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RTÉ News
6 days ago
- General
- RTÉ News
Watch: Leaving Cert & Me - RTÉ reporters' memories
The Leaving Certificate begin for tens of thousands of students on Wednesday. Even if your school days are long behind you, we all have memories - or the occasional nightmare - about exam time and how it impacted our lives. Some of our reporters have been taking a trip down memory lane... David McCullagh - Six One News presenter: Sharon Tobin - Six One News presenter: Paul Cunningham - Political Correspondent: Brian O'Donovan - Work & Technology Correspondent: Sinéad Hussey - Midlands Correspondent:
RTÉ News
27-05-2025
- Politics
- RTÉ News
First step on road to new OTB after first draft approval
Cabinet took a first step today and gave approval to Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Harris to draft an Occupied Territories Bill. It has been a long road for Independent Senator Frances Black, who first tabled her proposed legislation on the topic back in 2018. The next step comes when Mr Harris seeks ministerial approval for what's termed a draft scheme - an outline of what the legislation will contain. It's at that point both the politicians and public will know the Government's intentions. There's no date yet for that Cabinet meeting. It's already clear that the bill will seek to prohibit the importation of goods from illegal Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. What's unclear is if the ban will extend to services. The Tánaiste said he has "an open mind" on the issue but is concerned that any legislation doesn't fall "at the first legal hurdle". No doubt there will be legal advice, after which Mr Harris will have to take a decision. Speaking on RTÉ's Six One News, he added that what he wants to achieve is "the best and most robust piece of legislation". Ms Black said the Cabinet decision is a "welcome move" and she is "relieved to finally see some action". Pointedly, she also said that the inclusion of services in any bill is based on legal advice "...from some of the most eminent lawyers in the world, making absolutely clear that we can include services in the legislation if the political will is there". The timeline for progressing this legislation is another point of controversy. Under the plan outlined by Mr Harris, the draft scheme of the new bill will be brought back to Cabinet next month for ministerial approval. After that, the legislation will be sent to the Oireachtas Foreign Affairs Committee for what's termed "pre-legislative scrutiny". Given the Dáil will rise for the summer recess on 17 July, the legislation won't proceed much beyond that point. It's a real fault line between the Government and Opposition parties. Solidarity-People Before Profit TD Ruth Coppinger accused the Coalition of "watering down and delaying the Occupied Territories Bill". She contended it could take another year to enact the legislation, which was "shameful" after a weekend in which "35 people including children were killed in a school in Gaza". Labour Party whip Duncan Smith told the Dáil that the Government's timeline was "simply unacceptable". His party argued that additional days should be secured for the Dáil to sit and get the legislation passed entirely before the summer break. Part of the Opposition anger springs from the Government's strategy of commencing a new bill, rather than trying to amend Ms Black's existing legislative proposal. Back in January, Taoiseach Micheál Martin claimed this was imperative. He explained that officials examined the senator's bill and amended almost every line because it was unconstitutional and deficient. Opposition parties vehemently disagreed. Ms Black is now having regular meetings with Mr Harris about his new legislation. The Government acknowledges that the bill is "a small measure" which has more of a symbolic value given the minimal trade Ireland has with the Occupied Palestinian Territories. "What I hope is when this small country in Europe makes the decision and becomes one of the first countries, and probably the first country, in the western world to consider legislation in this space, I do hope it inspires other European countries to join us," Mr Harris said. Opposition parties are deeply concerned that unless the legislation is enacted speedily, in weeks rather than months, that it won't inspire anyone.
North Wales Chronicle
27-05-2025
- Business
- North Wales Chronicle
Irish Government to draft Bill to ban trade with illegal Israeli settlements
Ireland's deputy premier and foreign affairs minister Simon Harris received Cabinet approval to draft the law on Tuesday. It is understood the Government Bill will ban the trade of goods but not services as the basis in EU law is much weaker for services than it is for goods. The Government has opted for fresh legislation instead of progressing the Occupied Territories Bill, first tabled in 2018. The Government has said there is 'a narrow pathway', based on an advisory opinion from the UN's top court, to ban trade with illegal Israeli settlements. The International Court of Justice (ICJ) said last July that countries should 'take steps to prevent trade or investment relations' that maintain Israeli settlements on Palestinian land, which it deemed illegal. Mr Harris said that the Government had 'not yet been able to identify the narrow pathway on services' but that there is a legal 'pathway' to ban the trade of goods. He said he believed Ireland would become the first country in the western world to consider such legislation and said he hoped it would encourage other countries to do likewise. Speaking on RTE's Six One News, Mr Harris claimed there was 'no policy difference' between himself and Senator Frances Black, who had brought forward a Bill that would also include services. He said: 'I want to do everything humanly possible to help maximise the pressure for a ceasefire and an end to the violence and the war crimes that are happening in Gaza. 'But what I also want to make sure is that the Bill doesn't fall at the first legal hurdle and I want to produce legislation that's impactful, that could inspire other European nations to join us as well in bringing forward similar legislation. 'And at the moment, the legal opinion that I have is that it's impossible to do goods under EU law because of the ICJ judgments, but it may not be in relation to services.' However, the Tanaiste said he 'would like to be proven wrong' if there is a pathway on services. Irish premier Micheal Martin told the Dail parliament that there is 'very little' trade between Ireland and the occupied territories but said the ban was an important symbolic move. He was responding to questions from Social Democrats TD Sinead Gibney who said that the Dail was 'running out of time' to pass the goods ban before the summer recess. 'Just for the record, there is no major trade between Ireland and the occupied territories, there is very little actually,' Taoiseach Micheal Martin said on Tuesday. He added: 'But that's not the point, the point is it is a symbolic move and that is important in itself.' In relation to Sinn Fein's Bill that aims to give Ireland's Finance Minister the powers to impose restrictive measures on securities issued by or on behalf of Israel, the Government said the proposals were 'unworkable'. Mr Martin said the legislation proposed by Sinn Fein was 'simply unworkable' and 'has been written in a manner that in no shape or form could ever be made workable'. He said it does not focus on Israel 'at all' and said the review of the EU-Israel Association could have a 'far greater influence'. A Government spokesperson said the proposed Sinn Fein Bill was asking for an activity that does not take place in Ireland – Israeli bonds are not listed on the Irish Stock Exchange nor are they available to purchase through any regulated entity in the State – to end. The spokesperson said that the Bill does not prevent securities or bonds from the Israeli state being issued nor does it prevent Israel from raising money by selling bonds.
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.
Irish Post
08-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Post
Fergal O'Brien commits to ‘visit businesses across Ireland' in new RTÉ role
JOURNALIST Fergal O'Brien has committed to visiting businesses across Ireland as he takes on a new role as RTÉ's business correspondent. The reporter, from Cong in Co. Mayo, has worked as a multimedia journalist for the Irish broadcaster since October 2018. That role has seen him reporting across television, radio and online news, including for RTÉ's Six One News, Nine O'Clock News, News at One on RTÉ Radio 1 and RTÉ online. This week RTÉ News announced his appointment as their new business correspondent. 'In his new role, Fergal will be reporting and providing analysis across television, radio and online on the issues and trends impacting the business community across Ireland,' they said. RTE News correspondant Fergal O'Brien Mr O'Brien has said he is 'delighted' to take up the role. 'I'm delighted to have been appointed to the role of RTÉ Business Correspondent at such a pivotal time for the business community in Ireland,' he said. 'As I take on the position, I'm conscious that there is much uncertainty facing the Irish and global economies,' he added. 'The impact of the planned tariffs from the US administration has the potential to be the biggest challenge facing many businesses, households and indeed the State since Brexit and the financial crash. 'Business crosses every sector and has an impact on all of our lives, and as part of my new role, I will hope to visit as many businesses as I can across the country, to tell the stories of those directly impacted by wider decisions.' Originally from Cong, Co. Mayo, O'Brien has been working as a journalist for more than 20 years. He began his broadcasting career with local radio station MidWest Radio before moving on to Today FM and Newstalk and later joining TV3. He will take up the new role this summer. See More: Business Correspondant, Fergal O'Brien, RTÉ News
