Politics - Irish Examiner

Sign in

politics

Twice as many gardaí as deportees on Government-chartered deportation flight to South Africa

Twice as many gardaí as deportees on Government-chartered deportation flight to South Africa

Eight deportation flights last year cost a total of €2.41m and one of them had twice as many gardaí as deportees on board

Cabinet meeting

Critical lack of expertise is holding back construction, ministers warned

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Micheál Martin TD Visit Schools in Youghal, Co. Cork.

Fianna Fáil backs bill to remove ban on nuclear energy

Government to oppose ban on ads for zero-alcohol drinks

Government to oppose ban on ads for zero-alcohol drinks

Irish Cabinet meeting

Free accommodation for Ukrainians to be withdrawn by March 2027

Free state accommodation for Ukrainians living in Ireland will be withdrawn by March 2027 and payments will be available to those who return home, the Justice Minister has said.

Tue, 26 May, 2026

Ivana Bacik interview

Tech firms accused of showing ‘contempt’ for Irish workers amid AI-driven job cuts

Ivana Bacik warned thousands of tech workers face uncertainty as companies announce major redundancies across the sector

Tue, 26 May, 2026

Government accused of reneging on State apology to mother and baby home survivors

Government accused of reneging on State apology to mother and baby home survivors

Called for redress schemes to be extended to people who were boarded out and who were in mother and baby homes for less than 180 days

Tue, 26 May, 2026

Israel Palestinians

Government accused of 'dangerous cop-out' in 'hollowed-out' Occupied Territories Bill

Excluding services form the bill 'deeply disappointing'

Tue, 26 May, 2026

Dublin Central by-election

Sean Kyne and Daniel Ennis take seats in Dáil after by-election victories

Fine Gael and Social Democrats celebrate by-election wins as the Dáil returns to its full 174-member complement

Tue, 26 May, 2026

Occupied Territories Bill 'to be in place before July'

Occupied Territories Bill 'to be in place before July'

Helen McEntee will bring the bill prohibiting the importation of goods — but not services — from Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory

Tue, 26 May, 2026

Aindrias Moynihan tipped to be new junior agriculture minister

Aindrias Moynihan tipped to be new junior agriculture minister

Cork North-West TD is considered a leading contender for the role left vacant by the shock departure of Kerry TD Michael Healy Rae

Mon, 25 May, 2026

Dublin Central by-election

Parties declare almost €300,000 spend on Dublin-Central and Galway-West by-elections

Last week's elections were the in Ireland under new EU rules, which require real-time declaration of spending

Mon, 25 May, 2026

ieExplains: What is the Occupied Territories Bill and why is it in the news?

ieExplains: What is the Occupied Territories Bill and why is it in the news?

The Occupied Territories Bill was first introduced in 2018, but the Government is set to bring it back for debate to the Dáil in the coming weeks

Mon, 25 May, 2026

Galway West by-election

'Selfish' Micheál Martin damaged Fianna Fáil with 'victory lap', TDs claim

It follows abysmal by-election results for Fianna Fáil in the Dublin Central and Galway West competitions, which saw the party failing to reach double-digit first preference votes in either race

Mon, 25 May, 2026

Fine Gael's Seán Kyne comes out on top in perfect political storm

Fine Gael's Seán Kyne comes out on top in perfect political storm

It was a close-run race until the end, with Independent Ireland's Noel Thomas consistently increasing his vote count after count until the elimination of Fianna Fáil’s Cillian Keane helped Mr Kyne close the gap

Sun, 24 May, 2026

Who is Sean Kyne? All you need to know about Galway's newest TD

Who is Sean Kyne? All you need to know about Galway's newest TD

Now, nearly 18 months to the day after announcing his intention to leave politics, Sean Kyne has regained his Dáil seat and is a TD once again.

Sun, 24 May, 2026

Galway West by-election

Fine Gael's Séan Kyne elected in Galway West

Mr Kyne took the seat, which was left vacant after Catherine Connolly was elected President, on the 11th count.

Sun, 24 May, 2026

Dublin Central by-election

Paul Hosford: Mary Lou McDonald here for Sinn Féin 'on the good days and the bad'

While Dublin Central sparked questions about leadership, it is a perfect example of where the party is challenged and the answers it needs to find quickly

Sun, 24 May, 2026

By-election: The talk about Gerry Hutch will subside. At least until the next election

By-election: The talk about Gerry Hutch will subside. At least until the next election

The real question in the weeks leading up to Friday’s by-election was what impact would Gerard ‘The Monk’ Hutch's renewed campaigning have?

Sun, 24 May, 2026

Galway West by-election

As it happened: Both counts conclude as Fine Gael's Séan Kyne elected in Galway West

On the last count, Fine Gael's Sean Kyne overtakes Independent Ireland's Noel Thomas and becomes the new TD for Galway West.

Sun, 24 May, 2026

Who is Daniel Ennis? All you need to know about Dublin's newest TD

The Social Democrats member has only been in politics for three years

Sun, 24 May, 2026

'The hard work has paid off,' Social Democrats’ Daniel Ennis elected in Dublin Central

'The hard work has paid off,' Social Democrats’ Daniel Ennis elected in Dublin Central

Mr Ennis won the seat, vacated by former Fine Gael TD Paschal Donohoe, in the early hours of Sunday morning following nine counts.

Sun, 24 May, 2026

Darragh O’Brien says Fianna Fáil by-election results cannot be ‘sugarcoated’

Darragh O’Brien says Fianna Fáil by-election results cannot be ‘sugarcoated’

Fianna Fáil faces disappointing by-election performances, but party figures insist leadership questions are not arising

Sat, 23 May, 2026

Galway West by-election

‘Pressure is for tyres’: Mary Lou McDonald rejects leadership speculation after by-election setback

Sinn Féin leader insists she faces no internal pressure despite disappointing by-election performances in Galway West and Dublin Central

Sat, 23 May, 2026

Dublin Central by-election

As it happened: ‘Emotional’ win for Soc Dems in Dublin Central and count to resume in Galway West

The eliminations have started in both Dublin Central and Galway West — follow for tallies, transfers and race updates

Sat, 23 May, 2026

As it happened: Voters go to the polls in Dublin Central and Galway West by-elections

As it happened: Voters go to the polls in Dublin Central and Galway West by-elections

Hand counting of the paper ballots will begin at 9am on Saturday

Fri, 22 May, 2026

Micheál Martin in Rome: Two-state solution in Middle East still possible

Micheál Martin in Rome: Two-state solution in Middle East still possible

Taoiseach holds 45-minute meeting with Pope Leo XIV and also meets Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni ahead of Ireland holding EU presidency

Fri, 22 May, 2026

Dublin Central by-election

Gardaí receive reports after Gerard Hutch image appears near Dublin Central polling stations

Gardaí are examining reports after election-related markings appeared near polling stations in Dublin Central on polling day

Fri, 22 May, 2026

Taoiseach Micheal Martin visit to Vatican City

Taoiseach says Pope agrees Church must ‘take ownership’ of abuse redress in Ireland

The Taoiseach said Pope Leo acknowledged the Church’s responsibility to engage with abuse redress efforts in Ireland

Fri, 22 May, 2026

Taoiseach Micheal Martin visit to Vatican City

Micheál Martin arrives at Vatican for meeting with Pope Leo

The Taoiseach is holding meetings in the Vatican and Italy ahead of Ireland’s upcoming EU Council presidency

Fri, 22 May, 2026

Taoiseach Micheal Martin visit to France

Micheál Martin: Flotilla video has ‘accelerated’ mood in EU for action against Israel

Taoiseach speaking following meeting with French president Emmanuel Macron in Paris and day after video which 'shocked the world'

Thu, 21 May, 2026

Fianna Fáil TDs despair as wrong voting date published on by-election leaflet

Fianna Fáil TDs despair as wrong voting date published on by-election leaflet

The leaflet for John Stephens erroneously said the election was taking place on Thursday rather than Friday

Thu, 21 May, 2026

Irish Rail decision to write off €50m spent on failed IT project 'a national scandal'

Irish Rail decision to write off €50m spent on failed IT project 'a national scandal'

Public Accounts Committee to seek meeting with company over shelving of project to deliver national train control centre

Thu, 21 May, 2026

Occupied Territories Bill to come before Cabinet in coming weeks, Helen McEntee confirms

Occupied Territories Bill to come before Cabinet in coming weeks, Helen McEntee confirms

The foreign affairs minister criticised Israel over the treatment of 'illegally detained' flotilla activists

Thu, 21 May, 2026

Ireland to vote

ieExplains: Everything you need to know about the Dublin Central and Galway West by-elections

Voters in two constituencies will head to the polls this week to elect new TDs to the Dáil

Thu, 21 May, 2026

Irish President Catherine Connolly visit to UK

'I gave up the cigars': President Connolly recalls 'eureka' moment in Leeds 45 years ago

“I was smoking too many and started training,” she said. “I did my first little run around Headingley Park, and I couldn’t run a mile. I said, ‘That’s it’.”

Wed, 20 May, 2026

Different tactics for different parties in canvassing in Dublin Central continues

Different tactics for different parties in canvassing in Dublin Central continues

Constituents will vote this Friday

Wed, 20 May, 2026

Dáil row sees McDonald asked to retract comment during clash over rents

Dáil row sees McDonald asked to retract comment during clash over rents

Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald said the Government is engaging in a 'very special kind of sleeveen politics'

Wed, 20 May, 2026

Housing minister defends rental market changes as 'short-term challenge' after record rent rises

Housing minister defends rental market changes as 'short-term challenge' after record rent rises

James Browne said the current rental market was a 'challenging situation' for renters, but if the Government did not act on reform, it would only have gotten 'worse and worse and worse'

Wed, 20 May, 2026

Irish Cabinet meeting

Passing Occupied Territories Bill 'will not change Israel's behaviour' – Taoiseach

But Micheál Martin tells the Dáil the bill will be progressed and adds: 'I strongly condemn what the Israeli government has done, and condemn the action of the Israeli military forces'

Tue, 19 May, 2026

Irish Cabinet meeting

Polymarket bets on Dublin Central by-election causing 'grave concerns' – Tánaiste

Simon Harris promised a deep dive into the 'wild west' of online betting markets that he said were 'secretive, murky, and unregulated'

Tue, 19 May, 2026

Irish Cabinet meeting

Simon Harris rules out removal of stamp duty for first-time buyers

'Ideas are always good in politics, but the last thing we need to do — and I’m sure no one’s intending to do this — is inject any uncertainty into the housing market'

Tue, 19 May, 2026

Homeless figures

Renters face return to parents' box room due to eviction threat - SF claims

Tens of thousands of renters do not know where they will be living in six months’ time due to the threat of eviction, Sinn Féin’s housing spokesperson has said.

Tue, 19 May, 2026

Kevin Bakhurst comments

RTÉ bosses to face media minister over Derek Mooney payments furore

The latest revelations prompted a scathing response from Patrick O’Donovan

Tue, 19 May, 2026

Bill to overhaul rules for dog breeding to go to Cabinet

Bill to overhaul rules for dog breeding to go to Cabinet

Protections will include a minimum age at which puppies can be sold

Tue, 19 May, 2026

Irish President Catherine Connolly visit to UK

President Catherine Connolly's State visit offers a brief reprieve for King Charles

President Connolly made her second official overseas visit to the UK

Mon, 18 May, 2026

Brexit 'did not make sense', says Taoiseach

Brexit 'did not make sense', says Taoiseach

Micheál Martin also said the possibility of rejoining EU is a 'matter for the British people'

Mon, 18 May, 2026

DCU Climate Conference

President Connolly says politicians need 'to take responsibility for what they say'

She was responding after being asked about Bertie Ahern's comments on migration

Mon, 18 May, 2026

Dr Margaret Connolly, sister of President Catherine Connolly, 'kidnapped by Israel' say flotilla organisers

'It's quite upsetting': President Catherine Connolly 'very worried' after sister detained by Israeli forces

Dr Margaret Connolly is among at least six Irish citizens aboard an aid flotilla who have been detained by Israel, say orgainsers of the Global Sumud Flotilla

Mon, 18 May, 2026

Irish President Catherine Connolly visit to UK

President Catherine Connolly invites Britain’s King Charles III to Ireland for State visit

Ireland must 'speak out in the face of injustice,' Connolly says in speech at Irish embassy in London as part of three-day visit to England

Mon, 18 May, 2026

IE_logo_newsletters

Check out our diverse library of newsletters and get the best of the Irish Examiner delivered straight to your inbox