Premium

John Downing Opinion Micheál Martin heads to ‘EU summit of gloom’ with big challenges

The EU was never about member governments learning to love each other – it has really been all about managing flashpoints and conflicts.

Premium

Death of ex-soldier accused of killing stokes strife over UK plans for an ‘amnesty for all’

About a year before John Pat Cunningham was shot three times in the back near his home in Benburb, Co Tyrone, a local doctor came upon British soldiers pushing him into a Saracen armoured car.

Premium

John Downing Opinion Brace yourselves for a fuss about ‘Polexit’ – but it’s an exaggeration, for now at least

Even if you could somehow strip out the horrific implications, “Brexit” is still a very ugly word. But sometimes ugly words become common coinage and there is little the rest of us can do.

Hospitals fear surge in patients if Covid restrictions are eased

Hospitals are bracing for a spike in people being hospitalised with Covid-19 as the National Public Health Emergency Team (Nphet) meets today to discuss the easing of restrictions.

EU plans to end Brexit stand-off ‘unique chance for the North’

Taoiseach Micheál Martin has said the latest EU proposals to end the Brexit deadlock offer a “unique opportunity” to Northern Ireland.

Premium

John Downing Opinion Remembering a beheaded teacher points up fierce tensions

A year ago on this very day, French school teacher Samuel Paty was beheaded on the street by a Chechen refugee after teaching his class about gender equality and secularism. He had also shown the class images of the prophet Mohammed that appeared in the magazine Charlie Hebdo, which was itself the target of a murderous attack in 2015.

Premium

John Downing Opinion UK glee at ‘surrender’ by EU looks decidedly premature

There was a certain wistful tone to the “EU surrenders over British bangers sold in Northern Ireland” headline in the Daily Telegraph.

Premium

Brinksmanship on Brexit means Brussels cannot ignore the UK’s bad faith

That memorable phrase-maker and former EU Council president, Donald Tusk, spoke of “a special place in hell for those who promoted Brexit without even a sketch of a plan to carry it out safely”.

Premium

John Downing Opinion Frost takes EU-UK Brexit row back to the brink trying to trump EU offering

Happily, there is usually more talk about trade wars than there ever are trade wars. But the other side of that coin is that, if governments keep talking about going to the brink, that is how things can end.

Premium

John Downing Opinion Budget day is still box office – and a big gig for Paschal Donohoe, the man in the gap of danger

Budgets must be politically ‘bomb-proofed’. A good Budget is one when journalists struggle to find a story the day after its unveiling.

John Downing Opinion Brexit – and the problems it causes for Ireland – is back

If you loathe Brexit – or just detest it – the bad news is that it is back. And it is once again posing big problems for Ireland north and south.

Premium

Anybody else for another bypass or more road guarantees? Young James O’Connor can show you the best way to go

Anyone remember Joe Behan? Unless you are a Wicklow resident or political anorak, perhaps you do not. But in October 2008, this Wicklow first-time TD quit the Fianna Fáil party, having rejected the draconian 2009 Budget.

Premium

John Downing Opinion When it comes to Balkan states, EU is still wrestling with the legacy of Tito

So, who is the most unpopular fan on the terraces at a soccer match involving two western Balkan states? The Bosnia-Herzegovina supporter who shouts: “Give me a ‘B’.”

Taoiseach brushes aside Sinn Féin calls to delay carbon tax hikes

Taoiseach Micheál Martin has warned that the western world’s crisis of energy price and supply cannot become an alibi to shirk climate change obligations, which includes a hike in carbon taxes.

Taoiseach brushes aside Sinn Féin calls to delay carbon tax hikes

Taoiseach Micheál Martin has warned that the western world’s crisis of energy price and supply cannot become an alibi to shirk climate change obligations, which includes a hike in carbon taxes.

Ireland to join global 15pc corporate tax deal as Varadkar says ‘it’s about big countries who think we’re getting too much’

Ireland will formally join a global tax deal that sets a 15pc minimum rate on multinational profits.

Premium

John Downing Opinion The Tories’ Brexit dog did not bark; now we await the EU take on the North’s trade rules

The good news is that there is more talk about trade wars than there ever are real trade wars. But when talk turns to tit-for-tat trade sanctions, things tend towards the political brink where nasty unintended things can result.

Premium

John Downing Opinion As we say slán to 12.5pc tax rate, we badly need to up our game

The pressure has come on in stereo from Washington and Brussels for Ireland to join a band of 140 nations on a multinational company tax accord. Our potential dissident companions are Nigeria, Hungary, Sri Lanka, and Kenya.

Premium

John Downing Opinion Announcing €165bn plan was the easy bit – hard part will be turning it into a reality

My late father liked to boast that our native Limerick city had the best roads network in Ireland which would compare with anything in the developed world.

Premium

John Downing Opinion Anti-immigrant candidate Zemmour has TV pulling power to forge ahead in French presidential election

Some years ago, I used to drink an occasional pint with an Irish politician who had a delicious anarchic streak. One evening, as we played the pointless but fun game of Fantasy Cabinet, he unleashed a tirade.

Opposition calls for ‘full disclosure of Attorney General’s work’

There was a “potential conflict of interest” in Attorney General Paul Gallagher’s actions and assurances must be made that it will not happen again, according to Sinn Fein’s justice spokesperson Martin Kenny.

Attorney General blames Covid for prolonging involvement in private work after appointment

THE Attorney General has blamed the Covid-19 pandemic for prolonging his involvement in private professional work on top of his role as the State’s top legal advisor.

Government may revive Stay and Spend scheme in Budget as Sinn Féin calls for free month’s rent for tenants

Arts and Culture Minister Catherine Martin has indicated that the Government is looking at reviving the Stay and Spend scheme in the upcoming Budget.

Attorney General is accused of ‘conflict of interest’ in acting as barrister in case involving State

The Government’s most senior legal adviser is acting for a private client in a case in which the State is on the opposing side, the Dáil has been told.

Final mica remedy proposal due for Cabinet next week, Tánaiste tells Dáil

Tánaiste Leo Varadkar has refused to confirm reports that compensation for homes destroyed by defective bricks containing mica would be capped at €350,000 per house.

Premium

John Downing Opinion Green Party mantra of ‘big roads good, motorways bad’ is running out of fuel

The Taoiseach seemed to see some fun in it all, but redoubtable Tipperary man Mattie McGrath insisted it was anything but funny.

Only eight ‘affordable homes’ to be provided in 2021, McDonald tells Dáil in heated exchanged with Taoiseach

Despite repeated Government pledges on affordable homes for working people – only eight such “affordable homes” will be provided in the entirety of 2021, Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald has told the Dáil.

Budget to include tax breaks for people working from home, Tánaiste strongly signals

Tánaiste Leo Varadkar has given the strongest indication yet that the Budget, due in 13 days’ time, will include tax incentives to help people working from home.

Leo Varadkar signals that Budget will include tax breaks for working from home

Tánaiste Leo Varadkar has given the strongest indication yet that the Budget, due in 13 days’ time, will include tax incentives to help people working for home.

Child offered specialist appointment in 2035 as waiting lists get longer, Taoiseach told

Children in need of a disability diagnosis, an autism assessment, or access to mental health services now face at least a two-year wait for care, Sinn Féin leader, Mary Lou McDonald has told the Dáil.