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RTÉ News
2 days ago
- Politics
- RTÉ News
Talk of revenge after acrimonious week for Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael
There are a few politicians in Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael who will spend this weekend contemplating revenge, maybe even plotting it. It is not a huge cohort, but there are enough there to make up a quorum of motivated individuals eager to maintain the internecine warfare of recent days. It all stems form the shockwaves generated by James Lawless' logical but politically unwise answer on RTÉ's This Week programme, that as things stand student fees could rise by €1,000 this year. Although the worried public outbursts from Fine Gael have ceased, the party remains steadfast in its view that Mr Lawless needlessly wounded the entire Government. One senior figure summed up the week saying, "we have many issues where we will lose support or struggle politically but this one could have been avoided." There is a feeling in the party too, as constituency office calls and emails are "off the charts," that it could be difficult to hold the line until October's Budget. Already there are broad hints that the final figure for student fees will be below €3,000 and the Budget reductions will this time be permanent Fianna Fáil believes it was Simon Harris' intervention that "escalated" the entire episode into a full-blown crisis which dominated Dáil debate for three days. The party's weekly meeting in Leinster House saw several TDs lash out at what was described as "media posturing" by Fine Gael. Those close to Simon Harris contend that he was merely trying to bring clarity to matters given his intricate knowledge of the topic as a former higher education minister himself. That defence drew nothing but guffaws from both Fianna Fáil ministers and TDs. "He's good like that isn't he," one scathingly said. Then there are those who are intent on settling scores. Battle plans from some foot soldiers have identified Minister of Agriculture Martin Heydon's efforts to retain the Nitrates derogation, as a possible point of attack. The Fine Gael tactics board has zoned in on Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan's upcoming decision on whether to accept the Judicial Council guidelines proposing an increase in personal injury awards, against the backdrop of rising insurance costs. Throughout the week, Independent ministers like Kevin 'Boxer' Moran have urged both parties to talk to each other more, and to be mindful of the financial strain many households are experiencing. Further up the chain the sores are felt less intensely though and there is a general view that Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael ministers are generally working well together. Reports of friction 'overstated' - minister Reports of deep friction and lasting damage to the Government's cohesiveness were "a bit overstated" according to one influential Cabinet minister. The switching of portfolios after the general election is even said to have boosted a sense of mutual respect with ministers possessing a greater understanding of their colleagues' workload. There is a view in the higher echelons of Government that in the context of the many challenges it faces, this week amounted to little more than a "bit of pushing and shoving" or good old fashioned "ground hurling". The true measure of the coalition's sense of unity will be the Budget negotiations. These will be framed against the worrying reality that the economic good times are most likely drawing to a close. That means caution will be the guiding principle in the months ahead for the Fine Gael's Minister for Finance and Fianna Fáil's Minister for Public Expenditure. Both Jack Chambers and Paschal Donohoe are said to be of a similar mind about the approach required, and their working relationship is described as close. It is that key axis and how it navigates a Budget amid growing uncertainty, and without the option of a cost-of-living package, which will ultimately reveal if the coalition can function collectively.
Evening Standard
24-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Evening Standard
Glastonbury 2025: Are Political Flags Allowed?
1. Excessive amounts of cigarettes (any amount over personal use for the duration of the event) 2. Excessive amounts of alcohol (any amount over personal use for the duration of the event) 3. Excessive amounts of soft drinks (anything over personal use for the duration of the event) 4. Glass containers / bottles (likely to cause harm to livestock) 5. Sound systems (without written approval) 6. Knives (without written approval) 7. Weapons and potential weapons; anything adapted for such a purpose 8. Unauthorised or counterfeit merchandise; with or without the Glastonbury Festival or Pilton Party logo 9. Body piercing equipment 10. Flares; such as emergency or distress flares manufactured for legitimate military, maritime or transport purposes (under any circumstances) 11. Smoke Bombs 12. Fireworks, including sparklers (without written approval) 13. Generators (without written approval) 14. Lasers / Laser Pens 15. Plastic or polystyrene disposable plates, trays, cups, mugs or plastic cutlery 16. Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV's); commonly known as 'Drones' or 'Remotely Piloted Aircraft' 17. Chinese / Sky Lanterns 18. Kites 19. Professional tape recorders, film and video equipment (without written approval) 20. Forged tickets and wristbands or an access pass of any description 21. All substances defined as a 'Psychoactive Substance' under the new Psychoactive Substances Act 2016. These substances will be those substances previously referred to as 'Legal Highs' and will include herbal materials, powders, tablets, crystalline substances, gas or liquids and may be packaged and marked as 'smoking materials', 'research chemicals', 'room deodorisers', 'herbal incense' and 'cream chargers', some may even state the product is not for 'human consumption' 22. Nitrous Oxide in any form (without written approval) 23. Alkyl Nitrates (otherwise known as Poppers) 24. Any object that GFEL considers to be potentially
