The moment politics became Greenland, Grok and grotesque Donald Trump has focused his attack on the EU’s three big weaknesses
European leaders hope to avoid Greenland dispute escalating into trade war Macron likely to propose first use of bloc’s ‘bazooka’ emergency power to increase its negotiating leverage
Proposed law would enble Minister to decide on process relating to State gas reserve Move to bypass normal procedures comes after all-party committee asked to waive right to scrutinise draft legislation
Minister looks to reduce apprenticeships by a year to increase construction sector workforceJames Lawless suggests private-sector colleges could also play bigger role in delivering classroom-based elements of apprenticeships
State’s EU presidency to include work on disabling non-consensual images and child-sex abuse material The Minster with responsibility for AI Niamh Smyth is expected to raise the recent issue of Grok nudification
For how much longer can Ireland embrace both Boston and Berlin? It’s getting tougher to sell the Irish message of ‘careful now’
Ireland invited to join ‘board of peace’ for GazaMcEntee says proposal will be given ‘careful consideration’ amid fears of undermining UN authority
Coco’s Law may be strengthened in Government bid to tackle AI deepfakesMeeting plays out against backdrop of European Commission’s expected investigation into Grok AI tool
Analysis: Trump’s tariff threats put Ireland in uncomfortable positionXi Jinping and Vladimir Putin must be really enjoying watching the American and European alliance eat itself
Derailing US-EU trade deal ‘would have significant implications’ for Ireland Department of Finance documents, published on Friday, note agreement on tariffs of critical importance to economy
Fears about Mercosur trade deal ‘unfounded’, says Michael McGrath Agreement between EU and South American bloc signed by commission president Ursula von der Leyen on Saturday
Ireland co-ordinating closely with EU in response to tariff announcement, says McEntee Eurogroup meeting in Brussels next week expected to be dominated by new economic threat from US
UUP considers DUP invitation to unionist co-operation talks Past agreements have aimed to maximise unionist vote and secure seats in certain constituencies
What is the future for the new right in Irish politics?Plenty of energy, as evidenced by the recent ‘Irlforum’, but no sign of a breakthrough
California dreaming: Simon Harris’s west coast trip gets Sharon Stone seal of approval ‘He’s supposed to be the prime minister, so why is he carrying his own bag?’ - Micheál makes waves in China
‘This is what failure looks like’: Why Ireland will fall years short of military targetsThe Defence Forces will fall years short of plans to strengthen its numbers as global security threats change radically and rapidly
What is all this talk of an Irish Maga?There was a lot of admiration for Trump at a recent conference hosted by ex-financial adviser, Eddie Hobbs
File describing Sinn Féin’s Gerry Kelly as IRA leader returned to National Archives Historian disputes Minister’s assertion that withdrawal of file was ‘normal’
‘Concerns remain’ around Grok despite X’s assurances, says Minister Coco’s Law bans sharing of intimate images but does not appear to criminalise generating them
Can Government actually hold Elon Musk and Grok to account?Inside Politics podcast with Hugh LinehanListen | 53:09
Donald Trump taking control of Greenland could smash the western allianceThe prospect of a definitive break between the EU and the US over Greenland is a horror show for Ireland
Ireland should use EU presidency ‘to ban AI tools for generating intimate images’Expert group urges Government to act amid serious concern at social media giant X’s Grok app
Will UUP’s ‘enthusiastic, articulate’ new leader halt the party’s decline? Former PSNI senior officer Jon Burrows was selected as an MLA for North Antrim only a few months ago
‘Dog-whistling’ or ‘difficult truths’? Harris draws fire for housing crisis-migration linkTánaiste in hot water over comments on immigration and homelessness, but insists his position has been consistent
More than €650,000 in tax collectively owed on pensions of some former politiciansTax owing on public-sector pension can be repaid over 20 years through reduction in payments
Next UUP leader to be former police officer Jon BurrowsOnly candidate put their name forward for the leadership by the close of nominations
‘Pity’ Deer Park works cost €753,000 but new entrance is ‘a good project’, PAC told Building of ramp and 14 steps in Dublin park cost over €500,000 more than initially proposed
X will face ‘full rigours of the law’, says Minister for AIEuropean rapporteur on AI law is to lobby for ‘nudification’ app ban
Auto-enrolment pension scheme attracts 92% of employers and 700,000 employeesBut managers at some State-funded bodies worry as ‘funding not increased but obligations have’
President Catherine Connolly’s campaign manager to run in Galway West byelectionGalway-based university lecturer Sheila Garrity to stand as an Independent candidate
Ministers seeking clarification on pension overpayment errors after recession ‘salary sacrifice’Sinn Féin’s Pearse Doherty claims Ministers ‘holding out’ and that behaviour is ‘absolutely unacceptable’
Does Grok believe it can legally generate intimate images of women in Ireland? The AI tool has been mired in international furore over its ability to generate sexualised images of women and children without their consent
Denmark expands military presence in Greenland amid transatlantic megaphone diplomacyDanish move comes after White House talks over the future of the Arctic island ended after just 50 minutes
Finance committee votes against seeking Donohoe’s attendance over State’s €141.4m World Bank contributionOpposition TDs claimed State paid €10 million more than requested seven months before former minister resigned to join the bank
More than 30 current and former ministers overpaid in pensions error yet to start repaymentsThe fact that cash not yet returned is ‘shocking’, says Sinn Féin
What are the major challenges facing the Irish Government in 2026?Inside Politics podcast with Hugh LinehanListen | 46:30
Cancer patient received chemo only after presenting at emergency in ‘significant pain’ Sinn Féin leader highlights disparity in chemotherapy waiting times, with patients in some regions waiting up to eight weeks
Naming IRA spy Stakeknife would help recruit more Catholics to PSNI, committee hears PSNI chief expresses frustration at UK government’s refusal to name Stakeknife
Labour Party complains to Judicial Council over judge’s ‘nightmare’ cyclists remarkTaoiseach also rejects ‘any stereotyping of cyclists’
Gardaí investigating 200 reports of alleged AI-generated child sex abuse material on XSocial network’s tool Grok has been creating illegal images at the request of users
AI Minister to seek legal advice on Government response to Grok appNiamh Smyth says X must be held accountable for controversial AI-generated sexualised content
Politics braces for fiercer storms as State set to miss emissions target by halfIreland’s climate experience closely follows the global trend, with 2025 the country’s second-warmest year on record
Simon Harris has ‘warm and constructive’ meeting with Gavin NewsomTánaiste continues official visit to California
Child waits 11 years for psychology assessment, another waits nine for occupational therapyEarly intervention at primary care considered core to preventing mental health or developmental difficulty
Mercosur could stop price increase for Irish beef and hit farmers’ profits, IFA hears Irish farmers have ‘worked for decades, particularly in the beef sector, for the prices we’ve got today’, agm told
No second chance for world should major geopolitical conflict arise, Taoiseach saysMicheál Martin warns real conflict is Russia v EU as Labour leader warns of ‘increasingly despotic US’
Occupied Territories Bill and military triple-lock legislation to be published before EasterGovernment’s spring session legislative programme includes 30 priority Bills
Irish prison conditions among the worst ‘anywhere’, chief inspector tells politicians Committee told Mountjoy in Dublin no longer a viable option, with Thornton Hall site yet to be developed
International events dominate Dáil first dayMicheál Martin knows demonstrating competence on domestic issues remains the biggest challenge
Cabinet set to approve €1bn fund to ‘unlock’ delays in new housing schemesBy Harry McGeeTue Jan 20 2026 - 06:00
State’s EU presidency to include work on disabling non-consensual images and child-sex abuse material
California dreaming: Simon Harris’s west coast trip gets Sharon Stone seal of approval By Miriam Lord
Ask us anything: presidential nominations, a Minister for Defence and the centre holdingListen | 26:59
Auto-enrolment pension scheme attracts 92% of employers and 700,000 employeesBut managers at some State-funded bodies worry as ‘funding not increased but obligations have’By Marie O’HalloranThu Jan 15 2026 - 19:23