Coimisiún na Meán is today (28.03.25) inviting the Irish public to have their say on the future of Public Service Media.
The Call for Inputs, which opens today, Friday 28 March and closes Friday 23 May, asks the public what they want, need and value in Public Service Media in Ireland, and what they would like to see more of in the future.
Coimisiún na Meán is looking for views on what sorts of content the public care most about, what platforms people use to watch programmes and if people feel that Public Service Media in Ireland accurately represents them and their viewpoints.
Commenting on the launch of the Call for Inputs, Coimisiún na Meán Broadcasting and Video-on-Demand Commissioner Aoife MacEvilly said: ‘’Ensuring that Ireland’s media landscape serves the needs of Irish audiences is a priority for Coimisiún na Meán. We know that the media landscape is constantly evolving, technology is changing and the way audiences engage with content is transforming rapidly. The Call for Inputs that we are launching today is a great opportunity for people across Ireland to have their say on the future of Public Service Media.
‘’The Public Service Broadcasters, RTÉ and TG4, and the licensed broadcasters all have a crucial role to play in educating, entertaining and informing the public. This Call for Inputs is the first step to developing a new Position Paper on Audience Needs and the Principles and Values of Public Service Media, which will be completed in 2026. I would encourage the public to take this opportunity to let us know their thoughts by Friday 23 May, and to help us shape Ireland’s media landscape into the future.’’
The Call for Inputs is the first step in a multi-year programme of work from Coimisiún na Meán on the future of Public Service Media. There will be opportunities for broadcasters, and other stakeholders to provide their views as this work progresses.
The Public Relations Consultants Association (PRCA) launches the PRCA Spotlight Awards for Excellence in Communications 2025, a fresh new rebrand of the PRCA Awards, which have been running for over 30 years. Setting the benchmark for excellence in Ireland’s PR and communications industry, the PRCA Spotlight Awards will celebrate the outstanding value and impact PR agencies and professionals have on clients, society and the Irish economy through strategic insight, creativity, and measurable results. Entries close on Tuesday 15th of April and cost €200 per entry.
The PRCA Spotlight Awards also announces new and improved categories that will demonstrate the tangible value PR agencies create for their clients, from shaping reputations and influencing behaviour to driving business growth and societal change. There are 24 categories in the PRCA Spotlight Awards 2025 including new awards for Best Contribution to a Client’s Goals through a Social-First Campaign, Best Technology Campaign and Best Lifestyle Campaign, Best Agency Innovation along with awards to celebrate the industry’s Rising Star and those who demonstrate an Outstanding Contribution to the Industry.
There is a new judging panel for the PRCA Spotlight Awards, chaired by Crispin Manners, CEO and founder of Onva Consulting, a Fellow and past Chairman of the PRCA in the UK. Crispin will be joined by a panel of experts including Chloe Brennan, Matchstick Talent Agency, Andy Green, Story Starts Here, Geraldine Herbert, journalist and broadcaster, Thomas Kelly from DCU, Eoin Kennedy, Consultant, Geoff Lyons, PML Group, Padraig McKeon, consultant advisor, Allison Morris, Belfast Telegraph, Andras Sztaniszlav, CEO of ICCO, Florence White from Úisce Eireann, Nikki Gallagher, Head of Public Affairs, IBEC Gillian Nelis, the Business Post.
Commenting on the PRCA Spotlight Awards, newly appointed chair of the PRCA board, Brian Harrison of MKC, said: “As the advocate for the industry’s impact and a catalyst for agency success, PRCA has designed these awards to reinforce the essential role of PR in business and society. Under the leadership of Crispin Manners, PRCA 2025 award chair, and judged by a panel of experts across 24 categories, the awards include new areas such as innovation and the best use of new technologies like AI. This year’s awards will showcase how agencies are shaping the future of communications. “When I was invited to chair the judging panel, I grabbed the opportunity with open arms because my previous experience of Irish PRCA members is that they deliver amazing contributions to client success every day. I’m looking forward to being able to reward those contributions with the recognition they deserve.” explained Crispin Manners.
The PRCA Spotlight Awards are open to PR agencies, sole traders and in-house PR teams, who have worked with a PR agency or sole trader to deliver impactful campaigns. Entries opened on Friday, 7th March and cost €200 per entry. The deadline for entries is 12pm on Tuesday, 15th April and the shortlist will be announced on Tuesday, 20th May. The awards ceremony will take place in The Shelbourne Hotel, Dublin, on Friday, 20th June.
Legal Island, one of Ireland’s top compliance specialists, has issued a stark warning to employers: your staff could be feeding confidential business data straight into the public domain; and you, or in fact they, probably don’t even know it.
Before using ChatGPT, users can disable its training mode, a setting that, when left on, allows OpenAI to store and use input data to refine future responses. It became apparent to Legal Island that many employers are allowing the use of ChatGPT without any proper training, and without making their employees aware of the importance of turning off the training function before using the tool.
A new survey of 100+ organisations, conducted by Legal Island, found that just 4% of users knew how to disable ChatGPT’s training function, the simple privacy toggle that prevents OpenAI from reusing sensitive data.
Barry Phillips, Chairman of Legal Island and author of a new book, ‘ChatGPT in HR’, put it bluntly: “When the training feature is left switched on, OpenAI can capture the information entered into ChatGPT and recycle it to improve future outputs. If your staff are using ChatGPT with the training function left on, you’re potentially leaking commercially sensitive data into a giant AI engine. That data could pop up in someone else’s prompt next week. It’s a legal, reputational, and regulatory mess waiting to happen.”
Phillips continued: “While it’s encouraging that employees are embracing ChatGPT and teaching themselves how to use it, the lack of formal training is alarming. Our research shows a worrying knowledge gap as most employees in Ireland don’t even know the tool has a training function, let alone how to disable it.”
To address this compliance crisis, Legal Island has developed a free 10-minute e-learning module for employees, showing them exactly how to use ChatGPT safely, including how to switch off the training function before entering any data.
Kellie Shields, Chief Compliance Officer at Legal Island, added: “People treat GenAI like a harmless toy, it’s anything but. Without proper training, it’s a data breach in the making. This issue is too important to ignore, so we’re encouraging employers to take action today and avail of the free compliance training.”
Legal Island has been guiding HR professionals through the complexities of workplace compliance since 1998. With offices in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, the award-winning organisation has become a trusted voice on the safe adoption of emerging tech in the workplace.
Nokia and Motorola Solutions announced a drone technology integration to launch an AI-enhanced turnkey, automated drone-in-a-box solution that sets a new standard for first responders and mission-critical industries, offering enhanced situational awareness, streamlined remote operations, and faster decision-making.
The solution integrates Nokia Drone Networks with Motorola Solutions’ CAPE dronesoftware to help transform public safety and industrial operations, enhancing operational efficiency, safety, and sustainability.
Dispatching drones ahead of first responders enables early assessment of a situation’s severity, helping to support efficient resource allocation. The new solution enables public safety and mission-critical industries to remotely dispatch drones from one or multiple operation centers at a moment’s notice to assess emergencies and hazards while also receiving AI-powered intelligence that can inform and accelerate decisions to help keep workers, property, and premises safer.
CAPE software’s flight-safe features adjust the drone’s path to avoid obstacles, stay within a geofenced area, and adapt to changing terrain altitude, with assistive AI helping operators analyze real-time data. Nokia’s drone-in-a-box technology connects via 4G/LTE or 5G networks for broader reach and seamless remote operation beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS).
Drone as First Responder (DFR) programs have demonstrated an increase in first responder safety by providing tactical intelligence, enabling better coordination, oversight and transparency in operations. For critical infrastructure industries like oil and gas, ports, utilities, mining, energy and manufacturing, the technology’s BVLOS and remote operation capabilities help to enhance industrial worker safety and lower the costs of operating hard-to-reach sites like offshore wind farms. Multiple drone-in-a-box systems can serve as a sustainable alternative to helicopters, significantly reducing carbon emissions.
Roxana Kennedy, Chief of Police at Chula Vista Police Department in California, stated: “In 2018, we created and developed the world’s first public safety Drone as First Responder program in partnership with Motorola Solutions, utilizing their CAPE drone software. Since then, we’ve successfully flown over 21,000 missions. Our DFR program has been instrumental in critical life-and-death situations by providing aerial awareness or helping officers de-escalate incidents by delivering real-time, vital information.”
Jehan Wickramasuriya, corporate vice president of AI and Intelligence Platforms at Motorola Solutions said: “We’re innovating where our customers need us most to bring them better intelligence for faster decisions. This drone-in-a-box solution furthers our commitment to drone innovation that seamlessly fits within our customers’ current workflows to give those charged with our safety actionable live-stream insights while simplifying evidence collection.”
Stephan Litjens, Vice President of CNS Enterprise Campus Edge Solutions at Nokia, said: “We are proud to collaborate with an innovator like Motorola Solutions in this significant step toward a more mature and sustainable drone industry for the benefit of our customers, workers, and community. Together, we are setting technology best practices in drone connectivity and AI. With an open API architecture that facilitates easy integration with third-party applications, and other solutions like Nokia’s MX Grid, Nokia Drones-in-a-Box and Motorola Solutions’ CAPE software, we are transforming drones into daily helpers for public safety and mission-critical operations.”
Nokia Drone Networks are compliant with international industry standards and offer long-lasting technology with upgradable components that reduce electronic waste.
INIT, worldwide leading supplier of integrated planning, dispatching, telematics and ticketing systems for buses and trains, have announced that they will increase their capacity in Maynooth, Co. Kildare.
Highly skilled software developers create applications for public transport projects around the world, including for ticketing and real-time passenger information systems for transport operators and authorities in cities including Honolulu, San Diego, Los Angeles, Seattle, Atlanta, Nottingham, Dublin, Hamburg, and New Zealand. INIT opened its first Irish office in 2018, their first software development centre outside Germany and employ 25 people. From today, the office capacity has increased with space to accommodate up to 60 employees and INIT is on the lookout for further talented Java and .Net cloud software engineers to continue their rapid growth. INIT is supported by the Irish Government through IDA Ireland.
Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Peter Burke TD said: “I very much welcome INIT’s announcement that they will increase the number of employees to 60 as part of an expansion at their Maynooth facility. Since their establishment in Ireland in 2018, INIT have been providing vital IT solutions for public transport, and it is great to see them continue to thrive and grow in Kildare. The expansion will provide fantastic employment opportunities in the IT sector. Great news for INIT, Kildare and the wider region, I wish them all the best with this new expansion.”
Matthias Kühn, INIT COO, underlines the importance of INIT’s Ireland branch: “In just over five years, our subsidiary in Ireland has exceeded expectations. We see this as confirmation that Maynooth is the right place to develop our innovative solutions for public transport. Doubling the staff and more than doubling their office capacity in Ireland will help INIT pave the way for continued success in the future. We are looking forward to receiving applications from qualified specialists for our development centre.”
Michael Lohan, CEO of IDA Ireland said: ‘’INIT’s plans to grow to up to 60 employees in their Maynooth office is great news for the region and indeed Ireland’s technology sector. IDA is very proud of Ireland’s reputation as a hub for technology. This expansion is a testament to the talent and skills that companies can find in Ireland and in Maynooth. ‘’
Even before establishing its subsidiary, INIT had strong ties with Ireland, including Dublin Bus (Bus Átha Cliath). In 2010, INIT implemented the first fleet management and real-time passenger information platform for the Greater Dublin Area.
Leading organisations in IT, training and education have joined forces to provide young people from North and West Belfast with the chance to learn software skills that will help them work towards a future in the tech sector.
Over six months, Queen’s University Belfast and Impact Training, supported by Telefónica Tech UK&I, delivered a coding academy training programme to help 16-19-year-olds from the Greater Shankill, West and North Belfast gain essential workplace skills and learn about the latest technologies and opportunities within the IT industry.
This is the second year that the programme has run, and it saw the young people attend a series of regular coding sessions, delivered by Queen’s and Impact Training, with a graduation for the students held in the Telefónica Tech Belfast offices, which employ 330 people in Belfast. Sponsored by Telefónica Tech, each student was also provided with a Raspberry Pi for graduating, a small and affordable computer used to learn programming, which they can use to continue to develop their coding skills.
The graduation ceremony for those who completed the course took place on Wednesday 24th April at Telefónica Tech UK&I’s office in Titanic Quarter. As part of the event, awards were presented to the young people, including an outstanding achievement award to recognise a participant who went above and beyond and demonstrated true potential and dedication to learning new skills. This year’s winner was Justin Clarke.
Delivering training opportunities for young people in Greater Shankill, West and North Belfast for over 45 years, Impact Training, provides training options for school leavers who have chosen to pursue a more vocational path.
Ellen Dickson, Strategic VP of Enterprise Healthat Telefónica Tech UK&I, commented: “Congratulations to all of the young people who completed this year’s course. Telefónica Tech UK&I is incredibly proud to once again support and be part of such a fantastic programme that will hopefully mark the beginning of an exciting career in IT for those who participated. As well as providing young people with essential skills to widen their career options, the programme will also help boost the pipeline of skills that is needed to enable our IT sector to continue to thrive.”
Dr David Cutting, Director of Education in the School of Electronics, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at Queen’s University Belfast, said: “We are delighted to join forces with Impact Training and Telefónica Tech UK&I to deliver something so worthwhile, helping young people discover their love for IT and embark on careers in the sector. We are proud to see our peer mentors support the next generation of experts in coding and share their love and enthusiasm.”
This has been an outstanding programme to help the young people of Belfast kickstart their IT careers. It is incredible to see how quickly the participants took up coding and the amount of talent and passion that each of them had. It is fantastic to see our students helping to train the next generation of experts in coding.”
Gerard Fox, Vocational Employment Manager at Impact Training, added: “It is fantastic to witness how much students can grow and reach their full potential when completing the course and it is fantastic to offer it once again to young people in Belfast. It not only gives them an insight into the IT sector but it is also a fantastic way for them to gain confidence and grow as they begin the journey towards their future careers. Congratulations to everyone who completed the course.”
The public are being invited to have their say on the ‘Dublin Agglomeration Noise Action Plan 2024-2028.’
The draft plan has been put together by the local authorities of the Dublin Agglomeration (Dublin City Council, Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council, Fingal County Council, South Dublin County Council, Wicklow County Council and Kildare County Council).
The plan has been informed by and is based on the Strategic Noise Maps which were prepared for the agglomeration of Dublin in 2022 and which cover transport (road and rail) and industry related environmental noise sources.
By EU law, Strategic Noise Maps and Noise Action Plans are required to be made or revised every five years.
The final ‘Dublin Agglomeration Noise Action Plan 2024-2028’ must be completed and issued to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) by 18th July 2024 and subsequently issued by the EPA to the EU Commission by the end of January 2025.
There will be a period of formal public consultation from Friday 12th April 2024 to Friday 24th May 2024 and members of the public are welcome to submit their views on this draft ‘Dublin Agglomeration Noise Action Plan.’
In addition, the draft Noise Action Plan may be viewed on the Dublin City Council website or the Dublin City Council Consultation Hub at the following links;
Submissions on the draft Noise Action Plan may be made through the Consultation Hub or alternatively by email airquality@dublincity.ie or in writing to, Air Quality Monitoring and Noise Control Unit, Environment & Transportation Department, Block 3 Floor 1, Civic Offices, Wood Quay, Dublin 8.
In support of international ‘Restart a Heart’ day, Dublin Fire Brigade unveils fourteen new Public Access Automatic External Defibrillators (AED) located prominently outside each of its fire stations across the city and county. This is a significant step forward in enhancing community safety and will be available 24/7 to provide immediate assistance especially during critical moments when every second counts. These AEDs will guide an untrained person through Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and defibrillation, with voice prompts and encouragement while paramedics make their way to the patient and guidance is provided by Emergency Service Controllers over the 999/112 call.
The installation of the AEDs was prompted by an incident which happened outside Finglas fire station in January of this year. Pauline Ryan suffered a cardiac arrest in Finglas village while she was a passenger in a car being driven by her sister, who had the presence of mind to pull in to the fire station. At the time, the fire appliance, ambulance and all their medical equipment were out at another call, co-incidently, another Cardiac Arrest. Fortunately, the District Officer and a Firefighter/Paramedic were in the station and were able to perform life-saving CPR on Pauline until the arrival of colleagues from Phibsborough Fire Station, who were able to successfully defibrillate and resuscitate Pauline.
There is a simultaneous unveiling of the AEDs across all fourteen locations, and we are joined at Finglas Fire Station by Dublin Lord Mayor Daithí de Róiste. Speaking at the launch the Lord Mayor said, “I’m honoured to unveil the Public Access Defibrillator here at Finglas Fire Station, and to be part of the simultaneous launch of thirteen other AEDs across the city. The life-saving piece of equipment is a positive addition to the local community and to the people of Dublin.”
Dublin’s Chief Fire Officer is represented today by Assistant Chief Fire Officer Greg O’Dwyer who commented, “The Firefighter/Paramedics and Officers of Dublin Fire Brigade recognise the fire, rescue and medical role they provide in the wider community but also their closest neighbours to our 14 stations. Obviously we hope that these AEDs never have to be used, but we also hope that the installation of the AEDs provide some piece of mind and reassurance to our neighbours or commuters who pass our stations.”
Pauline, whose medical emergency prompted the installation of the AEDs joined with the Firefighters at the launch. Pauline said, “Only for the quick actions of my sister, the two firefighters in Finglas fire station and their colleagues from Phibsborough, I may not be here today. To them I am forever grateful. Knowing what I know now, I would encourage everyone from a young age to learn CPR. It is a life skill, literally“
This initiative aligns with Dublin Fire Brigade’s dedication to proactive community engagement and safety. By having these AEDs at our fire stations, we aim to bridge the gap between emergency services and the public fostering a sense of unity and co-operation within our great city. Dublin Fire Brigade encourages members of the community to take a course in CPR and the use of an AED. Visit www.irishheart.ie for a list of available “Heartsaver AED and CPR” courses in your area.
The AEDs are located outside each of the fourteen fire stations in a heated secure box. Members of the public can access the defibrillators by calling 999/112 stating their location. Simultaneously medical help will be dispatched and guidance will be given over the phone.
Embarking on a journey to become a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) is a commendable choice for those with a passion for numbers, analytical thinking, and a keen eye for detail. CPA professionals play a vital role in the financial world, offering their expertise in areas such as auditing, taxation, and financial analysis. If you aspire to join this esteemed profession and achieve success as a CPA, this comprehensive guide will provide you with valuable insights and actionable steps to help you navigate your path to success.
Lay the Foundation: Building a Strong Educational Background
Before diving into the world of accounting, it is crucial to build a strong educational foundation. Pursue a bachelor’s degree in accounting or a related field from an accredited institution. Your coursework should cover essential subjects such as financial accounting, managerial accounting, auditing, taxation, and business law. Acquiring a solid theoretical understanding in these areas will serve as the bedrock for your future success.
Obtain the Required Education Credits: Meeting State Requirements
To become a CPA, you must fulfill specific educational requirements outlined by your state’s Board of Accountancy. Typically, this includes completing 150 semester hours of college education, which may necessitate pursuing a master’s degree or additional coursework beyond a bachelor’s degree. Research the specific requirements of your state to ensure compliance. Going beyond the minimum requirements can also be advantageous, as it demonstrates your commitment to excellence and sets you apart from other candidates.
Gain Practical Experience: Bridging Theory and Practice
Apart from academic qualifications, gaining practical experience is invaluable in the journey to becoming a CPA. Seek internships, entry-level positions, or part-time jobs in accounting firms or financial departments of organizations. This hands-on experience will provide you with insights into real-world accounting practices, reinforce your theoretical knowledge, and help you develop essential skills such as financial analysis, bookkeeping, and client management. You may also opt to join a CPA affiliate program, which will give you further opportunities to network with professionals in the industry and hone your craft. Seek opportunities to work with diverse clients and industries actively to broaden your exposure and expertise.
Prepare for the CPA Exam: Diligent and Strategic Studying
One of the most significant milestones on your path to becoming a CPA is passing the CPA exam. Prepare diligently by investing sufficient time and effort in reviewing the exam’s content areas, which typically include auditing and attestation, business environment and concepts, financial accounting and reporting, and regulation. Utilize study materials, practice exams, and online resources to familiarize yourself with the exam format and optimize your chances of success. Consider creating a study schedule that breaks down the content into manageable chunks, allowing for consistent and focused preparation. Implement effective study strategies, such as using mnemonic devices or visual aids to aid retention. Joining study groups or utilizing CPA review courses can provide additional support and valuable insights from experienced professionals. Additionally, taking practice tests under simulated exam conditions will help build stamina and improve time management skills.
Ace the CPA Exam: A Stepping Stone to Success
To maximize your chances of passing the CPA exam, adopt effective study strategies. Create a study schedule that allows for consistent and focused preparation. Break down the content into manageable chunks, using mnemonic devices or visual aids to aid retention. Consider joining study groups or utilizing CPA review courses to enhance your understanding of complex topics and gain valuable insights from experienced professionals. Lastly, simulate exam conditions by taking practice tests to build stamina and time management skills. Stay motivated, maintain a positive mindset, and believe in your ability to succeed.
Fulfill Additional Licensing Requirements:
Meeting State-specific CriteriaIn addition to mastering accounting principles, a successful CPA should also have a solid understanding of corporate and business law. This knowledge is crucial for advising clients on complex financial matters and ensuring compliance with legal regulations. CPAs often collaborate with legal professionals to provide comprehensive solutions for their clients. For those looking to deepen their expertise, it can be beneficial to explore legal services that specialize in corporate and business law. This collaboration not only enhances the CPA’s ability to offer well-rounded advice but also strengthens the trust and reliability clients place in their financial guidance.
Continuing Professional Education (CPE): Lifelong Learning for Ongoing Growth
In addition to mastering accounting principles, a successful CPA should also have a solid understanding of corporate and business law. This knowledge is crucial for advising clients on complex financial matters and ensuring compliance with legal regulations. CPAs often collaborate with legal professionals to provide comprehensive solutions for their clients. For those looking to deepen their expertise, it can be beneficial to explore legal services that specialize in corporate and business law. This collaboration not only enhances the CPA’s ability to offer well-rounded advice but also strengthens the trust and reliability clients place in their financial guidance.
Develop Soft Skills: Enhancing Professional Competence
To excel as a CPA, it is vital to develop strong interpersonal and communication skills. Effective communication with clients, colleagues, and stakeholders is essential for conveying complex financial information clearly and concisely. Develop your presentation skills, active listening skills, and the ability to work collaboratively in a team environment. Additionally, honing your problem-solving, critical thinking, and attention to detail skills will enable you to analyze financial data, identify trends, and provide valuable insights and recommendations. Cultivate your leadership abilities, adaptability, and professionalism to thrive in a dynamic and demanding industry.
Becoming a successful Certified Public Accountant (CPA) requires a combination of education, practical experience, dedication, and continuous professional growth. By following the steps outlined in this comprehensive guide, you can lay a solid foundation, pass the CPA exam, fulfill licensing requirements, and develop the necessary skills to excel in the accounting profession. Embrace a lifelong learning mindset, adapt to industry changes, and seize opportunities for career advancement. Remember, success as a CPA goes beyond numbers—it is about integrity, ethical conduct, and making a positive impact on the financial world. Strive for excellence, be resilient in the face of challenges, and let your passion for accounting drive you toward a rewarding and fulfilling career as a successful CPA.
