Fiachra Ó Cionnaith

Private Sean Rooney is pictured in an army uniform with a blue beret in front of a tank with UNIFIL markings

Tánaiste to meet family of Private Séan Rooney next week

Tánaiste Simon Harris has confirmed that he will meet the mother of Irish peacekeeper Private Seán Rooney, who was killed in Lebanon in 2022, after he was criticised for speaking publicly on the case before talking to her and her family.

Ireland • 01 Aug

Image shows a table setting at a restaurant

Harris says Govt 'not rowing back' on hospitality VAT cut

Tánaiste Simon Harris has said he is "not rowing back" on Programme for Government commitments to cut the hospitality VAT rate despite saying the timing of any measure will be decided on budget day.

Politics • 04 Aug

Independent TD Catherine Connolly speaks to the media outside Leinster House on June 11

Labour backs Connolly in presidential race

The Labour Party has formally agreed to back Catherine Connolly's campaign to become the next president of Ireland, saying that while it has had "differences" with the Independent TD it believes she is "the left" candidate.

Politics • 01 Aug

A Palestinian girl stands forlorn on the rubble of her house that was demolished by Israeli forces in the in the village of Wadi Rahhal in the occupied West Bank

Govt should combat 'smear campaigns' against OTB - report

The Government should consider putting in place resources to address international "smear" campaigns against the Occupied Territories Bill - including taking "proactive" EU, UN and US steps to address "misinformation" over the legislation

Politics • 31 Jul

Social Democrats senator Patricia Stephenson speaking outside Leinster House

Soc Dems senator defends decision to end TD's suspension

Social Democrats Senator Patricia Stephenson has defended her party leadership's decision to end Eoin Hayes TD's suspension over his previous shares in a US tech firm with Israeli defence forces contracts.

Politics • 01 Aug

Michael McGrath said he 'couldn't get into numbers' when discussing a possible trade deal

Outcome of EU-US tariff talks 'not certain' - McGrath

European Union commissioner Michael McGrath has said "the world has changed" and that economic terms "we had six months ago are no longer available" amid ongoing discussions on an EU-US tariff deal.

Europe • 27 Jul

The beginning of the Dáil's summer recess was interrupted by a potentially serious political row gliding into view

First kite of pre-budget season flew over Leinster House

The first kite of the pre-budget season flew high and mighty over a quieter than usual Leinster House this week, writes Fiachra Ó Cionnaith.

Ireland • 27 Jul

Eoin Hayes had taken his seat in the Dáil as an Independent following his suspension from the Social Democrats

Social Democrats say Eoin Hayes' suspension lifted

Dublin Bay South TD Eoin Hayes' suspension from the Social Democrats has been lifted, the party has said.

Politics • 25 Jul

The Government is now under increased pressure to include services as well as goods in the Occupied Territories Bill (File image)

Committee urges Govt to include services in OTB

A cross-party Oireachtas foreign affairs committee report on the Occupied Territories Bill "strongly recommends" services as well as goods should be included in any Government legislation.

Ireland • 25 Jul

The Triple Lock rule is heavily linked with Irish neutrality

No move on Triple Lock from cross-party committee

A cross-party Oireachtas committee examining the Triple Lock which governs the deployment of defence forces personnel overseas has made no recommendation on whether the existing system should be removed or retained.

Politics • 25 Jul