John Downing

Independentie

Sunday, 7 June 2020 | 9.8°C Dublin

News [1]
Opinion [2]
Business [3]
Sport [4]
Life [5]
Style [7]
Entertainment [8]
Travel [9]

Menu Sections

Independentie

News [1]
Opinion [2]
Business [3]
Sport [4]
Life [5]
Style [7]
Entertainment [8]
Travel [9]

Menu Sections

John Downing

Twitter

Legacy: Jackie Healy-Rae and Mildred Fox at Leinster House. Photo: Kyran O’Brien

John Downing Opinion Healy-Rae created the template for Independents to make most of a government deal

Five days after the 1997 General Election, Jackie Healy-Rae got off the Kerry train in Dublin, and was met by the Fianna Fáil senator and businessman Donie Cassidy.

Q&A: Pension age remains big issue to seal a coalition agreement

Q: How did we get into this pension-age row?

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar adressing media at a Government Covid-19 Press Briefing at Government Buildings. Pic Steve Humphreys

John Downing Opinion 'Second big test' for Varadkar is just beginning

Echoes coming from those coalition-making talks suggest things may bode well for Leo Varadkar as leader of Fine Gael in the medium term at least.

FF in threat of rebellion on pension age U-turn

There has been a hitch in government formation talks as Fianna Fáil welfare spokesman Willie O'Dea said his party must honour its election promise to keep the pension age at 66.

Trade talk: Phil Hogan is viewed as a very competent operator in Brussels. Photo: David Conachy

John Downing Opinion Hogan tilt at WTO job could have big implications in Dublin and Brussels

Phil Hogan is in the frame for one of the globe's most prestigious jobs as head of the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

Barnier issues stiff Brexit warning to the UK as troubled talks face yet another vital week

Michel Barnier, the EU's chief Brexit negotiator, has told Britain the economic coronavirus fallout has made a new trade deal vital to both sides.

Claims campaign: Fianna Fáil TD Robert Troy. Picture: Frank McGrath

FF effort to curb 'compo culture' in courts runs into a legal brick wall

Efforts to curb personal injury claimants seeking bigger court payouts than those given to them by the Personal Injuries Assessment Board have been hit by serious legal problems.

Taoiseach or toast: Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin faces a pivotal time in his leadership of the party. Photo: Brian Lawless/PA Wire

John Downing Opinion Green Party members may now also hold the fate of Micheál Martin in their hands

It is "Taoiseach or toast" for Micheál Martin over the coming fortnight. Things have finally come down to that rather unlovely conclusion as Martin prepares to conclude a three-cornered government deal, help sell it to not just his own foot soldiers, but also to those in the other two parties, and especially to Green Party members.

Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe. Photo: Gareth Chaney/Collins

Rise in pension age back on cards due to cost of Covid-19

Controversial changes to the pension qualification age, raising it to 67 years next December, are now expected to go ahead - despite a range of General Election promises this would not happen.

The statue of Sean Russell in Fairview, Dublin

Seán Russell: IRA 'militarist' or Nazi sympathiser?

Seán Russell was buried at sea with full German military honours on August 14, 1940, just as World War 2 gathered in murderous ferocity. He died at the age of 47 aboard a German submarine, about 100 miles west of Galway, while on his way to Ireland with a plan to attack the North with help from Hitler's forces.