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Extra.ie
6 hours ago
- Politics
- Extra.ie
Cynthia vs Mary? Fianna Fáil may soon choose between key contenders for presidency battle
Former Minister Mary Hanafin has discussed her potential presidential candidacy with Taoiseach Micheál Martin and is now actively lobbying members of the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party to be given a run at the Áras. Senior party figures this weekend confirmed that they are considering approaching a number of candidates and hope to have come close to a decision next month. After soundings by the party leadership, enthusiasm for an 'RTÉ' candidate such as Joe Duffy or Miriam O'Callaghan has waned, and the party appears to be leaning towards an established or former politician. It's understood that a wing of the party would like to see the party select newly elected MEP Cynthia Ní Mhurchú as its presidential candidate, as her RTÉ associations are in the distant past. Cynthia Ni Mhurchu Pic: Leah Farrell/© It was early discussions about a potential Ní Mhurchú candidacy that inspired supporters to ask her fellow MEP, Barry Andrews, to put his name forward; however, he has shown no obvious public enthusiasm as yet. Ms Hanafin approached members of the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party last week seeking their support. She confirmed to them that she had spoken to Mr Martin, the ultimate decision-maker, and claimed that the discussion on her potential candidacy went well. However, many powerful figures in Fianna Fáil, underwhelmed by the calibre of potential candidates, do not favour running any candidate in next November's election. Mary Hanafin. Pic: Colin Keegan, Collins Dublin. The party estimates a presidential election campaign, coming the year after the local, European and general election, would cost between €700,000 and €1m. However, other senior party figures argue it is necessary to field a candidate to prevent voters who have returned to Fianna Fáil from voting for another party, and also to block the election of an extreme or populist candidate. Many within the political system have been uneasy about the increasingly controversial interventions, particularly in foreign affairs matters, of the outgoing President, Michael D. Higgins. Pic: Joe Giddens –There is hope that the next successful candidate would adhere to the established parameters of the office and not make controversial statements about government policy. Former EU Commissioner, MEP and RTÉ broadcaster Mairead McGuinness could well be selected unopposed as Fine Gael's candidate as the party leadership is firmly behind her candidacy. There was speculation that singer and Senator Frances Black could run as a leftwing candidate with the support of Sinn Féin, but she recently denied interest. Pic:Within Sinn Féin circles, it has been rumoured that Northern MP John Finucane could be a candidate for the party. There is also a belief within Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil that a strong candidate on both tickets could help the other to be elected, with transfers between the two candidates in the accelerated manner that was witnessed on general election ballots. However, relations between the two old Civil War parties are deteriorating every day in Government, and there is little hope of Fianna Fáil acquiescing to a Fine Gael suggestion that they back their candidate, most likely Ms McGuinness. There is also a lack of enthusiasm across the centrist parties for a presidential election so soon after a bruising and expensive 2024, during which there were three nationwide elections. One Fianna Fáil minister told the Irish Mail on Sunday: 'I see the advantage of there being some co-operation between the two parties. However, I don't see that we should be selecting a candidate just to get Mairead McGuinness elected, that's not the way. 'Established politicians that would have a good chance of attracting a strong vote have no interest in that office as they would feel they have things to achieve. Otherwise, the Áras is something of an open prison, with all the public focus and no power. 'And a Fianna Fáil or Fine Gael president will not be given the latitude Michael D has.' Fianna Fáil MEPs Barry Andrews and Billy Kelleher were spotted in Leinster House last week, but it is believed any interest they may have in a presidential run is lukewarm. It is understood that their recently elected colleague, Ms Ní Mhurchú, would be more open to a run for the Park. Those who joined her on the European election campaign trail last summer described her as an impressive campaigner. One TD said: 'She doesn't hold back, that's for sure, but she has the basic talent of confidently asking voters for their vote, in an engaging manner. You'd be surprised how that is lacking in some.' Asked about a potential presidential run, Ms Ní Mhurchú told the MoS: 'I am an MEP for Ireland South. That is what I am focused on right now. It's a job I love and I am grateful for voters giving me this opportunity to serve them. I have given no thought whatsoever to a race for the presidency nor have I canvassed or sought a nomination within Fianna Fáil. 'I was flattered and honoured to be mentioned in press coverage on it, but like I said no plans, and now I am focused on the very busy task at hand – being an MEP – and preparing for another presidency, that of Ireland's presidency of the Council of the EU in 2026.' Mary Hanafin became an education minister under Taoiseach Bertie Ahern in 2004, after serving as government chief whip from 2002 to 2004. She subsequently served as Minister of Social Protection and as Minister of Arts. Ms Hanafin was deputy leader of the party for five weeks at the start of 2011, appointed by Mr Martin after he succeeded Brian Cowen as Fianna Fáil leader. She lost her seat in the 2011 election and failed to regain it in 2016. She was elected to Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council in 2014 and 2019, serving as Cathaoirleach between 2022 and 2023. In 2020, she again unsuccessfully contested the general election. Ms Hanafin, whose husband, Eamon Leahy, a senior counsel, died suddenly in 2003 at the age of 46, has started practising as a barrister in recent years.
The Journal
15 hours ago
- Politics
- The Journal
Report in 2021 warned of military air traffic control crisis but nothing was done until this year
A MAJOR STUDY carried out in 2021 warned Government of the impending collapse of the Air Corps Air Traffic Service (ATS) but a scheme that may have prevented the crisis was only requested this February – four years later. The Journal has obtained a copy of the internal Report of the ATS Working Group which looked at 'options to ensure the longer-term sustainability' of the service at Casement Aerodrome. The report identified Casement Aerodrome as a major national strategic asset and it warns that unless action is taken to keep air traffic controllers in service there would be future collapses in the service 'every number of years'. It also described military ATS as a strategic asset. It said that the Defence Forces controllers were also a 'backstop contingency' if the civil aviation service ever went down. The Journal has confirmed that despite the report being completed in 2021 it was not until February of this year that DOD contacted their colleagues in the Public Expenditure Department to get a retention scheme for air traffic controllers. There is also an initiative underway to promote enlisted personnel to officers to keep them in service – which was also a key recommendation in the report. It all came too late – this week The Journal revealed that the Irish Air Corps was going to a part-time five-day-week and 12-hour only days because it was not able to carry out the basic function of military Air Traffic Control. Yesterday the Taoiseach Micheál Martin , who took over as Defence minister in December 2022 from Simon Coveney, said it was a matter for the military leadership to solve. There is no mention in the 2025 Ministerial Brief , given to Tánaiste Simon Harris, of the Air Traffic Service issues. High level briefings The working group already had a number of top table officials and advisors – they included senior DOD officials, senior military officials including the Chief of Air Staff Operations. Inside the front page of the lengthy ring bound report is a note that states that the document was forwarded to the Department of Defence (DOD) in December 2021. It is understood, from multiple sources, that high level briefings then took place, a short time later, of senior players across the national security apparatus. The study was commissioned in the wake of the last collapse in the service due to staff leaving to better paid jobs in the private sector in 2016. That was corrected and full 24 hour coverage was returned in 2021. There was a military ATS restriction in 2017 due to staffing. In the aftermath of the crash of Rescue 116 off the Mayo coast that year, it was revealed that the helicopter was only there to act as a radio relay for another rescue chopper because the Air Corps were unable to launch a CASA Maritime Patrol Aircraft to do the job. Advertisement The issue identified in the 2021 report, repeatedly, is that highly qualified and experienced air traffic controllers were leaving the service because of their conditions of service. It's key Human-Resourcing finding, contained in the 31 recommendations, was that a retention scheme and other initiatives should be introduced to keep the highly trained controllers in the military. The first recommendation in the document states: 'implement a service commitment scheme for ATS'. It added: 'A blended approach of incentives and undertakings should be used in order to minimise premature voluntary retirements. 'Having a pathway for personnel who complete training to take up a role (and technical pay) specific to their skillset, or the ability to pay qualified controllers the appropriate technical pay after completing their training, would mitigate the impact of gaps within the unit.' Irish Air Corps PC-9s on the ground in Baldonnel. Irish Defence Forces Irish Defence Forces Recommendations The recommendations specific to Ministerial control were around commissioning enlisted controllers to officers to fill gaps and make it enticing for them to stay on. The report also recommended that a minimum four year commitment must be made by personnel who undergo the training and that mechanisms should be introduced to expedite trained personnel beginning work. One of the recommendations that went ahead was the training of new controllers – a new measure means that new recruits have been training in Spain. They will now return to Ireland to further their training – issue is two of the Air Corps instructors are leaving the service. The report recommended that there should be 32 personnel as a minimum in the unit. The Journal has learned, from other documentation, that as of this week the 505 Squadron which has responsibility for the ATS had 21 personnel before the departure of staff. There are just a handful of qualified controllers. Defence Minister assurances Meanwhile the Defence Minister, Tánaiste Simon Harris, has sought to reassure the public that the Air Corps will find solutions. 'There is a question of pinch points in relation to key personnel in Baldonnel, and I'll be meeting early next week with the new Chief of Staff and with my own department to look at contingency planning in relation to this. 'We of course don't live in a country that only has one airport or one air base. And we will have to look at what actions can be taken. But I do want to assure people, particularly those who might look at Ireland from a position of hostility, I want to assure them that our Air Corps continues to function, and any pinch points will be overcome,' he said. Statements have been requested from the Irish Defence Forces, the Department of Defence and the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform. 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
Yahoo
a day ago
- General
- Yahoo
Israel's Irish foes have just come up with their most shameless plan yet
Every country in the West has its fair share of politicians who love nothing better than to indulge in noisy grandstanding about Israel. For some reason, though, Ireland's quota seems to be particularly fervent. Last October, you may recall, local councillors in Cork responded to events in the Middle East by officially banning Benjamin Netanyahu from visiting their city. Admittedly, it is not known whether the Israeli prime minister actually had any intention of visiting it. If he'd been planning to fly in as part of a major diplomatic mission to strengthen economic ties between Israel and Cork, or simply to treat his wife to a romantic trip to Cork Butter Museum and the Old Cork Waterworks Experience, he certainly never said so on the record. But, either way, the disappointment doesn't appear to have made him rethink his strategy on Gaza. Still, Cork's councillors will have been heartened to see that the Irish government is keeping up the fight. Micheál Martin, the Taoiseach, says that Israel is guilty of genocide. To his great frustration, however, the leaders of few other European nations seem to agree with him. In order to persuade them, therefore, he's come up with an inspired plan. In the Irish parliament this week, he said: 'We're hoping that we will broaden the criteria by which genocide is judged by the Geneva Convention.' In other words: since other leaders don't agree that Israel is guilty of genocide, we'll simply change the definition of 'genocide', until they do. At present, the word is generally understood to mean a deliberate attempt to eradicate a race of people. What the new definition would be, I don't know. 'Deliberate attempt to eradicate a proscribed terrorist organisation'? 'Deliberate attempt to force the release of the 58 hostages the terrorist organisation is still holding captive, over 19 months after it abducted them'? 'Refusal to respond to the single biggest massacre of Jews since the Holocaust by merely lighting some candles and singing Don't Look Back in Anger'? At any rate, I just hope this doesn't give our own Government any ideas. Otherwise some members of it might think: 'Hang on. If we broaden the word 'genocide' to mean 'posting offensive opinions on social media', we can keep Lucy Connolly banged up for life.' A prisoner has attacked a prison officer using boiling water. That's the second time this has happened in a month. And so, once again, the public is left asking itself the following question. Who on earth decided that prisoners should be allowed to have kettles? Someone must have. Indeed, there must have been a high-level meeting, at which some very important people discussed the matter, and concluded that no possible risk could arise from permitting dangerous criminals to access a device that can be used to cause third-degree burns. Whoever these people are, they presumably haven't read Decline and Fall. Evelyn Waugh's sublimely horrible debut novel, published in 1928, contains a chapter about an ultra-progressive prison governor. After one inmate, a carpenter by trade, verbally abuses the chief warder, the governor concludes that the inmate is suffering from a 'frustrated creative urge'. So he orders that the inmate be provided with a set of carpentry tools. Upon receipt of these thoughtful gifts, the inmate immediately uses them to saw off the prison chaplain's head. This week's news, therefore, only serves to enhance Evelyn Waugh's stature as a satirist. Not only did he satirise the 1920s. He managed to satirise the 2020s, too. 'Hell is other people,' wrote the French philosopher, playwright and all-round ray of sunshine Jean-Paul Sartre. It seems, however, that his fellow countrymen now wish to make a slight amendment to his best-known line. Hell isn't other people. Hell is other people's children. Hence the rapid rise, all over France, of child-free restaurants and hotels. More and more French people have had it up to here with the screeching of today's delinquent brats. So they wish to escape it. And plenty of businesses are happy to oblige. All of a sudden, though, these blissful idylls are under threat – not from a child, but from a government minister. Sarah El Haïry, France's 'high commissioner for childhood', is furious about this adults-only trend – because, she thunders, it's nothing less than 'violence against children'. Her critics will say this is nonsense. Indeed, they may even say she's got it the wrong way round. Keeping restaurants and hotels free of screaming urchins actually prevents violence against children. None the less, I can't help feeling that she has a point. It does seem unfair to single out children. Mainly because nowadays, the people who create the most infuriating noise in public are invariably adults. Especially on public transport, where so many of them insist on merrily inflicting their favourite music on everyone in earshot. It's never good music, either. The people with the worst manners always have the worst taste, as well. Anyway, no matter what Madame El Haïry says, the long-suffering people of France needn't worry. Their birth rate is now so low, there soon won't be any children left to annoy them. 'Way of the World' is a twice-weekly satirical look at the headlines while aiming to mock the absurdities of the modern world. It is published at 6am every Tuesday and Saturday Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Irish Times
a day ago
- Business
- Irish Times
Should the maker of Ozempic be funding children's playgrounds in Ireland?
Last Monday Taoiseach Micheál Martin posted on social media about his delight at attending the unveiling of a primary school's new playground equipment that is 'part of Novo Nordisk Ireland's ongoing Play at Primary School Initiative'. The initiative by the manufacturer of Ozempic and Wegovy involved providing nine Deis schools with equipment, with plans to expand to more schools during 2025. On the face of it, new playground equipment seems a commendable and worthwhile initiative. But the question has to be asked: what's in it for Novo Nordisk, which has a track record in sophisticated public relations campaigning? Fundamentally, there are potential ethical considerations with any company or industry paying for children's playground equipment. But Novo Nordisk deserves additional scrutiny given its marketing practices. READ MORE In 2023, the Danish drug manufacturer was suspended by its own industry body in the UK for two years over its sponsorship of weight management courses for health professionals. This is the most severe punishment that the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry has issued and was only the eighth occasion in the past 40 years the ABPI board has issued such a significant sanction. It led to the Royal College of Physicians and the Royal College of General Practitioners ending their partnerships with Novo Nordisk. The suspension occurred because Novo Nordisk paid for a 'large scale Saxenda [a weight-loss drug] promotional campaign […] which was disguised' and included 'heavily biased' information. The ruling outlined 'serious concerns about Novo Nordisk's culture' and raised further concerns about Novo Nordisk at the global level. In March 2025, the ABPI voted to readmit Novo Nordisk as a full member on the basis that it 'now had the systems and culture in place' to resume self-regulation. But Novo Nordisk was since found to be in breach of UK marketing regulations on several more occasions . In Ireland, issues have also emerged. Through a freedom of information request, I obtained an inspection report by the medicines watchdog, the HPRA, of Novo Nordisk's advertising-related activities for the period January 2021 to May 2023. My findings that the pharma company broke rules around the advertising and marketing of its medication to healthcare workers over three years were reported in The Irish Times on Friday. The HPRA found 'a significant number of non-compliances' with Novo Nordisk's advertising and 'educational' activities. [ Maker of Ozempic and Wegovy broke advertising rules, regulator finds Opens in new window ] They outlined that the 'level of control and governance that was in place for educational activities, promotional and non-promotional meetings with healthcare professionals, advisory boards and medicinal product advertising were deficient'. Issues outlined included presentations to healthcare professionals that were 'unbalanced' in nature. It also found the omission of important and legally required drug information relating to adverse reactions, precautions and contraindications in materials intended for use with patients and in a promotion to healthcare professionals. A teaching guide intended for use with patients included advertising for a prescription-only product, which is not legally permitted. The HPRA also observed compliances with requirements. In response to the HPRA review, Novo Nordisk outlined a range of procedural changes. This includes extensive reviews of slides presented by third parties for work affiliated to Novo Nordisk; the removal of materials in breach of regulations; updates to internal guidance; and the introduction of relevant training processes. A spokeswoman told The Irish Times that the company 'addressed the findings to ensure compliance with industry regulation and this was completed to the HPRA's satisfaction immediately following the inspection' and that its focus 'remains on meeting the needs of patients, healthcare professionals and partners'. Between 2016 and 2023, Novo Nordisk has reported making payments valued at over €6.6 million to healthcare organisations, a patient organisation and healthcare professionals, based on my analysis of Novo Nordisk's disclosures on – the pharmaceutical industry's record of direct or indirect financial support or 'transfers of value' to healthcare professionals – and the disclosures of patient organisation payments Novo Nordisk makes on its website. It's not clear whether this is the full picture: research I was involved with has highlighted significant shortcomings with the Irish payment declaration system. In the UK, Novo Nordisk has been found to be underreporting payments to the value of almost £8 million (€9.5 million) to 150 doctors, patients, journalists and healthcare organisations. One might ask why €6.6 million in payments to individuals and organisations in our health system would be problematic? The pharmaceutical industry describes these payments as being for education, research and healthcare. But payments such as these have well-recorded effects on prescribing practices, and are linked to recipient organisations favouring the positions of the funder. Novo Nordisk has made payments to help set up patient organisations, to pay senior decision makers in the Irish health system consultancy fees, and to help fund clinical guidelines on obesity in Ireland. Guidelines and patient organisations are important endeavours, but there are valid concerns about industry funding, as international evidence shows that it can influence important organisations and initiatives. When it comes to Novo Nordisk paying senior health system decision makers as consultants, significant scrutiny is necessary given the influence they have over our health system. Nothing here is intended to question the benefits of Novo Nordisk's approved medicines – if a medicine is approved for use in Ireland then the evidence shows that it meets the required standards for benefits and risk. What we should question is whether the drug maker's marketing efforts are affecting the decision making of our politicians, policymakers, prescribers and healthcare organisations. These decisions should be based on evidence only, not who has paid for our playgrounds, our conferences or our lunches. Novo Nordisk is applying to the State to reimburse its weight loss drugs for a much larger group of people. This decision has the potential to put unprecedented pressure on the State's health budget, potentially more than doubling state expenditure on medicines to €10 billion. The drugs are so expensive that US researchers have suggested it would be less expensive for the United States to just buy Novo Nordisk than to reimburse its weight loss drugs. There's a reason that the College of Psychiatrists of Ireland ended pharmaceutical industry partnerships in 2010 and the Irish College of General Practitioners last year voted to phase out pharmaceutical industry partnerships. It's because, as the College of Psychiatrists put it, the college's aims do not always align with the industry's aims and there is a need for the college to be able to provide 'independent appraisal of the value of specific drugs'. Our health and education systems struggle for funding for important initiatives. Pharmaceutical companies and other industries sometimes step into this void. But we need to ask if there are hidden costs to this funding, costs that may not be worth paying for. James Larkin is a senior postdoctoral fellow in the department of General Practice at RCSI
RTÉ News
a day ago
- Business
- RTÉ News
Growing political pressure for firm Govt action on Gaza
All day Wednesday and late into the evening on the street facing Leinster House, demonstrators sang a stinging song urging politicians to find their "backbone" and to enact the Occupied Territories Bill. The same sentiment echoed through the Dáil chamber. Some within the Government bristled over what they believe is a shocking failure to take into account its outspoken voice on Gaza. Words that have been matched by deeds, including €87 million in funding for people in Palestine since 2023, recognising the State of Palestine, supporting South Africa's case against Israel at the International Court of Justice, and leading the way in requesting a review of the EU-Israel Association Agreement. The Taoiseach even claimed there is a battle under way domestically for moral superiority on what has become one of the most emotive issues in Irish politics. The language denouncing Israel's actions has become sharper too with both Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Tánaiste Simon Harris repeatedly using the word genocide this week. All remaining ambiguity and lingering diplomatic niceties have now been cast aside. The Taoiseach believes the single more effective next step is to try to persuade the EU and the US to "pull their support for the State of Israel". But it is the requirement for further direct interventions by this State rather than words alone which is fueling immense political tension. A significant political act was about to unfold It was evident as the bells were clanging around Leinster House just after 6pm on Wednesday when the weekly votes were called. A significant political act was about to unfold before the business concluded. Reporters watched from the Dáil gallery as Dublin Bay-North TD Barry Heneghan took his seat to vote on a Sinn Féin Bill. It was a piece of legislation that would prevent the Central Bank from retaining its technical role in approving the prospectus which allows Israel sell bonds in the EU. Israel has made it clear that these bonds are used to fund its war in Gaza. Sinn Féin's legal advice stated that a Member State is entitled as a matter of EU law to unilaterally restrict access to its financial services. It can do so on public policy grounds that are rooted in Ireland's fundamental interest in pursuing its international law obligations, the legal opinion concluded. The Government argued that the Bill did not provide a legal mechanism to allow the Central Bank of Ireland set aside its obligations under the EU Prospectus Regulation. It argued this was an EU competence, and the Central Bank can only refuse the approval of a prospectus where it has a legal basis to do so. The advice circulated to ministers added that it is legally required to issue prospectuses that are complete, legally sound, and comprehensible. For Barry Heneghan, who had supported the Government in every vote up to this point, this was a matter of conscience, and he believed Ireland shouldn't facilitate the sale of bonds that help fund the devastation in Gaza. He left Leinster House around 9pm on Wednesday, long after the bells had ceased ringing, certain in the knowledge that he had made the right decision. Generally, there was little political alarm triggered by his vote within Government. Some whispered that "Barry can be difficult to manage", and that it was simply a "flexing of muscles". But it did unquestionably show that those Independents, who occupy a liminal position within the Coalition, are perhaps a more fragile bloc of votes than first suspected. This was further illustrated by the actions of Meath-East TD Gillian Toole. Before 9pm she was on a bus back home to Ratoath having also voted against the Government on the Bill. Regarded as a deep-thinker and a conscientious politician, Gillian Toole cited the lack of detailed briefings from the Government as an influence on her decision. The two TDs are still aligned to the Coalition, their jump overboard is a temporary one, and the Government's majority is not shattered. 'Call out the narrative for what it is' It is emblematic though of the growing pressure on the Government to accompany its increasingly strident rhetoric on Gaza with firm actions. The acerbic exchange between the Tánaiste and Independent TD Catherine Connolly in the Dáil on Thursday morning typified the fractiousness which has built around this issue. The Galway West TD made an impassioned call on Government to do more, saying: "It's time we led. Call out the narrative for what it is. Israel is a rogue state; it is not a democratic state. Stand up, stand up and account for what you're going to do." In a charged atmosphere, Simon Harris accused her of expressing "vitriol and dislike for Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil" and of refusing to acknowledge the major steps taken by the Government. It all suggests that the Government will now be pursued relentlessly by protesters, the Opposition, and perhaps by some Independent TDs supporting the Coalition, to pass the Occupied Territories Bill quickly. The Foreign Affairs Committee, chaired by Fianna Fáil TD John Lahart, has already singalled that it will sit throughout June to progress this legislation swiftly. The speed of its passage through the Oireachtas after this committee work has concluded will be the measure of the Government's strong words on Gaza this week.
