politics

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

Gerry Adams civil court case
Sinn Féin TD unaware party MP was considered as legal representative for Daniel Kinahan
Matt Carthy also said he was unaware of reports that the Sinn Féin MP and solicitor met with Mr Kinahan while in prison.

Tue, 18 Aug, 2026

Crash on M9 in Co Kildare
M9 crash: Wrong-way motorway driving could become standalone criminal offence
Five teenagers were killed after they drove a stolen car the wrong way down the M9 on Sunday, injuring four others after hitting a car

Tue, 18 Aug, 2026

Transport authority doesn't have 'sufficient funding' to expand public transport services
Transport authority doesn't have 'sufficient funding' to expand public transport services
Data also shows that just €156m was spent on BusConnects last year, down from €234m in 2024, and €199m in 2025

Mon, 17 Aug, 2026

Afghanistan
Ireland did not take part in talks with Taliban — justice minister
Jim O’Callaghan confirms controversial meeting with Afghanistan's extremist leadership took place under auspices of previous EU presidency

Sun, 16 Aug, 2026

Michael Healy-Rae: Danny's actions were 'like a scud missile'
Michael Healy-Rae: Danny's actions were 'like a scud missile'
Former junior minister tells RTÉ documentary on the crisis in the Kerry political dynasty that his brother 'effectively sacked' him

Sun, 16 Aug, 2026

Housing stock
Housing department rejects claim tenant-in-situ scheme has been 'demoted'
Green TD and councillor in war of words with Department of Housing which says local authority purchasing tool 'is not a scheme'

Sun, 16 Aug, 2026

Sad boy standing alone in the hallway
Emergency homelessness spending hits €449m as housing crisis deepens
Government figures show emergency accommodation costs have doubled since 2021 as thousands remain without permanent homes

Sat, 15 Aug, 2026

Mary Lou McDonald interview
Further pressure on Taoiseach to intervene on provision of Skyclarys
Letters from 47 Fianna Fáil TDs, senators, and MEPs were sent on Thursday to Health Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, Mr Martin, Tánaiste Simon Harris, and HSE chief executive Ann O'Connor

Fri, 14 Aug, 2026

Friedrich Merz visit to Ireland
Taoiseach urged to act after HSE group recommends against funding Skyclarys for Friedreich’s Ataxia
The HSE Drugs Group cited uncertainties over efficacy and the drug's price ahead of a final reimbursement decision later this month

Fri, 14 Aug, 2026

Skyclarys: Senior Fianna Fáil members urge Government to overrule HSE on life-saving drug
Skyclarys: Senior Fianna Fáil members urge Government to overrule HSE on life-saving drug
Cork dad Craig Coady lost his son Rory (13) to Friedrich’s ataxia in September. His 16-year-old son, Paudie, also has the condition.

Thu, 13 Aug, 2026

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

Latest

Most Read

Cookie Policy Privacy Policy Brand Safety FAQ Help Contact Us Terms and Conditions

© Examiner Echo Group Limited