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 day but unlikely to have real effect on politicsMicheál Martin knows demonstrating competence on domestic issues remains the biggest challenge
Gráinne Seoige calls on Government to pass law criminalising AI-generated fake nude images‘Deepfake’ intimate picture of former TV presenter shared online during unsuccessful 2024 election campaign
Sinn Fein’s Matt Carthy defends party attendance at Maduro inauguration in Venezuela Trip by former party senator and general secretary in 2019 has attracted renewed criticism in recent days
Government plan to make refugees wait three years for reunification ‘cruel’, says charityJustice Minister says new legislation aims to strike a balance between the rights of asylum applicants and the wellbeing of the State
Ceremony to accredit Iran’s ambassador to Ireland postponed due to killingsTaoiseach plays down any risk to Ireland from Donald Trump’s tariff threat against countries trading with Iran
Council rejects Tánaiste’s claim large number of homeless have no housing rightSimon Harris defended by Independent councillor Malachy Steenson
Housing pressures, FF unrest and a tricky meeting with Trump in prospect as Dáil returnsOpposition parties set to focus on affordability and Government waste and bureaucracy
Dublin City Council to examine ending X use over concerns of sexualised content Council could be first public body to stop use of popular social network
EU regulations on AI and plans for limited data centre development to go to CabinetUnder EU Artificial Intelligence Act there could be fines of up to €35 million or 7% of global turnover for large tech companies found to be in violation of the regulations
What is the priority legislation coming before the Dáil this term? Rent reform, immigration, infrastructure and AI top political agenda as TDs return to pass laws
Drew Harris says prosecuting his father’s IRA killers would make little difference Former Garda commissioner says short sentences they would receive would not ‘weigh the scales’ for 1989 murder
New Dáil terms: Six things to watch out forTricky legislation, internal conflicts and an unpredictable trip to the White House all lie ahead
Surge in Irish people being deported from overseas countries, Minister hearsDepartment of Foreign Affairs briefing documents also warn of mounting resistance to ‘mainstreaming gender perspectives’
Overcrowded prison conditions ‘inhuman and degrading’, says inspector With conditions an ‘affront to human dignity’, inspector of prisons to tell Oireachtas committee State cannot build its way out of problem
China agrees to lift ban and reopen market for Irish beef importsDecision follows visit to Beijing by Taoiseach Micheál Martin last week
Fianna Fáil backbencher laments lack of ‘political leadership’ on Mercosur dealJohn Lahart rues failure to make case for trade deal before Government voted against it
Tensions emerge between Limerick mayor John Moran and council director general Pat DalyCorrespondence released under Freedom of information reveals the Fórsa trade union has expressed ‘serious concerns’
Arts Council board should have governance experience and not just arts knowledge, says expert reviewBusiness case for initiative had understated costs and failed to include VAT or expense of streamlining
Those seeking new Irish government should seek help from Maga movement, Eddie Hobbs tells conferenceUS ambassador Edward Walsh among audience at IRL Forum in Co Meath on Saturday
Presidential election: Almost €1.5m in expenses declared for 2025 Áras contest Fine Gael tops list at more than €643,000 in unsuccessful bid to ensure former minister Heather Humphreys’ election
Can the left alliance grow this year? Only if it answers these questionsChallenge for the putative alliance is to show the public that they can co-operate consistently on substantive issues, beyond political posturing
Helmets for e-scooter riders may become compulsoryTaoiseach and Ministers to meet early this year to strengthen safety regulations
Eddie Hobbs: From consumer advice to conspiracy theoriesBad investment advice and divisive remarks during the pandemic reshaped perceptions of financial adviser
Micheál in the middle: The island at the centre of the world is in dangerTaoiseach starts 2026 juggling competing diplomatic pressures while the backbenchers grumble back home
Michael Healy-Rae loses the room with grandstand performance over MercosurMixed messages and ‘red-line’ threats didn’t win favour with fellow Independents
Irish MEPs to oppose Mercosur deal in final European Parliament ratification vote Backlash from farmers after majority of EU states approve landmark trade agreement
Could Coalition politics hurt Ireland’s influence in Brussels?Inside Politics podcast with Hugh LinehanListen | 52:25
Musk’s Grok restricts image generator to paid users after outcry over sexualised AI imagesPatrick O’Donovan says he has deactivated his X account over concerns around Grok
‘Playing small politics’: Mercosur vote will damage Ireland’s influence in Brussels Ireland’s standing is harmed by perception that Government put domestic politics ahead of European interest
Mercosur is good for Ireland but Micheál Martin is afraid to say itA masterclass by the farming lobby captured both the Government and Opposition
EU should ‘get competitive’ instead of complaining about China, says Taoiseach Micheál Martin says European Union should take steps to make its own economy more competitive
Cork and Galway hospitals have ‘persistent’ overcrowding issue, says MinisterHospital system coped better than initially modelled during the peak of flu on Christmas week
‘Big disappointment’: EC officials criticise Irish opposition to Mercosur dealIndependents and farming lobby resist backing the trade agreement, which is expected to pass
Trump is a bigger buffoon than we thought if he believes he can just take GreenlandEurope does not have the military capacity to resist a US seizure of the territory, but it does have the ability to fight back through politics and trade
Fianna Fáil MEP criticises Mercosur opposition amid debate ‘focused exclusively on beef’Barry Andrews said pharmaceuticals, tech and chemicals sectors stood to benefit from deal, as France announces decision to vote against
Former police officer vows to ‘arrest stagnation’ in run to lead Ulster Unionist Party Jon Burrows, co-opted to Assembly seat, says he would aim to attract more women and younger people to party
Ministers voice concern at US behaviour after Trump withdraws from international agenciesMinister Helen McEntee says Ireland must call out US’s ‘challenging behaviour’
Ireland will vote against Mercosur trade deal, Taoiseach and Tánaiste confirmSimon Harris said the government’s position stands: ‘We will vote against the agreement’
Ireland’s rejection of Mercosur sees Coalition concerns trump EU politicsMichael Healy-Rae’s intervention dashed any chance of voting for trade deal between the EU and South American bloc
Independent TDs stand firm in opposition to Mercosur trade dealAn Irish vote against contentious trade deal risks burning political capital in Brussels
Ireland was seen as ‘a soft touch’ on immigration, says James LawlessMinister says shortage of construction workers means State needs to ‘do more with less’
Regulation too slow to stem tsunami of AI-generated child sex imageryElon Musk-owned Grok app has been widely downloaded following news it could create illegal sexual images and videos
One-bed en suites for students ‘wasteful’, says Minister for Higher EducationMinister ‘close to signing off’ on proposal to set rent increases every three years, rather than after end of tenancy, for student accommodation
China wants to import more Irish food and a stake in Irish wind energy, Taoiseach saysMicheál Martin says during visit to China that premier Li Qiang wants a more open trading environment
McEntee to meet Troubles victims and politicians in Belfast visit Minister to hold talks with speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly, DUP MLA Edwin Poots
Numbers entering homeless services from direct provision surge since pandemicPeople with status ‘squeezed out’ of direct provision and cannot find housing, says advocacy group
Mercosur could stop price increase for Irish beef and hit farmers’ profits, IFA hears By Jack WhiteTue Jan 13 2026 - 22:11
International events dominate Dáil first day but unlikely to have real effect on politicsBy Pat Leahy
Housing pressures, FF unrest and a tricky meeting with Trump in prospect as Dáil returnsBy Cormac McQuinn
Tensions emerge between Limerick mayor John Moran and council director general Pat DalyBy Cormac McQuinn
Ask us anything: presidential nominations, a Minister for Defence and the centre holdingListen | 26:59
Overcrowded prison conditions ‘inhuman and degrading’, says inspector With conditions an ‘affront to human dignity’, inspector of prisons to tell Oireachtas committee State cannot build its way out of problem By Ronan McGreevyMon Jan 12 2026 - 18:23