Politics

Local authority is to reverse a move to exclude the media and public from policy meetings

A local authority is to reverse a move to exclude the media and public from policy meetings.

Latest poll indicates five-point lead for Fianna Fáil

It shows the popularity of the party has dropped by five points to 23%.

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin apologises for Labour comments

Labour senator Aodhán Ó Ríordáin has apologised to his Labour colleagues for suggesting Brendan Howlin and Joan Burton need to make way for “generational renewal” within the party.

Nigel Farage accuses Jo Brand of inciting violence over battery acid joke

The comedian made the comments during an appearance on Victoria Coren Mitchell’s BBC Radio 4 show Heresy.

Apology to Angela Kerins was in a personal capacity, says Ceann Comhairle

The Chairman of the Dáil, Ceann Comhairle Seán Ó Fearghaíl, has said pending reforms as to who Committees operate would negate any need for sanctions for politicians who break the law.

'Nearly more dead than living’ on voting register

An investigation into the electoral register in Co Cork is to be carried out after claims there were “nearly more dead people on it than the living”.

Minister signals no return to banker bonuses

Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe has given a strong signal he is not willing to allow a return to bonuses in banks bailed out by the State.

Varadkar: Ironic that opposition critical of government over-spending

The Taoiseach says he is "keeping the barbarians from the gates" when it comes to overspending.

Renua left with no elected representatives after leader quits party

The Offaly county councillor topped the poll in the Birr constituency in the recent local elections.

15 sitting days in Dáil before summer break to tackle backlog of legislation

The Dáil returns today with just a month until the chamber rises for the summer.

Four months on, Isme — the association representing small- and medium-size companies — is the latest trade body to wonder if the ministry’s understanding of the word “progress” is different to that which exists beyond its walls.

Don’t rely on politicians to wake the moderate middle

Don't be fooled by this so-called Green Wave. And climate change deniers and delayers needn’t busy themselves ridiculing those Vega-wearing, Tesla-driving vegans just yet.

Legacy issues must be resolved: Face the past so we might escape it

When, in the early 1960s, James Baldwin wrote The Fire Next Time to try to explain racism, he could not have imagined that half a century later it would remain relevant.

Letter to Editor: Council cuts were an attack on democracy

Victoria White (Irish Examiner, May 23) on the progressive diminution of the powers of local government resonates very strongly with me.

Progressive moves will be in the interest of those on left

The likely MEP elections Green gallop and a predicted left-leaning parties transfer trend could kick-start a debate about a long-overdue Irish "progressives" political bloc, writes political correspondent Fiachra Ó Cionnaith.

Cost of political disengagement: Indifference opens door to tyranny

The possibility that Boris Johnson might greet President Donald Trump as UK prime minister when he arrives in this part of the world cannot be discounted.

Fórsa: Our local power pledge endorsed by 10 political parties

The largest public sector trade union in the country says its pledge to increase local authority funding and restore local council powers has received the backing of 10 parties fielding 1,056 local authority candidates in tomorrow’s elections.

Hate speech: Define ‘interest of public policy’

The government of a free and democratic country has the right and responsibility to refuse entry to people whose presence is deemed unquestionably to be a threat to public order; visitors, for example who pose a problem not because they offer merely unfashionable or controversial political or religious arguments but because they preach violence and hate.

Malawi voters go to polls in close presidential race

Malawi’s winning candidate must get the most votes cast but is not required to receive more than 50% of the votes.

Auction politics back with a vengeance

Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe professes to be very proud of his rainy day fund and it is surely good that our Government has a sinking fund from which resources can be drawn should the national roof fall in, or fiscal dry rot develop.

New law to allow State to declare people missing for years officially dead

Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan said he wants the Civil Law (Presumption of Death) Bill to be passed before the Oireachtas summer break in nine weeks time after three years of legislative delays.

Albanian opposition set to continue anti-government protests

More demonstrations expected tomorrow after opposition leader Lulzim Basha called on all Albanians to join them.

US attorney general demurs as Democrats mull next move

Things have gotten ugly in Washington since the release of special counsel Robert Mueller’s report on Russian interference in the 2016 US presidential election — and they’re about to get uglier.

Varadkar ‘should apologise’ to families for morgue claim

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar must apologise directly to families whose dead relatives were treated “appallingly” at University Hospital Waterford after it emerged that two families have made formal complaints.

Focus must be on finding solutions to our problems

Three short questions, but a long gaze into Ireland’s ideological fault lines.

Ministers warned to rein in spending by government departments

The Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe has warned his cabinet colleagues to rein in spending by government departments.

Reviving the middle classes: A force for good worth rejuvenating

It says a lot that at his first rally of America’s 2020 presidential election campaign, Joe Biden promised to rebuild the middle class.

We are building a fairer, more equitable Ireland for everyone

Investment in infrastructure is bearing fruit in the form of rural regeneration, jobs growth, house building, and capital projects, to ensure balanced regional development, says Pascal Donohoe.

The challenges of leadership: Ineffectual leaders are a real threat

After a brief ceremony in Tokyo today, Naruhito, Crown Prince of Japan, will become emperor and ascend the Chrysanthemum Throne.

Corbyn’s gains in polls weigh on UK utility shares

British water and power firms are trying to soothe nerves over nationalisation, in the event of a Labour government, although some fund managers and lawyers doubt so-called Corbyn-proofing will work.

Latest opinion polls show conflicting results for main parties

One says Fianna Fáil is now more popular than Fine Gael - with another having the government party 10 points ahead of their rivals.

Polarisation means report is irrelevant

Some politicians weaponise polarisation and provoke it intentionally.

COMEBACK QUEEN: Nancy Pelosi's next battle may be toughest yet

If Nancy Pelosi had listened to her mother she might be a nun today — or more likely a Reverend Mother — but instead she set her sights firmly on politics and is now the most powerful woman in American political history.

Brexit with a side of chips: The go-to takeaways for our politicians

They may be running the country, but it seems our glorious leaders and their top officials are as keen on a dirty takeaway as the rest of us.

Taoiseach hails centuries old friendship between Ireland and the US

Leo Varadkar was speaking at an event at Dublin Castle, attended by the US House of Representatives speaker Nancy Pelosi.

Nancy Pelosi: Good Friday Agreement treasured as 'beacon to the world'

Our two nations may be divided by distance but are united by history.

PAC row over alleged theft by prison staff to be referred to Dáil dispute body

An internal Public Accounts Committee row over questions to justice chiefs about alleged theft by prison staff in jails is to be referred to a Dáil dispute body.

Yates describes Healy-Rae's defence of John Delaney a 'craven leprechaun performance' in heated debate

Ivan Yates has called Michael Healy-Rae's defence of John Delaney at the Oireachtas Committee hearing on Wednesday a "craven, leprechaun performance".

New politics of nativism is just the bitter defence of a few bleak acres

We can have a sense of pride and realise that what stymies us isn’t outsiders — it is insiders, writes Gerard Howlin

Call for parties to be more proactive in encouraging migrants into politics

A new scheme has led to an increased number of migrants putting themselves forward for election.

Máiría Cahill not contesting local elections over safety concern of publishing home address

Legislation provides that in order to stand for election, the candidate must list their home address on the nomination form.

There shouldn’t have to be scandals before we get political action

The culture of our maternity services has not changed, three years into the national strategy, writes Victoria White

Directly elected mayors to be put to a vote in Cork, Limerick, and Waterford

New directly elected mayors will take over decision-making and administrative functions currently carried out by chief executives under new proposals put forward by the Government.

The people have failed politicians, who are just trying to appease us

Finian McGrath is an able cynic, not an amiable fool, writes Gerard Howlin

Algerian president steps down at army official’s urging

Abdelaziz Bouteflika, 82, leaves office after weeks of peaceful protests, following military backing for calls to remove him.

Far-right rejected: Reality TV is a political force

It may be time to consider if reality television is as great a threat to democracy as social media.

State jet costs close to €1m last year

The cost of transporting the Taoiseach and other ministers around the globe on the Government jet reached almost €1m last year at an average cost of over €18,600 per trip.

Calls for government to flesh out details on powers of directly-elected mayors

Plebiscites on the issue will take place in the three cities on May 24, the same day as the local and European elections.

Cabinet approve issues on directly-elected mayors

The mayor will earn the same salary as a junior minister, around €94,000, and will also have powers to set the local budget and devise a development plan for the area.

FF TDs have 'no doubt' party's hierarchy will consider running Billy Kelleher in European elections

Two senior Fianna Fáil TDs have said they have "no doubt" the party's hierarchy will consider running Billy Kelleher in the imminent European elections despite his failure to be selected by grassroots members.

Fine Gael extends lead over Fianna Fáil, opinion poll says

Fine Gael has extended its lead over Fianna Fáil to six points in the latest Behaviour & Attitudes poll.

Health is the disease that might kill this coalition

THE Department of Health is an out-of-control monster that could “destroy” this Government.

Algeria set to get new constitution and government

The president of Algeria says he is creating a new government and a special body to draft a new constitution to respond to mass protests.

Dangerous bill is anti democratic and should be axed

Just over a week ago, it emerged that the Cabinet did something very “dangerous”.

State inquiry costs set to hit €500m by end of this year

The cost of funding public tribunals and commissions of inquiry into wrongdoing by state agencies and individuals will reach close to €500m by the end of this year.

Relationship between State and institutions is not always healthy

FOR A number of days spread over a couple of years, I’ve had reason to be lying on a hospital bed staring at the wall opposite me. Nothing life-threatening involved, but there all the same. Try as I might, I can’t remember seeing any crucifixes or religious paintings on any of the walls I’ve had to stare at.

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Wednesday, June 19, 2019