Clarecastle native Sarah McGrath has been appointed as the newest Irish Ambassador to Singapore, marking a proud day for County Clare, a Fine Gael TD has said.

Images of County Clare will be beamed into homes across the United States this autumn with an expected audience of several million.

The call is now open for applicants for a free initiative to help returned emigrants to Clare start and develop businesses in Ireland.

Seven Irish citizens will be flown home from Algeria this afternoon on board a US-bound repatriation flight.

Minister for Trade, Business & Employment, EU Digital Single Market & Data Protection Pat Breen said there has been a 400 percent increase in the  number of passport queries to his constituency office this summer, as application delays in the country’s two passport offices continues.

Minister for Employment and Small Business Pat Breen has advised Clare holiday makers and those planning any trip abroad, to apply for an Irish Passport well in advance of travel.

A group that monitors military aircraft movements at Shannon Airport has claimed the Department of Foreign Affairs has refused to answer questions under the Freedom of Information Act (FOI) in case it damages relations with the United States (US).

The Department of Transport has revealed that in 2014 a total of 272 flights were granted permits to transport weapons or explosives through Shannon Airport.

The Department of Foreign Affairs has confirmed that it's new Passport Card will not be available until September following an issue with the durability with the card.