Latest news with #IndependentIreland
The Journal
a day ago
- Entertainment
- The Journal
Mayo Pride apologises for 'Child of Drag' post and has reviewed social media policy
AN ONLINE POST by the organisers behind the Mayo Pride parade, depicting a parody of the 'Child of Prague', was removed after a number of abusive comments were made in response to the joke. The Child of Prague statue is a religious icon associated with luck and good weather, particularly during Irish weddings. Traditionally, it's left out on the night before a wedding to ensure fine weather on the big day. Mayo Pride reposted images of the statue, created by a local artist, to seek good weather for its March in Westport last weekend. It renamed the statue the 'Child of Drag' in the post, which was removed a short time later. Mayo Pride said abusive comments had been made underneath the post, aimed at the event and its organisers. Organisers have reviewed their social media content policy framework after the post, it is understood. Image of the artwork, created by a local artist, which was posted by the event. Independent Ireland TD Ken O'Flynn said yesterday that he had been contacted about the posts, writing in a press release: 'As a gay man, a public representative, and a Catholic who holds the Church and my faith in great regard, I feel compelled to respond to recent developments surrounding Mayo Pride and its promotional material.' He said the use of the Child of Prague imagery was 'deliberately provocative' adding that the image was 'insensitive and counterproductive'. Advertisement 'This isn't about being conservative or reactionary,' O'Flynn said. 'It's about recognising that symbols of faith matter. They are not just artistic props.' O'Flynn noted he supports the right of every person to 'live freely, openly, and without fear'. He said: 'I know, personally and professionally, the importance of Pride. It is more than a celebration; it is a statement of visibility, dignity, and equality. 'But Pride must also be underpinned by responsibility and respect — especially in a country where faith and identity are deeply intertwined.' Mayo Pride told The Journal that it did not create or commission the artwork in the online post, but recognised that the Child of Prague is a 'deeply meaningful religious figure'. 'While the image was shared in a spirit of fun, not mockery, we apologise for any genuine hurt it may have caused,' organisers said. 'We've been in contact directly with members of the local religious community and appreciate the respectful and thoughtful conversations we've had. They have, in true Christian spirit, fully accepted our apology,' they added. Organisers of the event said they had previously been subjected to a barrage of anti-LGBTQ+ messages from people online over the decision to host an event at Croagh Patrick, a national heritage and Christian pilgrimage site. They added: 'Let us be clear: Croagh Patrick is a national heritage site, open to all. It is important to all of us in the West of Ireland, including the many Christian LGBTQ+ people and their families who call this beautiful county home. 'Our walk has always taken place with reverence and care. We belong here. Mayo is our county. Croagh Patrick is our heritage.' The Mayo Pride Parade event was held in Westport on Saturday. While heavy winds created 'testing conditions' for some of the performers on stage and people who set up gazeboes, the remained largely dry for the day. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Irish Times
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Times
Miriam Lord's week: Influencer Richie Herlihy's foul-mouthed review of Dáil restaurant leaves a bad taste
The Dáil's Regional Independent Group has lodged a complaint to the Ceann Comhairle and the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission after a social media influencer posted a foul-mouthed and scathing review of the meal he was served in the Dáil members' restaurant while there as the guest of an Independent Ireland TD. Cork-based content creator Richie Herlihy, who robustly reviews spice boxes and other takeaway favourites for his online platforms, visited Leinster House a month ago on the invitation of Cork North Central TD, Ken O'Flynn. On the day, Deputy O'Flynn told the Dáil his friend, who also runs a food truck, 'has the best battered sausage in Cork'. After his visit, the comedian/influencer uploaded a video on Facebook , TikTok and Instagram. The visit also featured on Independent Ireland's social media feeds. READ MORE Richie began by giving a plug to the menswear shop in Cork where he picked his new suit for the occasion. And he said there was 10 per cent off everything in the shop for his followers (126,000 and counting on TikTok and 85,000 on Facebook). Then he meets Ken 'the legend himself', who is seen showing him around the place. He loved that, as he also loved the 'as creamy as they f***in' get' pints served in the bar. He didn't like the food, though. Taking photographs and videos without permission is prohibited in the public areas of Leinster House, including the bars and restaurants. There are strict rules around this, although in recent years, as everyone has a mobile phone, an unspoken tolerance has developed for people taking discreet pictures for personal use. Richie's visit, though, was something of a production. He set up a camera with a microphone attached on a tripod beside his table in the restaurant where he sat next to Ken O'Flynn. A friend simultaneously recorded the scene on his phone. The camera zoomed in on his chicken liver pate and an opinion was given. 'Like dog food' with 'burnt' toast, which was 'actually f***in' soggy' like it was 'cooked on a radiator'. As for his chicken curry. 'I'd say Micheál Martin cooked this yoke anyway because I've had better microwaved dinners out of Lidl. Absolute garbage, chicken tough as a badger's arse.' Could they not get it right 'with all the money [they] waste up in the f***in' Dáil . . . absolute sh***.' There were scenes of banter with Ken in his office, and as Richie walked the corridors he commented for his followers: 'There's a smell of vermin in here, vermin in the f**kin' hallways!'. Richie said Ken treated him like gold and all the TDs he met were very nice. He met none of the TDs he wouldn't get along with, but if he had, he would have given them a piece of his mind. As he was leaving, the content creator talked about having to wash the 'smell of vermin' out of his suit 'because of the other rats that are in there'. The video upset the hard-working catering staff in particular. The politicians were angered on their behalf and they weren't amused by the references to vermin either. The video was deleted soon afterwards but it is still doing the rounds on Kildare Street. Staffers are still very annoyed about it. This prompted the Regional Group to lodge a formal complaint and request that Deputy O'Flynn apologise to the catering staff. The group comprises the Lowry TDs, Danny Healy-Rae, Mattie McGrath, Carol Nolan and those junior ministers previously attached to the group. Minister of State Noel Grealish said he sat down and spoke to the staff because 'they were extremely upset' over the video. 'They take pride in their job and they take pride in the quality of the food they produce.' Meanwhile, Mattie McGrath took the issue to the floor of the Dáil on Wednesday when he called for an apology from Ken O'Flynn, who hosted the influencer. 'A deputy brought an outside person into this House with a tripod and camera. That person made appalling videos and denigrated the excellent staff of this House in the restaurant and the excellent cuisine on offer there,' he told the Dáil. Meanwhile, there will be no apology from Richie Herlihy. 'These politicians should have more on their plate with the state they have the country in, instead of this handbags' he told us on Friday. 'I told the truth that day, food I got was shocking, and some of them politicians including Mattie McGrath should be busy working on the real problems in this country. There have been threats to public safety from the people they have let into Ireland. Should be more on their agenda to be keeping the Irish people safe than to be attacking me about a bit of banter with a bit of truth in it!' We were unable to contact Deputy O'Flynn. Emotive fox-hunting issue attracted outsiders to the Dáil, some of whom arrived on all fours Rural based TDs Danny Healy-Rae and Independent Ireland's Michael Collins were criticised on Wednesday for trying to stop the passage of a Bill to ban fox hunting at its first stage. Ruth Coppinger of People Before Profit introduced it in the Dáil. She was gobsmacked when the two deputies spoke against it and Danny called for a vote. It is common practice for Bills to go through on the nod for a full debate at the next stage. The Dublin West TD said it was 'unprecedented' for a TD to try to prevent a Bill from reaching second stage and a full airing in the Dáil. 'I have introduced many controversial things, as have other TDs, and I have never stopped a Bill from going to second stage. I have been told to put on the big-girl pants and allow debate, but here we have a stifling of the freedom of debate and freedom of speech.' Coppinger urged the Government not to back the call to block it . But Healy-Rae said he got calls 'from every corner of Kerry' asking him 'to ensure that we stop this at the start'. Farmers are losing hens and lambs to foxes, he said. 'They're all over the place. They're coming into towns and villages. They're in and out of bins and they're everywhere. They've completely taken over the place.' Collins said foxes are a danger to young lambs and native birds, and controls are needed for 'pests' such as the fox and the hare. People Before Profit TD Ruth Coppinger during a protest against fox hunting on Tuesday. Photograph: Gráinne Ní Aodha/PA Wire 'We have to have some kind of controls, because the next thing is you'll be inside here looking to see if we can protect the rat or the mouse or whatever. And nobody wants to protect the human being, that's the problem here.' As he spoke, a strange noise, like an animal bleating, came from the public gallery where anti-blood sports campaigners were sitting. Collins, a TD for Cork South-West, stopped and looked around. He said: 'Sorry, is that a lamb or what?' Meanwhile, the following evening, as the Dáil voted on whether or not to scupper legislation to outlaw the killing of foxes for 'sport' without a full hearing, one interested observer was spotted sitting stock still at a back door around the services side of the building, as if listening intently. The Bill passed to the next stage. And the little Leinster House fox hurried away. This fox had a particular interest in proceedings at Leinster House Turning the page from one generation of political journalist to the next A big crowd escaped from Leinster House after the weekly voting bloc on Wednesday and streamed down the road towards Hodges Figgis bookshop for the launch of Gavan Reilly's latest opus: The Secret Life of Leinster House. Among the TDs was Government-supporting Independent Barry Heneghan, currently sans moustache, but that could change by next week. Barry was in good form, having just voted against the Government and in favour of Sinn Féin's pro-Palestine Bill seeking to prevent the Irish Central Bank from facilitating the sale of Israeli bonds in the European Union. Veteran newsman and political commentator Sean O'Rourke did the honours at the launch in a lengthy and entertaining speech on how political journalism has changed down through the years. He drew on his own early years with the Irish Press group, focusing on one particular day in the 1980s when the Evening Press released three editions. The early edition trumpeted that Fianna Fáil minister Séamus Brennan was 'on the brink' of resigning. The next edition, a couple of hours later, had 'pressure' mounting on Séamus to go. And the headline on the final, late evening edition, announced that Brennan was staying on. Gavan, whose wife Ciara is a daughter of former GAA president and Kilkenny hurling great Nicky Brennan, could not have spoken for as long as Sean even if he wanted to. Midway through his speech he realised he forgot to order the takeaway for the babysitter and wrapped things up pretty sharpish after that. 'This book will provide an important public service,' said our own Pat Leahy in his review last week. The Secret Life of Leinster House (published by Gill Books at €17.99) clips along at a fair pace and does a good job of explaining for outsiders and aspiring anoraks how the whole place does or doesn't work. Committee meetings could be blink-and-you-miss-it affairs if early indications are accurate The committees are cranking into action after a much-delayed start and a lot of fuss over who would get those coveted committee chairs. The lesser vice-chair prizes are now being decided. This week, the Health Committee voted on a deputy for Pádraig Rice, Social Democrats TD for Cork South-Central. There were two contenders: Fine Gael's Colm Burke from across the way in Cork North-Central and Martin Daly, Fianna Fáil TD for Roscommon-Galway. Colm was a minister of state at the Department of Health in the last government, while Martin, a first-time deputy, is a GP based in Galway and a former president of the Irish Medical Organisation. He is Fianna Fáil's spokesperson on health. Dr Daly, with his extensive experience in the medical world, was seen as favourite for the position. But Colm, who was an MEP and then a senator before he was elected to the Dáil in 2020, proved a very strong campaigner. He got the job, thanks to support from Sinn Féin. A thank-you, perhaps, for Colm signing a cross-party letter sent by Sinn Féin to the Minister for Housing urging him to release immediate funding for the Tenant in Situ Scheme in Cork city. The scheme allows councils to buy rental properties when landlords put them on the market. Colm was the only Government TD to sign the letter. Timing will be a major bone of contention at forthcoming committee meetings. In its desire to please everyone and come up with all sorts of new committees on all sorts of subjects, the time available for sittings has been truncated. Too many com-mit-tees and not enough meeting rooms or staff to cope. This explains why the much-anticipated meeting of RTÉ and the Media Committee was conducted at a breakneck pace by chairman Alan Kelly. They could have gone on for hours, but in a lucky break for RTÉ, this wasn't possible. He had to be out of the room after 2½ hours — and that included their private session — to make way for the daintily titled Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure, Public Service Reform, Digitalisation, and Taoiseach.
Agriland
7 days ago
- Politics
- Agriland
Fox hunting bill passes first stage of voting in Dáil
The bill seeking to ban fox hunting in Ireland passed the first stage of voting in the Dáil, by a margin of 113 – 49, yesterday, May 28. People Before Profit-Solidarity TD Ruth Coppinger introduced the bill to amend the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 to specify that 'fox hunting and related practices are banned and therefore cannot be considered as lawful hunting'. A bill must pass through five stages in both the Dáil and Seanad before it can be enacted. The fox hunting bill will now move onto the second stage of the proceedings. This is where the general principles of the bill are debated, and provides TDs the opportunity to discuss what the bill contains, and what might be included in a relevant way. Deputy Coppinger told the Dáil that Ireland has 'become an outlier' as fox hunting is banned in England, Scotland and Wales. 'I believe fox hunting is a cruel and inhumane so-called blood sport. It clearly causes unnecessary suffering. 'Packs of dogs chasing after a fox relentlessly is obviously a very stressful and unnatural situation,' the Dublin West TD said. Deputy Coppinger said that in 1998 a code of conduct was approved by a minister for fox hunting packs. However, she said this has 'eliminated none of the cruelty that makes fox hunting one of Ireland's most inhumane activities'. 'Foxes are still dug out of the ground and tracked by trained terriers. Foxes are still chased by packs of dogs, sometimes for hours, and torn apart when caught. 'If a domestic animal were treated in this way, there would be an outcry,' she said. Fox hunting Independent Ireland TD Michael Collins, and Independent TD, Danny Healy-Rae both opposed the bill. Deputy Collins said that 'foxes are classified as a pest species', with up to 200,000 of the animals currently in the country. 'We need to have some kind of control, because the next thing we will be in here seeing if we can protect the rat, the mouse, or whatever. Nobody wants to protect the human beings; that is the problem from what I can see here,' he said. 'Foxes pose huge threats to farmers. If Deputy Coppinger had been brought up in a rural area, she would understand that. How many times have I heard down through the years that a fox had broken into a hen yard and destroyed every hen in the yard? 'They are also a threat to our native birds and young lambs. We need to have controls for foxes and hares. We should not be afraid to say that in this house. Independent Ireland will certainly be opposing the bill going forward,' he added.
Agriland
28-05-2025
- Politics
- Agriland
2 TDs oppose proposed bill to ban fox hunting
People Before Profit-Solidarity TD Ruth Coppinger has introduced a bill seeking to ban fox hunting in Ireland in the Dáil. The bill aims to amend the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 to specify that 'fox hunting and related practices are banned and therefore cannot be considered as lawful hunting'. Deputy Coppinger told the Dáil that Ireland has 'become an outlier' as fox hunting is banned in England, Scotland and Wales. 'I believe fox hunting is a cruel and inhumane so-called blood sport. It clearly causes unnecessary suffering. 'Packs of dogs chasing after a fox relentlessly is obviously a very stressful and unnatural situation,' the Dublin West TD said. Fox hunting Deputy Coppinger said that in 1998 a code of conduct was approved by a minister for fox hunting packs. However, she said this has 'eliminated none of the cruelty that makes fox hunting one of Ireland's most inhumane activities'. 'Foxes are still dug out of the ground and tracked by trained terriers. Foxes are still chased by packs of dogs, sometimes for hours, and torn apart when caught. 'If a domestic animal were treated in this way, there would be an outcry,' she said. A protest outside Dáil Éireann to coincide with the introduction of the bill calling for a ban on fox hunting. Source: Ruth Coppinger on X The TD told the Dáil that there is public support in both urban and rural areas to ban fox hunting, citing a Red C poll. 'Fox hunting has been banned for over two decades in Britain. I fail to understand why anyone would defend it here. 'The fox is a mammal native to Ireland and is part of Ireland's biodiversity. Fox hunting is of no benefit to anybody,' she added. Opposition Two TDs indicated that they would be opposing the bill, with Deputy Coppinger stating that this was 'unprecedented'. 'I have introduced many controversial things, as have other TDs, and I have never stopped a bill from going to second stage. 'I have been told to put on the big-girl pants and allow debate, but here we have a stifling of the freedom of debate and freedom of speech. I ask TDs and the government to reject the call to stop the bill progressing,' she said. Independent Ireland TD Michael Collins said that 'foxes are classified as a pest species', with up to 200,000 of the animals currently in the country. 'We need to have some kind of control, because the next thing we will be in here seeing if we can protect the rat, the mouse, or whatever. Nobody wants to protect the human beings; that is the problem from what I can see here,' he said. 'Foxes pose huge threats to farmers. If Deputy Coppinger had been brought up in a rural area, she would understand that. How many times have I heard down through the years that a fox had broken into a hen yard and destroyed every hen in the yard? 'They are also a threat to our native birds and young lambs. We need to have controls for foxes and hares. We should not be afraid to say that in this house. Independent Ireland will certainly be opposing the bill going forward,' he added. Deputy Collins said that under current regulations there are potential punishments for animal welfare violations including substantial fines and jail terms. Independent Kerry TD Danny Healy-Rae said he had been contacted 'from every corner of Kerry' by people wanting to stop this bill. 'All of us living in rural parts of Ireland know the damage that the fox has done and is doing. The numbers have increased to a massive amount altogether,' he said. The TD said that he was 'certainly opposing this bill' and would call for a vote. Government chief whip Mary Butler said that 'as is normally the case with private members' business, the bill will not be opposed on first stage'. 'That is the process. If and when the bill is listed for second stage, like all other private members' business, the government will then consider the matter at that point,' she added. Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy postponed the matter until tonight (Wednesday, May 28).
Irish Examiner
27-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Examiner
100% mortgages would drive up house prices, Central Bank warns
Celtic Tiger-era 100% mortgages would drive up house prices and increase risks to borrowers and banks, the Central Bank has warned. Mark Cassidy, the Central Bank's director of financial stability, warned TDs and senators at the Oireachtas housing committee against the return of 100% mortgages. 'We think that would be a bad idea,' Mr Cassidy said. It would add to demand without any impact on supply and therefore add to prices. 'More fundamentally, it increases the risk for borrowers and for banks.' Banks introduced 100% mortgages during the Celtic Tiger period, but more recent Central Bank rules do not allow either 100% or 95% mortgages to be given out. Current rules require borrowers to have a 10% deposit in order to obtain a mortgage. Mr Cassidy said reintroducing 100% mortgages would increase the risk of default, if a household's income fell. He added that, if house prices fall, homeowners would immediately fall into negative equity and would be likely to 'get into financial distress'. 'We believe a minimum of a 10% deposit remains necessary for either first time borrowers or existing borrowers,' he added. 'We would be confident that 100% mortgages are overly risky, both from the perspective of the borrower and the perspective of the bank.' The matter was raised by a number of TDs and senators during the meeting, who questioned whether it would be possible to allow for the reintroduction of 100% mortgage products. It comes as Independent Ireland has called for the reintroduction of 100% mortgages, saying that many tenants are able to pay more in rent than they would need for monthly mortgage repayments. The Central Bank was also critical of Government plans to consider expanding the First Home shared equity scheme to second-hand homes. Robert Kelly, the Central Bank's director of economics and statistics, warned against the measure. 'The challenge in front of us, it's mainly supply. The current scheme works through pushing up demand and house prices, creating more additional funding for them to buy houses so it stimulates supply. 'I don't see how applying that to the second-hand housing market would achieve that. I think the net effect of that would be additional demand, which would likely feed its way into house prices as opposed to creating large amounts of supply.'
