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Irish Times
4 days ago
- Politics
- Irish Times
The Ministerial phones are off and the bags are packed. You couldn't begrudge them the holiday
'He's away,' came the reply from the Minister's number. 'I have his phone.' Wise man. Time to pack up for a few weeks. Leinster House is already a ghost town. There'll be a 'fairly perfunctory' Cabinet meeting on Tuesday with a few bits and that's it. With an election looming, the political class didn't get much of a break last summer. At Christmas, there was a government to be formed. So lots and lots of people in all parties and none, and the people who work for them, are looking forward to the summer break. It got under way this week and will definitively start this weekend. For many, it'll be the first proper holiday in two years. No wonder they're leaving the phones behind. READ MORE It has been a peculiar, frazzled political term since the Coalition was formed six months ago. Its genesis was bathed in controversy over the role of Michael Lowry and the nature of the deals – including changes to the Dáil standing orders – cut with the Independents . At the time, there was much hyperventilating about the threat to Irish democracy presented by the new administration. Those claims look a little hysterical in hindsight. How much time and effort did we all waste on them? Other charges laid against the new administration hold more water. It could hardly be said that the new Government hit the ground running; at times it barely seemed to have managed more than a leisurely stroll. Despite early promises to take 'difficult decisions', there has been no step change in housing . In fact, many indicators are going in the wrong direction. A series of moves by the new Minister for Housing James Browne, including changing apartment design standards to make them smaller and cheaper , may bear fruit in the future. But the Government does not look – yet anyway – like it is turning the housing crisis around. Despite much talk about a housing emergency, there is no real sense that the Government has moved to an emergency footing. You could say the same about pressing infrastructure needs in water and energy. To be honest, you could say the same about a lot of things. Relations between the two parties are businesslike, but not warm. The important business is done at leader level and there is an undercurrent of disharmony between them – if it's not mistrust, it's something approaching that. It is certainly not the case that there is sense of unambiguous common purpose. The strong and co-operative relationship between Paschal Donohoe and Jack Chambers covers a lot of the cracks. [ National Development Plan: €275bn to be spent over next 10 years, with housing receiving biggest boost Opens in new window ] It has hardly been a period of unbridled joy for the Opposition, either. Sinn Féin responded to the disappointment of the election result by reverting to a hyper-combative stance, turning the dial up to 10 on every issue. There were signs of a more united approach among the various parties, with some TDs hailing the emergence of a united left-wing opposition which could serve as the basis for a left-wing government in the future. For a time, especially during the rows over the changes to Dáil procedures, the leaders of the smaller Opposition parties looked like Mary Lou McDonald's supportive frontbenchers. Some of them looked happier at this role than others. There are audible rumblings in the Labour Party , not just because of its historic antipathy to Sinn Féin (not shared by the Social Democrats), but because many Labour people suspect that Sinn Féin's growth will come at the expense of other left-wing parties, not Fianna Fáil or Fine Gael . Meanwhile, there is semipublic wondering about the future of its own leader going on in Sinn Féin at the moment – a most unusual state of affairs for that party. Seldom have international affairs weighed so heavily over an Irish administration. The economic impact on Ireland of the unpredictable and destructive policies pursued by Donald Trump is the biggest challenge – and the greatest unknowable – facing the Government and the country this summer. A trade deal between the EU and the US reportedly hangs in the balance this weekend – but even that may deliver a general tariff of 15 per cent. No deal means a trade war, and higher tariffs on both sides. For a start, that would tear up the Government's budget numbers, even before it began making itself felt in the real economy. The outlook is more threatening for the Irish economic model, and the prosperity it has delivered, than at any time since the financial crisis. It may yet dwarf all the other challenges facing the Government. The other international issue that was a staple of our politics every week – there cannot be a parliament in Europe that saw Gaza discussed more than the Dáil – and will require decisions in the autumn is the Occupied Territories Bill . Both Opposition and Government politicians are increasingly appalled by Israel's actions in Gaza; only the Government has to decide what to do about it. [ Irish public's caution on Occupied Territories Bill reflects 'considered' view – Taoiseach Opens in new window ] The bill will shortly emerge from pre-legislative scrutiny. In the autumn, the Government will have to decide what it's going to do with it, and specifically if it will include services in its scope. This is in the face of an increasingly vigorous campaign against it – confirmed by two senior multinational executives – by the Israeli lobby in the US. You don't have to like that to take it seriously. A cold, hard reading of how exactly Ireland's interests and values should balance will be necessary: that is something to which many people in Government are very much not looking forward. For leaders, ministers, TDs, advisers, mandarins and officials of all stripes, on the beaches, golf courses, sun loungers and poolsides, up the airy mountain and down the rushy glen, the holidays are deserved and needed. Seldom have they felt so much like the calm before the storm.
Irish Independent
21-07-2025
- Politics
- Irish Independent
The Indo Daily: Election fraudster linked to Healy-Rae family firm
This unusual case of voter fraud first played out in a district court in Kenmare. But what initially seemed like a local matter has now become a national story, with Fine Gael senator Mike Kennelly using his speaking time in Leinster House to call for a thorough investigation. 'We had voter impersonation at Kenmare polling station at the local and European elections in June 2024, caught on CCTV… I called for a thorough investigation into the facts of the incident last week, and we still need clarity about how this was quietly hushed up. It has made a mockery of our democracy.' But how did the man pull off the voting fraud in the first place? Who put him up to it? How often does this kind of thing happen in Ireland, and what is his connection to the Kerry political dynasty of the Healy-Raes? Today, Tabitha Monahan is joined on The Indo Daily by Kerryman journalist Sinead Kelleher, and by Ireland Editor at the Irish Independent Fionnán Sheahan, to look at the details of this unusual case and to ask how one vote could go from a local court to the national parliament.
Irish Times
21-07-2025
- Business
- Irish Times
Budget to focus on long-term gains at cost of short-term pain
TDs and senators may well have departed Leinster House for the summer recess but Tuesday will see not one but two major political set pieces. The summer economic statement (SES) will set the stage for this year's budget and how much the Government is likely to splash out when it comes to spending and tax measures. The revised National Development Plan (NDP) will lay out the trajectory for perhaps the next 10 years – and as much as €200 billion – in investment in housing , hospitals, roads, rail and schools. All of this happening at a time of deep economic uncertainty caused by the prospect of a full-scale trade war over US president Donald Trump 's threats of punishing tariffs on goods from the European Union . READ MORE The messaging from Government Buildings has been clear for some time that the budget giveaways of recent years are a thing of the past. One-off cost-of-living measures are highly unlikely to feature when Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe and Minister for Public Expenditure Jack Chambers take to their feet in the Dáil on budget day. As part of the SES, Cabinet colleagues are set to be put on notice too that they will have to rein in current spending, which has risen as part of the response to the Covid-19 pandemic and other economic shocks. As The Irish Times reported last week , increases in current spending of 8 to 9 per cent in recent years are expected to be reduced significantly, perhaps towards 5 per cent. This could have implications for budgetary questions such as the increase in welfare rates. The period leading up to budget day will see intense negotiations as Ministers seek to carve out the biggest possible slice of the pie for their departments amid constraints not present in recent years. They had practice in recent weeks as they made requests as part of the revision of the NDP. Departments where allocations were agreed over the weekend include transport – set to get increased funds generally and money earmarked for MetroLink – education and defence. Minister for Housing James Browne – who has been awaiting the NDP as he develops the Government's new housing plan – had big asks. These are not only in terms of funds to help meet housing targets, but also to cover investment in water services to pave the way for home building. There is also the need to fund financial assistance to people with homes affected by defective concrete blocks. NDP talks on housing were said by one source to have been 'heated', though Mr Chambers sought to play down any tensions during an interview on RTÉ radio on Sunday. Talks were said to be ongoing as of last night. There was no confirmation that allocations for health – where negotiations have also gone to the wire – have been agreed yet either. This week's NDP update will be more focused on the sums involved than specific infrastructure projects to be funded. Ministers are expected to outline specific programmes and investment as part of the budget. There is already pressure from the Opposition over the likely elimination of one-off cost-of-living measures, with Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald telling the Dáil last week that people 'desperately need' help. The Coalition may well learn if announcements of plans for spending large sums on yet-to-be-delivered infrastructure projects – albeit many of them badly needed – will make up for a lack of energy credits and double welfare payments on budget day in the eyes of the public.
The Journal
19-07-2025
- Politics
- The Journal
The Dáil schedule is broken and there appears to be no appetite from politicians to fix it
DID YOU KNOW that the Dáil only sits three days out of the week, with work on a Tuesday starting at 2pm. This results in government business and opposition questioning being crammed into a tight schedule, with late-night sittings almost always an inevitability. Just recently, the support staff who work in Leinster House said that they didn't get to leave work one night until 2am. Not only is this just not a great way to foster a nice workplace, it's not family-friendly and it also incurs costs in overtime and transport costs to get people home in the late-night hours. So why does Leinster House operate this way? Well, having Mondays and Fridays off is meant to allow politicians tend to their constituency work, while the late start on a Tuesday was also explained away as to allow TDs who live rural areas time enough to make the journey to Dublin. The Dáil also only sits 33 weeks of 52 in a year. On Thursday this week, the politicians went on holidays and won't be returning until mid-September. But in a time of great uncertainty and with widespread acknowledgements that we are living in the midst of a housing and cost-of-living crisis, not to mention looming global threats from US tariffs, is it okay for Leinster House to cram its work into a short work-week and to shut up shop for such an extended period of time over the summer months? Many would say it is not and there's a better, more functional way for our parliament to work. These observations are not new. In fact, for over a decade, there has been debate, recommendations and some tinkering around the edges to change things. But nothing has really ever stuck or improved things. Stretching out the working week On the back of the 2008 crash, politicians were feeling the heat from the public and pressure was on them to up their game and their workload, but it also meant stretching out the week. In 2011, it was agreed that that Dáil would meet more often and sit earlier in the day in what was viewed at the time as the most significant package of Dáil reforms in decades. The new rules meant that more TDs were required to sit in the Dáil chamber for the duration of debates, while the formula of sittings also be changed to allow for more daily topical debates. Advertisement It stretched-out the working week, with sittings adjourning earlier at night, but continuing into Friday mornings, initially on a once-a-month basis. Thursday's sittings also included a new session of Leaders' Questions, something that has stuck around since. At the time, Friday sittings were devoted entirely to allowing opposition parties and backbenchers introduce proposals for new laws. One of the key changes was also a reduction in the amount of recess time over Christmas, Easter and summer. Dáíl chamber Oireachtas / Flickr Oireachtas / Flickr / Flickr At the time, the then Government Chief Whip Paul Kehoe told The Journal that the changes resulted in the Dáil sitting around 42% more than it did under the previous administration. He said the changes also allowed for more opportunities for legislation coming from the opposition side of the house to be debated in the Dáil. At the time, Niall Collins, who is now a government minister, was on the opposition benches as Fianna Fáil's justice spokesperson and was all for the Dáil being utilised more. Friday sittings He told The Journal in 2011 that the Dáil was not sitting nearly enough. Not only was he in favour of the Dáil sitting on a Friday, he said committees should also, stating: 'If we're going to have the Dáil sitting and the cost associated with it then we must have all aspects of it functioning and not just the optics.' He dismissed claims that it would costing a huge amount of money – some estimating at the time that it could cost around €90,000 for the Dáil to stay open on a Friday. Collins said such a claim was 'absolute rubbish', stating that the Dáil is open either way on a Friday. 'The only extra thing you are doing, you have the chamber open and a number of staff. These staff are in the building either way and the more you use a chamber the less it costs. That's the way I would put it,' he said. In the end, Friday sittings were done away with, along with any momentum to stretch out the Dáil working week. Fast forward ten years, to 2021, and the discussions around how to make Leinster House more functional and more family friendly were still going on. In 2021, the former Ceann Comhairle, Fianna Fáil's Seán Ó Fearghaíl published a report from the 'Forum on a Family Friendly and Inclusive Parliament'. Current politicians such as Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns and Minister of State Neale Richmond, sat on the forum, along with other experts and stakeholders. Related Reads Racism, doxxing and assaults among dozens of incidents of abuse of 2024 election candidates Late-night sitting hours One of the forum's priority recommendations included: 'Reduce long, late and unpredictable sitting weeks With immediate effect, Members and political parties and groups are to facilitate appropriate flexible working and remote working arrangements for their staff to address the long sitting hours, until other recommendations to eradicate long hours have been implemented.' It also called on the Houses of the Oireachtas Service to address areas where staff are working very long, late and unpredictable hours to serve sittings. The report also said that by the end of the 33rd Dáil term, or until a referendum to amend Article 15 can be held, the Houses of the Oireachtas to introduce hybrid sittings of some Dáil, Seanad and Committee business where Members can choose to participate in certain business remotely or to be physically present. By September 2022, Dáil voting blocks should be moved within the weekly schedule, so that it is taken in the afternoon, the report recommended. Votes continue to be held late on Wednesday night, with votes in the last week being held after 10pm. The September 2022 deadline was also given to ensure that the Dáil, Seanad and committees holidays align with school holidays at Easter, Halloween and Christmas, as set out in Department of Education circulars. This is something that largely does appear to be in place now, though there might be mixed views as to whether this is a good or bad idea. One of the biggest ideas to come from that forum in 2021 was the idea to have a second Dáil chamber in Leinster House. It was viewed as a possible way to make working hours more family-friendly for politicians through parallel sittings. The idea being that simultaneous Dáil debates and discussions around a bill could be going on but topical issues could be discussed at the same time in another location. O'Fearghail said at the time that it would allow more work to be put into the week without the anti-social and unacceptable hours. However, despite €3.7 million being put into fleshing out the project over a three-year period, the plans were shelved earlier this year amid concern about a public backlash. What has happened since? Nothing. It appears the push to make Leinster House a more functional, family-friendly workplace, is as dead in the water as the second chamber idea. Maybe in ten years time we'll have another report with ideas to look forward to. It can sit on the shelve with the others to gather dust. 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
BreakingNews.ie
19-07-2025
- Politics
- BreakingNews.ie
Thousands attend pro-Palestinian rally in Dublin
Thousands of people have taken part in a pro-Palestinian rally calling on the Irish Government to implement sanctions on Israel. Saturday's rally saw demonstrators march from the Garden of Remembrance on Parnell Square to Leinster House. Advertisement It was the 16th such demonstration since October 2023 and came after the Dáil rose for the summer recess. The Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign (IPSC) accused the Irish Government of an 'absolute refusal to hold Israel accountable for a genocide in which the Apartheid state has slaughtered more than 58,000 Palestinians'. The march demanded an end to the Central Bank of Ireland's role in approving Israel Bonds for sale in the EU, for the Government to include services in the Occupied Territories Bill and to pass that legislation. It also called for an end to the use of Irish airspace for the transport of weapons to the region. Advertisement The group also criticised the Government after 33 Palestinian children were recently denied entry to Ireland over visa issues. GAA Palestine said it had to take the 'heartbreaking' decision to cancel a planned Irish tour for the children. Speaking ahead of the protest, IPSC chairperson Zoe Lawlor said: 'The Irish government is barely lifting a finger to end Ireland's deep complicity in this genocide.' Ms Lawlor added: 'On top of this we have the appalling spectacle of the state refusing visas to child medical evacuees and Palestinian kids to visit Ireland to play our national sports.' Advertisement Stretching along Molesworth Street in front of Leinster House was a 120ft long and 5.5ft wide quilt, made up of 2,300 panels. Each panel – the vast majority of which were knitted by hand – is designed to represent the deaths of 10 children in Gaza, adding up to a total of 23,000 children. Anna Doyle and Niamh Bonner, from Craftivism For Gaza, said they are still accepting squares as the death toll continues to rise. Ms Doyle told the PA news agency: 'Each square represents 10 children. Their voices have been lost to the world forever. Advertisement 'It also represents the voice of the crafter because most of them are made by people who wouldn't be able to come to a protest.'
