Colm Ó Mongáin

Lisa Smith travelled to Syria three years ago to live in the so-called Islamic State

Human rights experts express 'grave concern' over Smith

A group of UN human rights experts have expressed "grave concern" for the welfare of Irish woman Lisa Smith and her child.

Ireland • 22 Nov 19

The practice of accounting for domestic spending on refugees as overseas aid development is widespread among OECD countries

Millions in overseas development aid spent in Ireland

Millions of euro of Ireland's Overseas Development Aid budget is spent within the State on Direct Provision and other refugee services.

Analysis and Comment • 13 Nov 19

A debate on migration in the European Parliament divided Irish MEPs

MSF calls on EU to prioritise rescue of Libyan migrants

A leading humanitarian organisation has called on European governments to prioritise the rescue of migrants attempting to travel from Libya to Europe.

Europe • 25 Oct 19

The Taoiseach said it was a risk worth taking because it was one based on democracy

Deal leaves 'outside chance' of future hard border

The new EU-UK Withdrawal Agreement leaves an "outside chance" of a future hard border on the island of Ireland, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said.

Brexit • 18 Oct 19

Kurdish troops made up the main part of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) which the US has backed

Does US withdrawal spell end of Syria's Kurdish region?

At the beginning of this year US President Donald Trump planned for a withdrawal of troops from Syria and vowed to "devastate Turkey economically if they hit Kurds" when the US was gone.

Analysis and Comment • 08 Oct 19

Israeli elections: Palestinian relations barely feature

Israel has been to the polls twice this year. Relations with the Palestinians hardly featured in the polls.

Analysis and Comment • 06 Oct 19

Phil Hogan said future trade deals should advance the EU's climate goals

Phil Hogan appears before EU confirmation hearing

Ireland's EU Commissioner Phil Hogan has told MEP's tonight that the European Commission had prepared "exhaustively" for a no deal Brexit.

News • 30 Sep 19

German Chancellor Angela Merkel hopes leaders can reach a compromise when they return tomorrow

EU summit suspended as leaders split over top jobs

European Union leaders will meet again tomorrow in an effort to agree a candidates for a number of top EU jobs.

News • 01 Jul 19

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar speaking to reporters in Brussels this evening

Govt to assess Mercosur impact before decision on vote

The Taoiseach has said that the Government will conduct a full economic assessment of the impact the EU-Mercosur trade deal will have on Ireland.

Politics • 30 Jun 19

The leaders meeting tonight for negotiations on the top job

EU top jobs summit in trouble as compromise rejected

An attempt to reach agreement on the next President of the European Commission has run into difficulty this evening after the largest group in the European Parliament rejected a proposal to support Socialist candidate Frans Timmermans.

Europe • 30 Jun 19