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Nuacht Mhall. Príomhscéalta na seachtaine, léite go mall.*Inniú an séú la déag de mhí Lúnasa. Is mise Gwyneth Nic Aidicín Ní Loinsigh.D'fhógair iarrthóir uachtaránachta Fíne Gael, Mairéad McGuinness, ar an Déardaoin go bhfuil sí ag tarraingt amach as an bhfeachtas Uachtaránach. Dúradh nach cinneadh éasca ab ea ann ach tar éis tréimhse san ospidéal go bhfuil a sláinte curtha chun tús aici. I ráiteas an pháirtí tugadh tacaíocht di agus dúradh go mbuailfidh Comhairle Feidhmiúcháin Fíne Gael le chéile go luath leis an gcéad chéim eile a phleanáil, ach níl sé soiléir cé eile a rithfidh dóibh. Tá an TD Neamhspleách Catherine Connolly ó Ghaillimh Thiar ag báiliú tacaíocht ar an eite chlé, an t-aon iarrthóir anois tar éis feachtas a lainseáil agus leis an tacaíocht atá de dhíth chun ainmniúchán a bhaint amach. Níl sé soiléir an gcuirfidh Fianna Fáil iarrthóir ar aghaidh, tá plé inmheánach fós ar siúl ag Sinn Féin agus tá roinnt ainmneacha neamhspleácha sa chomhrá ach níl aon iarrthóir láidir le feiceáil fós. Críochnóidh téarma Mhichíl D. Uí hUigínn ar an 11 Samhain tar éis 14 bliain in oifig. Is dócha go mbeidh lá an toghcháin ag deireadh mhí Dheireadh Fómhair.Maraíodh ceathrar iriseoirí de chuid Al Jazeera in ionsaí beartaithe Iosraelach an tseachtain seo caite. Maraíodh seachtar san iomlán nuair a bhuail drón Iosraelach pobal lasmuigh d'ospidéal al-Shifa i gcathair Gaza a bhí ag tabhairt dídeán do na meáin. Maraíodh beirt chomhfhreagraithe; Anas al-Sharif agus Mohammed Qreiqeh, agus beirt cheamaradóirí; Ibrahim Zaher agus Mohammed Noufal. Bhí cáil ar Anas al-Sharif go háirithe mar ghuth láídir ó thús an chogaidh a chuir an fhírinne faoin uafás atá á dhéanamh ag Iosrael i nGaza ar stáitse domhanda. Is é an cogadh seo an cogadh is marfaí d'iriseoirí riamh, agus beagnach 270 iriseoir agus oibrí na meáin maraithe ag Iosreal ón 7 Deireadh Fomhair 2023. Sin níos mó ná gach iriseoir a maraíodh i ngach cogadh mór ón gCogadh Cathartha i Stáit Aontaithe Mheiriceá go dtí an lá atá inniú ann, curtha le chéile.Bhuaigh Gaillimh Cluiche Ceannais Camógaíochta na hÉireann an bhliain seo, tar éis cluiche drámatúil in aghaidh Chorcaí. Baineadh an bua amach ag an nóiméad deireanach le pointe ó Carrie Dolan, captaen na foirne, cúpla nóiméad tar éis cúl ó Chorcaigh a chuir an dá fhoireann ar comhscór. Is bua sceitimíneach é seo do Ghaillimh - bhuaigh Corcaigh an bhliain seo caite ina gcoinne arís agus bhí “three in a row” á lorg acu i mbliana. Seo an cúigiú bua den chomórtas do Ghaillimh, an triú ceann faoi bhainistiú Cathal Murray. *Léirithe ag Conradh na Gaeilge i Londain. Tá an script ar fáil i d'aip phodchraolta.*GLUAISiarrthóir uachtaránachta - presidential candidateComhairle Feidhmiúcháin - Executive Councilcomhfhreagraithe - correspondentsceamaradóirí - camera operatorscomhscór - even scores, drawbua sceitimíneach - exciting win
Barry Cowen, Fianna Fáil MEP Midlands-North West // Louise O'Reilly, Sinn Féin TD for Dublin Fingal // Harry McGee, Political Correspondent with The Irish Times // Louise Burne, Political Correspondent Irish Examiner
Jerry spoke to Deputy Pa Daly who raised a number of issues including the amount being given to this county under the Local Improvement Scheme. Deputy Daly also addressed the news that residents of Ocean View nursing home in Camp are to be temporarily moved from the facility while works are carried out.
A vacant building in the heart of Shannon Town Centre is to get a new lease of life as a student accommodation complex. UGP Shannon SC Limited has been given the green light to convert Phoenix House - formerly the Shannon Development building - to student accommodation. The development will consist of 95 bedspaces as well as common rooms, laundry facilities, toilet facilities, waste storage and a proposed 96 bike parking spaces. Shannon TD and Sinn Féin Further and Higher Education spokesperson Donna McGettigan says it'll be music to the ears of those attending Shannon College of Hotal Management.
Up for the MatchOff on Sunday morning to Croke Park. Dark skies. Lots of grey clouds. Our journey was delayed by Féile An Phobail's 5km and 10km run. Diverted and distracted we eventually got out of West Belfast and on the road to Dublin. Enroute the dark skies lightened. The grey clouds gave way to blue heavens and gentle sunshine. We were off to watch Antrim's Lady Footballers in our own All Ireland against Louth. As we crossed the Border KneeCap kept our spirits high. Their ceol blasted out and the car rocked as we hip hopped to the Capital. A morning after the night before follow-on from Saturday evening's Falls Park Country frolicks.The match in Croker started off positively with Antrim taking an early lead but Louth soon asserted themselves and Antrim was chasing the game from then until the last ten minutes. Some of the players may have been overwhelmed by the big occasion. If so who could blame them? To play in Croke is mighty and Antrim supporters were out in strength. Everyone, including us, as proud as could be. Family members, club mates. The number of Northern Gaels was swelled by Tyrone supporters who later went on to win their championship against Laois. Dublin went on to best Meath in the Seniors. A great day of Gaelic football.Gaza – An Gorta Mór – The StarvationThe scenes of desperation as starving people in Gaza try to get basins or pots filled with soup, are shocking images. It is a famine we are told. Last week the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), a United Nations panel which had long warned of the threat of famine, concluded that it was now a reality.The use of the word ‘famine' and the images of starving children are a reminder for many in Ireland of what life must have been like during An Gorta Mór in the 1840s. But it is important to note that in a famine there is no food. In Ireland there was plenty of food. During those years the quaysides of ports along our coast were lined each day with abundant produce - all bound for export. It was a starvation.The hunger in Gaza is an Israeli made starvation. Aid agencies and the UN have more than enough food and medical aid ready to enter Gaza. Israel prevents this. It is not a famine – it is a starvationOrangism in the New IrelandThe northern statelet was built for unionism. It was constructed and then managed in a way to ensure that nationalists would never have a say in running the place.We are less than three years off the 30th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement. Most citizens, and many within the broad unionist section of our people, have grown accustomed to the stability and peace it has brought but there are others who still hanker after the old days of supremacy. The DUP shares the office of the First Minister with Sinn Féin but their strategy is focused on the next Assembly election in two years' time and their aim is to remove Michelle O'Neill as First Minister. That is why there is a battle a day over Irish language rights. That is why there has been no start on building the new Casement. That is why there is negative nonsense over bi-lingual signage in public places.
Cllr Tom Barry of Sinn Féin spoke to Jerry about the proposal to locate flood relief and frustration over the failure to start works to alleviate the risk of flooding in Listowel.
It has emerged that schools availing of the Hot School Meals scheme for the first time this year will see a delay in its rollout…This is apparently due to a change in the procurement process.Joining Kieran to explain more is Sinn Féin Education Spokesperson, Darren O'Rourke.
Flattery, deceit, a bung, MI5, and the secret back-channel to Sinn Féin- uncovered files have revealed the DUP's route to power-sharing. Publicly the DUP refused to talk to Sinn Féin, but the truth was that the party was in direct talks with republicans. Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Sam McBride who reveals what he has discovered in the secret files. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Barry Ward, Fine Gael TD for Dún Laoghaire and Darren O'Rourke, Sinn Féin TD for Meath East and the party's education spokesperson
A report by the Blanchardstown Local Drug and Alcohol Task force has revealed that students in primary schools are reportedly taking and dealing drugs.The average age of the drug dealers and “runners” was found to be as young as 12 years old.Kieran is joined by Janet Robinson Research and Training Officer for Blanchardstown Local Drug and Alcohol Taskforce, Dr Bobby Smyth, Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist and Addiction Specialist. Later, Kieran is also joined by Ann Graves, Sinn Féin TD and Spokesperson on National Drug & Alcohol Strategy, Addiction, Recovery and Wellbeing, Mike Walsh, Team Leader in Community Service Misuse Team, a multi-disciplinary team responding to under 18′s with substance misuse issues.
A leading paediatric consultant has said that domestic abusers should go to refuge centres, instead of their partners and children. Dr Suzanne Crowe says forcing families into refuges disrupts children's health and education and violates their rights. We discuss further with Sinn Féin Senator Nicole Ryan.
A leading paediatric consultant has said that domestic abusers should go to refuge centres, instead of their partners and children. Dr Suzanne Crowe says forcing families into refuges disrupts children's health and education and violates their rights. We discuss further with Sinn Féin Senator Nicole Ryan.
Cormac McQuinn and Jack Horgan-Jones join Hugh Linehan to look back on the week in politics: · The Labour Party has backed Independent TD Catherine Connolly's bid for the Áras. And there is little appetite in Sinn Féin for Mary Lou McDonald to run for president as party figures move closer to the idea of also backing Connolly. Elsewhere, presidential hopeful Michael Flatley had to explain why he wasn't a threat to great white sharks everywhere. · The ongoing debate over the Occupied Territories Bill and whether it will include services in its final iteration, and the continuing Government move towards getting rid of the so-called triple lock governing overseas deployment of Irish troops will likely be two issues that will be put to any presidential candidates. · The Social Democrats readmitted Dublin Bay South TD Eoin Hayes after his eight-month suspension from the party. · And Donald Trump is intent on more trade chaos as he announced a slew of new tariffs. But will Ireland come out of it all relatively unscathed? Plus, the panel picks their favourite Irish Times pieces of the week:· Rosie O'Donnell's new show at the Olympia gets a stinker of a review, the inside story of JP McManus's failed €30m Irish Rugby Experience, and Ryan Tubridy living his best life in London. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Our Friday Forum looks back on the main new stories of the week. Joining Pat in studio was Grace Boland TD, Dublin Fingal West, Fine Gael, Lynn Boylan MEP, Dublin, Sinn Féin and Jennifer Bray, Political Editor with The Sunday Times.
Rose Conway-Walsh, Chairperson of the Oireachtas Defence Committee and Sinn Féin TD and Catherine Callaghan, Fine Gael TD, debate the potential reform of the Triple Lock
Lynn Boylan, Sinn Féin MEP for Dublin and Malcolm Byrne, Fianna Fail TD for Wicklow Wexford
Childcare providers say that they are being forced to pull out of a Government funding scheme...The Core Funding Grant was set up back in 2022 to help childcare providers with operating costs. However, to avail of this, providers had to commit to a fee freeze…Owners say that given soaring costs over the last number of years, along with wider challenges, they are now being forced to up their fees and in turn pull out of the grant scheme.Joining Kieran to discuss this is one of those making this decision - Rebecca Fleury, who runs six premises across Donegal, as well as Elaine Dunne, from the Federation of Early Childhood Providers.Later, Kieran is also joined by Claire Kerrane, Sinn Féin Spokesperson on Children and TD for Roscommon / Galway.
The Social Democrats have criticised the Government's proposal to raise the size limit for cabins or garden homes to 45 sq.m, calling it a "half-baked plan" to relocate people into what they describe as "glorified garden sheds." The Cabinet was informed that a public consultation on the proposal to increase the permitted size for such structures to 45 sq.m will launch today. This is larger than the original suggested upper limit of 40 sq.m. Under current rules, an extension to the rear of a property is exempt from planning once it is 40 sq.m and is attached to the property. Under the plan, the units must comply with building regulations while the size of the residual private garden space of 25 sq.m must be retained and set back from boundary walls. To discuss this further, Derrick Lynch was joined by Timmy Dooley, Tulla-based Fianna Fáil Minister of State and Donna McGettigan, Sinn Féin spokesperson on Further and Higher Education, Shannon TD.
The Sinn Féin MP chats about growing up during the Troubles, leading a nurses strike, and entering politics.
With talk of a 15% tariff across EU goods heading to the United States, what impact could that have on the Irish economy? We first hear from Sinn Féin's Donnchadh O'Laoghaire before analysis from Dr. Emma Howard, economist at TU Dublin.
Ellen Coyne and Pat Leahy join Hugh Linehan to look back on the week in politics:· With Independent TD Catherine Connolly and former MEP Mairead McGuinness having declared their candidacy, there will now be at least two names in the race for the Áras. But with no sign yet of a clear candidate for Fianna Fáil or Sinn Féin, are any of the potential names currently being discussed likely to gain party support? · Fianna Fáil's Niall Collins would be 'very uncomfortable' with a one-size-fits-all approach to a blanket VAT cut for the hospitality sector, given that luxury and five-star hotels would benefit from a measure they don't necessarily need. Some Fine Gael Ministers are unhappy with Mr Collins for criticising a policy that would help support entry-level jobs in rural Ireland. · And as the humanitarian crisis deepens in Gaza, urgency around the Occupied Territories Bill increases. The inclusion of services is still the big question given the huge potential knock-on effects for some businesses here. Plus, the panel picks their favourite Irish Times pieces of the week:· A new exhibition exploring the legacy of the Magdalene Laundries, fifty years since the release of Stanley Kubrick's Barry Lyndon, and Joe Canning's take on Tipperary's triumph in the All-Ireland hurling final against Cork. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Energy company Flogas is to increase its variable electricity charges by around 7%, with effect from 25 August.Why is this being done?Pearse Doherty, Sinn Féin, Spokesperson on Finance, and TD for Donegal, joins Kieran to discuss.
2005 – Twenty Years OnNext Monday one of the most historic and transformative events in the Irish Peace Process took place. Twenty years ago on the 28 July 2005 the IRA issued a statement which ended its decades long armed struggle. In its statement the IRA said: "The leadership of Óglaigh na hÉireann has formally ordered an end to the armed campaign. This will take effect from 4pm this afternoon. All IRA units have been ordered to dump arms. All Volunteers have been instructed to assist the development of purely political and democratic programmes through exclusively peaceful means. Volunteers must not engage in any other activities whatsoever.”The IRA leadership also said that it had authorised its representative to engage with the IICD (Independent International Commission on Decommissioning) to “complete the process to verifiably put its arms beyond use in a way which will further enhance public confidence.” This was confirmed two months later on the 26 September by the Commission.The IRA initiative opened up opportunities for progress.Peace processes are by their very nature challenging and difficult. They frequently fail. Many of the wars of the 1960s and 70's were a response to the colonial occupation and exploitation of native peoples by colonial powers. Africa saw many examples of these. Some conflicts went on into the 1980s and 90s. Algeria, Kenya, Zimbabwe (then Rhodesia), Angola, Mozambique, and others, including in Asia the Vietnam War and in the Middle East the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories. The South African peace process brought an end to apartheid and witnessed the election of Nelson Mandela as President of that country in 1994. In our own place our peace process brought an end to decades of conflict and heralded processes of change.Today, in a world still bedevilled by wars, the Irish Peace Process is frequently held up internationally as an example of a peace process that is working. The governments occasionally try to root it in the Anglo-Irish Agreement of 1985. But the truth is that it started in the 1970s when Republicans began to claim back the word ‘Peace.'A Welcome Electoral ChangeThe decision, announced last week by the British government, that it will be lowering the voting age to those aged 16 and 17, is a welcome move. There is already widespread support for a reduction in the voting age. Last September the Assembly backed a Sinn Féin motion calling for this change. In the South the policy has received widespread cross-party support from Sinn Féin, Fine Gael, Fianna Fáil, The Green Party, The Labour Party, Social Democrats, People Before Profit, and many Independents.The London government is focussed on the 2029 Westminster election but the North will have local government and Assembly elections in 2027. The focus now must be on ensuring that the necessary legislative steps are taken to ensure that 16 and 17 year olds can vote in those elections.Updating the electoral register and ensuring that this new tranche of young voters have suitable identification, will be a big job of work but with political will it can be done. It would also send entirely the wrong message to future voters if the 2027 deadline is missed.Legislating for young people to have the right to vote is the right thing to do. All parties in the North, with the exception of the DUP, support changing the voting rules. Young people should have the right to vote on decisions that impact on their lives, including voting for a united Ireland.Gaels le Cheile In Conversation with Peter CanavanMonday 28th July, 7:30pm - Naomh Eoin CLG Corrigan Park
Tá an Plean Forbartha Náisiúnta le hinfheistíocht €112 billiún a dhéanamh idir 2026 go 2030 - ach lochtanna ag an bhfreasúra ar an bplean.
Vincent Kearney, Northern Editor, reports that two people have died and two others were seriously injured in a shooting incident in Co Fermanagh. Pat Cullen, the Sinn Féin MP for Fermanagh and South Tyrone, reacts to the news.
In the early hours of Thursday morning, three homes in Shanakill, Tralee were flooded. This was because of a burst water main in Lisloose which also resulted in 10,000 Uisce Eireann customers left without water. Jerry spoke to Shanakill residents Pat Murphy and Siobhan O’Mahony and to Sinn Féin councillor Paul Daly.
The final elements of the €200 billion National Development Plan have been agreed and published earlier today, with the government setting out how we will invest in all our infrastructure for the next 10 years.But, what exactly will the money be spent on, and was every base covered?Mairéad Farrell, Sinn Féin Spokesperson on Public Expenditure and TD for Galway West/South Mayo and David Timoney, Chief Economist at Davy, join Kieran to discuss.
The Dáil broke for its summer recess ahead of the weekend. TDs won't return to the chamber until the middle of September. Proceedings in the chamber led to heated debate between opposition and Government on the cost of living on the last day, as you heard in our news last week. So how has the Government done in its first 59 days it sat in the Dáil? To discuss this further, Alan Morrissey was joined by, Timmy Dooley, Tulla-based Fianna Fáil Minister of State and Donna McGettigan, Shannon-based Sinn Féin TD.
Michael Healy-Rae, Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food & the Marine; Martin Kenny, Sinn Féin TD for Sligo–Leitrim; Paul Lawless, Aontú TD for Mayo
Michael Healy-Rae, Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food & the Marine; Martin Kenny, Sinn Féin TD for Sligo–Leitrim; Paul Lawless, Aontú TD for Mayo
Aisling Meehan, Agricultural Solicitor, Tax Consultant & farmer; Josephine O'Neill, President of Macra na Feirme; Michael Healy-Rae, Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food & the Marine; Martin Kenny, Sinn Féin TD for Sligo–Leitrim; Paul Lawless, Aontú TD for Mayo
Michael Healy-Rae, Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food & the Marine; Martin Kenny, Sinn Féin TD for Sligo–Leitrim; Paul Lawless, Aontú TD for Mayo
Cormac McQuinn and Jack Horgan-Jones join Pat Leahy to look back on the week in politics: · The latest Irish Times/Ipsos B&A opinion poll shows Sinn Féin on 22 per cent (down four), with Fianna Fáil on 22 per cent (no change) and Fine Gael on 17 per cent (up one). Given just 14% of voters feel Government is successfully tackling the country's problems, do Sinn Féin need to find a new strategy in order to stimulate support? · One of the most notable findings of the poll is the clear growth potential around the Independents (up five) and new conservative parties like Aontú. · The poll also shows that support for the Occupied Territories Bill is softening with voters as just one-fifth of voters (20 per cent) say the Bill should be passed quickly, with a further 14 per cent saying its scope should be expanded and it should be passed quickly. The Bill, which would ban trade in goods with the occupied Palestinian territories, is due before the Dáil in the autumn. Plus, the panel picks their favourite Irish Times pieces of the week:· The plans to lower the UK voting age to 16, the Epstein Files present a new crisis for Donald Trump, and can Tipperary triumph in the All-Ireland hurling final against Cork? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Louise O'Reilly, Sinn Féin TD for Dublin Fingal // James Geoghegan, Fine Gael TD for Dublin Bay South // Sinead O'Carroll, Editor, TheJournal.ie // Tom McEnaney, Media Consultant
The cost of living was the big topic on the final day of the Dáil before the summer break. TDs won't be back in Leinster House for another nine weeks as this Dáil term ends. Leaders' Questions was dominated by the cost of living and the significant increases in the number of families who are in energy arrears. Sinn Féin TD Pearse Doherty says it's disgraceful electricity credits are being scrapped in the budget. Clare FM's Sean Lyons has been speaking with Clare SVP President, Denis Carty about the cost of living, energy arrears and electricity credits.
The majority of Dubliners will see their property tax rise next year as Dublin city councillors are set to become the latest local authority in the capital to vote to increase the tax. Speaking to Newstalk Breakfast was Janet Horner, Green Party Councillor for Dublin's North Inner City, and Daithi Doolan, Sinn Féin Councillor for Ballyfermot Drimnagh.
Tá an Teachta Dála Ó Murchú thar a bheith mí-shásta leis an rialtas faoi nach mbeidh gasúir Palaistíneach in ann freastal ar Champa Samhraidh Lú Chleas Gael, a bhí eagraithe dóibh in Éirinn.
In the last Leaders' Questions, the Opposition hammered the Govt as "feckless and reckless" for failing on cost-of-living supports. Sinn Féin suffered a supermarket malfunction in a noisy exchange. The Occupied Territories Bill faced intense scrutiny in heated committee hearings. And it's game on for Catherine Connolly in the race for the Áras.
Mary Regan, Political Editor with the Irish Independent and David Cullinane, Sinn Féin spokesperson on Health and Waterford TD
Sinn Féin spokesperson for Rural Affairs, Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Conor D McGuinness TD, has slammed the Government's failure to include Amhrán na bhFiann anywhere in the national curriculum . Conor discuss further with Shane.
Pearse Doherty, Sinn Féin's Finance Spokesperson, gives his party's reaction to the news there will be no one-off cost of living measures in this year's budget.
Sinn Féin calls for financial support for endometriosis sufferers in Ireland as well as a state-of-the-art centre of excellence for endometriosis care. Doireann Barrett from Tralee, who lives with the condition, was in the Dáil yesterday when Sinn Féin put forward the motion.
A Clare TD says the neglect of women with endometriosis must be urgently ended. Shannon Sinn Féin TD Donna McGettigan has called on the government to support her party's Dáil motion seeking to improve access to endometriosis care for thousands of women affected across the state. Sinn Féin's motion was moved on Tuesday. To discuss this further, Alan Morrissey was joined by Donna McGettigan, Shannon Sinn Fein TD and Nikita. PHOTO CREDIT: airdone from Getty Images
Opposition parties including the Social Democrats and Sinn Féin have been criticising the Government over its record on the cost of living, and especially the price of food, alleging that supermarkets have been allowed to "price gouge" customers. It's true that food price inflation has hit Irish shoppers hard in recent years. But are supermarkets really ripping us off, and does the Government have the power to influence prices? Sorcha Pollak asks Conor Pope. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Louise O'Reilly, Sinn Féin TD for Dublin Fingal West, discusses Fingal County Council pausing applications to its tenant in-situ scheme for this year.
No Economic Block on Irish UnityIn recent years there have been encouraging signs of growing support for Irish unity in successive electoral results, demographic changes, contributions from civic society, in opinion polling and in public commentary. Unsurprisingly, any debate on unity quickly focuses on practical issues like the economic viability of a united Ireland as well as on the future of a health and care system, governance structures, education, the environment and other matters.Sinn Féin's Commission on the Future of Ireland recently held a successful conference examining the issue of health in a new Ireland and the party produced a widely welcomed health and care document looking to a future all-island model. It is available at https://sinnfein.ie/the-case-for-an-irish-national-health-and-care-service/And now we have the report by Professor John Doyle of Dublin City University – ‘The Projected Public Finances of the Early Years of a United Ireland, and the Northern Ireland Subvention.' The report is the product of joint research by Dublin City University and Ulster University's Economic Policy Centre. It succeeds in cutting through much of the jargon associated with economics to present a cogent explanation of the economic benefits of a united Ireland.The Future of the GPOMicheál Martin's ten-year plan for the GPO site in Dublin is shameful. His effort to sell the plan as a flagship project for Dublin City Centre, that will protect the historic and cultural significance of the GPO, was described by the Irish Times as “vague and ill-defined.” Mary Lou McDonald and others have been much more vocal and direct in their condemnation of the government's plans. Martin's proposal, for example, that the upper floors of the GPO will be turned into office space, makes no sense when much of the available office space in central Dublin is currently unused and vacant.The reality is that the GPO holds a special place in the nation's soul. It may have been a Post Office for all of its two hundred years but it is more than just another of those Dublin buildings that reflect the capitals colonial past. It is acknowledged by generations of Irish people as the birthplace of the Republic, as envisaged in the Proclamation. For over one hundred years it has symbolised the hopes, aspirations and vision of that historic document and of the courage of the men and women who risked everything in April 1916.World Premier in Galway of ‘A Ballymurphy Man'This weekend I will be in Galway for the 37th annual international Galway Film Fleadh/Festival. The Fleadh runs for a week every July. This year it's between 8 July and 13 July. It was established in 1989 as a place for Irish filmmakers to exhibit their work to their peers. This year it will host World, International and Irish Premieres in the Town Hall Theatre and Pálás Cinema.It will feature 31 World Premieres, 11 International/European Premieres and 46 Irish Premieres from 44 countries, featuring 96 feature films in totalJoin the campaign to “Save the GPO”. Sign the petition which calls for the development of a 1916 Cultural Quarter in the area around the GPO, O'Connell Street and Moore Street and the implementation of the Moore Street Preservation Trust plan. We must fight to save the GPO together.Sign the petition here:
Dr Tom Hickey, Associate Professor of Constitutional Law in DCU, looks ahead to the High Court case, brought by Sinn Féin TD Pa Daly, examining the Government's appointment of 'Super Junior' ministers.
Paul Cunningham, Political Correspndent, discusses the possibility of Sinn Féin nominating Mary Lou McDonald for President.
Orla O'Donnell, Legal Affairs correspondent, assesses Sinn Féin TD, Pa Daly's challenge to the attendance of super junior minsters at cabinet meetings which is being heard at the High Court.
Jack Horgan-Jones and Harry McGee join Hugh Linehan to look back on the week in politics: · The drive to inject some impetus into the Irish presidential race has not yielded anything of note just yet with the starter pistol not expected to sound until Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael, and Sinn Féin nominate their candidates. · The Coalition remains divided over Minister for Further and Higher Education James Lawless's recent assertion that the student contribution could increase by as much as €1,000 next year for third-level students. · The pause on Donald Trump's reciprocal tariffs is almost up – is there a plan in place to keep Ireland's pain to a minimum?Plus, the panel picks their favourite Irish Times pieces of the week:· The puffins of Rathlin Island, the digital revolution that didn't turn out as expected, and how the wedding of Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez destroyed quiet luxury. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.