politics

Parent comforting helping sad emotional child at home, concept of bullying, stress disappointment, sadness.
Addressing child poverty is Government’s 'north star', says Taoiseach
Micheál Martin has said the Government has set itself clear targets to reduce child poverty out to 2030

Thu, 03 Sep, 2026

Social media app icons displayed on Apple iPhone
Social media firms must be forced to adopt child protection policies, Tánaiste says
Also, the Taoiseach Micheál Martin said child poverty would be a priority as Budget 2027 is finalised in the weeks ahead

Thu, 03 Sep, 2026

Coalition urged to immediately reverse planned bus and rail fare hikes
Coalition urged to immediately reverse planned bus and rail fare hikes
Micheál Martin has defended the increases, saying 27% of the population will retain free transport

Thu, 03 Sep, 2026

Ivana Bacik interview
Ivana Bacik says Labour will take part in protests during Donald Trump’s Irish visit
Labour leader says activists are already planning protests, while party also proposes €100 monthly shopping supplement for families

Thu, 03 Sep, 2026

Friedrich Merz visit to Ireland
'Government’s not in a position to fund everything forever’: Taoiseach defends bus and rail fare hikes
Micheál Martin says sustainable funding is needed as planned fare increases face criticism over pressure on household finances

Thu, 03 Sep, 2026

Government urged to halt 15% public transport fare increase
Government urged to halt 15% public transport fare increase
Opposition parties have criticised the planned increases, with some Dublin fares set to rise while children’s fares are expected to fall

Thu, 03 Sep, 2026

Donald Trump visit to Ireland
Protests planned as Donald Trump due to meet President Catherine Connolly during Irish visit
The US president is expected to hold talks with Taoiseach Micheál Martin and visit his Doonbeg golf course during the trip

Thu, 03 Sep, 2026

Government trying to establish if e-scooters can be insured
Government trying to establish if e-scooters can be insured
From Friday, it will be mandatory for people using an e-scooter to wear hi-vis vests and a helmet

Thu, 03 Sep, 2026

Friedrich Merz visit to Ireland
Taoiseach bemoans short agenda at Cabinet's first in-person meeting since the summer break
But ministers said later a 'clear-out' of memos before the summer break leads to a shorter Cabinet agenda when ministers reconvene

Wed, 02 Sep, 2026

Group of People with Different Disabilities
Budget 2027 to introduce new cost-of-disability payment
Micheál Martin and Dara Calleary are pushing for the new benefit but it is likely to be phased in gradually

Wed, 02 Sep, 2026

General Election Ireland 2024
'Due process should apply' in Fianna Fáil TD drink-driving probe, says Taoiseach
Micheál Martin said it was 'unacceptable that anyone would be drink-driving in any shape or form'

Wed, 02 Sep, 2026

Alcohol Drinking - Stock
Taoiseach leaves door open for cut in excise on alcohol 
Publicans want the cut as reduced Vat on hospitality does not apply to alcohol. But Alcohol Action Ireland says the value of excise duties has been eroded by inflation since 2014

Wed, 02 Sep, 2026

EU defence ministers meeting
Helen McEntee says there ‘will be a border poll’ on united Ireland in future
Tánaiste Simon Harris asks, 'Is it really a shock that the UK government isn’t planning on having a border poll in the here and now? No.'

Wed, 02 Sep, 2026

Alcohol Drinking - Stock
Alcohol excise cut emerges as key ask ahead of Budget 2027
Enterprise minister Peter Burke is backing the measure to support pubs which did not benefit from the reduced Vat rate of 9% for hospitality businesses introduced in last year's budget

Wed, 02 Sep, 2026

New ‘map of youth services’ will detail resources for children
New ‘map of youth services’ will detail resources for children
The first full Cabinet meeting since breaking for the summer recess will hear education minister's plan for the local services map

Wed, 02 Sep, 2026

Calls for minister to 'urgently address' claims experts' views ignored in development of maths curriculum 
Calls for minister to 'urgently address' claims experts' views ignored in development of maths curriculum 
It comes after resignation of two experts involved with the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment's redevelopment of the subject

Tue, 01 Sep, 2026

Ireland stock
Oireachtas to spend €1.3m on IT security for Leinster House amid budget overrun projections
A new tender issued this week is seeking proposals for the provision of managed security services. The contract is worth €1.3m over three years

Tue, 01 Sep, 2026

Irish driving test should examine motorway competence – minister
Irish driving test should examine motorway competence – minister
Seán Canney believes the L-test should be changed to fully reflect the road network and conditions that motorists encounter

Tue, 01 Sep, 2026

AI prompt chat bot. Search website to generate data, text or image. Man using computer with artificial intelligence app. Virtual
Department of Justice criticised for using AI to manage immigration status of applicants
Irish Council for Civil Liberties said shortcomings in system 'present a real risk of harm to some of the most vulnerable people in our society'

Tue, 01 Sep, 2026

Ministers worried continued cuts to fuel taxes could hit budgets for their departments
Ministers worried continued cuts to fuel taxes could hit budgets for their departments
One senior Government source said that while the excise cuts will not impact the tax package if they are only temporary, there will be an impact if they become permanent

Tue, 01 Sep, 2026

Empty Tables And Chairs In Primary Or Elementary School Classroom
'Zero indication' that some schools use physical restraint more than others, says minister 
Children in crisis were physically restrained 850 times in schools since last September

Mon, 31 Aug, 2026

High angle view of businessman counting money
Investment accounts: Simon Harris to unveil tax savings on Monday
aimed at encouraging people to move their money from standard savings accounts into bonds and shares will significantly reduce the amount of tax people pay on their funds.

Sun, 30 Aug, 2026

Niall Collins 2001 planning application
Sipo launches probe into Niall Collins over Limerick land deal
Inquiry relates to a report that the junior minister, then a councillor, voted in favour of the sale of land in 2006 which was purchased by his wife

Sun, 30 Aug, 2026

Ireland's Presidential Election Declaration
Social media firms seldom acted on reports of disinformation during 2025 presidential election
Facebook and TikTok were seen as the worst offenders, while X had pulled out of the commitment to demonetise disinformation, tackle fake accounts, and help users evaluate information

Sun, 30 Aug, 2026

Budget 2016
Cuts to petrol and diesel taxes extended until November
Coalition could further pause planned carbon tax hikes in October’s budget

Fri, 28 Aug, 2026

Road safety on Ireland's motorways
Minister suggests AI could help track dangerous driving and alert other motorists
Sean Canney said he is also confident that legislation to impose longer jail terms on people convicted of driving the wrong way down a motorway will be introduced by the end of the year

Fri, 28 Aug, 2026

Dáil backs fuel excise cuts extension as Tánaiste warns against long-term tax rises
Dáil backs fuel excise cuts extension as Tánaiste warns against long-term tax rises
Government wins Dáil backing to delay fuel tax increases, while opposition warns motorists will still face higher costs from November.

Fri, 28 Aug, 2026

Jack Chambers' St Patrick's Day trip cost €28k and included suite with private pool
Jack Chambers' St Patrick's Day trip cost €28k and included suite with private pool
The minister travelled to Nigeria and Senegal with three others, with flights, hotels, interpreters and other expenses making up the bill

Fri, 28 Aug, 2026

Calculating energy efficiency and energy bill papers
Government too reliant on emergency measures to tackle high energy costs, Social Democrats say
The coalition's lack of a 'clear strategy' to drive down the cost of energy has left it in a 'doom cycle'

Thu, 27 Aug, 2026

Dáil to hold emergency sitting over delay to planned petrol and diesel tax increases
Dáil to hold emergency sitting over delay to planned petrol and diesel tax increases
Cabinet has agreed to postpone planned September and October excise increases, with the Dáil set to debate the move

Thu, 27 Aug, 2026

Irish Cabinet meeting
October's carbon tax increases could be paused, hints Simon Harris
In April, the Government pushed back planned increases to carbon tax from 1 May to 14 October

Tue, 25 Aug, 2026

Irish Government's Summer Economic Statement
Tánaiste rejects Ifac criticism as Government urged to ‘get the balance right’ in Budget
Simon Harris defended the Government’s spending approach after Ifac warned a large Budget package could fuel inflation further

Tue, 25 Aug, 2026

Social media firms 'have a lot to answer for' after 'extraordinarily painful' August on Ireland's roads – Tánaiste
Social media firms 'have a lot to answer for' after 'extraordinarily painful' August on Ireland's roads – Tánaiste
Simon Harris said the wider issue of a breakdown in respect for authority in society needed to be examined in a way that was not 'knee-jerk'

Tue, 25 Aug, 2026

Decision due on Skyclarys funding as Biogen reportedly makes lower price offer
Decision due on Skyclarys funding as Biogen reportedly makes lower price offer
Families affected by Friedreich’s ataxia remain hopeful as the HSE considers the treatment’s cost and benefits for patients

Tue, 25 Aug, 2026

Doubts raised over company's ability to deliver contactless ticketing for public transport in Dublin
Doubts raised over company's ability to deliver contactless ticketing for public transport in Dublin
"The fate of this project lies with the same company that failed to deliver the traffic management system for Irish Rail, costing the taxpayer €50m," said Green Party leader Roderic O'Gorman.

Mon, 24 Aug, 2026

Petrol costs
Government to decide new plan for fuel prices later this week
The Government could simply move the timeline again, reinstating the higher excise rates for petrol and diesel from later this year or come to a more permanent solution in October's budget. 

Mon, 24 Aug, 2026

Irish Government's Summer Economic Statement
Budget 2027: Ministers told to find savings in their departments
Jack Chambers has been giving fellow ministers a ‘sobering assessment’ of Ireland's public finances ahead October's budget

Mon, 24 Aug, 2026

Woman looking at houses and flats in the window of an estate agent in London, UK
63% of homeowners would consider offering room to student
Interest in hosting a third-level student is particularly high among homeowners under 35, at 82%, research shows

Mon, 24 Aug, 2026

Electric vehicles growth forecasts
Level of EV grants for cars priced over €40k slated as strategy ‘flaw’
Sinn Féin transport spokesperson says figures show the scheme 'disproportionately benefits' more well-off families

Mon, 24 Aug, 2026

Youth soccer players practice on field. Stand in line, ready for training. Focus on black, white soccer ball. Scene shows sports
Sports clubs’ funding system taken offline amid cyber security concerns, but no breach found
The Oscar portal has been taken offline following a cyber risk assessment, with clubs able to submit requests by email

Sat, 22 Aug, 2026

Fuel prices
Government shelves planned 10c diesel and 9c petrol excise increases
Cabinet will formally approve the move before TDs vote on a financial resolution to delay the planned fuel excise increases

Fri, 21 Aug, 2026

Government Trade Forum
Israeli settlement proposal demands ‘robust’ response, says minister
Ireland will “press for a stronger” international response against Israel, the foreign affairs minister said, following the publication of a tender to construct 1,200 housing units in Palestine.

Fri, 21 Aug, 2026

Crash on M9 in Co Kildare
Children 'come first' over tax revenues from social media giants, says minister
Peter Burke says it's 'not good enough' that online videos featuring teenagers driving dangerously are circulating

Thu, 20 Aug, 2026

Fuel prices
Government could recall Dáil to delay September fuel excise hikes, minister says
Peter Burke says escalating Middle East tensions have prompted the Government to review the timing of planned fuel tax increases

Thu, 20 Aug, 2026

Fine Gael TD accuses Fianna Fáil minister of 'muddying the waters' over new sports grant
Fine Gael TD accuses Fianna Fáil minister of 'muddying the waters' over new sports grant
Longford-Westmeath TD Micheál Carrigy has said a lot of local clubs and groups are quite confused about the proposed Community Sports Facilities Fund

Wed, 19 Aug, 2026

Crash on M9 in Co Kildare
TikTok to face Oireachtas questioning over dangerous driving content after M9 deaths
TikTok is being asked to explain how it tackles dangerous driving content as a fundraiser for the crash survivors surpasses €225,000

Wed, 19 Aug, 2026

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