Latest news with #Aontu
Belfast Telegraph
4 days ago
- Politics
- Belfast Telegraph
Aontu deputy leader accuses Sinn Fein of ‘smoke and mirrors' tactics over voting rights bill
Gemma Brolly calls on party to explain why it hasn't backed presidential election proposals Aontu is calling on Sinn Fein to explain why it hasn't signed a bill in the Dail to give Irish citizens living in Northern Ireland the right to vote in the Republic's presidential election. The party's deputy leader, Gemma Brolly, said she was 'hugely frustrated' at Sinn Fein's failure so far to respond to correspondence from Aontu leader Peadar Toibin on the issue. Sinn Fein has been contacted for comment.
Irish Daily Mirror
25-05-2025
- Health
- Irish Daily Mirror
Semi-synthetic cannabis will be criminalised 'within weeks'
Semi-synthetic cannabis will be criminalised and made a Schedule 1 drug 'within weeks', Health Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill has confirmed. It follows a call from doctors to outlaw the drugs, which are commonly obtained in vape form, following a rise in their popularity among teenagers and young people. Aontu TD Paul Lawless asked Minister Carroll MacNeill the date for when legislation will classify hexahydrocannabinol, known as HHC, as a schedule 1 controlled drug under the Misuse of Drugs legislative framework, with a particular focus on its use in vaping and the risks of accessibility to minors. The Minister confirmed the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2017 will be 'amended to include HHC as a Schedule 1 drug subject to the strictest levels of control'. She added: 'While I cannot put a precise date on this, I expect it to happen within the next weeks.' Controlled drugs in Schedule 1 have the most restrictions on them because of their strong potential for abuse. Other Schedule 1 drugs include heroin, LSD, marijuana, MDMA and ecstasy. Deputy Lawless told us he welcomed the impending ban as he questioned how these products were being marketed to young people. He said: 'I welcome the news that the government will classify HHC as a controlled drug but we also need legislation to deal with how these products are marketed. 'They're being displayed like sweets in a sweetshop. The HHC vapes are brightly coloured and with scents of cotton candy and bubblegum. They are strategically designed to get children and young people hooked on them at an early age. 'These companies know what they're doing and there needs to be legislation to deal with this. When a young person in Mayo says HHC has torn their life apart, we have to listen. 'The fact that this substance can still be bought legally across the country is deeply alarming. The Government has a responsibility to act swiftly.'
The Irish Sun
24-05-2025
- Politics
- The Irish Sun
‘Absolutely disgraceful', rages TD over ‘sex slave' Islamic preacher banned from UK hosting 3-hour talk in Ireland
AN ISLAMIC preacher banned from the UK who claims it is lawful to have sex with female slaves captured in war is set to host an event in Dublin today. Uthman ibn Farooq had lined up a speaking tour of Advertisement But his three-hour talk in Aontu leader Peadar Toibin told the Irish Sun that he believes the remarks from Mr Farooq, who is based in The TD said: 'The views being articulated in terms of slaves or those who've been captured in 'I am a supporter of free speech but free speech does not include incitement to violence and the authorities must prevent this happening.' Advertisement READ MORE IN IRISH NEWS Britain's Home Secretary Yvette Cooper decided that his presence in the A Home Office spokesman said: 'Our priority remains maintaining the safety and security of the UK and our communities. We have robust safeguards to ensure that all available measures are used to refuse entry to those intending to sow hatred and division in our communities. We make no apology for this.' In a He replied: 'Allah made [it] that those people taken under a war as captives, who were trying to kill you, [who] you're now going to support and keep in your house and spend [ Advertisement Most read in Irish News 'This is somebody who you can have those relationships with. So if Allah made it hala [lawful], then it's not sinning, that is not adultery because Allah made it.' His EVENT BILLING It is being billed as 'a powerful, one-day event on reclaiming your faith and escaping spiritual darkness'. The advertising boasts: 'Shaykh Uthman ibn Farooq brings a gripping journey from heedlessness to faith in this exclusive Dublin event.' Advertisement Ticket information online states that all ages are welcome and that 'separate seating for men and women' is available. On a previous visit to Britain last month, Mr Farooq told a mosque audience in Birmingham that Groups in the UK welcomed the preacher's ban there, including Fiyaz Mughal, the founder of Faith Matters and Tell Mama which supports victims of anti- A spokesperson for Trinity College said: "I can confirm that this event was organised by a student society. We have no further comment." Advertisement 1 Uthman ibn Farooq was refused entry to the UK by the British government
RTÉ News
24-05-2025
- Politics
- RTÉ News
Aontú set for Árd Fheis in Co Meath
Members of Aontú will gather for the party's Árd Fheis in Co Meath today. Public service accountability, immigration, housing, and what the party has termed "common sense political reform" are among the issues expected to be discussed. Aontu, which now holds two Dáil seats, one in the Seanad and eight in local authorities, is expecting as many as 400 people to attend the event. Among the most high-profile issues likely to be raised will be what Aontú says is the "glacial" pace of delivery on projects such as the national children's hospital. An early morning session on the international protection system for people seeking asylum in Ireland, which party leader Peadar Tóibín this week described as "chaotic", is likely to gain attention... Aontu's ard fheis will end after Mr Tóibín's key note speech this evening, which will be broadcast live on RTÉ One after the Six One News, with a simultaneous ISL version on the RTÉ News Channel.
The Irish Sun
22-05-2025
- Health
- The Irish Sun
‘Great frustration' – National Children's Hospital won't treat patients until June 2026 after 15 delays on €2.24bn build
THE first patients will not be treated in Ireland's new €2.24 billion National Children's Hospital until at least June 2026. The infamous project has been delayed 15 TIMES with cost overruns spiralling out of control. Advertisement 2 Images of the inside of the new hospital Credit: PR Handout image 2 The hospital has faces 15 delays - and now won't treat patients until at least June 2026 Credit: PR Handout image The development board of the new hospital is locked in legal disputes with builder BAM over a series of financial claims. Today the Dail Public Accounts Committee was told the new And officials admitted that they could not pledge that this will be the final delay to the botched project. Children's Health Ireland Chief Executive Lucy Nugent said: 'The best optimum date would be the end of June of 2026.' Advertisement READ MORE ON IRISH NEWS The committee also heard from the chief Executive of the National Paediatric Hospital Development Board, David Gunning. He said: 'This further delay is a cause of great frustration.' It is the Gunning told the committee the contractor maintains the delays are caused by design change, but he disagreed with this. Advertisement MOST READ IN THE IRISH SUN He estimated that it was costing €2 million per month of delay. Amid outcry, Opposition parties today blasted the Government over the shocking cost overruns for the new National Children's Hospital and yet another delay in its completion. HEATED DEBATE Tanaiste Under fierce questioning from Aontu's Peadar Toibin during Leaders' Questions in the Dail, Harris said: 'Of course I am responsible. I am responsible for bringing the decision to cabinet. I am going to be responsible for a world class facility.' Advertisement Harris fired back at Toibin, snapping: 'Nobody gets everything right in politics…as you sit over there and correct everybody's homework.' The Fine Gael leader continued: 'You rehearsed your lines that you must practice in front of the mirror in the morning. I am responsible, of course I am responsible. "I am responsible for bringing the proposal to cabinet, I am responsible for recommending we proceed. 'BLAME-SHIFTING' "And the easiest thing to do in politics if you don't want to get into any challenging situation is never make a decision. Advertisement 'I am also going to be responsible for a world class facility, we are going to be responsible for transforming children's healthcare.' But Toibin fumed that Harris was like 'an under-pressure estate agent furiously trying to sell an over-priced, extortionate, exorbitant hospital to an increasingly angry population'. The Aontu boss described the NCH as 'a monument to Fianna Fail and Fine Gael waste and blame-shifting." And Toibin told Harris: 'Your fingers are all over this … accountability and yourself are like oil and water.' Advertisement
