Mícheál Lehane

Political Correspondent

The Clerk of the Dáil also notified departments that questions must be answered on time

Concerns raised over answering of parliamentary questions

Concern over ministers failing to answer parliamentary questions adequately has been expressed to Taoiseach Micheál Martin and to the top civil servants in Government departments.

Politics • 23 May 25

The bill will remove the Triple Lock when the Defence Forces are serving as part of an international force (Pic: RollingNews.ie)

Government publishes legislation to remove Triple Lock

Legislation that will remove the requirement for UN approval when deploying members of the Defence Forces outside the State has been published.

Politics • 21 May 25

The test now for Government is just how swiftly it passes the Occupied Territories Bill

Dáil hears heartfelt contributions over Gaza war

The Dáil heard fiery and heartfelt contributions this afternoon, united in its abhorrence of the killing and starving of people in Gaza.

Analysis and Comment • 21 May 25

Aengus Ó Snodaigh described the Fianna Fáil move as offensive

SF accuses FF of bid to commemorate William the Conqueror

Sinn Féin has accused Fianna Fáil of pushing the Government to commemorate the birth of England's first Norman king, William the Conqueror.

Ireland • 21 May 25

Tánaiste Simon Harris updated Cabinet today on the Bill to reform the so-called Triple Lock

Legislation to change Triple lock to be published soon

Legislation that will remove the need for UN approval when deploying more than 12 members of the Defence Forces overseas will be published before the end of the week.

Politics • 20 May 25

Teenager Cara Darmody began her 50-hour protest at Leinster House to highlight the issue this morning

Assessment of needs important step in children's lives

Parents who know their child requires a bit more support to navigate everyday life never forget the contrasting emotions when their needs are crystallised, writes Mícheál Lehane.

Analysis and Comment • 20 May 25

Opposition party leaders pictured with Cara Darmody outside the Dáil

Taoiseach suggests change to assessment of needs law

Taoiseach Micheál Martin has suggested that legislation around assessments of needs must be changed in order that therapists can provide services to children more quickly.

Politics • 20 May 25

The 1926 Census was the first census of the Irish Free State and contains 700,000 household returns

1926 census to be available online after digitisation

The first census carried out by the State will be available online next year, Minister for Arts, Culture and Communications Patrick O'Donovan is expected to tell the Cabinet.

Politics • 20 May 25

Labour leader Ivana Bacik described the threat of protests at the event as "a great shame"

Labour moves marriage equality event over protest threat

The Labour Party switched locations for an event marking 10 years of marriage equality, with the party saying it changed from the original venue in Dublin 8 due to a threat of a far-right protest.

Politics • 19 May 25

The Minister for Children has pledged to reform the assessment of need process and is working on legislation to ensure children receive therapies quicker

Opposition parties unite on assessment of need motion

The combined opposition in the Dáil have joined forces to bring forward a motion demanding that the Government provides children with assessments of need within six months.

Politics • 15 May 25