Concern in Irish farming circles at EU's CAP plans
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Sunday World
2 hours ago
- Sunday World
Michael Flatley mulling over move to launch presidential campaign
"If I thought that I could be of benefit to the Irish people, and maybe more importantly, if I thought I could be a voice, a voice of the Irish people.' Michael Flatley has not ruled out a presidential bid and is consulting with 'a team of advisors' as he mulls over launching a campaign for the Áras. While the Riverdance star told The Brendan O'Connor Show on RTÉ Radio 1 that he has not yet made a decision and has not been approached by a political party, he said he has been 'approached by some very weighted individuals, people in the know'. "I've not made the decision, but I have a team of advisors that are advising me on this. And you know, for me, it wouldn't be – I mean, I have a huge business to run,' he said. "I have an army of dancers counting on me to make a living. I have a whiskey company, a beautiful young wife and son that I want to spend time with. Michael Flatley Today's News in 90 Seconds - July 19th "If I thought that I could be of benefit to the Irish people, and maybe more importantly, if I thought I could be a voice, a voice of the Irish people. Right now, I don't think they have a voice, not a true, proper, deep voice that, you know, that speaks their language.' He said he is 'blessed to meet the average person on the street' and often hears their concerns, adding: 'I'd be lying if I said they're happy right now, and somebody has to speak for the Irish people. "You know, I'm not sure we need another politician if I'm honest. I know it's a statesman's role, but I spent the last 30 years of my life touring the world, promoting Ireland and Irish culture. I've met them all. "I've met the Bushes, the Obamas, Trump, Putin. I've met the Clintons. I've met the King and Queen of England. I've met the King and Queen of Sweden and of Spain. I've met those people more to promote the country and I think maybe that's what the job of president is all about.' Asked whether he has been approached by a political party, Mr Flatley said: 'No, I have not, but I have been approached by some very weighted individuals, people in the know. "It's certainly not something that I've made any decision on. But it does get frustrating when you see the hard working Irish taxpayer working as hard out and having no say in things.' When it was put to him that he was 'absolutely' not ruling himself out of the race, he said: 'Let me finish with this, Brendan. Let it be said that I stand for Ireland and the Irish people. Sin é.' Former European Commissioner Mairead McGuinness will be formally ratified as the Fine Gael candidate at a party event in September, while Independent Galway West TD Catherine Connolly formally launched her presidential campaign this week. Fianna Fáil has yet to decide on a candidate, with former education minister Mary Hanafin saying it would be 'an insult' if the party did not have a name on the ballot. She said she would 'happily' contest the election, with Peter Power, the executive director at UNICEF another possible contender for Fianna Fáil to consider. Sinn Féin are also yet to make a decision, with party leader Mary Lou McDonald opening the door to a potential bid when she told reporters earlier this month that Sinn Féin 'are not ruling anything in or anything out'.
Irish Independent
11 hours ago
- Irish Independent
Pressure on gardaí to probe election fraud by ‘patsy' who worked at Healy-Rae company
Spotlight now on who asked David Moriarty to engage in voter impersonation Today at 00:30 He was just the patsy. But the instigators are still unknown. A polling card went missing from a tractor in Co Kerry last year ahead of the local and European elections.
Irish Independent
11 hours ago
- Irish Independent
Europeans have been ‘free-riding' on security from US, says Merz
The German chancellor met with UK prime minister Keir Starmer in England on Thursday to sign a treaty on a range of issues, such as defence and immigration. On his first trip to London as chancellor, Mr Merz described the Kensington treaty as historic. It is the first major bilateral agreement between the UK and Germany to deepen defence cooperation and boost economic growth in both nations. Russia's war in Ukraine has defined the first two months of Mr Merz's chancellorship, as has Donald Trump's tariffs on the EU. Mr Merz said he has met with Mr Trump three times now and they are 'on the same page' on Ukraine – both wanting to bring an end to the war. But he admitted that Europe had not historically funded its own security in the past. 'We know we have to do more on our own and we have been free-riders in the past,' he told the BBC. 'They're asking us to do more and we are doing more.' Asked about his relationship with Mr Trump, he said: 'We are on the phone once a week; we are co-ordinating our efforts. One issue is the war in Ukraine, and the second is our trade debates and tariffs.' 'We are seeing a big threat, and the threat is Russia.' Mr Merz said he would do 'whatever it takes' to boost Germany's defence spending and increase the size of its army. At a press conference on Thursday, Mr Merz and Mr Starmer discussed ways to boost European support for Ukraine, following Trump's announcement to bolster Kyiv's stockpile by selling American weapons to Nato allies who would in turn send arms to Kyiv. Mr Merz said they had discussed Ukraine's need for long-range strike systems, which he called 'long range fire'. 'Ukraine will soon receive substantial additional support in this area,' he said. The treaty includes a clause on mutual assistance which, 'in light of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, is highly significant', a German official said this week. He said that 'above all, we need clarity on how weapons systems that are given up from the European side will be replaced by the US.'
