Podcasts about Oireachtas

Corrinne Hasson, Executive Director at the National Women's Council of Ireland, on the imminent passing of laws which would make new sex-for-rent arrangements a crime.

Lydia Whelan, Breast Cancer Survivor, reacts to the Right to Be Forgotten legislation passing all stages in the Oireachtas.

Campaigners are describing it as a landmark moment for cancer survivors.   The Government's "Right to Be Forgotten" legislation has now completed its passage through the Oireachtas, meaning eligible cancer survivors will have legal protection when applying for mortgage protection insurance. Lahinch-based health campaigner John Wall, who is living with stage IV prostate cancer, has long campaigned for better supports for people affected by cancer, and he joined Alan Morrissey in-studio to discuss.  Photo (c) aluxum from Getty Images Signature via Canva

Grace Boland, Fine Gael TD.

Pat Leahy and Jack Horgan-Jones join Hugh Linehan to look back on the week in politics:· Ireland's presidency of the Council of the European Union got off to a slightly awkward start at the opening ceremony at Dublin Castle on Wednesday when guest Volodymyr Zelenskiy warned against “material emanating from a plant in Ireland” being used in Russia's war effort. The Ukrainian president didn't name Aughinish Alumina, but his feelings were clear.· Dozens of solicitors walked out of District Court rooms on Wednesday in protest against a new pay system for legal aid. This marked an escalation in tensions with Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan who has pushed the reform through.· The Government are not going to act on Oireachtas committee recommendations on the decriminalisation of the possession of drugs for personal use.· And as the United States celebrates its 250th birthday, how has the country lived up to the principals and aspirations of its founding fathers? Would you like to receive daily insights into world events delivered to your inbox? Sign up for Denis Staunton's Global Briefing newsletter here: irishtimes.com/newsletters/global-briefing/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Labhair Dónall linn faoin ócáid ‘SEAS' atá ar siúl in Óstán Buswells i mBaile Átha Cliath inniu, ócáid atá eagraithe ag Conradh na Gaeilge áit a gcuirtear éilimh phobal na Gaeilge agus na Gaeltachta os comhair baill den Oireachtas.

Clare's opposition TD is calling on her fellow Oireachtas members to oppose the planned strategic gas emergency reserve in the Shannon Estuary. A two-hour debate on the controversial project proposed for Cahiracon near Kildysart has taken place in the Dáil. The final Strategic Gas Reserve Bill has yet to be debated but has been subject to pre-legislative scrutiny in the Oireachtas Climate Committee. Shannon Sinn Féin Deputy Donna McGettigan claims the Government should be pursuing renewable options to ensure Ireland's energy is "clean, secure, affordable and ours".

The Government says it's making the biggest changes to rural housing policy in years, with new draft planning guidelines designed to make it easier for people with a local connection to build homes in the countryside.     The proposals aim to bring consistency to planning decisions, support rural communities and the Gaeltacht, while also preventing urban sprawl.     Meelick Fianna Fáil TD Cathal Crowe has been closely involved in shaping the plans through the Oireachtas sub-Committee on Rural Housing and has been working with Housing Minister James Browne on the proposals.    He joined Alan Morrissey earlier to discuss what these changes mean. Photo (c) Pawel Gaul from Getty Images Signature via Canva 

Some competent learner drivers should be allowed to drive unaccompanied. That's the call in a petition set to be considered in the Oireachtas today. Anton was joined by, Conor Faughnan, Transport Commentator and Independent Motoring Expert for Carzone to see if this is a workable solution.

Some competent learner drivers should be allowed to drive unaccompanied. That's the call in a petition set to be considered in the Oireachtas today. Anton was joined by, Conor Faughnan, Transport Commentator and Independent Motoring Expert for Carzone to see if this is a workable solution.

In CI News this week: Parents and church leaders in England and Wales could be criminalised under a planned ‘conversion practices' Bill, a parliamentary committee in Ireland backs liberalising the country's drug laws, and Northern Ireland's Civil Service has called a halt to official participation in LGBT Pride. You can download the video via this link. Featured stories Govt publishes controversial draft ‘conversion practices' Bill Oireachtas committee pushes to decriminalise heroin and cocaine for personal use NI Civil Service imposes staff ‘Pride' parade ban

A major shift in Ireland's approach to drug policy could be on the horizon following the publication of a landmark report by the Oireachtas Committee on Drugs Use.   The committee is recommending that possession of drugs for personal use should be decriminalised, and that Ireland adopts a more health-led approach to tackling addiction and substance misuse.   The report contains 161 recommendations, including expanded treatment services, greater access to harm reduction measures, and increased support for people affected by addiction.   Meanwhile, the Taoiseach says the government will give serious consideration to the recommendations of the Oireachtas report.   He was responding to Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns, who said the Government was not taking a health-led approach to the issue.  Micheal Martin said a health referral scheme will be introduced shortly for those found to be in possession of illicit drugs, saying the report will be fully examined. To discuss what these proposals could mean in practice, Alan Morrissey was joined by Midwest-based addiction counsellor Michael Guerin. Photo (c) Towfiqu barbhuiya from Pexels via Canva

Donal and Fr Eamonn open with Senator Ronan Mullen's recent Oireachtas questioning of RTÉ Director General Kevin Backhurst on the broadcaster's approach to surrogacy coverage — including a moment where an AI search described a named RTÉ presenter as “an advocate” for legalization, prompting Backhurst to suggest the problem might lie with AI rather than […] L'articolo Hope in the Media – Surrogacy in the Seanad and Priests Mental Health – Fr. Eamonn McCarthy & Dónal O'Sullivan-Latchford proviene da Radio Maria.

The Oireachtas Housing Committee has published a major new report on homelessness, urging the Government to consider all options, including the possible reintroduction of an emergency ban on no-fault evictions.   The report also calls for greater investment in homelessness prevention, more social and affordable housing, and a renewed focus on tackling child homelessness.   With homelessness continuing to rise across the country, the committee says urgent action is needed if Ireland is to meet its target of ending long-term homelessness by 2030.   To discuss the recommendations and what they could mean in practice, Alan Morrissey was joined by Niall Garvey, CEO of Midwest Simon Community, and Una Burns, Head of Advocacy and Communications with Novas, which operates homelessness services in Ennis and across the country. Photo © Oireachtas.ie

More than one in five pubs have seen decline in staff numbers over past 12 months. That's according to the Vintners' Federation of Ireland, who will be highlighting the issue before an Oireachtas committee later today. Speaking to Anton was Pat Crotty Chief Executive of The Vintners' Federation of Ireland.

More than one in five pubs have seen decline in staff numbers over past 12 months. That's according to the Vintners' Federation of Ireland, who will be highlighting the issue before an Oireachtas committee later today. Speaking to Anton was Pat Crotty Chief Executive of The Vintners' Federation of Ireland.

An Oireachtas committee's been told that a housing development in East Clare has been stalled for three years due to wastewater capacity issues. Kilkishen is one of three villages in Clare where according to Uisce Éireann, there's no additional wastewater capacity or projects planned to address this. In 2024, the local authority refused plans for a 60-unit scheme in the village due to sewerage deficiencies. Responding to Clare Fine Gael TD Joe Cooney, Department of Housing Deputy Secretary General Garret Doocey insists funds are being made available to rectify these problems.

The Oireachtas will be considering legislation to establish a register of domestic violence offenders. It's called ‘Jennie's Law', after Jennifer Poole, who was murdered by her former partner in 2021.So, how would it work, and how should it work?Joining Seán to discuss is Lisa Ann Wilkinson, Barrister at Law victim-survivors of domestic abuse and violence & Co-Founder of the right to transparency campaign.

The Oireachtas will be considering legislation to establish a register of domestic violence offenders. It's called ‘Jennie's Law', after Jennifer Poole, who was murdered by her former partner in 2021.So, how would it work, and how should it work?Joining Seán to discuss is Lisa Ann Wilkinson, Barrister at Law victim-survivors of domestic abuse and violence & Co-Founder of the right to transparency campaign.

The common travel area has been part of much scrutiny over the last number of days. For more on this our politicial correspondent Barry Lenihane was at our Oireachtas studio.

Our Political Correspondent Barry Lenihan from the Oireachtas studio.

Today is the deadline for the Rotunda Hospital to provide the HSE with an audit of all private work being carried out by consultants on public only contracts in the hospital. It follows revelations at an Oireachtas committee last week that this practice is continuing despite a direction it was to stop. Anton discusses further with Joe Neville, Fine Gael TD for Kildare North.

The Justice Minister claims he's told the Garda Commissioner that Clare needs more gardaí. Jim O'Callaghan visited Clare earlier this month where he heard from local representatives on the challenges around policing in the county. Just 115 gardaí are currently operating here compared to 200 in 2007, according to Oireachtas data. Responding to Ennistymon Senator Martin Conway in the Seanad, the minister says many people in Clare told him they want to see more boots on the ground.

The Occupied Territories Bill is finally heading to the Oireachtas, but the government's decision to exclude services has sparked fierce criticism from opposition parties. Meanwhile, the Social Democrats are celebrating major by-election victories, raising fresh questions about Sinn Féin's position on the left and Holly Cairns' growing appeal. You can listen to Indo Politics a day early by searching Indo Politics wherever you get your podcasts. Host; Mary Regan, Guest; Maeve McTaggart We want to earn your trust and are members of The Trust Project. You can see our ethics policies at independent.ie/ourjournalism See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ellen Coyne and Cormac McQuinn join Hugh Linehan to look back on the week in politics:· The left-wing alliance that was formed during Catherine Connolly's presidential campaign is already straining, with the Social Democrats, Labour and People Before Profit concerned with the policy direction of Sinn Féin on issues like migration and reproductive rights.· Independent Ireland leader Michael Collins was not impressed by left-leaning voters neglecting to supply party candidate Noel Thomas with enough transfers to prevail in the recent Galway West byelection. Perhaps those voters did not want to give Thomas a preference given his far from left-leaning stance on immigration.· The omission of services from the Occupied Territories Bill, which targets Israeli imports produced from Palestinian lands, came as a surprise to no one. After many months of mulling it over, the Taoiseach was accused by Opposition parties of reneging on promises to prohibit all trade with settlements. Government can expect many calls for amendments when it is brought to Oireachtas in the coming weeks.· And the building of one-off rural housing could become easier with plans to relax the rules for rural housing, aimed at allowing for increased supply, expected to be brought to Cabinet next month.Would you like to receive daily insights into world events delivered to your inbox? Sign up for Denis Staunton's Global Briefing newsletter here: irishtimes.com/newsletters/global-briefing/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Clare has the tenth highest number of Domestic Violence refuge and Safe Home units in the country, according to new national data released to the Oireachtas, with six refuge units and two Safe Home units currently available in the county. To discuss this further, Daragh Dolan was joined by Manager at Clare Haven, Dr Siobhán O'Conno and Mary Howard, representing Rape Crisis MidWest on the Clare Local Area Network. Picture (c) doidam10 via Canva.com

It will be a “few years” before construction works on the Dublin MetroLink rail line are at “full tilt”, the Oireachtas transport committee has heard. To discuss this further Anton spoke to Paul Davies, Lecturer in Public Procurement, DCU.

RTÉ's announcement that the salary of Derek Mooney, one of its most well-known on-air staffers, had been publicly misrepresented for years sparked a very public controversy.It prompted debate in the Dáil and an appearance for the broadcaster's director general Kevin Bakhurst before the Oireachtas media committee.At issue was how pay is calculated in the organisation, with the suspicion that, once again, when it comes to how the “talent” is being remunerated, the public are not being told the full story.And with the DG before it, the committee took the chance to talk about other presenters and their pay, including Oliver Callan and the late Sean Rocks.So what did we learn from the weeklong controversy that once again put the spotlight on RTÉ.Irish Times media columnist Hugh Linehan explains what this latest controversy means and why it differs from others that have gone before.Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Artificial intelligence chatbots are leading children into “terrible harm” and can push people towards sexualised and pro-eating disorder content, an Oireachtas committee has heard. For more on this Anton spoke to Tanya Ward, CEO Children's Rights Alliance.

The Oireachtas media committee is set to grill RTE executives today over the latest scandal involving presenter payments and salaries. Member of the Oireachtas Media Committee and Sinn Féin TD For Louth Joanna Byrne spoke to Anton ahead of the meeting.

Fionnán Sheahan, Ireland Editor with the Irish Independent

It is high time that sex for rent exploitation is criminalised, according to the Civil Society Coalition on Addressing “Sex for Rent” Exploitation and Protecting Renters. The ongoing housing crisis continues to make unhoused women more vulnerable to sexual violence and exploitation. Corrinne Hasson, Executive Director of the National Women's Council joined Anton this morning.

Conradh na Gaeilge will appear before the Oireachtas to protest the lack of Irish-medium education. This comes following record-breaking numbers of Irish exemptions in schools. Julian De Spáinn, Ard Runaí of Conradh na Gaeilge joins Ciara Doherty.

Ireland has the lowest level of roadside breath-testing in the EU according to evidence given to an Oireachtas committee today. In a statement gardai said that DUI detections remain high, and that drink driving detections increased last year. Dr Sheila Gilheany of the lobby group Alcohol Action Ireland joined Rachael for an extended conversation.

The Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Media, Communications, Culture and Sport is this morning publishing its report on the Regulation of Online Platforms and it does not recommend a social media ban for under 16s. Speaking to Anton to discuss further was Alan Kelly, Chair of the Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Media, Communications, Culture and Sport.

For this week's Tech Takeover, Jess Kelly, Newstalk's Technology Correspondent joins Shane and Ciara to discuss why an Oireachtas committee has published a report on why they are not recommending a social media ban for under 16s, and what they are recommending instead…

New legislation from Sinn Féin aimed at tackling ‘price gouging' in the electricity sector is to be debated in the Oireachtas today. To discuss further Anton spoke to Pa Daly, Sinn Féin TD for Kerry and spokesperson on Climate, Energy, Environment and Transport and also Muireann Lynch, Energy Economist ESRI.

A petition requesting equal parenting or time/shared parenting to become the default in Irish family law has been put forward for the consideration of the Oireachtas. Anton gets more detail on this petition with Michelle Browne Senior Family Mediator and Author .

A Clare Senator has slammed the proliferation of vaping stores and advertising in the county town. It comes as the Public Health Single Use Vapes Bill was debated in the Oireachtas once again. The legislation will eventually aim to ban the sale of disposable vaping products in Ireland. Ennistymon Senator Martin Conway believes advertising of all vape products should be banned immediately.

A number of social media companies that appeared before the Oireachtas committee on Children and Equality have denied that their platforms are addictive…Joining Shane to discuss this is Ruairí Ó'Murchú, Sinn Féin TD For Louth and Member of the Committee and Regina Doherty, Fine Gael MEP for Dublin.

The new Mental Health Bill has been given final approval by the Dáil and sent to the President for signing. Speaking to Jonathan this morning was John Farrelly Mental Health Commission Chief Executive.

Eoin Sheahan is joined in studio by Eoin Doyle, Arthur O'Dea and David Seagrave for Wednesday's Newsround, as the Oireachtas heard today that headgear does not prevent brain injuries in any sport, while there is the small matter of Arsenal's Champions League semifinal tie with Atletico Madrid tonight!Viagra Connect 50mg film-coated tablets. Contains sildenafil. For adult men with erectile dysfunction. Subject to suitability. Maximum dosage one 50mg tablet per day. Always read the label.Listen to live League of Ireland commentary this Friday night as Bohemians do battle with Derry City at Dalymount Park.Phil Egan will be joined in the gantry by Keith Treacy, and you will be able to hear live and exclusive commentary on Off The Ball on Newstalk and the GoLoud App from 7 o'clock.Andy Dunne will be alongside Cuán Ó'Flatharta at the Aviva Stadium for live commentary of Leinster versus Toulon on Saturday May 2nd at 3 o'clock.You will be able to hear live commentary of that game on Off The Ball Saturday from 1pm on the GoLoud App and on Newstalk.Manchester United take on Liverpool in the Premier League on Off The Ball Sunday - former United star Darron Gibson will be alongside Stephen Doyle at Old Trafford for that one.That kicks off at half-past-three and you can follow all the action on Off The Ball Sunday from 1 o'clock on the GoLoud App and on Newstalk.

Cathal Crowe, Fianna Fáil TD and member of the committee

Banning young people from social media does not offer a realistic solution and teaching them digital literacy would be of greater benefit. TDs and Senators were told this at a meeting of the Oireachtas children's committee by representatives of youth organisations. Roisin O'Neill of the National Youth Council of Ireland's Youth Advisory Group joined Anton Savage on the show to discuss.

Atheist Ireland spoke last night to the Oireachtas petitions committee to ask that each school give practical application to the right not to attend religious instruction. Research found around 40% of parents of children attending Catholic or other religious denomination primary schools would prefer their child to go to a multi-denominational school. Anton discusses this further with Jane Donnelly, Spokesperson for Atheist Ireland.

President Catherine Connolly is today meeting the Council of State at Áras an Uachtaráin, the first meeting of the council of office since President Connolly took office last November.The council will discuss the constitutionality of the International Protection Bill, which was passed by the Oireachtas last week.Joining Shane to discuss this is Pat Leahy, Political Editor of The Irish Times.

The core funding model for childcare services is “no longer sustainable”, and urgent reform is needed, an Oireachtas committee has heard. For more on this Anton was joined by Karen Clince, Founder and CEO of Tigers Childcare.

A Kerry-based non-governmental organisation (NGO) is calling on the government to use diplomatic channels to advance the rights of Kurdish people in the Middle East. They are a minority group in the region without their own independent state. South Kerry organisation, Azadi, is submitting an Oireachtas public petition today urging government action. Co-director and Sneem native Florian Scheibein is of Kurdish descent.

RTÉ reporter Andrew Lowth assesses the impact on the club sector as a result to a commitment to reforming licensing laws is contained in the current Programme for Government, but a timeline remains unclear - as the Bill does not feature in Government's Legislation Programme for Spring 2026.

Legisation is currently being drafted to remove the cap which limits the number of passengers to 32 million annually. Our Business Correspondent Fergal O'Brien was following the hearing this morning.