Fiach Kelly

Fiach Kelly

Fiach Kelly is Deputy Political Editor

Leo Varadkar during the Good Friday Way of the Cross procession in the Phoenix Park, Dublin. Fine Gael still leads Fianna Fáil in the opinion polls and the Taoiseach is still a more popular leader than Micheál Martin. Photograph: Gareth Chaney/Collins
Varadkar must not let Fianna Fáil define him

Painting the Taoiseach as a creature of spin has been a triumph of spin itself

Billy Kelleher meets up with Clare hurling legends Brian Lohan and Niall Gilligan while canvassing in Ennis, Co Clare, for the European elections. Photograph: Eamon Ward
European elections: Is Ireland ready to take them seriously?

A green revolution and disappointment for Fine Gael are among the predictions for May 24th

Minister for Housing Eoghan Murphy: “There will be one count – one count in Dublin for the four seats and one count in Ireland South for the five seats.” Photograph: Tom Honan
MEP reserve candidates unlikely to be paid until Brexit occurs

Winners of seats arising from UK’s exit plan may visit European Parliament, says Murphy

Journalist Lyra McKee was shot dead overnight during riots in the Creggan area of Derry, Northern Ireland. Photograph: Jess Lowe/AFP/Getty Images
Lyra McKee killing: CCTV shows slain journalist and suspected gunman

Police appeal for information and help from Creggan community in tracking down killer

Bono and his wife Ali with US speaker of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi and Ceann Comhairle Seán Ó Fearghaíl. Photograph: Maxwell Photography/PA Wire
Giddiness as TDs and senators escape Leinster House for Easter recess

Inside Politics: Presence of Bono for speech by Nancy Pelosi adds to end-of-term atmosphere in Leinster House

A pair of baby shoes with the message ‘Bury us with dignity’ hangs on a wall at the site of the Tuam mother-and-baby home. Photograph: Andy Newman
Mother-and-baby home inquiry: hundreds of burial plots unknown

Tuam home commission dismisses archaeologist’s suggestion of ‘burial vault’

Fine Gael has added Verona Murphy, the president of the Irish Road Haulage Association (IRHA), to its general election ticket in Wexford. File photograph: Alan Betson/The Irish Times.
President of hauliers’ group to run for Fine Gael in Wexford

Verona Murphy joins Ministers of State Kehoe and D’Arcy on ticket in five-seat Dáil constituency

Flowers at the site of a mass grave for children who died in the Tuam mother and baby home. File photograph: Niall Carson/PA Wire
Zappone criticised for claim people in Tuam held back details on babies

‘Shameful’ of Minister to suggest people are not coming forward with information

Independent TDs Mick Wallace and Clare Daly: “Increasingly what we deal with in the Irish parliament either comes from Europe directly or Europe is being used as an excuse why we can’t do things that benefit Irish people.” Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill/The Irish Times
Daly, Wallace will still attend Oireachtas committees if elected to EU

The deputies will aim to bring “Europe home in a timely way” to Irish voters

Minister for Children and Youth Affairs Katherine Zappone: ‘There is still more information out there.’
People staying silent on what happened at Tuam, Zappone says

Commission finds no evidence babies from institution had been ‘sold’ to America

A ballot box for Gola Island, off the west coast of Donegal, is brought to the polling station on the island ahead of the 2016 general election. Photograph: Alan Betson/The Irish Times
Early voting on the islands in elections and referendums to end

Cabinet sanctions ‘money message’ to give effect to move proposed by FF’s Éamon Ó’Cuív

The process will closely follow the process used to appoint Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Mr Justice Frank Clarke in 2017. File photograph: The Irish Times
Task of selecting District and Circuit Court presidents begins

Minister for Justice secures ‘agreement to note that nomination process be put in place’

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar: he had said a decision on whether to proceed with the plan to roll out high-speed internet access to rural Ireland would be made by Easter. Photograph: Alan Betson
Opposition describes latest delay to broadband scheme as a ‘betrayal’

Minister for Communications Richard Bruton says Ministers will not meet Easter timeline outlined by Varadkar

Members of the European Parliament take part in a voting session at the European Parliament in Strasbourg. File image: Reuters/Vincent Kessler
Total of 59 candidates declare for European Parliament elections

Nominations closed at noon on Monday for Ireland’s three European constituencies

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar visiting the Sikh Temple in Ballsbridge, Dublin 4, on Sunday, the day after the centenary of the Amritsar massacres in 1919. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw/The Irish Times
Customs union would give UK a say in trade deals, says Varadkar

Taoiseach says union a win-win as Bertie Ahern and Tony Blair call for second Brexit poll

Midlands North West MEP Luke “Ming” Flanagan: put ad in local newspapers comparing his work with that of constituency colleagues Matt Carthy and Maireád McGuinness. Photograph: Mick McCormack
Luke ‘Ming’ Flanagan advert sparks ‘lousy and nasty’ charge

Sinn Féin MEP Matt Carthy at loggerheads with Independent MEP over work record

British prime minister Theresa May speaks at a press conference after a special EU summit on Brexit at the European Council in Brussels. Photograph: Julien Warnand/EPA
Brexit extension agreed but question now is if it’s long enough for UK to change approach

Inside politics: Questions remain after FAI and Delaney appear at Oireachtas committee

Former taoiseach Enda Kenny: the VentureWave website lists him as one of four people on its senior team
Enda Kenny to be adviser to private equity group that will invest in Ireland

Mayo TD will take up his first business-related role since stepping down as taoiseach

Billy Kelleher: he is accused of not taking the prospect of taking two seats in Ireland South seriously
Fianna Fáil divides European constituencies between candidates

Councillor candidate claims TD Billy Kelleher is not taking seriously the prospect of the party winning two seats in Ireland South

The Dorchester Hotel in London, owned by the Sultan of Brunei. Photograph: Chris J Ratcliffe/Getty Images
Attorney General cancels attendance at event in Brunei-owned hotel

Séamus Woulfe decides against going to Dorchester amid controvery over gay rights

Minister for Transport Shane Ross has a testy relationship with Imelda Munster. Photograph: Dave Meehan
Ross’s no-deal Brexit plan mistakenly sent to TD he called a donkey

Transport action plan accidentally sent to SF transport spokeswoman Imelda Munster

Michel Barnier, EU chief Brexit negotiator, at Government Buildings speaking to media following meeting. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill
Barnier warns extending Brexit deadline without clear plan ‘dangerous’

Ministers at Dublin meeting are told EU will ‘stand fully behind Ireland’

Minister for Justice Charlie Flanagan: concerned about suggestions banks may have employed unregistered security to assist in executing court orders. Photograph: James Forde
Court order execution by private security firms to be subject of law

Flanagan to seek approval for requirement that private security firms register with State

Meath West TD Peadar Tóibín: “There needs to be sustainable levels of immigration in this country, it needs to be managed.” Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill
Peadar Tóibín’s immigration remarks spark heavy criticism

Pearse Doherty says former colleague is courting populist views as he launches Aontú

Senator Alice Mary Higgins at her campaign launch in Dublin on Monday. .Photograph: Tom Honan/The Irish Times.
Alice Mary Higgins seeks European seat under ‘equality, peace’ platform

Former SDLP leader Mark Durkan says he would be the only ‘authentic voice’ for NI if elected

Landlords will also be required to copy a tenancy termination notice to the Residential Tenancies Board. File photograph: PA
Landlords who end tenancy to sell must sign contracts within nine months

New measures also tighten rules around ending a tenancy to enable refurbishments

US speaker Nancy Pelosi: renewed efforts to seal a landmark American visa deal for Irish citizens. Photograph: Carlos Barria/Reuters
Pelosi to lead US delegation to Ireland amid push for visa deal

Speaker of House of Representatives to visit Border and meet Taoiseach later in month

Paschal Donohoe, Minister for Finance, speaks to media on the report of the review of the Local Property Tax at the Department of the Taoiseach. Photograph: Alan Betson / The Irish Times
Property tax: Lower value homes could face some of the largest increases

Department of Finance outlines options to reform tax to deal with rises in property prices

Angela Merkel: “She really wants to listen, to show support and to listen, and to find out what is the current situation, what is the view of Ireland, and how can we proceed in different scenarios”
Merkel to visit Dublin for ‘clearer picture’ of Irish preparations for no-deal Brexit

German ambassador to Ireland says chancellor’s visit is a show of solidarity with Ireland

The report is said to outline a number of proposed options for dealing with the tax, from cutting the rate to widening the bands.
A fifth of homes could face higher property tax - new report

Changes to Local Property Tax have been deferred for one year

Speaker of the House of Commons John Bercow announces the results of a round of voting on alternative Brexit options at the House of Commons on Monday night. Image: Reuters TV via REUTERS
Varadkar to meet Macron amid Westminister Brexit impasse

Inside Politics: Taoiseach is expected to press case for a long extension of article 50 negotiating process

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar: ‘No one should under-estimate the difficulties that a no-deal will present, for all of us.’ Photograph: Brian Lawless/ PA Wire
Varadkar set to argue for long extension of Brexit negotiating period

Taoiseach to discuss EU single market and open Border with Macron and Merkel

Number of drink-drivers caught the morning after is on the rise

Calls for McGrath to resign after claiming drink-driving checks were ‘over the top’

House of Commons speaker John Bercow is pictured during a debate on a series of indicative proposals tabled in an attempt to find consensus among MPs on Brexit. Photograph: UK Parliament/Jessica Taylor/PA Wire.
Brexit: Latest round of ‘indicative votes’ fails to find a way forward

May to hold five-hour cabinet meeting amid speculation she could seek long delay to Brexit

File photograph: iStock
Lower-income families could get €2,400 tax refund under Fine Gael election plan

Revenue would give unused tax credits back to those earning below €16,500 in the policy

‘If judges are taken off the pitch, it could have problems for the practical administration of justice.’ Photograph: Nicolas Nadjar
Judges’ misconduct hearings to be held in public

Chief justice issues warning after Government moves to allow public inquiries

Becky Loftus Dore: she cautions people against choosing surrogacy in Ireland unless a family member or close friend has agreed to be the surrogate
Local election candidate tells of becoming surrogate for her friends

‘This journey has been so different to any of my own. My husband and I aren’t sitting in bed talking about names’

Fianna Fáil spokesman Barry Cowen said constituencies such as his own of Offaly, where Bord na Móna has a significant presence, could see its industries affected. File photograph: Niall Carson/PA Wire
Carbon tax in jeopardy as Fianna Fáil takes different tack

Party insisting on funds being reinvested in affected communities during report negotiations

One TD characterised Leo Varadkar’s warning as: “You better have your leaflets ready if you are going to do that.”
Varadkar delivers election warning to TDs over lost votes

A number of Government TDs understood to have missed Dáil business for soccer match

Sligo councillor Joe Queenan was secretly filmed by the RTÉ Investigations unit. File image: RTÉ.
Sipo finds against two councillors over RTÉ undercover report

Joe Queenan and John O’Donnell both breached Local Government Act - watchdog

The Fine Gael intention is to link payments such as the pension to the consumer price index this year. File photograph: Getty Images
Government plan to link pension increases to inflation faces opposition

FG plan would consign people to poverty while claiming to help them, says Willie O’Dea

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar discusses Brexit at the end of an EU summit last week. Photograph: Michelle Devane/PA Wire
Leo Varadkar denies he is under pressure from EU leaders on Border

Taoiseach also says he will work with whoever is British PM amid turmoil in London

Tánaiste Simon Coveney has refused to engage with suggestions that an EU task force could be set up to deal with the Border in the event of a no-deal Brexit. Photograph: Getty Images
Border to be discussed between Ireland and EU as Brexit pressure intensifies

Merkel notes difficulties of protecting the Belfast Agreement in a no-deal situation

Mark Durkan said the sitting Fine Gael MEPs should have shown their discomfort with Hungarian leader Viktor Orban’s policies. Photograph: Alan Betson
FG defends decision of European grouping not to expel Orban

Mark Durkan says MEPs should have shown discomfort with Hungarian leader’s policies

Paddy Tully (centre flat cap) keeps an eye on the prices at the mart in Granard, Co Longford. Photograph: Lorraine Teevan
Taking voter temperature in Longford and Sligo: lukewarm for Varadkar

Fine Gael needs rural Ireland but its seen to be weak on country concerns from post office closures to driving laws

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar gives a press conference at the end of an EU summit focused on Brexit in Brussels on Friday. Photograph: Aris Oikonomou/AFP/Getty Images
Next Commons vote could push UK closer to EU, Varadkar suggests

DUP describes Theresa May’s failure to secure new EU concessions as ‘inexcusable’

Supporters of serving Defence Forces personnel and retired members participating in a protest over low pay in the armed forces. File photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill/The Irish Times.
‘Military family’ makes series of demands to election candidates

Defence Forces Family Political Forum wants to see strategic voting among members, families

Cllr Malcolm Byrne (left) defeated Billy Kelleher TD by eight votes. Photographs: File/Brenda Fitzsimons
Councillor beats TD in Fianna Fáil selection convention upset

Wexford councillor Malcolm Byrne defeats Billy Kelleher for European Parliament nomination

The Cabinet adjourned once more, with Ministers and officials – sustained by late-night sandwiches – gathering around televisions to watch the joint May-Juncker press conference. Photographer: Alex Kraus/Bloomberg
Dublin could only watch on as Westminster lurched from one crisis to another

Juncker wanted a ‘verbal handshake’ with Varadkar before any sign-off with May

Paschal Donohoe, will be Fine Gael’s director of organisation for the next general election. He is in London for St Patrick’s Day. Photograph: Chris Ratcliffe/Bloomberg
Paschal Donohoe rules himself out of leading Fine Gael

Minister for Finance does not want to lead now ‘nor in the future’

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar: took call from European Commission president Jean Claude Juncker on the final wording of the unilateral declaration. Photograph: Brian Lawless/PA
Cabinet told of British move to exit the backstop

Dublin and Brussels deemed notion lacked rigour under EU and international law

Tánaiste Simon Coveney said the onus was now on London to find a way out of the current crisis. Photograph: Tom Honan/PA Wire
No-deal Brexit closer following Commons vote, Tánaiste says

Simon Coveney ‘deeply disappointed’ by latest rejection by MPs of Theresa May deal

Leo Varaadkar, speaking at a press conference in Government Buildings on Tuesday morning. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill
Brexit deal does not undermine backstop, says Varadkar

Documents provide additional layer ‘interpretation, clarification, elaboration’

British prime minister Theresa May arrives back at Downing Street in London after making a statement on Brexit at the European Parliament in Strasbourg. Photograph: Isabel Infantes/PA Wire
Brexit: EU’s ‘final offer’ to UK emerges after last-minute scramble

Inside Politics: May insists she has secured ‘legal changes’ to backstop ahead of Commons vote

Michel Barnier, chief negotiator for the European Union, greets British prime minister Theresa May before a news conference in Strasbourg, France, on Monday. Photographer: Alex Kraus/Bloomberg
May and Juncker agree ‘legally binding’ changes to NI backstop

Joint interpretive instrument means EU cannot trap UK in backstop indefinitely

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and his senior staff were due to travel to the United States for the annual St Patrick’s Day series of events yesterday, but postponed their departure. Photograph: Tom Honan
UK’s Brexit deal will have three different elements, Irish Cabinet meeting told

Ministers insist no change in the position that UK can unilaterally exit backstop

Details of an Irish woman in Syria first emerged after a TV crew working for ITV News visited a camp in northern Syria two weeks ago. Photograph: ITV
Lisa Smith has right to return to Ireland with her child, says Varadkar

Removing citizenship for woman who left for Syria would not be ‘compassionate’ move

British prime minister Theresa May and European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker are pictured during a news conference in Strasbourg on Monday. Photograph: Vincent Kessler/Reuters.
Theresa May says she has secured 'exactly' what Commons asked for

Juncker says there will be no further chances on agreement and Varadkar approves latest offer

Leo Varadkar attends the Six Nations match between Ireland and France at the Aviva Stadium, Dublin on Sunday. Photograph: Peter Morrison/AP
Brexit: It’s far too late for UK to say what it wants, says Varadkar

Any Brexit extension would have to be an ‘extension with a purpose’

Northern Ireland Secretary Karen Bradley said she is profoundly sorry for deeply insensitive comments she made on Wednesday suggesting that deaths caused by soldiers and police during the Troubles were not crimes. Photograph: Aaron Chown/PA Wire
Comments on Troubles deaths a ‘slip of the tongue’, Bradley says

Northern Secretary criticised in North and State for saying killings by soldiers, police ‘not crimes’

A poster for Niall Blaney’s EU election campaign. Image: Facebook
Aspiring Fianna Fáil candidate for EU elections claims ‘stitch-up’

Former Donegal TD Niall Blaney says timing of convention is unreasonable

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar does not believe the recent controversy surrounding the national children’s hospital overspend is responsible for a drop in his and Fine Gael’s standings in opinion polls. Photograph: Francois Lenoir/Reuters.
Hospital ‘debacle’ not to blame for lower FG support, Varadkar says

Taoiseach notes consumer confidence drop when asked about poll ratings for him and party falling

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar at the launch of the Action Plan for Education 2019 in Dublin on Thursday. Photograph: Julien Behal
UK rather than EU needs to make Brexit concessions, Varadkar says

NI business group says absence of a departure deal has seen investment evaporate

Northern Ireland Secretary Karen Bradley: ‘never intended to cause offence’. Photograph: Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire
Comments on Troubles deaths a ‘slip of the tongue’, Karen Bradley says

Northern Secretary criticised in North and State for saying killings by soldiers, police ‘not crimes’

The site of the national children’s hospital in Dublin. The €450m overrun in the project, now expected to cost €1.7bn, has led to a major political controversy. Photograph: Gareth Chaney/Collins
State will no longer commit to projects ‘until design and price are clear’

Robert Watt to tell PAC greater cost controls being introduced following hospital overspend

Leo Varadkar launched the group at the weekly Fine Gael parliamentary party meeting. File photograph: Gareth Chaney Collins
Taoiseach sets up group to boost Fine Gael ties in Northern Ireland

Group will ‘develop links’ with NI parties and build FG profile in North, says party chair

Paul Murphy TD outside Leinster House, Dublin Photograph: Gareth Chaney/Collins
Paul Murphy uses Trotsky to explain how Socialists can compete with ‘sectarian’ SF

Dublin TD describes rivals as bourgeois, sectarian nationalists with an ‘armed wing’

Paul Murphy, left, said: “The guiding line for us all in this debate should be what Lenin, approvingly quoting Trotsky, argued, that ‘ideological struggle within the party does not mean mutual ostracism but mutual influence’.” Photograph: Brenda Fitzsimons
Inside Ireland’s Socialist Party: telling the ‘digestible’ truth

Paul Murphy advocates ‘united front’ when dealing with Sinn Féin, documents show

Paul Murphy, left, said: “The guiding line for us all in this debate should be what Lenin, approvingly quoting Trotsky, argued, that ‘ideological struggle within the party does not mean mutual ostracism but mutual influence’.” Photograph: Brenda Fitzsimons
Socialist Party to present truth in ‘most digestible’ way to working class

In internal documents Paul Murphy advocates ‘united front’ when dealing with Sinn Féin

From left to right: Paul Murphy, Ruth Coppinger TD, Cllr Michael Murphy and Mick Barry TD pictured in 2017. Photograph: Brenda Fitzsimons/The Irish Times
Socialist Party documents illustrate criticism from international comrades

Papers show serious differences between leading party figures on domestic strategy

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Mark Durkan, the former SDLP leader who is now a Fine Gael candidate. Photograph: Gareth Chaney/Collins
Leo the Green: Fine Gael looks to Northern nationalists

Inside Politics: Sinn Féin appears stung by FG selection of former SDLP leader Mark Durkan as European Parliament candidate

British prime minster Theresa May and President of European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker. The EU and UK will map out what technological solutions could be used to keep the Irish border open after Brexit. Photograph: Dan Kitwood/Getty
EU and UK to ‘map out’ work on technological border

Work would take place during transition phase which starts after Britain leaves EU

Emergency services at the scene at the Department of Health on Baggot Street. Photograph: Conor Pope
‘Non-hazardous’ material in suspect package sent to Department of Health

Taoiseach asks ‘what kind of oddballs’ send such material, which is ultimately opened by civilian staff

British Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn: “We are committed to also putting forward or supporting an amendment in favour of a public vote to prevent a damaging Tory Brexit being forced on the country.” Photograph: Aaron Chown/PA
Labour to back second Brexit vote in effort to avoid no-deal outcome

London to bring back direct rule in NI as administrative move in event of crashout

Ali Charaf Damache is serving a 15-year sentence in a maximum security facility in the United States. Photograph: Collins Courts
Government ‘loath’ to strip citizenship, Varadkar says

Right to same-sex marriage and abortion universal, Taoiseach tells Arab League

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and British prime minister Theresa May at the Arab-European Summit in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, on Monday. Photograph: Dan Kitwood/Getty Images
Varadkar says Martin ‘sniping’ from sidelines

Taoiseach says Fianna Fáil has offered ‘no substance of policy, no alternative’

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and British prime minister Theresa May held bilateral talks at the margins of the first Arab-European Summit in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt. Photograph: Getty
Brexit: Theresa May says an extension will only delay decisions

Tusk confirms he has discussed an extension with May: says it is a ‘rational solution’

British prime minister Theresa May attends the EU-Arab League Summit in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, yesterday. Photograph: Khaled Elfiqi/EPA
May delays Brexit vote as UK political turmoil persists

British PM’s move does not alter anything for Ireland or European Union, says Varadkar

The president of the European Council, Donald Tusk, and Egyptian president Abdel Fattah al-Sisi at the opening of the EU-League of Arab States summit in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt. Photograph: EPA/Khaled Elfiqi
Summit told countries must unite to break the business model of people smugglers

Varadkar to make an address at the first EU-League of Arab States summit in Egypt

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar arrives to attend the first joint European Union and Arab League summit at the International Congress Centre in the Egyptian Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh. Photograph: AFP/Getty Images
EU can offer ‘assurances’ on Brexit withdrawal deal - Varadkar

Postponement of Commons vote ‘doesn’t change anything’, says Taoiseach

Micheál Martin: “When you strip it all back . . . he has made the right call on all the big issues and he has excelled in all the elections,” said one frontbencher. Photograph: Gareth Chaney Collins
‘The election is coming’: Fianna Fáil’s impatience for government

Few of those at today’s Fianna Fáil ardfheis in Citywest want to wait much longer

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport Shane Ross: the doors of the Independent Alliance and other non-aligned members of the Government have recently remained undisturbed. Photograph: Laura Hutton
Independents in Dáil have assumed comfortable role

Fiach Kelly: ‘Are we an irrelevance or a stable and reliable part of the Government?’

Micheál Martin outside Leinster House on Friday. The Fianna Fáil leader believes an election will be held early next year. Photograph: Gareth Chaney/Collins
Carbon tax increases should be reinvested as grants, says Martin

Fianna Fáil leader says he will facilitate a fourth budget under the current agreement

Leo Varadkar: “I wonder, if Fianna Fáil was 5-10% ahead in the polls for the last year, would they be quite so willing to facilitate us?” Photograph: Gareth Chaney/Collins
Brexit: US will insist on open border, says Varadkar

Congress will not support trade deal with UK that undermines Border, says Taoiseach

Fianna Fáil TD Billy Kelleher: still expected to contest for the European Parliament nomination. Photograph: Brenda Fitzsimons/The Irish Times
Billy Kelleher’s bid for MEP not ‘good for the party’, says FF leader

Surprise at Micheál Martin’s ‘ruthless’ response to deputy’s plans to run in Europe

Tánaiste Simon Coveney and Taoiseach Leo Varadkar. Photograph: James Forde
Government two weeks from pivotal Brexit decisions

Three-day talks to cover economic interventions and state aid for vulnerable industries

Minister for Health Simon Harris: managed to tie both Varadkar and Donohoe into the hospital issue. Photograph: Tom Honan/The Irish Times
Ripple effects of children’s hospital controversy will linger

Inside Politics: Simon Harris is set to sail through vote of no confidence, but relations in Government are damaged

Fianna Fáil TD Willie O’Dea said he could ‘walk away’ from the confidence-and-supply deal if Brexit and other issues damaged faith in Government. File photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill /The Irish Times
Fianna Fáil warns stable Brexit could mean end to confidence and supply

Senior party figures say clarity on Brexit would bring a general election ‘within weeks’

Barry Andrews is congratulated by two of his children, Kate and Hugh, after being selected to contest the European Elections for Fianna Fáil in Dublin. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw/The Irish Times
Barry Andrews: European candidate plucked from Fianna Fáil royalty

The new MEP candidate for Dublin comes from a line of TDs and senior party figures

Young people in Northern Ireland have less interaction with others of different race, religion and age: “This environment is ripe for fostering extreme beliefs, actions and violence.” Photograph: Clodagh Kilcoyne
Segregation growing in North, report on reunification issues finds

Warning hard border or quick referendum on Irish unity would bring back violence

Former minister of state Barry Andrews (front, right) has been selected to contest the European Parliament election in Dublin for Fianna Fáil. Photograph Nick Bradshaw/The Irish Times
Barry Andrews to contest Dublin for FF in European election

Party frustrated at being associated with Government’s difficulties, says former minister of state

Simon Coveney: said such a package must not be ‘unreasonable’ or ‘put an unfair burden on Ireland’. Photograph: Hannah McKay/Reuters
Coveney says EU will agree ‘some package’ to help May sell deal

Taoiseach predicts ‘nasty surprise’ for those expecting EU27 unity to crack

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said the inability of the House of Commons to ratify the Brexit withdrawal agreement meant the UK is currently stuck. Photograph: Collins
No-deal Brexit will hit UK’s ability to strike trade deals, says Varadkar

Countries are asking if the UK can ‘make [trade deals], ratify them and stick to them’

Fianna Fáil TD John McGuinness. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw
Love is not in the air for Fianna Fáil over confidence-and-supply deal

Inside Politics: Party rolled its eyes when John McGuinness was on radio

John McGuinness: he said rank-and-file party members were unhappy with the extension to the deal that underpins the Fine Gael-led minority government
Fianna Fáil TD criticises ‘same old tired record from John McGuinness’

Cowen and McGuinness had row at Fianna Fáil party meeting over extension of confidence and supply deal

Minister for Housing, Eoghan Murphy: “While there is no quick fix, our housing plan is now showing real progress in the delivery of new homes and new social housing homes.” Photograph: Tom Honan
Number of new social homes on target – Minister for Housing

Rebuilding Ireland plan wants to increase the supply of social homes to 10,000 by 2021

Ministers discussed the episode which saw protesters block Mr Harris, his wife and their three-week-old daughter in their home in Greystones, Co Wicklow. Photograph: Tom Honan
Senior garda examining security for Ministers after Simon Harris incident

Fears expressed by some members of Cabinet about safety

Barry Cowen (left), the spokesman on public expenditure, and John McGuinness (right), the outspoken deputy for Carlow-Kilkenny, clashed in front of colleagues at the weekly Fianna Fáil parliamentary party meeting. File photographs: The Irish Times
FF’s Cowen, McGuinness clash over confidence-and-supply deal

Offaly TD criticises some colleagues for speaking in ‘personal capacity’ at interviews

Minister for Health Simon Harris addressing the Dáil on Tuesday.
Children’s hospital: Simon Harris apologises for his answer on rising cost

‘I should have added further detail that the process was ongoing to finalise costs’

Minister for Housing Eoghan Murphy: the department has been seeking ways to make it less attractive for people to turn down offers of social housing. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill / The Irish Times
Families who turn down two offers of social housing face five-year wait

New rules mean applicant will be suspended from the waiting list for five years

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