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A COMPREHENSIVE SERIES OF ARTICLES ON THIS TOPIC

<p>'Simon Harris has the opportunity to shape the future direction of Fine Gael in a way that few party leaders have before him.' writes Paul Hosford. File picture: Jacob King/PA</p>

comment-analysis

Paul Hosford: Simon Harris has one big chance to shape his party and the country

Fifteen years on from first taking office as a TD, Simon Harris now approaches Budget 2027 as a first-time finance minister

<p>Members of Siptu and Unite unions on the picket line outside National Ambulance Service depot in Dublin South Central (Niall Carson/PA)</p>

news

Ambulance services ‘at breaking point’, Dáil told amid strike action

<p>Jerry Buttimer has called on Transport Infrastructure Ireland to listen to the concerns of all stakeholders impacted by the light rail route.</p>

munster

€2.5bn Cork Luas route faces political pushback over impact on Bishopstown sports clubs

Paul Hosford: By-elections will highlight differing fortunes of government parties

Louise Burne: Why is the National Children’s Hospital still not open?

comment-analysis

Louise Burne: Why is the National Children’s Hospital still not open?

Michael Moynihan

SMichael Moynihan: Taskforce timelines are predictable — why can't we skip the boring bits?

Politician Addressing Conference

Supports have improved for women in politics but there is more to do

To keep women in local politics, we need to build a sustainable working environment that enables current and future female councillors to participate, lead, influence, and remain in public life

Wed, 29 Apr, 2026

Celtic Interconnector delayed until 2028, deepening energy concerns

Celtic Interconnector delayed until 2028, deepening energy concerns

The project’s delay strengthens Ireland’s dependency on imported gas for electricity generation

Tue, 28 Apr, 2026

Tadgh McNally: Fine Gael has good reason to wish Leo Varadkar would just go away

Tadgh McNally: Fine Gael has good reason to wish Leo Varadkar would just go away

With the party's rural TDs still smarting after the fuel protests earlier this month, and the looming by-election in rural Galway-West, the former taoiseach's remarks on rural Ireland have not gone down well

Sat, 25 Apr, 2026

'An institution in Cork politics': Taoiseach leads tributes to former mayor Joe Carroll following death

'An institution in Cork politics': Taoiseach leads tributes to former mayor Joe Carroll following death

Political colleagues and community leaders remember longtime councillor’s contribution to West Cork and his lasting local impact

Fri, 24 Apr, 2026

Louise Burne: Back and forth over shed laws shows unease still lodged between coalition parties

Louise Burne: Back and forth over shed laws shows unease still lodged between coalition parties

Now that they are back on the same page, Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael will have to begin defending the modular homes plans as the parliamentary scrutiny begins

Fri, 24 Apr, 2026

Spring Economic Statement

Harris rules out mini budget but leaves door open to energy credits this winter

Government resists calls for fresh cost-of-living measures now but signals targeted supports could return later this year

Thu, 23 Apr, 2026

By-elections will be referendum on a Government left with little wriggle room

By-elections will be referendum on a Government left with little wriggle room

With public anger at the cost of living and the Government's response to the fuel protests, the timing of the by-elections in Dublin Central and Galway West could not be worse for the Coalition parties

Wed, 22 Apr, 2026

Chanellor Merz Meets Irish Prime Minister Martin

Majority believe Government not doing enough to cut reliance on fossil fuels

A majority of people think the Government is not doing enough to cut Ireland’s reliance on fossil fuels, as it was urged to convene a national dialogue of stakeholders to ensure this is our “last fossil fuel crisis”.

Wed, 22 Apr, 2026

Irish government cabinet meeting

Leo Varadkar previously warned against 'creating an artificial divide' between rural and urban Ireland

During a 2021 speech, made when he was tánaiste, he said he had always 'rejected attempts to create such a split

Wed, 22 Apr, 2026

Modular homes: Government drops plans to cap rental income on back-garden units

Modular homes: Government drops plans to cap rental income on back-garden units

Move comes amid a warning that the measure could lead to a proliferation of 'poor quality, very expensive' rental units

Tue, 21 Apr, 2026

Limerick councillors vote to stop development of 500 modular homes in Boro Park

Limerick councillors vote to stop development of 500 modular homes in Boro Park

Unanimous vote on emergency motion to ditch Mayor John Moran's Janesboro Park plan

Mon, 20 Apr, 2026

Harris insists he still wants beneficial tax changes in next budget

Harris insists he still wants beneficial tax changes in next budget

The Spring Economic Forecast will be discussed at Cabinet on Tuesday and will outline the parameters of Budget 2027, which will be announced on October 6

Mon, 20 Apr, 2026

Ireland stock

More than €7,000 in expenses from TDs and senators did not have supporting evidence, audit finds

The latest report by independent auditors commissioned by the Houses of the Oireachtas confirmed that all the money had subsequently been refunded to the State

Sun, 19 Apr, 2026

From defiance to departure: 45 hours that changed everything for Michael Healy-Rae

From defiance to departure: 45 hours that changed everything for Michael Healy-Rae

A sudden reversal, internal pressure and local politics combined to trigger a dramatic exit that caught Government off guard

Sat, 18 Apr, 2026

Middle East conflict

Cost-of-living protests reveal growing anger at Government and a vacuum in Irish politics

Fuel protests have exposed a growing disconnect in Irish politics, leaving parties scrambling to reconnect with disaffected voters

Sat, 18 Apr, 2026

Mick Clifford: Michael Healy-Rae's exit highlights pressure from protests and lobby groups

Mick Clifford: Michael Healy-Rae's exit highlights pressure from protests and lobby groups

Healy-Rae’s exit reflects deeper tensions over protest politics, public spending choices and a growing vacuum in political leadership

Sat, 18 Apr, 2026

Middle East conflict

Louise Burne: All talk, no takeover — the problem with plotting Micheál Martin’s exit

Renewed unrest within Fianna Fáil highlights growing frustration, but leadership challengers still hesitate to make a decisive move

Sat, 18 Apr, 2026

Team Ireland - Milano Cortina 2026 Homecoming and Olympic Exhibition at the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport

Patrick O'Donovan: 'I probably made a hames of what I was trying to say'

Patrick O'Donovan was called an 'absolute disgrace' for suggesting RTÉ’s fuel protests coverage was 'lopsided'

Fri, 17 Apr, 2026

Leaders' Questions

Simon Harris admits Ireland is relying on 'dirty fossil fuels'

Tánaiste confirmed that public expenditure minister will engage with the opposition on concerns that the Critical Infrastructure Bill will limit people’s ability to object to projects on environmental grounds

Thu, 16 Apr, 2026

Education Feature

State spends €1.8m fighting court cases against families seeking special education classes for their children

Public Accounts Committee chairman says money would have been better spent on providing additional special school classes, calling it 'an insult to every family fighting for a suitable school place'

Thu, 16 Apr, 2026

Team Ireland - Milano Cortina 2026 Homecoming and Olympic Exhibition at the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport

Minister an 'absolute disgrace' for suggesting RTÉ’s fuel protests coverage was 'lopsided', say TDs

One politician said that people were 'talked down to instead of talked to' during the fuel protests

Wed, 15 Apr, 2026

Taoiseach: Opposition leaders 'lacked courage' during fuel protests

Taoiseach: Opposition leaders 'lacked courage' during fuel protests

Opposition leaders fired back that Micheál Martin had little empathy

Wed, 15 Apr, 2026

Government to consider filling Healy-Rae role in coming days, says Norma Foley

Government to consider filling Healy-Rae role in coming days, says Norma Foley

Norma Foley said the Government would consider what to do with the vacant post

Wed, 15 Apr, 2026

'I always thought I was a voice of Ireland': Michael Healy-Rae resigns after fuel protests

'I always thought I was a voice of Ireland': Michael Healy-Rae resigns after fuel protests

Some 92 TDs voted confidence in the Government while 78 voted no confidence

Tue, 14 Apr, 2026

Paul Hosford: Healy-Rae resignation a shock but not a fatal blow for Government

Paul Hosford: Healy-Rae resignation a shock but not a fatal blow for Government

Some in Government had questioned the utility of having a deal with Michael Healy-Rae if Danny wasn't also inside the tent

Tue, 14 Apr, 2026

National Fuel Protest

Government survives no-confidence motion as Michael Healy-Rae resigns as junior minister

As it happened: Day of Dáil drama sees Michael Healy-Rae resign as junior minister as Government survives no-confidence motion over fuel protests

Tue, 14 Apr, 2026

Tanaiste Simon Harris visit to UK

'Nobody has the right to make themselves a self appointed warden', says Tánaiste

He said Government is taking “practical measures” to help people

Tue, 14 Apr, 2026

Cormac O'Keeffe: Fuel protests ignite concerns over security as EU presidency nears

Cormac O'Keeffe: Fuel protests ignite concerns over security as EU presidency nears

From the contretemps between Jim O’Callaghan and Helen McEntee, to our defence capabilities, the Irish Examiner's Security Correspondent analyses the vulnerabilities exposed by the fuel protests

Tue, 14 Apr, 2026

National Fuel Protest

Paul Hosford: Government fights back with €505m spend after social media posts fuel national crisis

Government unleashes €505m of public funds to quell protests and ward off Sinn Féin no-confidence motion

Sun, 12 Apr, 2026

Mick Clifford: Fuel protests at GPO symbolic of how our democracy conceived in 1916 has evolved

Mick Clifford: Fuel protests at GPO symbolic of how our democracy conceived in 1916 has evolved

In contrast to the solemnity and poignancy of the ceremony to mark the Easter Rising last Sunday, the protest 48 hours later showed an Ireland riven by division and resentment

Sat, 11 Apr, 2026

National Fuel Protest

How this week's protests fuelled confusion and consternation at Leinster House

Four days of unprecedented shutdown and anger have snowballed from a few posts on social media to a major problem for the Government, write Paul Hosford, Louise Burne and Tadgh McNally

Fri, 10 Apr, 2026

Waiting for tide of public opinion to turn on fuel price protesters is a gamble

Waiting for tide of public opinion to turn on fuel price protesters is a gamble

The calls to engage have principally come from Sinn Féin, with Mary Lou McDonald urging the Government to rethink its position

Thu, 09 Apr, 2026

Middle East conflict

Taoiseach warns fuel protesters of penalties and rules out direct talks

Taoiseach warns of legal consequences for disruptive protests while insisting Government will only engage with recognised representative groups

Wed, 08 Apr, 2026

Green for st patrick's day

Government St Patrick's Day trips tally hits €142,000 — so far

With seven departments yet to report their costs, the steep bill for a Higher Education trip to Australia is attributed to travel restrictions due to war in the Middle East

Tue, 07 Apr, 2026

'A thorough gentleman': Former ceann comhairle Seán Barrett dies aged 81

'A thorough gentleman': Former ceann comhairle Seán Barrett dies aged 81

Tánaiste pays tribute to 'distinguished parliamentarian who dedicated much of his life to public service, serving the people of Dún Laoghaire over several decades'

Mon, 06 Apr, 2026

Irish Cabinet meeting

Immigration: Communities must be heard on placement of Ipas centres – Tánaiste

Simon Harris was responding to reports that the Department of Justice was considering legislation to curtail the ability of members of the public to object to centres for asylum seekers

Sun, 05 Apr, 2026

'SSIA on steroids': Will the Government's new savings and investment account deliver?

'SSIA on steroids': Will the Government's new savings and investment account deliver?

Critics of the scheme say it will do little to help the 'squeezed middle' but will greatly benefit the millionaire and billionaire class, who will avail of its generous tax regime

Sat, 04 Apr, 2026

A new wooden modular prefabricated house inside in manufacturing facility

Plan to exempt modular homes from planning permission delayed

Believed potential row has been brewing between Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil about plans to include the structures in rent-a-room scheme

Thu, 02 Apr, 2026

Cork City Futures Group 'a pointless exercise' without funding to back it, says councillor

Cork City Futures Group 'a pointless exercise' without funding to back it, says councillor

Among its aims are maximising Cork City’s potential as a university city, and considering how Cork City’s arts and culture offering could be strengthened

Thu, 02 Apr, 2026

Grieving parents call for new penalties for dangerous driving that causes death of unborn child

Grieving parents call for new penalties for dangerous driving that causes death of unborn child

Fine Gael TDs have proposed new legislation that would amend the law to make the loss of a pregnancy due to careless driving a punishable offence

Tue, 31 Mar, 2026

Woman dentist examining smiling child girls teeth with mirror in dental clinic

HSE apologises for children in the South-East having to wait seven years for orthodontic service

Currently, a consultant orthodontist and dental nurse based in Waterford travel to Clonmel two to three days per month for assessments

Fri, 27 Mar, 2026

CC LEO VARADKAR

Zappone mentioned UN appointment to Tánaiste 11 days before Cabinet meeting

Newly-released texts show that Leo Varadkar then raised the issue with Simon Coveney eight days before Taoiseach Micheál Martin learned of the appointment

Wed, 01 Sep, 2021

Fine Gael and Greens on collision course over one-off rural housing

Fine Gael and Greens on collision course over one-off rural housing

The Green Party is strongly opposed to building large numbers of one-off rural houses, claiming this type of development has a social and environmental cost and has contributed to the hollowing out of rural towns.

Mon, 23 Aug, 2021

CC GOVERNMENT BUIDLINGS

Leo Varadkar's former special advisor appointed Fine Gael general secretary

Leo Varadkar's former special advisor has been selected as Fine Gael's general secretary.

Mon, 17 Aug, 2020