politics

Could Michael McGrath Be Taoiseach Today? EU Commissioner says he has ‘no regrets’
Could Michael McGrath Be Taoiseach Today? EU Commissioner says he has ‘no regrets’
The former Fianna Fáil minister said he has gained experience in Europe that he could not have gained in Ireland

Mon, 06 Jul, 2026

'Graduated response' to age restrictions on social media suggested for EU-wide approach
'Graduated response' to age restrictions on social media suggested for EU-wide approach
Mr McGrath welcomes the 'very lively debate' across EU member states about age verification, with some countries announcing their own initiatives and measures

Mon, 06 Jul, 2026

HOLLY CAIRNS
Social Democrats' Holly Cairns remains most popular party leader in Ireland
Fine Gael, meanwhile, is now the most popular party in the country. It has increased its support by one percentage point to 20%

Sun, 05 Jul, 2026

Irish EU Presidency
Taoiseach suggests Cork's Tyndall Institute could help protect undersea cables
Speaking alongside European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen on Friday, Mr Martin said Ireland’s maritime security is 'extremely important'

Fri, 03 Jul, 2026

Waterford Fianna Fáil councillor backs Bill Kenneally party probe
Waterford Fianna Fáil councillor backs Bill Kenneally party probe
Brendan Kenneally, who has said he did nothing wrong, resigned his membership of Fianna Fáil on the evening of the report's publication

Fri, 03 Jul, 2026

Irish EU Presidency
Von der Leyen says Israeli West Bank settlements are 'utterly unacceptable' during Cork visit
European Commission president says sanctions proposals remain on the table as Ireland begins its six-month EU Presidency

 Listen | Fri, 03 Jul, 2026

 Listen |
eGate at Dublin Airport
O'Callaghan says he is 'not for turning' on criminal legal aid reforms
Minister insists reforms will improve efficiency and value for money despite widespread disruption to District Court proceedings.

Fri, 03 Jul, 2026

Irish EU Presidency
EU-wide Occupied Territories Bill could include services as well as goods, McEntee says
Minister says Ireland is pushing for coordinated EU action, with proposals expected before the next Foreign Affairs Council meeting

Fri, 03 Jul, 2026

AI Chatbot intelligent digital customer service application concept.
You now have a new legal right to speak to a human when buying financial products
From today, Irish consumers can refuse to deal with AI chatbots when buying financial products or services

Fri, 03 Jul, 2026

Irish EU Presidency
Nationalising Aughinish is not being discussed – Taoiseach
Micheál Martin was speaking ahead of welcoming Ursula von der Leyen and the EU College of Commissioners to Cork — and in the wake of Volodymyr Zelenskyy's visit to Dublin yesterday 

Thu, 02 Jul, 2026

Ursula von der Leyen visits Dublin
ieExplains: What is the European Commission and why is it in Cork this week?
Taoiseach Micheál Martin told reporters at UCC that there would be engagement between commissioners and their Irish ministerial counterparts

 Listen | Thu, 02 Jul, 2026

 Listen |
Lawyer holding document and speaking to jury in courtroom
Legal aid system faces 'collapse' without investment, chair of Oireachtas committee warns
Matt Carthy was speaking as solicitors participating in the scheme warned they may resign from the panel en masse

Thu, 02 Jul, 2026

Sinn Féin criticises Government over €50m 'waste' on rail IT system
Sinn Féin criticises Government over €50m 'waste' on rail IT system
The Dáil heard that €50 million has been written off in relation to developing a rail management system and that a further €100,000 a week is being paid as a decision has not yet been made to end the contract

Thu, 02 Jul, 2026

Irish presidential race
Social Democrats TD Daniel Ennis sues former presidential hopeful Nick Delehanty
The Dublin Central TD has initiated High Court proceedings following a dispute over online posts made during the by-election campaign

Thu, 02 Jul, 2026

IRELAND-EU-POLITICS-DIPLOMACY-PRESIDENCY-UKRAINE
Paul Hosford: For much of the public, the EU presidency will bring nothing but disruption
Across the next six months, more than 270 events will take place across the country, as Ireland chairs most meetings of the EU Council, sets its work programme, and acts as its representative

Thu, 02 Jul, 2026

Ursula von der Leyen visits Dublin
Ursula von der Leyen in Cork: Rolling disruptions expected and Gaol Walk closed
Ireland took over the presidency of the Council of the European Union on Wednesday

Thu, 02 Jul, 2026

Electric vehicle scheme reaches application limit in minutes
Electric vehicle scheme reaches application limit in minutes
Pilot programme was closed after 'exceptionally strong interest', Department of Transport said

Wed, 01 Jul, 2026

Irish EU Presidency
Taoiseach pledges steadfast support for Ukraine during Ireland's EU Presidency
Taoiseach says Ireland will press for tougher sanctions on Russia and advance Ukraine's EU accession negotiations

Wed, 01 Jul, 2026

Government must make the case for increased defence spending, says Taoiseach
Government must make the case for increased defence spending, says Taoiseach
Micheál Martin says Irish people do not see defence spending in the same way as countries which border Russia

Wed, 01 Jul, 2026

Zelenskyy calls for sanctions on companies in European countries 'controlled by Russia'
Zelenskyy calls for sanctions on companies in European countries 'controlled by Russia'
Speaking at the opening ceremony to mark Ireland's presidency of the EU, the Ukrainian president said such companies were 'supplying the aggressor with essential materials' for its ongoing war against Ukraine

Wed, 01 Jul, 2026

Labour Employer Economic Forum
Government warns unions it will not agree new public sector pay deal 'at any cost'
Public expenditure minister Jack Chambers said he wanted trade unions to engage in talks to reach 'consensus' amid threat of industrial action

Wed, 01 Jul, 2026

Taoiseach Micheal Martin visit to Ukraine
Ukraine's EU bid can continue during war, Taoiseach says as Ireland begins European presidency
Taoiseach also says Ireland will push for an EU-wide age verification system and trade measures during its presidency

Wed, 01 Jul, 2026

It is 'unconscionable' to make private maternity patients feel 'guilty or privileged', committee to hear 
It is 'unconscionable' to make private maternity patients feel 'guilty or privileged', committee to hear 
master of the Rotunda Hospital Sean Daly will address the Oireachtas Health Committee on Wednesday 

Tue, 30 Jun, 2026

Cabinet briefing - Dublin
TDs accuse Jim O'Callaghan of committing 'injustice to profession' of barristers in heated Oireachtas meeting
The Law Society has said that solicitors will pull out of the free legal aid system, and that they 'may very well choose to never come back'

Tue, 30 Jun, 2026

Cork Event Centre 'back at square one', Oireachtas committee told
Cork Event Centre 'back at square one', Oireachtas committee told
Council CEO Valerie O'Sullivan said 'if we get the project right', it could 'have a huge spinoff effect into attracting people and investment' into the city

Tue, 30 Jun, 2026

Security operation underway in Cork as UCC prepares to host EU commissioners 
Security operation underway in Cork as UCC prepares to host EU commissioners 
Tactical commander for roads policing of the events in Cork, Superintendent Gary McPolin said there would be some rolling road closures on the south side of the city

Tue, 30 Jun, 2026

'Balance lost' between councillors and local authorities on housing policy, James Browne says 
'Balance lost' between councillors and local authorities on housing policy, James Browne says 
The housing minister said that executives of local authorities had become unaccountable to councillors and that the upcoming local democracy taskforce would address this.

Tue, 30 Jun, 2026

Abbeyfeale Coursing Meeting
Government to oppose opposition's bill to ban hare coursing
A Government spokesperson said it recognised the 'depth of feeling' surrounding hare coursing, but it could not support a ban

Tue, 30 Jun, 2026

Vat cut for hospitality sector unlikely to be passed on to consumers 
Vat cut for hospitality sector unlikely to be passed on to consumers 
Simon Harris also defended the Vat cut applying to multinational franchises

Tue, 30 Jun, 2026

unleaded petrol and diesel fuel pumps at a self service petrol station in the UK
Tánaiste details when excise on petrol and diesel will increase as cuts phased out
Government agrees phased withdrawal of fuel excise relief while the Tánaiste presses retailers over delayed reductions at the pumps

Tue, 30 Jun, 2026

Tributes paid after former Fianna Fáil minister David Andrews dies aged 91
Tributes paid after former Fianna Fáil minister David Andrews dies aged 91
Long-serving Fianna Fáil TD held several Cabinet portfolios and played a key role during the Good Friday Agreement negotiations

Tue, 30 Jun, 2026

Two thirds of Irish people would vote to remain in EU - survey
Two thirds of Irish people would vote to remain in EU - survey
'More In Common' poll: Irish voters favour stronger economic ties with the EU, and now regard several European countries — including the UK — as closer allies than the US

Tue, 30 Jun, 2026

replacing old tiles
One-off rural homes cannot be used as short-term rentals 
Rural dwellers will not be able to use new homes for Airbnb-style lets, according to plans being brought to Cabinet today

Tue, 30 Jun, 2026

Labour: Media outlet was 'intimidatory' towards Galway mayor Helen Ogbu
Labour: Media outlet was 'intimidatory' towards Galway mayor Helen Ogbu
The Labour Party has claimed the actions of a media outlet in doorstepping the new Galway Mayor Helen Ogbu were “intimidatory and unacceptable”.

Mon, 29 Jun, 2026

Refueling at a modern gas station with green fuel pumps and a customer filling their vehicle in a well-lit, organized space duri
Fuel excise duty cuts will stay in place for a further month
Due to expire on July 31, the cuts to excise duties on petrol and diesel will continue until the end of August

Mon, 29 Jun, 2026

Ministers insist they back previous drugs decriminalisation recommendations
Ministers insist they back previous drugs decriminalisation recommendations
Jennifer Carroll MacNeill and James Lawless reiterated support for the measure, despite reservations expressed by Simon Harris and Jim O’Callaghan

Mon, 29 Jun, 2026

Department has rejected almost two-thirds of student visa applications so far this year
Department has rejected almost two-thirds of student visa applications so far this year
Around 39% of applications were refused in 2025, 25% in 2024 and 22% in 2023

Mon, 29 Jun, 2026

two engineers, a man and a woman in white helmets and green protective vests
Rural dwellers will be allowed build a second one-off home under new rules 
Planning minister John Cummins described the approach as a 'fundamental shift' in rural housing

Mon, 29 Jun, 2026

Army will be deployed if protests block critical infrastructure during EU presidency, minister says
Army will be deployed if protests block critical infrastructure during EU presidency, minister says
Foreign affairs minister Helen McEntee said she did not believe that blocking motorways is 'an acceptable form of protest'

Mon, 29 Jun, 2026

Taoiseach warns hard border would 'injure and impede a lot of basic rights'
Taoiseach warns hard border would 'injure and impede a lot of basic rights'
It comes after an opinion poll at the weekend suggested that over a third of voters would be in favour of a 'hard border' on the island of Ireland to tackle migration

Mon, 29 Jun, 2026

North South Ministerial Council
McEntee says momentum is behind EU-wide ban on trade with occupied territories
Foreign affairs minister Helen McEntee said such a ban would be 'more possible' than a complete suspension of the EU-Israel Association Agreement

Mon, 29 Jun, 2026

Global drugs survey
Dáil drug use committee chair accuses Simon Harris of 'classism' over comments on 'middle Ireland'
Gary Gannon said there would be 'no gardaí standing outside the toilets of rugby clubs or pubs all over Ireland this week', and 'middle Ireland' was not facing criminal retribution for taking drugs

Fri, 26 Jun, 2026

Close up of a young woman refueling her car
Taoiseach: Excise cut extension will be "definitively" decided on Tuesday
Micheál Martin said this would ensure any legislative measures required could be completed “in good time” before the Dáil’s summer recess

Fri, 26 Jun, 2026

More than €12m spent to refurbish Dublin Castle for Ireland’s EU presidency
More than €12m spent to refurbish Dublin Castle for Ireland’s EU presidency
This includes works to the Hibernia Conference Centre

Fri, 26 Jun, 2026

TD calls for free vote in Dáil on legislation to ban hare coursing
TD calls for free vote in Dáil on legislation to ban hare coursing
People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy's legislation to ban hare coursing will be discussed in the Dáil next Thursday, with a vote to take place the following week

Thu, 25 Jun, 2026

Tánaiste: Middle Ireland facilitates gangland crime 'by snorting coke and popping pills'
Tánaiste: Middle Ireland facilitates gangland crime 'by snorting coke and popping pills'
Simon Harris has urged caution about decriminalising drug use as he raised concerns about those “facilitating” gangland crime

Thu, 25 Jun, 2026

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