politics

Defence Forces recruitment advertising costs €2.3m as strength rises by just 200
Defence Forces recruitment advertising costs €2.3m as strength rises by just 200
Defence minister Helen McEntee said 790 recruits joined last year, but departures limited overall growth to nearly 200 personnel

Thu, 13 Aug, 2026

Minister warns booking driving tests through third-party apps is creating a backlog
Minister warns booking driving tests through third-party apps is creating a backlog
A Fianna Fáil TD said it is 'concerning' that third-party apps can charge 'extortionate' fees for a service that the RSA offers for free

Thu, 13 Aug, 2026

TDs call on HSE Drugs Group to reveal why they decided not to fund Skyclarys
TDs call on HSE Drugs Group to reveal why they decided not to fund Skyclarys
It follows the story of the Coady family in Cork who lost their son Rory, 13, to Friedrich’s ataxia in September. Their 16-year-old son, Paudie, also has the condition

Wed, 12 Aug, 2026

RSA to close Dublin driving test centre despite seven-month waiting list
RSA to close Dublin driving test centre despite seven-month waiting list
The Raheny centre will close in September as the RSA faces criticism over capacity and unauthorised driving test booking apps

Wed, 12 Aug, 2026

Call for tax on overtime earnings to be capped at 20% in budget measure
Call for tax on overtime earnings to be capped at 20% in budget measure
Kerry TD Michael Healy-Rae said move was part of drive to 'make working more worthwhile for the people who are prepared to work more'

Tue, 11 Aug, 2026

Ireland stock
Government departments deny using AI to answer questions from TDs or the media
Departments have said while civil servants can use certain AI tools, they remain forbidden from using AI systems to generate answers

Mon, 10 Aug, 2026

Spain Europe Wildfires
Ireland cannot be 'complacent' when  responding to threats such as wildfires, says Micheál Martin 
The Taoiseach said he will convene a meeting at the end of August to evaluate how authorities responded recent fires

Sun, 09 Aug, 2026

OPW pays more than €31m in office rent this year as calls grow for value-for-money review
OPW pays more than €31m in office rent this year as calls grow for value-for-money review
Detailed lease figures reveal millions spent on rented government offices, with several buildings costing taxpayers more than €1m annually

Sat, 08 Aug, 2026

Taoiseach Micheal Martin visit to Belfast
Budget 2027: Simon Harris urges caution despite €60bn tax take in first seven months this year
When the Apple tax case money is excluded from the 2025 figures, Ireland's 2026 tax receipts are up €3.4bn (6%) on last year

Fri, 07 Aug, 2026

Close up Caucasian male hands arms holding mobile phone scrolling screen social media app unrecognizable man unknown businessman
Gardaí have 'no update' on investigation into distressing phone calls made to female councillors
It is understood it was the same man phoning all of the councillors. He encouraged them to 'challenge' him about being a paedophile after he made his 'confession'

Fri, 07 Aug, 2026

New housing development
Housing delivery forecasts becoming harder to predict, minister told
In June, Housing minister James Browne was told the time between a commencement notice being signed and a dwelling being completed is getting longer

Thu, 06 Aug, 2026

Fuel station in daytime with graphs and arrow
Fuel tax cuts could be extended if pump prices stay high, says Jack Chambers
Public expenditure minister Jack Chambers warns fellow ministers that new budget measures must be funded through savings elsewhere

Wed, 05 Aug, 2026

Spain Ceuta
European ministers agree to tackle online misinformation in wake of Ceuta crisis
The EU's commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration, Magnus Brunner, also called for international co-operation to dismantle powerful smuggling networks

Tue, 04 Aug, 2026

Stardust nightclub fire inquest
Stardust survivors highlight unjust flat payment system after nearly 100 people paid
It comes as the High Court last week heard that one of the survivors was left 'aghast' after hearing that the Government intends to offer just €20,000 compensation to those injured in the disaster

Tue, 04 Aug, 2026

Ireland v Scotland - Guinness 6 Nations Rugby Championship
Rugby tickets and piece of Valentia subsea cable among gifts presented to Government ministers
Under legislation, any gift valued at more than €650 cannot be accepted by TDs and ministers, but any gift valued at less than €650 can be accepted

Mon, 03 Aug, 2026

Ireland should push for teenager social media ban during EU presidency, says French children's commissioner
Ireland should push for teenager social media ban during EU presidency, says French children's commissioner
Sarah El Haïry was speaking in Dublin after France adopted laws banning access to social media for children under the age of 15

Mon, 03 Aug, 2026

Helen McEntee Helen McEntee comments
Ireland's first defence attachés announced for US, UK, and France
The three officers, who will work directly with ambassadors, are expected to take up their appointments this autumn

Mon, 03 Aug, 2026

Cabinet briefing - Dublin
Government 'avoiding the issue' of assisted dying legislation 
A 2024 poll of people living in rural Ireland found that the majority of people would support legislation to enable assisted dying or euthanasia

Mon, 03 Aug, 2026

Schools should be mandated to provide classrooms for after school childcare, education minister told
Schools should be mandated to provide classrooms for after school childcare, education minister told
Provision of classrooms could also bring in much-needed income

Mon, 03 Aug, 2026

Naval Service applications grow but numbers remain short of target
Naval Service applications grow but numbers remain short of target
The number of people applying to join the Naval Service has increased by 64% in the past year.

Mon, 03 Aug, 2026

Bessborough: Minister says 'all options' will be considered for future use of the site
Bessborough: Minister says 'all options' will be considered for future use of the site
Norma Foley also said she will push for cheaper childcare fees in this October’s budget

Thu, 30 Jul, 2026

Young women sitting in dark room feeling pain with life problem. suffering from husband violence, Stop violence against and se
Trafficked women are forced to have sex in brothels 'in every town in Ireland'
Gardaí expect to find more victims and uncover new trafficking networks after operations in Cork and Limerick this month

Thu, 30 Jul, 2026

Unknown number calling in the middle of the night. Phone call from stranger.
Gardaí investigate disturbing calls targeting female councillors across Ireland
More than 70 female councillors have reported receiving repeated calls, prompting a national Garda investigation and ministerial condemnation

Thu, 30 Jul, 2026

Accelerating Infrastructure launch
Jack Chambers: 'HSE must cut unsustainable staff spend'
'Not acceptable' growth in management and admin positions rather than frontline, he said

Thu, 30 Jul, 2026

Ireland to fight for fishing industry in upcoming EU budget, marine minister says
Ireland to fight for fishing industry in upcoming EU budget, marine minister says
Meeting of EU fisheries ministers in Cork told Irish fishing industry in crisis, with current quotas making it difficult for the sector to survive

Thu, 30 Jul, 2026

Feet of unknown woman standing by or driving electric kick scooter e-scooter on the pavement in day eco friendly modern transpor
E-scooters: New minimum age, helmet, and hi-vis rules signed off by Government
Transport minister Darragh O’Brien said plans to to introduce insurance, driver’s licences, and learner’s permits for e-scooters were still being worked on

Wed, 29 Jul, 2026

Bluefin Tuna in Net
Ireland's fishing industry under threat as fish move north due to climate change
Global warming is also drawing fish more common in warmer Mediterranean waters, like bluefin tuna, towards Ireland’s shores, but current EU fish quotas do not allow Irish fishers to catch quantities of these species

Wed, 29 Jul, 2026

Close up on woman legs feet standing on the electric kick scooter on the pavement wearing jeans and sneakers in summer day
E-scooters: New helmet and hi-vis rules to go before Cabinet
Ministers will seek approval for tougher e-scooter regulations, including a higher minimum age, mandatory helmets and high-visibility clothing, and increased penalties for offences

Wed, 29 Jul, 2026

Friedrich Merz visit to Ireland
Lost without translation: 300 extra civil servants hired but Taoiseach left with failing headset
An event at Farmleigh with German chancellor Friedrich Merz descended into farce when a series of malfunctioning translation headsets left Micheál Martin struggling to follow proceedings

Wed, 29 Jul, 2026

Chancellor Merz in Ireland
German chancellor rejects claims Irish activist Daniel Tatlow-Devally faces ‘show trial’
Concerns have been raised about the treatment of Daniel Tatlow-Devally in custody, with politicians from both Government and opposition parties calling on Taoiseach Micheál Martin to send observers to hearings in the Ulm 5 trial

Tue, 28 Jul, 2026

Hundreds killed in Israeli attack on Gaza Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital
Israel targeting hospitals and doctors in Palestine 'part of the genocide', Helen McEntee told
Irish Health Care Workers for Palestine called for Ireland to ensure the EU-Israel Association is suspended during its six-month EU presidency

Tue, 28 Jul, 2026

Housing Stock
Charities criticise delay in homelessness action plan
St Vincent de Paul's head of social justice and policy highlighted the 'trauma that children go through'

Tue, 28 Jul, 2026

TOPSHOT-LEBANON-ISRAEL-IRAN-US-WAR
Ireland authorised €1.65bn ‘dual-use’ exports last year
Israel, United Arab Emirates, and the US among the destinations for items that can be used for military purposes

Tue, 28 Jul, 2026

Rural bus rollout slows to just four new routes in first six months of this year
Rural bus rollout slows to just four new routes in first six months of this year
An average of 24 new routes were introduced every six months between 2023 and 2025 — but just four were rolled out from January to June this year

Tue, 28 Jul, 2026

METROLINK; MINISTER EAMON RYAN TD
Dublin's MetroLink set to cost billions more than estimated due to construction inflation
Public expenditure minister Jack Chambers said costs were being finalised and would go to Government for pre-tendering approval in the autumn, as he acknowledged inflation had increased the MetroLink bill

Mon, 27 Jul, 2026

Aughinish Alumina refinery
Government urged to kickstart scheme to buy alumina destined for Russia
Enterprise minister said review of Aughinish Alumina had established 'no adverse findings' that linked exports of alumina produced at the Limerick plant to Russian weapon manufacturers

Fri, 24 Jul, 2026

Government plans emergency laws to fast-track major infrastructure projects
Government plans emergency laws to fast-track major infrastructure projects
Proposed legislation would create a higher legal threshold for critical projects while Cork Commuter Rail receives priority status

Fri, 24 Jul, 2026

Government urged to put pressure on Germany over pro-Palestinian activist’s trial
Government urged to put pressure on Germany over pro-Palestinian activist’s trial
Politicians concerned about Daniel Tatlow-Devally’s treatment in jail want Micheál Martin to send observers to Ulm 5 trial

Fri, 24 Jul, 2026

Taoiseach Micheal Martin visit to Ukraine
Louise Burne: Taoiseach pays tribute to 'ordinary Ukrainians with extraordinary resolve' in Kyiv
During his Kyiv visit, Micheál Martin didn't have to look far to find those who, he said, 'continue to endure, to resist, and to fight to defend your homes and your freedom'

Thu, 23 Jul, 2026

Micheál Martin: 'I don't know how the people of Ukraine deal with this' 
Micheál Martin: 'I don't know how the people of Ukraine deal with this' 
Taoiseach said he 'can't comprehend how Russian leadership can preside over the loss of so much life and so many soldiers on both sides'

Thu, 23 Jul, 2026

Spring Economic Statement
Budget 2027: €2,000 income tax band increase would cost €460m, officials say
Tax Strategy Group papers outline the cost of proposed tax measures ahead of Budget 2027 and highlight reliance on income tax receipts

Thu, 23 Jul, 2026

A new wooden modular prefabricated house inside in manufacturing facility
Threshold warns Government's garden homes plan could weaken renters' rights
Charity says proposed planning exemptions could leave some renters without key legal protections or minimum housing standards

Thu, 23 Jul, 2026

Taoiseach Micheal Martin visit to Ukraine
Aughinish Alumina review finds no conclusive evidence of Russia weapons link
Taoiseach announces additional €125m in support for Ukraine as discussions focus on sanctions and the Aughinish Alumina investigation

Thu, 23 Jul, 2026

eGate at Dublin Airport
Justice minister says he will not reverse legal aid changes despite solicitors' action
Minister says he is willing to meet the Law Society but insists changes are needed to improve the criminal legal aid system

Thu, 23 Jul, 2026

Budget 2027: €1.5bn in tax cuts, and ministers must 'prioritise' if they seek to increase spending
Budget 2027: €1.5bn in tax cuts, and ministers must 'prioritise' if they seek to increase spending
Jack Chambers tells departments 'real trade-offs and prioritisation will be required' as 'there’s less available across Government next year than there was last year'

Thu, 23 Jul, 2026

Micheál Martin visits Kyiv to discuss Ukraine, EU accession and Irish support
Micheál Martin visits Kyiv to discuss Ukraine, EU accession and Irish support
Visit to Ukraine includes meetings with political leaders, humanitarian organisations and the Irish community during Ireland's EU Presidency

Thu, 23 Jul, 2026

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