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The Journal
28-05-2025
- Business
- The Journal
Sinn Féin bill seeking to prevent sale of Israeli 'war bonds' defeated by 87 votes to 75
A SINN FÉIN bill that sought to stop the Irish Central Bank facilitating the sale of Israeli 'war bonds' across the EU has been defeated in the Dáil. The Restrictive Financial Measures (State of Israel) Bill 2025 was voted down by 87 votes to 75. There were shouts of 'shame' after Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy read the result of the vote. The Government blocked the bill, despite a legal opinion from the Oireachtas Office of Parliamentary Legal Advisers, seen by The Journal, which says the legislation would be constitutional. Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe told the Dáil last night that the bill was 'unworkable' and would not materially impact on the ability of Israel to raise money by selling bonds. Had it passed, the Sinn Féin bill would have given the Finance Minister the power to stop the Irish Central Bank from facilitating the sale of Israeli government bonds across the EU. The Government has come under pressure to introduce legislation of this kind in response to Israel's actions in Gaza and the West Bank. Explainer: Why are pro-Palestine groups calling for Ireland to prevent the sale of Israeli 'war bonds'? Since 7 October 2023, Israeli government bonds have been used to fund the State's war against Hamas, leading some to dub them 'Israeli war bonds'. Advertisement The Irish Central Bank has a special role in facilitating their sale in the EU. To be sold in the EU, bonds from non-EU countries must have their bond prospectus (a legal document setting out details of the bond) approved by the Central Bank of a country that is in the EU. Before Brexit, the UK carried out this work for Israel. After they left the EU, Israel chose Ireland to be its 'home country' for this purpose, meaning the Irish Central Bank is responsible for approving its bond prospectus. Pro-Palestinian campaigners and most Opposition political parties in Ireland argue that by carrying out this work, Ireland is facilitating Israel's actions in Gaza. Their argument is that the Central Bank is allowing Israel to raise money for its war effort by enabling the sale of bonds through approving the country's bond prospectus. 'Mealy-mouthed, baseless excuses' A debate on the bill in the Dáil last night was interrupted by protesters in the public gallery , leading to proceedings being suspending for five minutes. Protesters held up a banner in the visitor's gallery which said 'Sanction Israel' before they were removed. Protestors outside the Central Bank demonstrating against its role as the EU regulator for Israel bonds in March. Protesters have also demonstrated outside the Central Bank and called for legislation that would give Ireland the power to refuse the sale of Israeli 'war bonds' over human rights concerns. Speaking during Leaders' Questions today, Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald said Irish people may be 'horrified' to learn of the Central Bank's role in approving the bonds. Read Next Related Reads Dáil briefly suspended after protesters interrupt debate on 'Israeli war bonds' Why are pro-Palestine groups calling for Ireland to prevent the sale of Israeli 'war bonds'? She said these are used to raise money to pay for missiles, tanks, guns and drones that have killed tens of thousands of men, women and children in Gaza. 'Israel doesn't hide the purpose of these bonds,' she said. 'They emphasise 'the crucial role of Israel bonds during a time of conflict and war'. Israel openly invites people to invest in genocide.' She accused Paschal Donohoe of giving 'water-weak, mealy-mouthed and baseless excuses' for opposing the legislation. The Taoiseach accused Sinn Féin of trying to drive a wedge between the Government and the Irish public over what is happening in Gaza. Micheál Martin also told the Dáil that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza , in his strongest condemnation of Israel's actions to date. With reporting from Jane Matthews 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
Irish Times
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Irish Times
James Browne broke Dáil rules when refusing to release housing data, Ceann Comhairle finds
Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy has found that Minister for Housing James Browne failed to comply with Dáil rules when refusing to release data on social and affordable housing schemes. Ms Murphy was responding to a complaint by Sinn Féin housing spokesman Eoin Ó Broin , who had written to her asking to examine responses to parliamentary questions he put down but argued had not been properly answered. The Dublin Mid-West TD had sought data on five different social and affordable programmes, including applications for funding, approvals, and how many applications were pending. Mr Ó Broin outlined that he had sought the information because of what he believed were 'significant delays in the approval of social and affordable housing scheme applications' which would have a knock-on effect on output. READ MORE However, the data was refused on the basis of commercial sensitivity, he said, with the Department of Housing also saying it would be too cumbersome to collate. Following correspondence with the department, including its top civil servant Graham Doyle, and a series of further parliamentary questions in March, Mr Ó Broin submitted a complaint to the Ceann Comhairle. In a letter to the Oireachtas, he said it was his view that the information was being 'deliberately withheld' as it would confirm a 'very significant problem with social and affordable housing scheme approvals'. Ms Murphy contacted the Department of Housing on foot of the complaint, which told her that it had provided some data in response, but that the format of his query fell outside the 'normal reporting process'. 'The information sought is not readily available and its compilation would involve a disproportionate amount of time and work,' the department told the Ceann Comhairle, adding that period publications it compiled contained 'the majority' of the data being sought. In a response to Mr Ó Broin, Ms Murphy wrote that she had decided to examine the issue under Dáil standing orders (the rules under which the business of the house is organised) which dictate that ministers must 'address each and every request for information' contained in a question from a TD submitted through the Oireachtas. Having reviewed the question and replies, Ms Murphy told the Sinn Féin TD that she agreed with him that the replies 'do not comply with the provisions of the standing order'. The exchanges were first reported in Tuesday's edition of the Irish Examiner. She said that an argument from the department that the information was not readily available and would take a disproportionate amount of time and work to compile was 'not a sufficient basis … to either disallow or fail to adequately reply to a question'. 'The Minister shall be requested to provide an indicative timeline as to when this data can be collated.' She added that the decision had been communicated to the Minister for Housing. The Department of Housing and a spokeswoman for Mr Browne have been asked for a comment.
Irish Examiner
20-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Examiner
Government accused of trying to 'conceal' data on housing starts due to funding delays for projects
The Government has been accused of burying statistics for housing starts due to a slowdown in getting projects approved and funded. Following a complaint to her office, Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy is now investigating why the statistics on various social and affordable housing projects have not been provided after repeated attempts by Sinn Féin's Eoin Ó Broin to get the information through parliamentary questions. The impasse comes in the wake of the row over inflated figures provided by the outgoing government last year on housing starts for 2024. The information being sought by Mr Ó Broin follows a report in the Irish Examiner last February that the funding of thousands of social and cost-rental homes was stalled since August 2024. Days after the report, the Cabinet approved €450m for 3,000 such homes but it is unclear whether all the projects concerned have since received the funding. Mr Ó Broin, the Sinn Féin housing spokesperson, has submitted parliamentary questions asking for the statistics four times in the last two months. When the results were not forthcoming, he also twice emailed the secretary general of the Department of Housing looking for assistance and finally submitted his complaint to Verona Murphy's office. The Ceann Comhairle then engaged with the department but she also found the answers provided to be unsatisfactory. She is now investigating the matter. 'Given the background to this issue, I have decided to examine the issue under the terms of SO55 (Standing Order 55) — Adequacy of replies to questions and topical issues,' Ms Murphy wrote to Mr Ó Broin. The housing projects affected by the stalling of funding are due to be built by Approved Housing Bodies. Eoin Ó Broin claims the failure to answer his questions is a deliberate tactic. Picture: Liam McBurney/PA Wire They had all received approval but a row between the Departments of Housing and Public Expenditure before last year's general election meant the funding was not provided. On February 18, the Cabinet approved the €450m injection to meet the funding requirements for 3,000 homes under both categories to free up the backlog. However, sources in the industry suggest not all of the approved projects — in both social and cost-rental — have since been provided with the funds. Mr Ó Broin claims the failure to answer his questions is a deliberate tactic. 'There is huge frustration out there,' he says. 'Not only in how the backlog of projects is now being dealt with, but the overall processing times have got much longer and people are genuinely concerned about the delivery of projects that are in the pipeline. I believe that the minister is trying to conceal the proper information coming into the public domain. A spokesperson for the Department of Housing told the Irish Examiner the department 'is not aware of any projects that have either paused or stopped work due to funding approval timelines'. He said an issue over approved projects not getting funding did not arise. 'In granting final approval to a project, the department is committing exchequer funding, therefore it does not arise that a project is approved but subsequently awaiting funding — the granting of a final funding approval is the de facto departmental allocation of funds.' However, this is precisely what caused the five month backlog until last February. Approved Housing Bodies had received approval from the Housing Agency, acting on behalf of the department, for at least 3,000 homes but the funding did not materialise until the Cabinet decision of February 18. The latest figures for housing commencements showed 1,027 notices of commencement were issued during the month of April. The number of commencements over the previous year was 42,316. This figure is believed not to reflect the actual numbers of homes being built as there was a waiver for development fees last year and projects would have issued commencement notices to avail of the waiver whether or not work actually got under way.
Irish Independent
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Irish Independent
Wexford pupils celebrate Europe Day with Ceann Comhairle
New Ross Standard Today at 22:00 Europe Day was celebrated recently as members of parliament visited schools across the country to mark 52 years since Ireland joined the European Union, while the Ceann Comhairle and Wexford native, Verona Murphy TD made her way to two local primary schools. The younger generation of Irish citizens were visited by Deputy Murphy to mark Europe Day and as part of the Blue Star Programme, students of Scoil Mhuire NS Horeswood, Campile, Co. Wexford and Bunscoil Rís Edmund Rice Senior School, New Ross, Co. Wexford, showcased their creative and educational projects on the European Union. The Blue Star Programme encourages students of all ages, from primary schools all over Ireland, to get creative and think about Europe by carrying out projects in relation to four key elements: the history, geography, culture and creativity, and Institutions of the EU. Signifying the economic and diplomatic ties between France and Wexford, the Ceann Comhairle was joined by Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of France, Mr. Armel T'Kint Armel de Roodenbeke, and the Wexford Honorary Consul of France, Ms. Mélanie O'Reilly. Deputy Murphy spoke to the students about the importance of Europe Day and Ireland's relationship with the European Union, which also involved the opportunity for students to put their questions to the Ceann Comhairle. 'Europe Day celebrates 75 years since the Schuman declaration, a proposal made by then French Foreign Minister, Robert Schuman, which is considered the beginning of what is now the European Union,' remarked Deputy Murphy. 'We take this opportunity today to reflect on what the European Union has meant to us as a nation and particularly for our young people who have shown to me, through their Blue Star Programme projects, that the young people of Ireland's relationship with Europe is stronger than ever,' she added.
Irish Times
05-05-2025
- Automotive
- Irish Times
Drivers push to swap US licences for Irish ones amid test backlog
Proposals that would allow people to swap their US or Canadian driver's licences for Irish licences without sitting a driving test have been hailed as 'pragmatic' by Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy. A group of people who live in Ireland and hold North American licences have put forward a number of alternatives to sitting the driving test, due to extensive waiting lists . Waiting times for driving tests have risen significantly, with some people waiting up to 10 months . The group's alternatives to sitting the test include requiring these drivers to sit the theory test, requiring them to take 12 driving lessons (up from the current six), and ensuring they have maintained a clean driving record for at least three years. READ MORE Gene Kearon, a dual American-Irish citizen, is leading the group's efforts. The 60-year-old was born in the US to Irish parents and spent part of his childhood in Wicklow. He relocated to Gorey last October. The group has contacted a number of TDs with their proposals. In an email reply sent to Mr Kearon on April 14th, Ms Murphy described the suggestions as 'pragmatic' and said they aligned with the need to maintain road safety while 'reducing pressure' on the Road Safety Authority (RSA). People who move to Ireland and hold a driving licence from countries including the US can drive on Irish roads for up to a year. After this 12-month period, people from certain countries (and certain regions in Canada) can exchange their licence for an Irish one. However, the US is not one of the countries so recognised. Mr Kearon said he and others 'don't want to compromise Irish road safety', but that the current model does not make sense. 'You're telling me, I arrive on day one and I can drive unfettered throughout the country - why does that change on [day] 366? Wouldn't it be smarter to say, 'Okay, you can drive, but in order for us to give you that licence on day 366, you have to take the 12 lessons that everybody else takes'?' Mr Kearon has started the process of applying for an Irish driver's licence but has been told it could be September before he can sit his test. [ Learner drivers face having to start again if they have more than four permits without passing a test Opens in new window ] His one-year grace period ends in October. If there is any delay, he could be without a licence, and unable to drive - something which could affect his job. Mr Kearon knows several people in a similar situation and said 'they're all desperate for a solution'. He said he has been driving for four decades, without a road traffic incident, and believes he is 'unnecessarily taking a spot away from somebody else who's never driven before'. There is a commitment in the Programme for Government to examine 'reciprocal driving licence arrangements with the USA, Australia and Canada'. A spokesperson for the Department of Transport said Ireland has a licence exchange agreement with Australia and seven of the 10 Canadian provinces, but that reaching an agreement with the US is more complicated. 'US driver licensing operates at state, not federal, level. This means that there are 50 licensing systems, with widely varying testing standards and road safety performance.' A spokesperson for the RSA added that 'agreement with any one state [in the US] would mean taking into account the licence-exchange arrangements between that state and the other 49″. As such, a blanket agreement 'would not be feasible'.
