Difficulty recruiting staff means many pubs are closing for two days per week. Photograph: iStock

Oireachtas Committee to hear many staff have left industry to take up jobs elsewhere

Cabinet has approved Minister for Justice Helen McEntee’s request for the Offences Against the State Act to be extended for another 12 months

Party also has ‘no difficulty whatsoever’ declaring its property portfolio

Sinn Féin TD Eoin Ó Broin: ‘It doesn’t matter who you are, if you’re a party member, if you’re party supporter or if you’re just getting involved in election activity, nobody is above the law and therefore we welcome the conviction.’ Photograph: Gareth Chaney/Collins Photos

Sean Fitzgerald sentenced to nine months in prison for incident during election campaign

Minister for Justice Helen McEntee: it is understood she believes the law needs to be renewed due to the ‘real and persistent threat’ from dissident republican paramilitary groups. Photograph: Sam Boal/RollingNews.ie

Minister for Justice seeks extension of Act providing for non-jury Special Criminal Court

Minister for Housing Darragh O’Brien with residents Eileen McDonnell and Joan Brown at Fold Housing’s St Agnes development in Crumlin, Dublin, on Monday. Photograph: Tom Honan

Measure likely to have biggest impact on Sinn Féin

The Department of Foreign Affairs says while the Passport Service ‘is experiencing a very high volume of applications, this does not represent a backlog’

Further action by applicants required before passports can be issued, Department says

Green Party leader Eamon Ryan. Photograph: Brian Lawless/PA Wire

Green Party is divided on issue, which could lead to members voting against Government

The Public Accounts Committee heard  that information on the gifting of salaries is not released as ‘the legislative provisions around the confidentiality of tax matters are quite strong’. Photograph: Brenda Fitzsimons / The Irish Times

Numerous politicians have waived portions of their salary but the sums are not confirmed publicly

Green Party leader Eamon Ryan  said “They have strong views and they are entitled to that, but we manage it in our way”. File photograph: Alan Betson / The Irish Times

Minister plays down suggestions the Government had been weakened

Patrick Costello and Neasa Hourigan   lost the party whip for six months after they voted in favour of the Sinn Féin motion on the National Maternity Hospital (NMH).

Two green TDs lost whip for six months after voting with Sinn Féin on NMH motion

The Coalition would not want to be losing anyone else. Photograph: Julien Behal/PA

Inside Politics: A majority of one is not a comfortable position for any Government

The Oireachtas enterprise committee is considering a draft version of the Right to Request Remote Work Bill 2022 which was published by Tánaiste Leo Varadkar in January. Photograph: iStock

Oireachtas enterprise committee debates Bill aimed at giving right to request to work remotely

There will be a change to the standard to clarify that when the occupier of a property has acted with reckless disregard for a visitor or customer. Photograph: Cyril Byrne

Reform is to balance a business’s duty of care with personal responsibility of customers

Green Party TD Neasa Hourigan said she could not vote against the Sinn Féin motion due to her concerns over the NMH project in its current format. Photograph: Laura Hutton

Inside Politics: Could the Rural Independents be responsible for the loss of a Green TD?

Tánaiste Leo Varadkar has said on numerous occasions that ‘We have a “listening ear” on the draft legislation and are open to changes to it.’ Photograph:  Brian Lawless/PA

Government examining how best to bolster employees’ right of appeal in draft law

Róisín Shorthall described move as ‘bad day’ for Ireland, women’s health, accountability and Sláintecare – the cross party plan to reform the health service. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw

Deal unchanged following intense debate over ownership and ethos of new hospital

Boris Johnson visits Thales weapons manufacturer during a visit to Northern Ireland for talks with Stormont parties on May 16th, 2022 in Belfast. Photograph: Liam McBurney/ Pool/ Getty Images

Inside Politics: Government set to sign off on NMH deal, but the row is not over yet

Model of the new National Maternity Hospital on the St Vincent’s campus. Photograph: Gareth Chaney/Collins

Agreement unchanged after intense debate over ownership and ethos of new hospital

Neasa Hourigan has not ruled out supporting Sinn Féin motion on ownership of site.

Case for pushing forward now on basis of current agreement questioned by Hourigan

A computer generated impression of the new National Maternity Hospital.

Kieran Mulvey says contentious wording not in original 2017 deal

A computer generated impression of the new National Maternity Hospital.

James Menton tells committee two owners would make it difficult to manage campus

Labour party leader Ivana Bacik: women politicians are subjected to more abuse than their male counterparts.   Photograph: Gareth Chaney/Collins

Irish Women’s Parliamentary Caucus draws attention to intimidation and threats in job

     Questions have been raised about the 2019 deal struck by UL to buy a former Dunnes Stores site in Limerick city centre for €8 million

Former Tánaiste says governors were ‘horrified’ there was no written valuation

Ministers also agreed to expedite garda vetting for households who voluntarily pledged a place

Payment likely to be flat rate to minimise logistical complexity of administering it

TDs will  quiz UL representatives on issues raised by the Comptroller and Auditor General including procurement that did not comply with State spending rules and the purchase of a site for a city centre campus. File photograph

Public Accounts Committee meeting to examine the university’s 2020 accounts

Taoiseach Micheal Martin briefed TDs and Senators on the aftermath of the Assembly elections in the North and efforts to get a new Stormont Executive up and running. Photograph: Alan Betson

Martin tells Johnson any unilateral action would destabilise Northern Ireland

 Taoiseach Micheál Martin: ‘I’ve heard what survivor groups and victims have said.’ Photograph: Damien Storan

Campaigners express disappointment at apology made in Seanad by Minister for Children

Minister for Children Roderic O’Gorman: Illegal birth registrations are a ‘historic wrong with deep and enduring impacts’ and those who knowingly made them ‘committed a grave offence’. Photograph: Maxwells

Adoption rights groups and politicians call on Taoiseach to issue full State apology

Minister for Children Roderic O’Gorman said he believes it is ‘timely to acknowledge the anguish experienced by those who have been affected by illegal birth registration.’ Photograph: Marc O’Sullivan

Adoption campaigner criticises planned apology arguing it would be too narrow

A model of the new National Maternity Hospital on the St Vincent’s campus. Photograph: Gareth Chaney/Collins

Two Cabinet members who raised concerns defended project over the weekend

Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney: ‘The balance between the nationalist vote and the unionist vote hasn’t changed hugely.’ Photograph: Colin Keegan

Minister counters Sinn Féin claims election result brings Border poll much closer

Northern Ireland secretary Brandon Lewis has urged all the North’s parties to ‘fulfil their responsibilities’ and form an Executive as soon as possible. Photograph:  Victoria Jones/PA

Irish, British and US governments urge parties to re-establish Executive rapidly

Heather Humphreys: she said the current location of the NMH at Holles Street had gone past its sell-by-date, and it was important to ‘move this on now as quickly as we can’.  Photograph: Getty Images

Naughton says there will be ‘clear protections’ to ensure new NMH has complete operational and clinical independence

Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney: ‘There’s a responsibility  on us all to... find a way of working with the parties to put an executive and Assembly that can work back in place.’ Photograph: Alan Betson / The Irish Times

Row between London and Brussels likely to delay forming new Stormont executive

Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald  at the Titanic Exhibition Centre in Belfast, during counting for the Northern Ireland Assembly. Photograph: Liam McBurney/PA

Sinn Féin says keeping the Executive down ‘will not change the protocol one iota’

Rewards of $5 million  have been offered by the US to anyone who can supply information leading to the arrests and convictions of Christy Kinahan snr and his sons Daniel and Christopher jnr. Photograph: Gareth Chaney/ Collins Photo

Further sanctions under consideration against individuals associated with gang

Garda Commissioner, Drew Harris pictured on Friday morning at the official opening of the new Dublin Airport Garda Station. Picture Colin Keegan, Collins Dublin

Drew Harris also insists vetting for security staff blamed for delays at Dublin Airport ‘working well’

Drew Harris said the security of Irish Government Ministers is kept under ‘constant review’ following Simon Coveney being evacuated from a peace event due to a security alert in March. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw for The Irish Times

Uncertainty over when a new Executive will be formed in the wake of Thursday’s Assembly election

Dr Peter Boylan. Photograph: Colin Keegan/Collins

Possible extra Oireachtas committee meeting on Thursday may feature Peter Boylan

The plan to retrofit 500,000 homes to improve their energy efficiency will require workers in that area to increase from 4,000 to 17,000 by 2024. Photograph: iStock

Industry making ‘considerable effort’ to bring greater gender balance to the sector

Ireland’s national debt was €237.2 billion at the end of 2021. Photograph: iStock

Secretary general of the Department of Finance addresses committee

Smoke rises from the  Azovstal steelworks in Mariupol, in territory under the government of the Donetsk People’s Republic, eastern Ukraine on May 3rd. Photograph: AP

Ukrainian defence of facility highlights Russia’s failure to take major cities in 10-week war

Green Party leader Eamon Ryan said he thought the rally would antagonise people. File photograph: Alan Betson

Eamon Ryan talks of ‘real sense of outrage as to what’s happening in the Ukraine’

The Draft Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area 2022-2042 was published by the National Transport Authority (NTA) last November.  Photograph: iStock

Concern at ‘slow and vague timelines’ and absence of Dart Underground and southside metro

The Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile has been invoked in a Russian broadcast simulating attacks on the ‘British Isles’. Photograph: Roscosmos Space Agency Press Service via AP

‘I think it reflects a mindset that is worrying and not in touch with reality,’ says Martin

Ceann Comhairle Seán Ó Fearghaíl: ‘This mission is an opportunity for Ireland to demonstrate its support for the Ukrainian people.’ Photograph: Eric Luke

Seán Ó Fearghaíl and Mark Daly set to visit towns devastated by Russian invasion

 DAA chief Dalton Philips wrote to the Department of Transport on the new system of enhanced background checks for airport workers. File photograph: Alan Betson/The Irish Times

Dalton Philips told department that delays in new system threatened the Irish economy

Taoiseach Micheál Martin  said it was vital a new Stormont Executive was formed after the elections on May 5th

Micheál Martin says issues around Brexit have ‘hindered’ the peace process

Image of proposed new Garda station on O’Connell street. Photograph: OPW

Jim O’Callaghan warned gangs of youths ‘prowling Dublin city’ looking for people to attack

Heather Humphreys said she will be bringing proposals to a Cabinet sub-committee for discussion there ’very soon’. Photograph: Alan Betson / The Irish Times

Pensions Commission recommends gradual increase in qualification age to 68 over 17 years

     Officials are examining whether the sums on offer should vary depending on how many refugees a person is hosting.

Sum of €400 per month being discussed to help with increased costs

Minister for Housing Darragh O’Brien said privacy for families and safety and security is ‘absolutely paramount’ and will be provided. Photograph: Alan Betson

Plans also being developed to roll out an initial 500 temporary modular housing units

Director of the National Women’s Council of Ireland, Orla O’Connor to say current law ‘acts as a gatekeeper creating a series of obstacles that prevent access to abortion’. Photograph: Alan Betson

Women’s council plans to address 12-week limit and poor national coverage

Tánaiste Leo Varadkar published a draft of the Right to Request Remote Working Bill in January.  Photograph: The Irish Times

Grow Remote calls for changes to Bill to support firms to say yes to remote working

Minister for the Environment Eamon Ryan. Solid Fuels Regulations are still in draft form. Photograph: Gareth Chaney/Collins Photos

Revised plan on turf ban exempts communities of less than 500 people

Minister for the Environment Eamon Ryan is seeking to ban the sale of turf from September as part of efforts to crack down on the use of smokey fuels. Photograph: Bryan O’Brien/The Irish Times

Party’s motion likely to further expose internal Coalition tension over plans

Martin Fraser is secretary general of the Government. Photograph: GIS

Country’s top civil servant also indicates he did not discuss the proposal with Taoiseach

Senator Lisa Chambers with campaigners Una Ring and Eve McDowell, as well as Minister for Justice, Helen McEntee. Photograph: Gareth Chaney/ Collins Photos

New offence of non-fatal strangulation could see life sentences for serious harm

Taoiseach Micheál Martin  spoke of the pressures posed by the arrival of refugees into Ireland. Photograph: Gareth Chaney/ Collins Photos

Cabinet told up to 33,000 Ukrainian refugees could be seeking shelter by end of May

Maura Quinn has been chief executive of the Institute of Directors since 2008 and she is to leave that role in June.

Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly says Quinn will report back to him in June

Prof Holohan’s salary will be in excess of regular pay scales for academic professors at the university. File photograph: Julien Behal

CMO also reveals own role in development of his new academic job

Inspectors are surveying properties and have 15 criteria to be assessed as ‘adequate’ or ‘not adequate’, including structural condition, food preparation, storage and laundry facilities, potential hazards for small children and sanitary facilities. Photograph: Getty Images

Number is around 12% of 24,411 pledges made through the Irish Red Cross to date

A Housing for All progress report warns of ‘challenges ahead’. Photograph: iStock

Initiative to speed up development of apartments in cities also pushed back

Accommodation for Ukrainian refugees in Gormanstown, Millstreet and City West fully in use by Easter, meeting hears

The carbon tax increase comes at a time that the cost-of-living crisis is at the top of the political agenda due to spiraling energy costs, caused in part by the war in Ukraine. Photograph: iStock

Government expected to proceed with increase despite concerns of potential political fallout

Alan  Shatter says a lot of Jewish people living in settlements work with Palestinians and even socialise together – “The settlements are not the obstacle to a resolution of all of this.” Photograph: Nick Bradshaw

Amnesty’s description of Israel’s behaviour and treatment rejected by ex-minister

Minister for Housing Darragh O’Brien has asked local authorities to identify sites that could be used for temporary or permanent housing as part of efforts to provide accommodation for potentially tens of thousands of people fleeing the Russian attack on Ukraine. Photograph: Gareth Chaney/ Collins

Ministers told average of 580 people a day fleeing to Ireland daily due to Russian invasion

The tourism industry  was badly hit by the travel restrictions imposed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Photograph: iStock

Committee to be told of estimated 40,000 job vacancies amid ‘unprecedented’ shortages

A spokeswoman for Minister for the Environment Eamon Ryan pointed out on Monday that the carbon tax increases due at the end of April on home heating would amount to rises of no more than €1.40 a month on a gas bill and €1.50 a month on home heating oil. Photograph: iStockPhoto

Political fallout from move could be very damaging to Coalition, say senior figures

Taoiseach Micheál Martin: ‘Every conceivable pressure’ has to be put on Russia to stop the war. Photograph:  Niall Carson/PA Wire

Government to back fifth EU sanctions package as Zelenskiy accuses Russia of war crimes –

Minister for Housing Darragh O Brien (left) and Peter McVerry Trust chief executive Pat Doyle at the launch of the trust’s scheme on Shaw Street, Dublin. Photograph: Gareth Chaney/Collins

Up to 5,000 homeless people, about half of total number, need one-bed accommodation

Taoiseach Micheál Martin speaking to the media as he visited Workdays’ new European Headquarters in Dublin. Photograph: Niall Carson/PA Wire

‘Europe is repulsed’ by events in Ukraine, says Micheál Martin

A lottery spokesman said ‘we’re happy to remove this option and ask customers to opt in when they want to play with Plus’. File photograph: The Irish Times

Grievances over automatic entry into Plus draws spark alterations to playing biggest games

The manner in which Senators are elected has long been the subject of accusations of elitism. Photograph: Alan Betson

Simon Harris says 92% of people voted to extend vote in Seanad university panels in 1979

Tánaiste Leo Varadkar speaking to media at Dublin Zoo on Friday. Photograph: Alan Betson

Tánaiste says ‘strong economy’ can help cover costs of refugee influx and soaring inflation

There were indications that the current wave of the BA.2 variant has peaked. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw

Number being treated in hospital for disease falls as more than 10,700 new cases reported

Tom Clonan  in Sandymount last year. Photograph: Alan Betson

Former Army officer’s research highlighted treatment of women in Defence Forces

Minister for the Environment and Transport Eamon  Ryan pictured at the  SEAI Energy Show at the RDS on Thursday.

Proposals around time-of-day-pricing, fuel allowance and ‘helping families with children’

The additional spending came during a period of increased security concerns surrounding politicians. File photograph: The Irish Times

Figures provided to Dáil watchdog reveals expenditure jumped above €700,000 in 2021

 Minister for the Environment Eamon Ryan told the  Dáil the Government will ‘need to do more’ to respond to soaring prices. Photograph: Gareth Chaney/Collins

Opposition piles pressure on Government over series of hikes in energy bills

Tom Clonan who was elected to the Seand ahead of Maureen Gaffney on the 16th count. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill

Maureen Gaffney edged out after failing to get required number of Chu transfers in final count

A file image from September 2019 of Robbie Keane during a Republic of Ireland training session at Abbotstown in Dublin. Photograph: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile via Getty Images

Senator says information in press release was ‘inaccurate and false’ and ‘unfair’

Staff numbers at Dublin  airport were cut during the pandemic and the fall-off in travel, and DAA is now scrambling to recruit 300 people.   Photograph: Getty Images

DAA facing heavy criticism over terms and conditions on offer to security staff it is hiring

Taoiseach Micheal Martin  told TDs and Senators that the Government has allocated almost €2 billion in measures to help households with the cost of living . Photograph: Niall Carson/PA Wire

Taoiseach says European Commission likely to have ‘hard proposals on energy’ by end of April

Refugees fleeing Ukraine earlier in the month. Photograph: Christopher Furlong/Getty

Taoiseach signals ‘targeted approach’ to increasing vaccine take-up among refugees

Former Ireland rugby star Hugo MacNeill ahead after first count. File photograph: Ryan Byrne/INPHO

Security analyst Tom Clonan and psychologist Maureen Gaffney are not far behind

 Darragh O’Brien said: ‘Is it going to be a serious challenge to do that? Yes, it is but I think we can”’ File photograph: Niall Carson/PA Wire

Darragh O’Brien sets out ways being explored to meet housing needs on top of the existing targets

 Dublin Airport security queue. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw

Staff being hired to cut queues must be available 40 hours per week but only guaranteed 20, Dáil told

Former Dublin City University academic Mike Scott says “There is no Geneva Convention in cyberspace. Anything goes.”

Oireachtas committee to hear of infrastructural risks in wake of war in Ukraine

Hugo MacNeill: During his time studying at TCD he captained the rugby club and he remains a sports ambassador for the university. Photograph: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

Former Dublin mayor Hazel Chu also a contender to fill seat left vacant by Ivana Bacik

The Government has come under pressure to re-examine restrictions due to the surge in cases of the highly transmissible BA.2 variant. File photograph: Getty Images

SF urges adherence to public health advice while Labour seeks update from Tony Holohan

On Sunday, 221 patients with the disease had been admitted to hospital within the past 24 hours, on top of 235 recorded on Saturday and a pandemic record of 235 on Friday. File photograph: PA

Health system creaking as almost 700 patients with virus admitted to hospital since Friday

A tent being erected at Gormanston Camp. The Defence Forces is to provide heated tents  for 320 people at the Co Meath camp

Emergency accommodation may be offered in arenas, conference centres and even tents

While the average life sentence served in Ireland is 20 years, judges would have the discretion to impose a minimum of 20 or 30 years or even longer if they deem it is warranted in a particular case.  Photograph: Getty Images

The proposal is included among 159 actions in the Justice Plan 2022

The visit to Ireland by  mayors Steve Rotheram  (left) and Andy Burnham (right) comes at a time of poor relations between Ireland and Britain amid the ongoing EU-UK dispute over the Northern Ireland protocol. Photograph:  Christopher Furlong/Getty

Trip by Andy Burnham and Steve Rotheram follows poor relations due to NI protocol row

Minister for Integration Roderic O’Gorman says 633 of the 862 Ukrainians who arrived in the State on March 24th alone sought help. Photograph:  Gareth Chaney/Collins

Facility in Co Meath to be used on temporary basis in case alternatives not available

Hospitals have been advised to cancel elective procedures and focus on critical work, such as cancer care and emergency departments. Photograph: Alan Betson

Health advice unchanged but calls for public to consider behaviour with regard to masks

 Tánaiste Leo Varadkar has sought to temper expectations on the use of modular housing to house Ukrainian refugees. Photograph: Gareth Chaney/Collins

Varadkar responds to claim two-tier system is in place for those seeking State’s protection

 Michael Healy-Rae TD was criticised by Leo Varadkar over his use of language. Photograph: Tom Honan /The Irish Times.

‘I would never set out to offend or upset anyone and the Tánaiste knows that’ - Kerry TD

Empty supermarket shelves, London. he Russian invasion of Ukraine is not expected to result in food shortages in Ireland in the coming months. Photograph: Frank Augstein/AP Photo

SF leader says Government should do more to ‘cushion people’ from rise in cost of living

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