medical devices, but patient care, hospital workflows and the future of health itself.

Robotics, for example, is no longer a futuristic concept. They are integral to operating rooms worldwide, enabling minimally invasive procedures and providing surgeons with precision and control. Likewise, AI is changing how clinicians approach patient care by improving the speed and accuracy of diagnostics. The engineering behind these systems is incredibly complex, yet it is designed with one goal in mind – to improve patients' lives.

Innovation is not without its challenges. Engineering cutting-edge solutions demands rigorous testing and close collaboration across industry and practice. As a leader in MedTech innovation in Ireland for over 27 years, Stryker views these challenges as opportunities to push boundaries in a thoughtful and considered way.

A new era of MedTech manufacturing

Advanced manufacturing is redefining how MedTech companies design, build and deliver solutions to clinicians and patients. Technologies such as additive manufacturing and 3D printing are enabling levels of precision, consistency and customisation that were once not possible.

These technologies allow for faster development cycles, enabling us to move from concept to production in days or weeks rather than months. They also support more personalised solutions, such as patient-specific implants and surgical instruments. Ultimately, advanced manufacturing is more than a production method; it is a medium for increased innovation, helping us to respond to clinical challenges faster and improve solutions that support better patient care.

Stryker has been a pioneer in the field of advanced manufacturing, and we are particularly proud of the progress we have made in the field of 3D printing. Stryker's AMagine Institute at our Anngrove site in County Cork is home to one of the world's largest and most advanced 3D printing facilities and a key hub in a global network.

Equally important is inspiring the next generation of MedTech innovators. That's why we're proud to collaborate with I-Form, Research Ireland's Centre for Advanced Manufacturing, on the 'Manufacturing a Healthy Future' programme, which introduces students to 3D printing at an early stage and has seen more than 2,000 students participate since its launch in 2021.

Accelerating innovation

One of the most important and exciting technological advancements in recent years is digital twins. More than a simple simulation, digital twins create precise virtual replicas of patie...

As sales teams kick off 2026 with ambitious new quotas, they're turning to AI, especially agents, to hit their numbers. A new survey of more than 4,000 sales professionals, including 100 in Ireland, reveals AI as a top tactic to drive company growth this year.

The data also reveals why: Sales teams are increasingly stretched between changing customer demands and limited bandwidth to meet them. The real drag on productivity, the research suggests, isn't effort or skill; it's administrative bottlenecks, a challenge hitting Gen Z sellers hardest. This year, they're turning to AI and agents to do more with what they have: 87% of Irish sales leaders with agents say they're critical for meeting business demands.

By improving productivity, these agents are freeing sellers to do what they do best. "We want to kill the busywork so our teams can focus on what actually moves deals forward: building relationships and driving success," said Adam Alfano, EVP of Sales at Salesforce. "AI agents make that possible."

Detailed Findings:

Sellers are doubling down on AI agents and deploying them across the entire sales cycle.

AI adoption in sales is already mainstream: 87% of Irish sales organisations currently use some form of AI for tasks like prospecting, forecasting, lead scoring, or drafting emails.

Irish sellers using AI report meaningful value: 89% say AI deepens customer understanding, and 79% say it makes their job less stressful.

AI agent adoption is accelerating quickly: 48% of Irish sellers say they've used agents, and just over half (51%) plan to by 2027. Once fully implemented, Irish sellers expect agents to cut prospect research time by 36% and email drafting by 36%, giving sales teams meaningful time back in their day.

Alfano revealed how his own teams use AI agents to drive impact. "AI agents have changed how we operate," he said. "They help us onboard reps and quote complex deals faster and personalise outreach with better intel. Plus, they're prospecting24/7. It's not just efficiency gains in one department, agents are reshaping our entire sales engine."

Top-performing sellers are 1.7 times more likely to use prospecting AI agents for outreach than underperformers.

39% of Irish sales reps point to cold calling as the worst part of their job, yet a strong pipeline requires more contacts and more engagement than teams can deliver on their own.

Despite devoting nearly one full day of their workweek to prospecting efforts, 41% of Irish sellers say they lack bandwidth to do adequate cold outreach.

To close the capacity gap, 47% of Irish sales professionals are using AI for prospecting, with another 51% planning to do so in the future.

92% of global sellers with AI agents say it benefits their prospecting efforts.

Globally, high performers (sellers who have substantially increased year-over-year revenue) are 1.7 times more likely to use agents to help with prospecting than underperformers who merely maintained or decreased YOY revenue.

"At Salesforce, we use agents to work all our untouched leads," said Alfano. "We used to let these leads fall to the floor like sawdust. Now, agents sweep them up and sift for gold. In four months, agents contacted 130,000 leads and created 3,200 opportunities. Next year, we believe these numbers will be 10 times higher."

Administrative friction is hitting the lower rungs of the career ladder hardest.

The grunt work tax is real: While the average seller spends 40% of their time selling, Gen Z reps overall are trapped at just 35%, losing approximately two full hours each week to manual data entry that senior reps spend researching prospects and building relationships.

They're also navigating a mentorship drought:

46% rarely get feedback on their sales conversations.

47% don't get enough roleplay opportunities before customer calls.

When asked what prevents effective enablement, Gen Z points to lack of manager time as the #1 obstacle, while millennials, Gen Xers, and baby boomers cite lack of access to...

SciFest, Ireland's largest and most inclusive second-level STEM fair programme, has announced its return for 2026, marking 20 years since the first SciFest STEM fair took place in 2006.

SciFest is celebrating two decades of supporting young people to explore STEM through curiosity-led investigation, creativity and problem-solving, and of creating a platform where students can present their work locally, regionally, nationally and even internationally.

Students can submit projects across a wide range of scientific disciplines, including physical and life sciences and technology. SciFest is free to enter and open to second-level students of all backgrounds and circumstances. To take part,students should complete the online entry form via the SciFest website by 12 March.

SciFest@College fairs take place in regional venues nationwide, with successful projects progressing through the programme to the SciFest National Final later in the year, where finalists compete for top awards and opportunities to represent Ireland internationally.

The SciFest programme is supported through public funding from the Department of Education and Youth and a community of partnerships including Intel Ireland, Boston Scientific, EirGrid and Keenova.

Speaking as SciFest launches its 20th anniversary year, Sheila Porter, SciFest Founder and CEO, said: "Twenty years ago, the first SciFest fair took place in Tallaght, and since then we've seen tens of thousands of students bring ideas to life – asking questions, testing solutions and presenting projects with confidence and pride.

"This year is about recognising what has made SciFest possible: the commitment of our host colleges, the dedication of teachers and school communities, the enthusiasm and hard work of students across the country, and the consistent support of our funding and sponsorship partners. Thank you for backing SciFest over the last 20 years – and for helping us inspire the next generation of STEM thinkers and doers.

"2026 will be a year of celebration throughout the programme and an exciting year ahead. I would encourage every second-level student with an idea, an interest, or even just a question they want to explore, to enter SciFest. We cannot wait to see the innovation, imagination and impact of this year's projects."

Since 2006, SciFest has grown into a nationwide programme, with 16,000 students now taking part across 160+ local, regional and national fairs. For more information visit www.scifest.ie.

See more stories here.

More about Irish Tech News

Irish Tech News are Ireland's No. 1 Online Tech Publication and often Ireland's No.1 Tech Podcast too.

You can find hundreds of fantastic previous episodes and subscribe using whatever platform you like via our Anchor.fm page here: https://anchor.fm/irish-tech-news

If you'd like to be featured in an upcoming Podcast email us at [email protected] now to discuss.

Irish Tech News have a range of services available to help promote your business. Why not drop us a line at [email protected] now to find out more about how we can help you reach our audience.

You can also find and follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Snapchat.

Join the global sugarcane community in Delhi to shape the future of sustainable agriculture.

Bonsucro Global Week 2026, the flagship event for sustainability in the sugarcane sector, will take place in Delhi, India, from Monday 9th – Friday 13th March 2026. This premier global event convenes sugarcane producers, civil society, brands, and stakeholders from across the supply chain for a unique week of learning, sharing, and connection. The main conference days are Tuesday 10-Wednesday 11th March, with an optional field trip taking place on 12-13th March.

Sugarcane Sustainability, Global Week

Who is attending?

International and national high profile speakers are confirmed, with new announcements each week, representing multiple stakeholder groups in the sugarcane sector:

Government representatives

Mr Sanjeev Chopra, Secretary, Department of Food and Public Distribution, Government of India

Sugarcane producers and millers

Deepak Ballani, Director General, Indian Sugar & Bio-Energy Manufacturers Association (ISMA)

Roshan Lal Tamak, Executive Director & CEO – Sugar Business, DCM Shriram

Avantika Saraogi, Executive Director, Balrampur Chini Mills

Rakesh Gangwar, Managing Director, Mawana Sugars Ltd

Dr Sankaran Raghu, Head of Quality, EID Parry

Sustainability professionals and consultants

Ajith Radhakrishnan, Senior Advisor Water Resources Group, World Bank

Maj Sapna Nauhria, Industry Director, Microsoft

Kiran Wadhwana, Chair Bonsucro Board

NGOs and civil society organisations

Emanuela Ranieri-Svendsen, Deputy Director – Human Rights, Proforest

Prashant Pastore, Asia Head, Solidaridad Asia

Aarti Kapoor, CEO, Embode

Supply chain managers and buyers

Andre Valente, Sustainability Director, Ra?n

Irene Arredondo, Responsible Sourcing Manager, Bacardi

Julia Clark, Director Sugar Ethics, Tate and Lyle Sugars

Why Attend?

Network with international leaders and innovators in sustainable sugarcane.

Engage in sessions on the latest sustainability trends, regenerative agriculture, and market opportunities.

Participate in workshops and debates on certification, climate action, and human rights in the sugarcane industry.

Celebrate excellence at the Bonsucro Inspire Awards, recognising outstanding contributions to sustainability.

Danielle Morley, CEO of Bonsucro, commented on the significance of bringing the event to India: "India is a dynamic, high-growth sugarcane market that supports the livelihoods of around 50 million farmers and plays a critical role in rural development, food security, biofuels and climate resilience. Bringing this event to India, the world's second largest producer of sugarcane, reflects both the scale of that impact and our commitment to working with partners on the ground to shape a more sustainable future for the sector."

Featured Sessions & Highlights

Opening Ceremony: Mr Sanjeev Chopra, Secretary Department of Food and Public Distribution, Government of India; Deepak Ballani, Director General ISMA, Kiran Wadhwana, Chair of Bonsucro Board of Directors

Keynote: Danielle Morley, CEO, Bonsucro

Plenary Panel Discussions:

Market dynamics and sustainability in sugarcane

Tech-driven transformation in the sugarcane sector

Innovations in sustainable fuels and bioproducts

Supporting smallholder farmers on their sustainability journey

Breakout sessions on measuring GHG emissions, living income and living wage, regenerative agriculture, collective action projects.

About Bonsucro

Bonsucro is the global platform for sustainable sugarcane, driving positive change through standards, certification, and collective action. Bonsucro's work covers over 2.4 million hectares of certified sugarcane land, impacting more than 285,000 workers worldwide.

Find out more about our impact in the latest Bonsucro 2024-2025 Outcome Report: Celebrating our collective impact

See more breaking stories here.

More than 10,000 visitors descended on the RDS, Dublin over the bank holiday weekend as the inaugural European Motor Show made a high-impact debut, cementing its position as a major new fixture on Europe's motoring calendar.

The two-day festival brought together motorsport legends, industry leaders, car manufacturers and families for a celebration of cars, culture, innovation and performance, with a packed live stage, immersive zones and strong engagement across all areas of the show.

A standout moment of the weekend came with Christian Horner making his first public appearance since stepping away from Red Bull Racing. Speaking on the main stage, Horner confirmed that his future in Formula 1 "is not over", drawing significant attention from Irish, UK and international media and reinforcing the European Motor Show's ability to attract global headline talent.

The speaker line-up also featured well-known and emerging voices from across motorsport, performance, broadcasting and innovation, including; Charley Boorman, Alex Dunne, Tiff Needell, Laura Jordan O'Connell, Tatiana Calderón, Conor Moore, Bradley Scanes, Kayls Cole and many more, with live interviews, and panel discussions running over the Saturday and Sunday.

Following the success of the 2026 event, Close Brothers Motor Finance has today confirmed its continued support of the festival, signing on as the Headline Partner for year two when the European Motor Show returns to the RDS in 2027 on 30 & 31 January.

Donal Murphy, CEO, Close Brothers Motor Finance, said; "It has been a rewarding year so far for everyone at Close Brothers Motor Finance. Being headline sponsor of the European Motor Show in its inaugural year here in Dublin was genuinely something special, both for our team and for the wider automotive industry. The innovation, collaboration and energy on display reflected how far the sector has come and the role Ireland now plays on the European stage. We're proud to have supported the show in this way and are excited to continue our partnership with the European Motor Show as we return to the RDS next year for a second year in Dublin."

Ian Hyland, President of Business & Finance and Founder of the European Motor Show, said: "Year one exceeded our expectations on every level, from attendance and speaker calibre to industry engagement and public response. To welcome more than 10,000 visitors in our inaugural year is a huge achievement, and having Close Brothers Motor Finance commit to year two is a strong vote of confidence in the vision for this festival. We're incredibly grateful for their support and excited to build on this momentum as we look ahead to 2027."

The 2026 European Motor Show featured a wide range of zones and experiences, including live stage interviews, the Cannonball showcase, family-focused areas, future mobility and technology exhibits, and displays from leading automotive brands.

Clare Kilmartin, COO of the European Motor Show, added: "What we saw across the weekend was proof that there is real appetite for an inclusive, forward-looking motoring festival that reflects the full breadth of the industry today. We're already deep into planning for the 2027 Dublin show, with exciting speakers, expanded features and new experiences in development. It will be even bigger and more ambitious, building directly on the success of 2026."

A key highlight for many families was the introduction of an Autism-Friendly Hour each day, and dedicated Sensory Room, which were widely praised by parents and carers. These initiatives allowed families with neurodivergent children to enjoy the event in a supportive and welcoming environment, reinforcing the show's commitment to accessibility and inclusion.

With plans already underway for 2027, the European Motor Show will remain in Dublin for a second year and return to the RDS with expanded content, major international speakers, enhanced live experiences and an even broader industry presence.

See more stories here.

Mor...

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, James Lawless TD has launched a new suite of Further Education and Training (FET) micro-qualifications in Artificial Intelligence (AI) at Microsoft Ireland.

The AI programmes, aimed at upskilling citizens and Irish businesses in emerging AI technologies, have been developed as part of SOLAS' national upskilling initiative, Skills to Advance. The launch marks an important step forward in providing vital upskilling opportunities that respond to Ireland's fast?growing need for accessible, relevant, and trusted learning options in AI.

The innovative programmes have been designed in collaboration with industry partners including Microsoft Ireland and will deliver targeted training in areas such as machine learning basics, ethical AI, data analysis, and practical use cases relevant to Irish businesses, with further plans for expansion to meet industry demand. They are delivered locally by the network of 16 Education and Training Boards (ETBs) across the country.

Commenting at the launch, Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, James Lawless said:

"The launch of these FET AI micro-qualifications marks an important step in ensuring people and businesses have the confidence and skills to use AI responsibly and effectively. As AI continues to transform how we live and work, these targeted programmes will empower learners to upskill in meaningful ways, strengthening digital capability across enterprises of all sizes and enabling employees to excel in their chosen careers."

Minister of State with Special Responsibility for Further Education, Apprenticeship, Construction and Green Skills, Marian Harkin said:

"I greatly welcome any innovative learning avenue for our people to progress their Further Education and Training and lifelong learning journey. As we all try and navigate our fast-changing reality, the launch of these micro-qualifications by SOLAS is a wonderful opportunity to meet people where they are – while enabling them to hone and shape their skills to reach their full potential."

Nessa White, Interim CEO at SOLAS added:

"Further Education and Training aims to create opportunities whilst meeting the needs of Irish society, including a rapidly evolving workforce. Our new AI FET micro-qualifications support enterprise to respond to emerging skills demands and are delivered locally through the Education and Training Board (ETB) network. Ireland's future relies on innovation and empowering people to thrive amid ongoing change. The new AI programme support employees and businesses in developing vital technology skills, whilst encouraging lifelong learning."

James O'Connor, Microsoft Ireland Site Leader and Corporate Vice President of Microsoft Global Operations Service Centre, noted: "Ensuring that people across Ireland have access to future?ready skills is one of the most important investments we can make in the era of AI. No single organisation can achieve this alone. It requires strong partnership between government, the tertiary education system, and industry to create learning pathways that are accessible, relevant, and grounded in the needs of our economy.

"These new AI micro-qualifications are a powerful example of that collaboration in action. Equipping our workforce with the capabilities to confidently and responsibly use AI is not just a skills agenda, it's a national competitiveness imperative. By working together, we can ensure Ireland remains at the forefront of innovation and opportunity in a rapidly changing world."

Dr. Kevin Marshall, Chair of the National Skills Council and Head of Future Skilling at Microsoft Ireland, said:

"The collaboration between the FET sector and industry partners is critical for the development of targeted, future-focused upskilling programmes. AI is reshaping every part of our economy, and the industry-informed design of these micro-qualifications empowers individuals and orga...