Mícheál Lehane

Political Correspondent

The Taoiseach said Social Protection payments and tax changes to be used to alleviate the rise in the cost of living

No specific cost of living package in budget - Taoiseach

The Taoiseach has again ruled out a specific cost of living package in the next budget but promised that Government would seek to reduce cost pressures on families.

Politics • 14 May

An early recommendation from the audit, which has yet to be completed and published, was for letters to be sent to parents offering routine follow up appointments

Over 2,200 letters sent to parents over hip surgeries

More than 2,200 letters have been sent to parents of children who had dysplasia of the hip surgery offering routine follow-up appointments.

Politics • 14 May

The Government has agreed to table what is called a timed amendment which will pause any ban for at least 18 months

Bill to ban sale of stimulant drinks to children paused

The Cabinet has decided to pause a piece of legislation that would ban the sale of stimulant drinks to those under the age of 18.

Ireland • 13 May

Mary Lou McDonald said the Government has not given information or assurance to parents, and she accused them of ducking and diving (File image)

McDonald says 'hip surgery scandal' goes back 15 years

Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald has said there is now confirmation for the first time that the children's "hip surgery scandal" at two Children's Health Ireland (CHI) hospitals goes back 15 years and not just the two-year period currently under review.

Health • 13 May

Palestinians queuing for food at a charity kitchen at the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza during the week

Israel intends to ethnically cleanse Gaza, O'Gorman says

Green Party leader Roderic O'Gorman has said Israel has put the world on notice that it intends to ethnically cleanse Gaza.

Politics • 11 May

Sinn Féin's Mary Lou McDonald said the country's neutrality goes to the very essence of what it means to be Irish (Photo: RollingNews)

McDonald predicts push back against Triple Lock proposals

There will be major push back against any attempts to alter the Triple Lock, the Sinn Féin leader has predicted.

Politics • 10 May

The Government is aiming to deliver more than 300,000 homes between this year and 2030 (file image)

Councils to be asked to find more land for housing

Local authorities will be asked next week to begin work on finding more land that can be zoned for housing.

Politics • 10 May

Fianna Fáil TD Catherine Ardagh was attending the first meeting of the Public Accounts Committee (File: RollingNews.ie)

Ardagh sorry over absence during special speaking slot

Fianna Fáil TD Catherine Ardagh has apologised after she failed to turn to ask a question in the specially-created speaking slot for government backbenchers and the Independent TDs supporting the coalition.

Politics • 08 May