politics

Sleeping Bag, Home Of The Homeless. Image shot 2007. Exact date unknown.
Government to spend €2.4bn on homelessness in six years, with just 6% going to prevention
New figures show €1.89bn was spent between 2020 and 2025, while record numbers entered emergency accommodation and prevention received little funding

Thu, 29 Oct, 2026

Tenancy Agreement
Short-term lets in areas of high demand could house almost 50,000 people, report finds
'Ban on commercial tourism short-term lets would see a higher number of units returning as housing stock'

Wed, 28 Oct, 2026

No timeline for media minister Patrick O’Donovan’s return to work
No timeline for media minister Patrick O’Donovan’s return to work
Mr O’Donovan took ill at an EU telecommunications ministers meeting at the University of Limerick earlier this month

Wed, 28 Oct, 2026

Spermatozoons, floating to ovule
Regulator for fertility services plans to start selecting board by end of year
Assisted Human Reproduction Regulatory Authority had been expected to begin work much earlier

Wed, 28 Oct, 2026

General Election Ireland 2024
Sinn Féin TD backs Ó Snodaigh who chairs charity in money laundering probe
The Charities Regulator cited concerns about directors’ oversight as the High Court moved to place the organisation under independent control

Wed, 28 Oct, 2026

Irish Budget 2027
Jack Chambers: Government to seek productivity reforms in public sector pay talks
'There will be proposals around reform and productivity, and they’ll be discussed, and hopefully agreed between all sides, as well as agreement on a wider public sector pay deal itself'

Wed, 28 Oct, 2026

Irish Budget 2027
Tánaiste denies asking Patrick O’Donovan to resign after phone call before minister fell ill
Simon Harris dismissed reports of a tense exchange, denied briefing a newspaper about the minister and said his return would depend on medical advice

Wed, 28 Oct, 2026

Irish Budget 2027
Harris set to add further €1bn to Future Ireland Fund
Tánaiste Simon Harris, who returned from paternity leave yesterday, will also update Cabinet on several reforms in relation to Home Building Finance Ireland.

Wed, 28 Oct, 2026

Sinn Féin proposes long-term residency permit as alternative to citizenship
Sinn Féin proposes long-term residency permit as alternative to citizenship
The proposal would provide them with the right to work, while also providing access to public services like healthcare and education

Wed, 28 Oct, 2026

Fianna Fail think in - Tullamore
Taoiseach will not instruct justice minister on resolving legal aid dispute
"I think the minister has detailed knowledge of the situation, and he is engaging this week," said Micheál Martin on Jim O'Callaghan's efforts to resolve the long-running legal aid fees dispute.

Tue, 27 Oct, 2026

International Artificial Intelligence Summit 2026, Dublin
Higgins comments on triple lock and neutrality 'unfair', says Taoiseach
Taoiseach Micheál Martin rejected recent comments from former President Michael D Higgins that Ireland may be "sliding into" military alliances such as Nato, saying: "We don't have the military capacity to be engaged in wars or taking sides in conflict. I would have thought that was apparent to most people."

Tue, 27 Oct, 2026

Theft of 36 computers from National Children's Hospital is 'latest debacle in the shambles'
Theft of 36 computers from National Children's Hospital is 'latest debacle in the shambles'
Áontú leader Peadar Tóibín asked: 'Will the State be at a loss for these thefts or will BAM cover the cost?' 

Tue, 27 Oct, 2026

Irish peacekeepers in Lebanon
Helen McEntee rejects triple lock 'rhetoric' following Michael D Higgins' comments
Former president claimed Ireland was 'sliding' into military alliances and criticised the Government’s move to end UN authorisation for foreign missions

Tue, 27 Oct, 2026

Lucas Counselling
Shortage of educational psychologists means almost one in five positions currently vacant
Not all schools have an assigned educational psychologist this year, education minister confirms

Tue, 27 Oct, 2026

Stock house building
Proposal seeks to give loans to small builders for land before they get permission to build houses
Tánaiste Simon Harris is expected to seek Cabinet approval this week for reforms to Home Building Finance Ireland

Tue, 27 Oct, 2026

The Copper Coast coastline
New investment fund to service sites for rural businesses
Updated strategy for rural Ireland to be launched, running until 2031, alongside action plan up to 2028

Tue, 27 Oct, 2026

Minister concerned at use of horse-drawn vehicles on roads
Minister concerned at use of horse-drawn vehicles on roads
Dáil heard a 'Wild West situation' had developed, where carriage drivers who meet  requirements under old by-laws were working alongside 'cowboys'

Mon, 26 Oct, 2026

Industrial strike
Planning and Development Act changes paused due to work-to-rule process
Some 24 parts of the act are yet to be enacted following directions to Fórsa members working in local authorities to 'withdraw all cooperation from any restructuring'

Mon, 26 Oct, 2026

Helen McEntee Helen McEntee comments
Defence Forces to be involved in 'peace enforcement' if Ireland joins EU's mission in Lebanon
Foreign affairs minister Helen McEntee wants Ireland to be involved in the recently sanctioned EU mission to provide support to the Lebanese Armed Forces

Sun, 25 Oct, 2026

Michael D Higgins warns Ireland is ‘sliding’ into military alliances over triple lock
Michael D Higgins warns Ireland is ‘sliding’ into military alliances over triple lock
The former president criticises proposed changes to Irish peacekeeping rules and raises concerns about Gaza, climate change and artificial intelligence

Sat, 24 Oct, 2026

Taoiseach rejects claims justice minister fuelled ‘pile-on’ over hugging grandparents ad
Taoiseach rejects claims justice minister fuelled ‘pile-on’ over hugging grandparents ad
The Taoiseach said the advertisement caused offence but was not intended to do so, as questions were raised over ministerial intervention

Fri, 23 Oct, 2026

RTE pay revelations
'Up to Ryan Tubridy' if he wants to run for Fianna Fáil, Micheál Martin says
Micheál Martin said Ryan Tubridy 'has the DNA. He has the interest'

Fri, 23 Oct, 2026

Cairde Fail president's dinner
Taoiseach rejects ‘megaphone rows’ with Cork University Hospital over staffing
The Taoiseach acknowledged increased staffing at the hospital after the health minister questioned its performance compared with Dublin hospitals

Fri, 23 Oct, 2026

Common conditions service launch
Scoliosis care inquiry will not 'solve complex service delivery problems', minister says
The Dáil heard that 'the concern here is that CHI senior decision-makers and those actions of people who are under scrutiny will not be required to account for themselves in the same public way'

Thu, 22 Oct, 2026

Fuel Support Scheme
'Crazy' to award €50m rail contract to company, says transport minister
Fundamental issues lie with the procurement process by Irish Rail, says Darragh O'Brien, adding that it is 'being addressed very seriously'

Thu, 22 Oct, 2026

Ukrainian families living in Trabolgan told they will no longer be allowed make their own food
Ukrainian families living in Trabolgan told they will no longer be allowed make their own food
Move to fully catered meals in the East Cork holiday village has caused 'considerable concern' among residents

Thu, 22 Oct, 2026

Simon Harris visit to Lebanon
Dáil votes to abolish the Triple Lock by 79 votes to 71 following hours of tetchy debates
The Triple Lock says a Government decision, Dáil approval, and a UN mandate are required to send more than 12 Defence Forces personnel overseas.

Wed, 21 Oct, 2026

'Government should consider introducing additional income protections for whistleblowers'
'Government should consider introducing additional income protections for whistleblowers'
Oireachtas committee told measure would 'incentivise people' to speak up on wrongdoing

Wed, 21 Oct, 2026

Brian Stack's family 'badly failed' by garda investigation into prison officer's murder, Taoiseach says
Brian Stack's family 'badly failed' by garda investigation into prison officer's murder, Taoiseach says
Micheál Martin has made a formal apology to the family of Brian Stack, who was shot by the Provisional IRA in Dublin in 1983 and died 18 months later

Wed, 21 Oct, 2026

Drumcree Orange Order parade
McDonald accuses Taoiseach of ‘profound betrayal’ over Triple Lock changes
The Government argues UN Security Council vetoes threaten Irish peacekeeping, while opposition TDs warn the proposed changes could undermine neutrality

Wed, 21 Oct, 2026

Waterford arson attack funeral
Plea for families facing drug-related intimidation to go to the gardaí 
Justice minister Jim O'Callaghan backed a Sinn Féin motion on the issue, saying a united response from Dáil Éireann was 'extremely important' 

Tue, 20 Oct, 2026

New Taoiseach appointed
Taoiseach threatens to disallow Dáil order of business amid 'constant heckling' 
Micheál Martin's criticism of 'constant heckling' from the opposition came after tense exchanges in the Dáil over plans to abolish the triple lock

Tue, 20 Oct, 2026

ONE PUNCH ASSAULTY COMMITTEE MEETING
Brother of man who died in one-punch assault says we must challenge toxic behaviours
Oireachtas justice committee hears as family members of victims of one-punch assaults seek sentencing framework for such attacks

Tue, 20 Oct, 2026

Irish Budget 2027
Patrick O'Donovan still in hospital, not expected back at work 'for another period'
Limerick TD, who was diagnosed with epilepsy around a decade ago, was rushed by ambulance to hospital after a suspected seizure last week

Tue, 20 Oct, 2026

Limerick mayoral election
Union leaders warn that greater use of AI risks shutting workers out
Committee told of report where employees said their pace of work intensified because of AI, with only 4.7% reporting any increase in their earnings for using AI

Tue, 20 Oct, 2026

Watch: Opposition TDs stage Dáil protest over Government plans to abolish Triple Lock
Watch: Opposition TDs stage Dáil protest over Government plans to abolish Triple Lock
Opposition parties want more time to scrutinise legislation removing the UN mandate requirement for overseas troop deployments, but the Government has refused

Tue, 20 Oct, 2026

Drumcree Orange Order parade
Triple Lock: Mary Lou McDonald calls for referendum on changes to Irish neutrality
Opposition figures have criticised the proposed removal of the UN mandate requirement and raised concerns about limited time for parliamentary scrutiny

Tue, 20 Oct, 2026

Stock house building
State to stop buying turnkey homes for social housing
No new turnkey acquisition proposals will be considered for funding by the Department of Housing after December 31, 2027

Tue, 20 Oct, 2026

Farrelly Commission's investigation report
Minister to postpone mandatory registration deadline for childminders
The European Commission previously noted in 2019 that Ireland was the only European country with a mostly unregulated childminding sector

Mon, 19 Oct, 2026

Simon Harris: 'Mothers do so much, us fathers need to be able to step up too'
Simon Harris: 'Mothers do so much, us fathers need to be able to step up too'
Tánaiste's third child Aoileen was born on October 3, just four days before Budget 2027

Mon, 19 Oct, 2026

Irish Cabinet meeting
Government's climate action plan to push for simplified grants
The plan, which includes 18 new climate priorities, is expected to be brought for Cabinet approval in the coming weeks

Mon, 19 Oct, 2026

Irish parliament
Four candidates vying for seat in Seanad by-election
Fianna Fáil is not fielding a candidate and is expected to back Fine Gael candidate

Fri, 16 Oct, 2026

Irish Budget 2027
Patrick O'Donovan 'heartened' by support as he continues to receive treatment in hospital
'Patrick has been incredibly open about the challenges he has faced with his health,' says Fine Gael leader Simon Harris

Fri, 16 Oct, 2026

Further public sector strike action to be announced on Monday, Fórsa chief says
Further public sector strike action to be announced on Monday, Fórsa chief says
Work-to-rule action continues as unions prepare for another day of pickets and a rally amid an ongoing pay dispute with Government.

Fri, 16 Oct, 2026

President Connolly criticises International Criminal Court sanctions
President Connolly criticises International Criminal Court sanctions
She argued that the displacement of 117.8 million people and the widening gap between rich and poor are being 'fuelled by the profits of the military industrial complex'

Fri, 16 Oct, 2026

Irish Budget 2027
Trepidation among TDs about Patrick O’Donovan's health after his latest scare
In June 2023, Patrick O’Donovan suddenly collapsed in the Dáil. This year the minister has had a number of health scares which has caused worries in the corridors of Leinster House

Fri, 16 Oct, 2026

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