Paul Cunningham

Presenter, This Week

Department of Foreign Affairs building in Dublin, Ireland. Government of Republic of Ireland.

Iranian opposition group strongly criticises Irish DFA

An Iranian opposition group has strongly criticised Ireland's Department of Foreign Affairs for expressing concerns about its activities.

Ireland • 26 Jun 25

Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald speaks during Leaders' Questions in the Dáil

'Step-change needed' to end violence against women - SF

Achieving zero-tolerance of violence against women requires a "step-change from Government", Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald has said.

Ireland • 25 Jun 25

Independent senator Frances Black did not completely rule out standing, but said she has a lot of work still to do in the Oireachtas

Senator Black unlikely to run in Presidential election

Independent senator Frances Black has said she feels it is unlikely she will be running as a candidate in the Presidential election.

Politics • 25 Jun 25

Ireland is preparing for its Presidency of the Council of the European Union from July to December 2026

Tánaiste criticises Hungary's block on Ukraine-EU talks

The Tánaiste Simon Harris has accused Hungary of an "appalling act" in constantly blocking Ukraine from entering accession talks with the European Union.

Ukraine • 24 Jun 25

Food prices 'out of control', Dáil hears

Households are being "hammered left, right, and centre" because food prices are "out of control", the Sinn Féin leader has said.

Politics • 24 Jun 25

Dept has 'concerns' about Iranian opposition group

The Department of Foreign Affairs says it has concerns about an Iranian opposition group, which a delegation of seven Fianna Fáil TDs and Senators supported at a conference in Paris last May.

Politics • 23 Jun 25

Simon Harris said a 'small number' of citizens also want to leave Iran and work is under way to get them out too

15 Irish citizens evacuated from Israel, says Tánaiste

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Harris has said that 15 Irish citizens who were seeking to leave Israel have been evacuated.

World • 22 Jun 25

Historic abuse policy is welcome but is just a first step

The policy - Child Protection Procedures for Schools, 2025 - is an update on its original 2017 document. One of the key innovations is, for the first time, to provide explicit guidance to schools on how they should deal with former pupils presenting with a claim of historic abuse.

Ireland • 22 Jun 25

A UNIFIL convoy drives through the southern Lebanese area of Marjayoun last year (file image)

Govt concerned UNIFIL's Lebanon mandate won't be renewed

There is mounting concern in Government that the United Nation's peacekeeping operation in southern Lebanon may not have its mandate renewed in August.

Middle East • 21 Jun 25

Expect race for Ireland's next president to be a sprint

When it comes to the race to elect what our Constitution describes as the person "who shall take precedence over all other persons in the State", expect a sprint rather than a marathon.

Analysis and Comment • 20 Jun 25