Person: Patrick O’Donovan

A COMPREHENSIVE SERIES OF ARTICLES ON THIS TOPIC

<p>Education Minister Norma Foley with Michael Galvin, Kacper Barczak, and Luke Sheridan from St Michael's School in Listowel, Co Kerry. Ms Foley has contributed to a welcome shift in emphasis by highlighting the wide variety of options available to Leaving Cert students. Picture: Domnick Walsh</p>

comment-analysis

Jennifer Horgan: Little systemic change in Leaving Cert but there have been some positive steps

Among the positives is a shift in emphasis away from the bottleneck mindset that tended to funnel all students towards university

<p>Professor Philip Nolan is asking Mr Justice Rory Mulcahy to extend orders he made in recent weeks preventing his dismissal from his director general role. File Picture: PA</p>

court and crime

Minister has intervened in dispute between Philip Nolan and Science Foundation Ireland, court told

<p>Simon Harris was confirmed as Fine Gael's new leader late last month after Leo Varadkar's shock resignation, and looks set to succeed him as Taoiseach on Tuesday. Picture: Eamon Ward/PA</p>

news

Ireland's youngest Taoiseach juggles geography and gender as he assembles his first Cabinet

munster

Government pauses funding for Irish language promotion body in Cork over 'shortcomings'

news

Cork councillor brands minister 'a fool' for criticising FG MEPs who voted for Nature Restoration Law

munster

Cork businesses in line for relief of up to €100k after floods 'no agency could have prevented'

S Elaine Loughlin: Mary Lou gossip shows the nasty side of politics

The Sinn Féin leader has bounced back, and has spoken frankly about her hysterectomy. But she is also the latest TD whose health issues were the subject of ugly chatter

Sat, 16 Sep, 2023

Fine Gael insiders say Patrick O'Donovan is 'constantly criticising' Leo Varadkar

Sources in FG say the junior minister spends his lunch time in the Dáil bar 'constantly criticising' the Taoiseach's leadership

Sat, 13 May, 2023

OPW claims it took all necessary precautions in setting up live crib at centre of controversy

However, Sinn Féin senator Lynn Boylan said: "It's the principle here. It doesn't seem like the OPW ever thought to ask."

Mon, 10 Apr, 2023

Stunning Sceilg Mhichíl island will welcome visitors again from May 13

World heritage site off the coast of Kerry's Iveragh Peninsula has earned new fame as location for the Star Wars movie franchise

Mon, 03 Apr, 2023

Hopes Great Blasket will have public toilets before tourist season begins

Last summer, there were also reports of seals being abused by daytrippers to the islands wanting to take selfies with the mammals

Mon, 30 Jan, 2023

'No timeline' for works to restore historic Cork weir, OPW says

Restoration of weir in Ballincollig park 'subject to an assessment of planning, structural, fisheries and cultural heritage considerations', Office of Public Works said

Fri, 20 Jan, 2023

Work to start on Glanmire flood relief before June, says minister

The €14m Glashaboy River flood relief scheme has been in the pipeline since 2012 and has hit numerous delays but 'money is not an issue', Dáil told

Fri, 20 Jan, 2023

31/03/2016. The interior of the recently completed

Concern growing in Government over slow delivery of housing for refugees

It is feared that the speed at which modular homes are being delivered will not match the volume of Ukrainians and other refugees that will have to leave hotels when the tourism season begins.

Sat, 14 Jan, 2023

Flood minister hits out at planning system where 'every Tom, Dick and Harry' can object

Patrick O’Donovan asked: “Are we going to continue to pretend that the current system works or are we going to say no, you need to prove a connection to a place in Ireland to object?"

Mon, 28 Nov, 2022

Peig would be pleased as Great Blasket to get a toilet

Junior minister Patrick O’Donovan to say that he expected the facilities would be in place on Great Blasket Island by next summer.

Fri, 07 Oct, 2022

Cianan Brennan: Not much accountability at Oireachtas Finance Committee

Michael McGrath contrives to defend the indefensible while we are told new Garda HQ is not too small, yet the opposite is the case, says Cianan Brennan

Thu, 10 Feb, 2022

Minister rejects claims that flood defence schemes are 'environmentally destructive'

€20m Blackpool flood relief scheme delayed by legal challenge

Sun, 27 Jun, 2021

Objectors to Cork flood plans must be answerable if lives lost, says minister

Legal challenges are delaying the delivery of flood defence schemes

Tue, 22 Jun, 2021

Daniel McConnell: Loveless marriage of convenience exposed by O'Gorman's outburst

The willingness of TDs and ministers to openly disagree with the Taoiseach points to the weakness of Micheál Martin's authority

Sat, 15 May, 2021

Garda HQ mystery raises further questions about litany of OPW overspending

Cianan Brennan looks at the extraordinary saga of the new HQ — and eight further cases where the Office of Public Works has not delivered value for taxpayers' money The gardaí will soon have a new Dublin HQ — but the ...

Tue, 27 Apr, 2021

OPW minister asks Blackpool flood relief scheme opponents to withdraw appeal

A local group is opposing work they say will result in more flooding and a loss of habitat for wildlife

Thu, 08 Apr, 2021

Daniel McConnell: 'Humble' TDs eschew ministerial office for the backbenches

What is it about politicians these days in that they don’t want a promotion?

Wed, 01 Jul, 2020

Cork-Limerick motorway sparks row between Greens and FG

A sharp exchange of views has emerged over the proposed M20 motorway between Cork and Limerick between Fine Gael and the Greens over the future of the project.

Thu, 18 Jun, 2020

Fine Gael TDs warned not to be 'buoyed' by snap election

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has warned Fine Gael TDs about being “buoyed” up for any snap election and said his party would be in a “weak” position trying to justify one to the public.

Wed, 06 May, 2020

TDs use allowance scheme to claim €1.3m for PR work

Ministers, TDs, and senators were able to claim €1.3m last year through a special allowance for public relations, IT, and secretarial work.

Fri, 01 May, 2020

Jan O’Sullivan a high profile casualty as Limerick sees Sinn Féin surge

Jan O’Sullivan, a Labour TD for the past 23 years and her 4,667 votes, in the end, brought Leddin into the fourth and final seat ahead of Independent Frankie Daly.

Mon, 10 Feb, 2020

Limerick Fianna Fáil candidate pulls out of the race the day after he joins

Fianna Fáil is back down to just one candidate in Limerick County after Cllr Eddie Ryan withdrew from the ticket - just twelve hours after he was added.

Tue, 21 Jan, 2020

Fine Gael minister says Dara Murphy should pay back expenses

The outgoing Cork North Central TD insisted that he has been “compliant” with Leinster House rules

Tue, 03 Dec, 2019

'Profoundly flawed at almost every conceivable level': Irish politicians slam UK proposals

Minister of State at the Department of Finance and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, Patrick O’Donovan has described the latest Brexit proposals as not the basis for a deal, but they do form the basis for further negotiations.

Thu, 03 Oct, 2019

Government 'woefully unprepared' for no-deal Brexit, claims Fianna Fáil TD

Fianna Fáil’s Brexit spokesperson, Lisa Chambers has accused the Irish government of not doing enough in its preparations for the possibility of a no-deal Brexit.

Mon, 19 Aug, 2019

Shannon Foynes Port Company put Dock Road site up for €1.2m sale

A PROFILE site with 140m frontage to Limerick City’s Dock Road, and in an area earmarked as an economic development hub with docklands focus has been put to market for the Shannon Foynes Port Company.

Wed, 31 Jul, 2019

Limerick clinch first Munster MHC title since 2014

A strong finish to both halves propelled Limerick to a first Munster MHC title since 2014 in today’s curtain-raiser.

Sun, 30 Jun, 2019

Huge potential for agri-tourism in south-west counties

The agri-tourism potential of west Limerick and north Kerry is huge, according to Limerick Chamber, which has outlined the opportunities at a seminar in Newcastle West.

Sat, 18 May, 2019

Local authorities will decide levels of property tax

And there won’t be transfers from richer to poorer areas

Fri, 19 Apr, 2019

Cantwell hoping to banish age of resistance and ‘locked doors’ to the past

Ireland rugby Grand Slam winner Lynne Cantwell has been appointed to lead a major new drive to break down the barriers to women in sport.

Fri, 08 Mar, 2019

Only 9 of 100 vacant OPW properties suitable for housing

Almost 100 OPW properties are lying vacant but only nine have been deemed suitable for social housing.

Tue, 05 Mar, 2019

Josepha Madigan accused of ‘lack of interest’ in Cork event centre

The culture minister has been criticised for not facing Dáil questions on the Cork event centre controversy for a third time.

Thu, 31 Jan, 2019

€35m floating data centre to create 124 jobs

A revolutionary €35m floating data centre is set to be moored on the banks of the River Shannon, in a move which could create 124 jobs.

Fri, 07 Dec, 2018

A modern, but oh so cosy home near Innishannon

Helen Kelleher visits a home near Innishannon which is architect-designed and finished to the highest standards

Sat, 29 Sep, 2018

Cave rescue an antidote to uncaring world

It didn’t take long for the Irish to get in on the act. 

Sat, 14 Jul, 2018

Craig Fulton frustration at poor treatment of athletes - from hockey and beyond

Craig Fulton has expressed frustration that little movement has been made to support Irish athletes – both from hockey and beyond – who work full-time in addition to representing their country.

Fri, 19 Jan, 2018

Rural TDs lash minister on building plans

Fine Gael rural TDs have cornered Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy over concerns about building and infrastructure plans over the next two decade for areas outside urban centres.

Thu, 18 Jan, 2018

‘Confidence and supply’ deal may be extended, says Taoiseach

The support pact between Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil could be extended for another two years, allowing the current government to run its full five years before the next general election.

Mon, 13 Nov, 2017

Fine Gael to use whip for vote on drink-driving laws

Fine Gael TDs and senators will be whipped into voting in favour of a significant beefing up of Ireland’s drink-driving laws, despite concerns about the impact it could have on rural communities.

Thu, 19 Oct, 2017

Tourism chiefs must think luxury not just ancient

As the tourist year starts to wind down from the high point of summer into the autumn shoulder season, Ireland’s tourism agencies are looking to new markets with lucrative potential for 2018 and beyond, writes John Daly.

Mon, 02 Oct, 2017

MORNING BULLETIN: FG rejects middle-class budget bias claim; Angela Merkel wins fourth term

Catch up on this morning's headlines...

Mon, 25 Sep, 2017

Healthy outlook: Simon Harris ties the knot with Caoimhe

The Cabinet had one very special summer meeting to attend away from Leinster House as Health Minister Simon Harris tied the knot.

Sat, 22 Jul, 2017

Minister: Multi-national firms should finance elite amateurs

Minister Brendan Griffin has suggested that multi-national companies in Ireland should be approached with a view to providing financial support for elite amateur athletes.

Wed, 12 Jul, 2017

Limerick Mayor sorry again for remarks on non-nationals

Latest: Newly elected Mayor of Limerick City and County, Stephen Keary has said he "will be Mayor of Limerick for all of the people of Limerick."

Mon, 26 Jun, 2017