Latest news with #Tánaiste
Irish Independent
12 hours ago
- Automotive
- Irish Independent
‘Community spirit is alive and well in Granard' – Large crowds descend on north Longford town as agricultural show season kicks into overdrive
Now in its 75th year, patrons came from near and far to sample the rustic delights of a show that is fast becoming one of the most popular spectacles on the rural calendar. Part of that rapidly growing repute was borne out by the presence of Tánaiste Simon Harris who was among the many legions of spectators to file through the gates of Higginstown Showgrounds for what was a two day affair like no other. A long-held destination of choice for some of the finest pedigree champions in the country, this year's offering certainly didn't disappoint with both its cattle and horse sections attracting particularly noteworthy entries. One of the chief, overriding highlights came courtesy of the Buddy Kiernan Milling Commercial Heifer Class with its winner's mantle going to Kevin Devine from Carrigallen, Co Leitrim. Judge Sam Coleman expressed his own 'astonishment' at the calibre of cattle which were on show to the wider public, a feeling that was mirrored by fellow judge Philip Scott in the horse ring. Chairperson Gerry Tully said that level of positive feedback was one he and his fellow committee members were keen to build on in order to underpin the show's enduring legacy for the next 75 years and beyond. 'The Young Handlers classes were a huge success in all sections,' he told the Irish Independent. 'It is important to keep running these Young Handlers classes to ensure the involvement of the youth attending agri shows.' A key element behind that drive to inspire the next generation of show enthusiasts was very much evidenced by a local schools competition which was spearheaded by local librarian and committee member Rosemary Gaynor in the event's main indoor exhibition hall. There was an almost equal level of excitement when Longford based McNally Motors took the wraps off its all new Toyota Landcruiser. Organisers have already set their sights on holding a major fundraising draw in the hope of selling 1,000 tickets at €100 each with the winning entrant getting their hands on the keys to a brand new landcruiser at its 2026 showcase. As has been customary fashion with its schedule of events in recent years, a healthy crowd of spectators turned out on Sunday to take in an afternoon of high-class showjumping action. 'We cannot thank all the sponsors, volunteers, gate personnel, judges, spectators and anyone that helped us in any way possible to ensure our 75th anniversary show was the best yet,' added an enthused Mr Tully. 'We are forever indebted to each and every one of them for their continued support and it just shows how community spirit is alive and well in Granard and surrounding areas.'
Irish Independent
3 days ago
- Business
- Irish Independent
The Sunday Independent's View: Ministers cannot afford to squander Apple billions
Too many ministers in decades past have been forced to make the more painful decisions of where to impose cuts rather than splash the cash. With great riches comes great responsibility, however, and the Cabinet's failure to agree the figures on Friday was a telling insight into the strength of the competing demands made by ministers to ensure their departments do not miss out on the billions — not least from the Apple windfall. Time is tight, with the Government expected to approve the plan on Tuesday. The Taoiseach and Tánaiste accordingly met again this weekend to thrash out the final details, but negotiations are clearly continuing until the last moment. Housing, health and transport are among the areas where agreement has yet to be reached. From the outside, it appears a no-brainer. Housing remains far and away the biggest concern in every opinion poll. Our EU partners are looking to Ireland to shoulder a fair share of collective security Even if there were no political self-interest for the Government to answer that call, some basic empathy for people struggling to meet the cost of rents and mortgages — or even get a toe on the property ladder in the first place — would demand they allocate as much as possible of the money to alleviating that crisis. Health is, likewise, an area where increased investment remains an irrefutable necessity. The one area that stands out this time around is defence. When TDs with euro signs in their eyes were salivating over how to spend the unexpected Apple windfall before November's general election, defence did not really get a look-in. Things are different now. With no end in sight to the war in Ukraine, our EU partners are increasingly looking to Ireland to shoulder a fair share of the burden of collective security. That may prove a hard sell to the public, who did not expect those extra billions to go on jets and an expanded Naval Service, but the days when Ireland could rely on others to protect our seas and shores are surely coming to an end. There are always other unwelcome expenses too. The European Court of Justice is expected to rule soon that asylum-seekers are entitled to sue the State if they are denied accommodation on arrival in the country. Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan said this would be 'very hard to justify' to Irish citizens whose own homeless people have no such legal right, but it is probably not a battle Ireland can win. As every household knows, finding the money for such unforeseen expenses can stretch the family budget to breaking point. Regrettably, the old proverb also holds true: eaten bread is soon forgotten. Excited politicians were minded to view money from Apple as the answer to all their dearest wishes. Once spent, the demands on the public purse will start again. With Donald Trump's tariffs still set to bite, it could be that the revenue available for any future development plans will be significantly down.
Irish Times
4 days ago
- Business
- Irish Times
No agreement yet on how proceeds of Apple tax case will be spent
The Taoiseach and Tánaiste are to hold talks on Saturday in an attempt to break the deadlock on how €20 billion in funding for key projects will be spent over the coming years. No agreement had been reached on Friday on spending in five key areas – housing, health, transport, education and defence. Informed sources said nine departments had agreed their funding levels, including justice and energy. Under the €20 billion revised National Development Plan (NDP), to be published on Tuesday, significant additional investment in areas such as housing, water infrastructure, the electricity grid, roads and public transport will be announced. The funding includes proceeds from the Apple tax case. READ MORE There is also expected to be a boost to capital funding in the disability sector, which Taoiseach Micheál Martin said would be a priority area for his Government. However, the amounts sought by Ministers under the revised NDP were multiples of the funding available. It is unusual for defence spending to be a sticking point in such Government negotiations over budgets, given the low levels of expenditure traditionally in this area. However, it is understood that Tánaiste Simon Harris, as Minister for Defence, has sought significant change in how the area is treated by the exchequer. He has said publicly that Ireland needs to boost defence spending and has spoken of moving to a higher level of defence capabilities – based on the findings of the Commission on Defence – including a larger Naval Service and the provision of fighter jets for the Air Corps. [ Focus in Budget 2026 has to be on transforming infrastructure, Martin says Opens in new window ] Sources said there were still issues remaining about funding for new roads. The Department of Transport had, for example, previously advised Ministers that there was a lack of clarity about where money for some projects such as the A5 dual carriageway in Northern Ireland – to which the previous government had committed €600 million – would come from. It was anticipated that this issue would be resolved in talks on the revised NDP. The Government's new housing strategy cannot be completed until the scale of funding available under the plan is known. Funding for key water infrastructure such as the new Dublin drainage scheme and the pipeline to bring water from the Shannon to Dublin is understood to form part of the Department of Housing's proposals, as does the €2 billion scheme to deal with the impact of defective concrete blocks. Sources said the plan would see the largest investment in the electricity grid in Irish history. Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill is understood to be pressing for funding for digitalisation of health services including electronic patient records – a project that could cost about €2 billion – as well as new elective hospitals to deal with non-urgent care and more community nursing units. [ Government 'feckless' with public money, Social Democrats claim in budget row Opens in new window ] The Cabinet is scheduled to formally sign off on the revised NDP on Tuesday. However, this is expected to involve only the provision of specific budgets to each department. It is not anticipated that particular projects to be funded will be announced on Tuesday. It will be up to Minsters in each area to decide on individual projects based on the level of funding they have available. Minister for Public Expenditure Jack Chambers told the Dáil on Thursday that at a point of significant economic uncertainty, the Government was 'clearly setting out that we want to seriously increase our overall investment in critical infrastructure, which will provide the growth, prosperity and jobs for the future'. 'We know that housing, energy, water and transport in particular are areas requiring that additional investment,' he said. 'There are other areas that require the additionality to provide for critical services and social infrastructure across communities in Ireland.'
Irish Examiner
4 days ago
- Politics
- Irish Examiner
Simon Harris holds calls with EU and UN over Unifil mandate
Ireland remains committed to renewing the Unifil mission, the Tánaiste has said. Simon Harris held discussions with EU and UN counterparts on Friday in a bid to secure a continuation of the mission ahead of the renewal of its mandate at the end of August. He held separate calls with UN under secretary general for peace operations Jean Pierre LaCroix, foreign minister of Italy Antonio Taranji, and foreign minister of Lebanon Youssef Raggi. Speaking afterwards, the Tánaiste said: 'Since 1978, participation in Unifil has been a key demonstration of Ireland's commitment to international peacekeeping. 'I remain exceptionally proud of the Defence Forces members serving in Unifil and the contribution they make every day. 'It is clear to me, including through my visit in March this year, that Unifil continues to play a vital role in ensuring stability and security. He added: 'Ireland remains committed to supporting peace and stability in Lebanon including through the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701 and the renewal of Unifil's mandate in the coming weeks.' In the call with Mr Rajji, Mr Harris also discussed the ongoing trial of those accused of killing Private Sean Rooney in Lebanon in December 2022. He said: 'I underscored the importance of ensuring accountability and justice in this case for the family of Private Rooney, the Government and people of Ireland.' Mr Harris will hold further talks on the matter, including with the French foreign minister who is leading the bid to secure the renewal of the mandate. Poland has also said it believes the mission must continue for the stability and security of the region. Mr Harris told Cabinet this week that the Unifil mission is vital for retention and morale of Irish troops, as well as Ireland's 'unwavering commitment to international peace and security'. Read More Delays to infrastructure projects are damaging job prospects – Taoiseach
RTÉ News
4 days ago
- Politics
- RTÉ News
Tánaiste holds talks over Lebanon peacekeeping renewal
Tánaiste Simon Harris has held talks with UN and EU counterparts about the vital need to renew the mandate of the UN peacekeeping force in southern Lebanon. Next month at the UN headquarters in New York, the mandate of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) will be up for discussion at the Security Council. There is concern that the 12-month roll-over of the UNIFIL mandate could be in jeopardy given strong criticism of the blue helmet operation by Israel and the fact that its ally, the United States, could pull support from the mission. The Tánaiste spoke with his counterparts in Italy and Lebanon, as well as the UN peacekeeping chief Jean-Pierre LaCroix. The discussion with Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani is particularly important given the recent appointment of an Italian Major General as the UNIFIL Force Commander. Later Mr Harris will hold further talks, including with the French foreign minister whose country is leading the bid to ensure the UNIFIL mandate continues. Earlier this week, Poland gave its full backing to the renewal of the UNIFIL mission - a country that works hand-in-hand with Irish peacekeepers in southern Lebanon. The Tánaiste also told Cabinet on Tuesday that the UNIFIL mission is vital for the morale of Irish troops, and most importantly, Ireland's unwavering commitment to international peace and security. In his call with Lebanese foreign minister, Mr Harris also raised the case of Private Seán Rooney, who was killed while out on patrol in southern Lebanon in December 2022. The Irish Government has expressed concern at the length of time it is taking for a trial to proceed and continues to liaise with the late Private Rooney's family.
