politics

Government's €102.8m Deloitte bill branded 'absolutely shocking'
Government's €102.8m Deloitte bill branded 'absolutely shocking'
Figures show millions spent on digital services as opposition calls for greater in-house IT capacity across the public sector

Sat, 11 Jul, 2026

Cyberattack and internet crime, hacking and malware concepts. Digital binary code data numbers and secure lock icons on hacker'
Ireland urged to push permanent EU online child sexual abuse detection rules
Children's Rights Alliance says Ireland should use its EU presidency to secure lasting protections while balancing online privacy rights

Sat, 11 Jul, 2026

Seán Kelly says Ireland may not need EU return hubs as asylum numbers fall
Seán Kelly says Ireland may not need EU return hubs as asylum numbers fall
Fine Gael MEP points to declining irregular migration across Europe while insisting controversial measure should remain an emergency option

Sat, 11 Jul, 2026

Cara Darmody to protest for 50 hours outside Leinster House over assessment of needs 'crisis'
Cara Darmody to protest for 50 hours outside Leinster House over assessment of needs 'crisis'
'I am sleeping on the street for 50 hours because these children cannot wait any longer'

Fri, 10 Jul, 2026

Media minister Patrick O'Donovan hospitalised in Brussels
Media minister Patrick O'Donovan hospitalised in Brussels
The Limerick TD became unwell after attending meetings in Belgium

Thu, 09 Jul, 2026

RTÉ director general: Sean Rocks' widow incorrect about his employment status
RTÉ director general: Sean Rocks' widow incorrect about his employment status
Catherine Bailey had said she was left in a “precarious position” as a single mother with two young children following his death

Thu, 09 Jul, 2026

Aughinish Alumina refinery
Minister to get report on Aughinish Alumina's Russian exports 'within 10 days' after 'clarifications'
The Department of Enterprise is engaged with Ukrainian and Swedish authorities on the report

Thu, 09 Jul, 2026

Oireachtas justice committee calls for statewide report on domestic violence by gardaí
Oireachtas justice committee calls for statewide report on domestic violence by gardaí
The report will also call for gardaí to be suspended during investigations for domestic or sexual violence

Thu, 09 Jul, 2026

Minister denies Aughinish Alumina controversy dominating EU presidency
Minister denies Aughinish Alumina controversy dominating EU presidency
Thomas Byrne said Ireland has been proactive on sanctions against Russia and pushed back on the level of attention received by alumina exports

Thu, 09 Jul, 2026

Sinn Féin's Lynn Boylan: 'I don’t understand how anybody could watch a hare being chased'
Sinn Féin's Lynn Boylan: 'I don’t understand how anybody could watch a hare being chased'
MP says her personal view on hare coursing is 'not hidden' and that she wants to see it banned

Thu, 09 Jul, 2026

Close up low angle view cropped shot of a man riding electro scooter at the street
High amount of children's injuries prompts call from Taoiseach for 'fundamental review' of e-scooters
The Oireachtas Transport Committee heard that helmet use should be made compulsory but that children should not be on e-scooters

Wed, 08 Jul, 2026

COLOMBIA-MARIJUANA-PROTEST
A third of young people in mental health crisis attending CUH there because of cannabis
'There is a very strong association between cannabis and psychosis,' Cork doctor tells Oireachtas health committee

Wed, 08 Jul, 2026

European Parliament votes to ban export of alumina to Russia as Fianna Fáil MEPs abstain
European Parliament votes to ban export of alumina to Russia as Fianna Fáil MEPs abstain
Government must consider nationalising the Aughinish Alumina plant in Limerick to prevent exports to Russia, says Fianna Fáil MEP

Wed, 08 Jul, 2026

Dublin Central by-election
Occupied Territories Bill banning trade in goods passed by Dáil
Government hits back at opposition claims its bill does not go far enough to tackle illegal Israeli settlements on Palestinian land

Tue, 07 Jul, 2026

Failing to plan for united Ireland 'a black mark on Taoiseach's legacy' – Mary Lou McDonald
Failing to plan for united Ireland 'a black mark on Taoiseach's legacy' – Mary Lou McDonald
Sinn Féin leader hits out at Micheál Martin amid Government opposition to her party's bill on preparing for Irish unity

Tue, 07 Jul, 2026

Pretty young vlogger recording make up tutorial
Influencers will be curbed under Michael McGrath's new EU Digital Fairness Act
New law is set to restrict promotion of products and services including plastic surgery, gambling, and risky financial products

Tue, 07 Jul, 2026

Public pay: Ivana Bacik says Government must take action to avoid 'Defcon 1'
Public pay: Ivana Bacik says Government must take action to avoid 'Defcon 1'
Labour leader attacks Government's 'inaction' on public pay, while Social Democrats leader highlights 'chaos' in criminal courts due to the new legal aid fee system

Tue, 07 Jul, 2026

Unity bill
Government to oppose Sinn Féin unity Bill
The Government will oppose a Bill on preparing for Irish unity, after the opposition party described the legislation as a “political test” for coalition parties.

Tue, 07 Jul, 2026

Irish MEPs to vote on alumina export ban to Russia in wake of Limerick plant controversy
Irish MEPs to vote on alumina export ban to Russia in wake of Limerick plant controversy
While Fianna Fáil MEPs have confirmed they will abstain, MEPs from Fine Gael, Sinn Féin and Labour have confirmed they will vote to bar the export

Tue, 07 Jul, 2026

Government has 'no immediate plans' to send failed asylum seekers to EU return hubs, Taoiseach says
Government has 'no immediate plans' to send failed asylum seekers to EU return hubs, Taoiseach says
Return hubs were formally approved by the European Parliament last month, with it allowing member states to send asylum seekers to third-country detention centres if their applications have been rejected

Tue, 07 Jul, 2026

Sir Jeffrey Donaldson court case
DUP urged to be 'open and transparent' amid new claims over Jeffrey Donaldson
North's first minister Michelle O’Neill said there were 'lots of questions' for the DUP to answer amid further claims of sexual assault against its former leader

Tue, 07 Jul, 2026

Mother and baby homes report
Mother and baby homes admissions in North 2,000 higher than first estimated
Inquiry found 'human rights abuses, degrading treatment, and forced separation of families are recurring and frequent' in evidence from survivors of the homes

Tue, 07 Jul, 2026

Rare shout of 'Mayo for Sam' in European Parliament as Taoiseach reminded of Cork defeat
Rare shout of 'Mayo for Sam' in European Parliament as Taoiseach reminded of Cork defeat
A Dutch MEP is backing Mayo after his country was paired with the western county during Ireland's EU Presidency

Tue, 07 Jul, 2026

Ulster Hume
John Hume prize to be established this year
Prize will be given to a European who has contributed to the values which John Hume advocated for and to the 'further development' of the EU

Tue, 07 Jul, 2026

Irish EU Presidency
Micheál Martin criticises EU for failing to pressure 'increasingly extreme' Israel government
Taoiseach addresses European Parliament on Tuesday amid criticism over presidency programme and for 'embracing the militarisation agenda'

Tue, 07 Jul, 2026

Government to ask civil servants to take more risks to progress critical infrastructure projects
Government to ask civil servants to take more risks to progress critical infrastructure projects
It means that public servants would be empowered to purchase land for the State before final approval for a project has been secured

Tue, 07 Jul, 2026

Taoiseach travels to Strasbourg to outline Ireland's priorities for EU presidency
Taoiseach travels to Strasbourg to outline Ireland's priorities for EU presidency
It is expected that Micheál Martin will focus on Ireland's three priorities for its EU presidency: Competitiveness, values, and security

Tue, 07 Jul, 2026

Social protection minister appeals to trade unions to join public sector pay talks
Social protection minister appeals to trade unions to join public sector pay talks
It comes after Siptu said it would ballot tens of thousands of public service members on strike action, blaming Government inaction on pay talks  

Mon, 06 Jul, 2026

Solar panels on residential roof in closeup shot.
Free solar panels and higher grants under new Government plan to reduce energy costs
The 'Irish Examiner' understands that the total costs of these measures could be in the region of €200m in a full calendar year.

Mon, 06 Jul, 2026

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

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