In a recent forum attended by global leaders, Sinn Féin’s leaders refrained from addressing the Palestine issue, focusing solely on Northern Ireland’s investment concerns. This unexpected silence drew widespread criticism and accusations of hypocrisy. While restrictions may have limited Northern Ireland’s rulers from raising the Palestine issue, Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald faced no … Read more
The Cabinet is set to approve laws to ban the sale of e-cigarettes to under 18. The legislation – which is expected to be passed this summer – would also limit where e-cigarettes can be sold. Additionally, it would limit who is allowed to sell vaping products, prohibiting them from vending machines and kid-friendly events. … Read more
The Department of Foreign Affairs is organising an evacuation of 125 Irish nationals from Sudan. Fighting between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary RSF organisation has resulted in hundreds of deaths. Micheál Martin, the minister of foreign affairs, said he is “deeply concerned” and is looking for international allies’ help to evacuate Irish residents. Aidan … Read more
The replacement of the government jet has been officially announced by Tánaiste and Minister for Defense Micheál Martin. The Learjet 45, purchased in 2004, is “approaching its natural end of life,” according to Mr. Martin, who told the Dáil that he had accepted his officials’ recommendation to purchase a new one. “Ultimately, the State needs … Read more
The Department of Foreign Affairs provided consular assistance in 1,504 new cases in 2022, in addition to the consular support that is being provided to others on an ongoing basis. Reflecting the resumption of international travel, last year saw a 21% overall increase in newly recorded consular cases, including a 55% increase in deaths of … Read more
Indian-Origin Leo Varadkar has formally taken over as Ireland’s Taoiseach for the second time after receiving the seal of office from the President. In a rotation between his Fine Gael and Martin’s Fianna Fail parties that was unprecedented in Irish history, Varadkar took over as Taoiseach from Michael Martin. The two main parties in a … Read more
Following a vote in the Dáil, Leo Varadkar will succeed Micheál Martin as Taoiseach today. Mr. Martin will submit his resignation to President Michael D. Higgins this morning. These changes of roles at the top of Government are in keeping with the agreement underpinning the coalition. The Dáil is expected to vote to nominate Mr. … Read more
Micheál Martin is set to make his last trip as Taoiseach to Brussels today for a summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) leaders and their EU counterparts. He will also attend a meeting of the European Council, beginning on Thursday. Speaking ahead of the meetings, the Taoiseach said: “Recent years have shown … Read more
Taoiseach Micheál Martin has stated that those who use pay-as-you-go electricity and gas would not be disconnected if they are unable to fill up their meters. It comes just days after Tánaiste Leo Varadkar informed the Dáil that for pay-as-you-go consumers, a moratorium on utility disconnections due to non-payment would be impossible to implement. The … Read more
In his speech to the Fianna Fáil Ard Fheis, Micheál Martin has said the Leaving Cert has to be reformed and has warned some price rises in recent months will be permanent. According to the Irish Examiner, in his closing address, he addressed Covid-19, health, housing, education, cost of living, climate, culture, and identity. He … Read more
Johnson & Johnson Vision Care Ireland has announced a €100m investment in Limerick. The firm, which is a division of Johnson & Johnson MedTech, will use the investment to expand its existing site in Plassey, Limerick. The company’s ongoing investment in Ireland will also result in the creation of up to 80 additional jobs. The … Read more
Minister Robert Troy has resigned as a Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, after he failed to declare all details of his properties to the Dáil register of members’ interests. In a statement issued this evening, he said: “I am issuing this statement as a serving TD for the constituency of … Read more
The Taoiseach has released four white-tailed sea eagle chicks into the wild as part of a long-term initiative to re-establish a population of the once-extinct native bird. These white-tailed Eagle chicks arrived at Kerry Airport on Friday, July 1st this year, as part of a long-term wildlife reintroduction project. The 2022 phase of this landmark … Read more
Chinese video-sharing platform TikTok has announced that it plans to create an additional 1,000 workers to bolster its Irish operation. At the beginning of this year, the company employed more than 2,000 staff in Ireland. It established its Irish operation in Dublin in 2018. The news was shared with the Taoiseach and IDA Ireland CEO … Read more
The Taoiseach Micheál Martin travelled to Lebanon to visit members of the Irish Defence Forces. On Sunday Micheál Martin laid a wreath in the southern Lebanese town of Tibnine in memory of the 47 members of the Defence Forces who have lost their lives serving in the country. Speaking to reporters following the ceremony, Martin … Read more