Pat Leahy

Pat Leahy

Political Editor

Pat Leahy is the political editor of The Irish Times. A frequent contributor to radio and television debates, he is the author of two bestselling books on Irish politics, Showtime (2009) and the Price of Power (2013). He has also made a number of documentaries for RTE television, including Crisis, an account of the 2007-2011 Fianna Fail-Green government, and Independents' Day, on the rise of independents and small parties in the last Dail. He has a degree in law from UCD and is a former Reuters fellow at Oxford University. He was previously the deputy editor and political editor of The Sunday Business Post.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar speaking at a joint press conference at 10 Downing Street in London on June 19th. Photograph: Philip Toscan/AFP/Getty Images
Varadkar gives ‘cautious welcome’ to May’s Brexit speech

Taoiseach says ‘further clarity’ needed from the British prime minister

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said his Government believed in a “culture of aspiration” and wanted to help those who feel “they pay for everything but get little in return”. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill
Leo Varadkar rules out tax breaks for developers

Taoiseach stresses middle-income earners will see income tax reductions in budget

British Prime Minister Theresa May: hopes her keenly anticipated speech in Italy will help to break the deadlock in Brexit negotiations. Photograph: Peter Nicholls/Reuters
UK to offer EU €20 billion for a transitional Brexit deal

Deal would keep Britain in single market during period, while paying into EU budget

Theresa May: expected to signal a concession on the “divorce bill” promising that UK contributions to the EU budget will continue until 2020 at least. Photograph: Caitlin Ochs/Bloomberg
EU support for Ireland is welcome even as fears grow

Government content with EU approach so far but anxious about slow pace of progress

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said: “When an economy is growing, we should balance the books and pay down our debt.” Photograph: Dara Mac Donaill /The Irish Times
Taoiseach defends plans for tax cuts in Budget

Leo Varadkar says those who ‘pay for everything’ should see some improvements

Horses at the site near Athenry in Co Galway where Apple plans to build a data centre. Photograph: Aidan Crawley
Galway TD warns of job losses over Apple data centre delays

Government plans to change law to fast-track data centres

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe: big challenges ahead. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill
The budget, Brexit and abortion loom over new Dáil term

Leo Varadkar has had a quiet start to his stint as Taoiseach – that's about to change

Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin: The Government needs his party’s agreement to abstain if it is to pass budget measures in the Dáil in three weeks’ time. Photograph: Brian Lawless/PA Wire
Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael already at odds over budget

Confidence and supply agreement to reduce USC must be honoured, warns Martin

The Minister has secured Cabinet approval to refund 990,000 householders who paid water levies before they were suspended last year. The refunds will cost €173m
Cabinet approves legislation for water refunds and new charging regime

Households will be charged for water if they use 70% more than average

Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin said both parties have signed up to a reduction in USC and said it was not possible to do this and cut taxes in the next budget. Conor McCabe photography
Martin signals budget row with Fine Gael with demand for USC cuts

Martin insists Varadkar stick to deal and fix housing crisis before beginning tax cuts

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar at Government Buildings, Dublin, September 17th, 2017. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill/The Irish Times
Varadkar warns public service chiefs to perform or step down

Idea that more money will fix health sector issues ‘really just doesn’t stand up to scrutiny’

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar photographed at Government Buildings, Dublin, September 17th, 2017. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill/The Irish Times
Varadkar stresses public service reforms over extra spending

Interview: Number one priority for Budget 2018 is to balance the books, says Taoiseach

An astounding number of voters have been asked for their vote personally by the candidates, election studies show, and moreover, asking more voters for their vote increases a candidate’s chances of being elected. Photograph: Alan Betson
Pressure now on Fine Gael to deliver if it wants to retain power

Public services may be the decisive battleground on which next election is fought

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar at the Fine Gael think-in in Clonmel, Co Tipperary, ahead of the resumption of the Dáil next week. Photograph: PA Wire
Continuity, not change, order of the day for Varadkar’s first 100

Early days see directness and caution, and no striking out in any bold new direction

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar ahead of a group photograph at the Fine Gael parliamentary party think-in in Clonmel, Co Tipperary. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill
Leo Varadkar fails to establish a ‘Republic of Opportunity’

Taoiseach’s think-in speech tackled Nama and the budget but left his vision to one side

Nama homes: the agency’s joint ventures are already scheduled to have built 20,000 homes by 2020. Photograph: Simon Dawson/Bloomberg
Nama set to develop affordable housing

Agency would raise finance, take planning role and work with developers

Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe will attend an Ecofin council meeting later this week where the EU’s economic future will be discussed. Photograph: Gareth Chaney Collins
Government concerned on proposed EU fiscal integration

State supportive of banking and capital markets unions but wary of losing authority

The Independents, including John Halligan, claimed a great victory when Government agreed to a review of corporation tax. Photograph: Cyril Byrne
The tricky politics of Ireland’s corporation tax

The changing mood towards the State’s tax regime presents opportunities and dangers

The proposals for deepening economic and monetary union within the euro zone were discussed by the Cabinet after a briefing from Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney
EU tax plan ‘is a bigger threat to Ireland than Brexit’

State could lose €4bn in taxes if corporate tax harmonisation is adopted, expert says

Apartment supply is the main concern when it comes to building costs, with house building seen as satisfactory by sources. Photograph: Neil Hall/Reuters
Builders ‘can’t make viable profit’ on €320,000 apartments

Government report sought industry group input, who say housing estates only marginally viable

Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe said health services in Ireland ‘have never had more resources available to them as they do now. Photograph: Collins
Donohoe tells HSE: manage your budget as there is no extra cash

HSE faces a €300 million deficit but Minister says no extra funding will be made available

The scheme is part of a series of measures Minister for Housing Eoghan Murphy is bringing forward as the crisis worsens. File photograph: Frank Miller
Mortgage-to-rent scheme to keep people with arrears in homes

Loans in arrears to be bought from banks by private investors under Government plan

Nóirín O’Sullivan resigned unexpectedly from her role as garda commissioner on Sunday. File photograph: Frank Miller/The Irish Times
O’Sullivan’s sudden retirement takes Government by surprise

Commissioner’s decision to step down comes after three years dogged by controversies

Commissioner Nóirín O’Sullivan is stepping down but the next Garda scandal won’t be far away.
Analysis: Few are surprised by O’Sullivan’s resignation

Apparently damning report from Policing Authority awaiting publication

‘If you had asked me to pick a single representative of the last government who best represented the views of conservative Christian Democracy, I would have reached for Leo Varadkar,’ Mr Howlin said. Photograph: Cyril Byrne
Varadkar is no centrist, he’s a conservative right winger, says Howlin

Labour leader challenges Taoiseach’s claims be part of a new European centrist politics

The Government’s ‘mantra’ that the €300 million shortfall in the HSE budget will be met by savings in the system by the end of the year is not ‘anyway sustainable’, Brendan Howlin said. Photograph: Cyril Byrne
Delay water charge refunds to pay health overspend, Howlin says

Plans for tax cuts should be abandoned for investment in services - Labour leader tells think-in

Sinn Féin leader in Northern Ireland Michelle O’Neill. Photograph: Gareth Chaney Collins
Parties move towards fresh talks at Stormont

Clear divisions between British and Irish governments on direct rule

A Union Jack and an EU flag fly outside the Houses of Parliament in London, Britain. File photograph: Simon Dawson/Bloomberg
EU to make UK responsible for avoiding a hard Border

European Commission to publish its long-awaited Brexit paper on Ireland

Martti Ahtisaari delivering the Iveagh House lecture at the Department of Foreign Affairs in Dublin. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill
EU must fill gap left by US isolationism, says peace broker Ahtisaari

Former Finnish president Martti Ahtisaari delivers lecture in Dublin

Charlie Flanagan. he will also outline the contents of a report by the Policing Authority into the slow pace of reform in the Garda Síochána. Photograph: Niall Carson/PA Wire
False breath tests by gardaí and water refunds on Cabinet agenda

Minister for Justice Charlie Flanagan will brief colleagues on two inquiries into Garda

Minister for Housing Eoghan Murphy. It is understood that the package of policy measures will include the review of the Government’s housing plan, Rebuilding Ireland. Photograph: Eamonn Farrell/RollingNews.ie
Budget measures likely to include cash for public housing

Eoghan Murphy hopeful of “scaling up” plans for permanent accommodation

“Events on Monday sharply illustrated how the housing and health issues have elbowed their way into the front of the Government’s agenda.” File photograph: Getty Images
No sign of quick fixes in health and housing

Government insiders speak of Brexit but it is not on the political agenda in same way

A projection of Leo Varadkar’s personality: the Taoiseach competing in Dublin City Triathlon last weekend. Photograph: Bryan Keane/Inpho
Is the spin-over-substance meme beginning to stick to the Taoiseach?

Pat Leahy: If Leo Varadkar won’t define himself, his opponents will do it for him

Sinn Féin’s northern leader Michelle O’Neill outside the party’s headquarters in Belfast. The party has rejected a DUP proposal for an an immediate restoration of the assembly in Northern Ireland. Photograph: Justin Kernoghan
Coveney says Foster has made ‘real effort’ to reconvene NI talks

Sinn Féin has dismissed a DUP proposal to restore a powersharing government

Irish ministers can speak Irish and have it translated at European meetings, but only with prior notice and in practice, few ever speak Irish. The Sinn Féin MEP Liadh Ní Riada (above) has made a number of speeches in the European Parliament in Irish. File photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill
Irish translation of European parliament documents costing €43 per page

High cost of Irish translation - almost twice average cost - has led to budget overruns

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on Monday proposed the abolishment of the US special envoy to Northern Ireland. Photograph: Reuters/Mike Theiler
Trump administration proposes the abolition of NI special envoy

Democrats say they will oppose the move, which would require congressional approval

Britain’s Brexit secretary, David Davis (left), and the European Union’s chief Brexit negotiator, Michel Barnier. Photograph: François Lenoir/Reuters
EU tells UK to get ‘serious’ as Brexit talks resume

The ‘sooner we remove ambiguity’ the better, Michel Barnier tells David Davis

Sinn Féin’s Gerry Adams: is the party starting a move on coalition? Photograph: Eric Luke
Pat Leahy: Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil still rule the roost

Unless left unites, FG and FF will dominate politics and government forever

“Mr Crowley’s prolonged absence is symptomatic of much that is publicly perceived to be wrong with Irish politics,” says Hartley. Above, Brian Crowley. Photograph: Cyril Byrne
Crowley’s European absence a gift to Brexiteers, says substitute

Kieran Hartley appeals to Micheál Martin to intervene over Brian Crowley’s long absence

EU officials are saying privately that the British government has yet to engage seriously on the detail of the separation agreement. Photograph: Getty Images
British to appeal for EU flexibility as frosty Brexit talks restart

Latest round of Brexit negotiations between UK and EU begins on Monday

Sinn Féin’s David Cullinane favours coalition. Party leader Gerry Adams and deputy leader Mary Lou McDonald have signalled that the party’s stance on coalition could change. Photograph: The Irish Times
Sinn Féin frontbencher favours coalition after next election

Cullinane favours coalition even as the minority party: ‘We want to be in government’

EU officials have warned the Irish Government that the British may seek to use the Border issue to open talks on the future trading relationship between the EU and the UK.
EU will not discuss Border proposals at Brexit talks

British government’s customs plans ‘are not on the agenda’ for next week’s negotiations

Simon Coveney, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, James Brokenshire, in Dublin. Photograph: Julien Behal
Government rejects British proposals on invisible border

Proposed measures to deal with the customs issue were insufficient, says Taoiseach

Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney welcomes Northern Ireland Secretary James Brokenshire to a meeting at The Department of Foreign Affairs in Dublin for talks on Northern Ireland and Brexit. Photograph: Niall Carson/PA
NI parties need to engage to see power sharing re-established

James Brokenshire and Simon Coveney meet in Dublin ahead of talks with northern parties next week

Canada’s prime minister Justin Trudeau with Taoiseach Leo Varadkar in Montreal, Canada. Photograph: Reuters/ Christinne Muschi
‘Team Ireland’ is a small club playing in the big leagues

Taoiseach’s plan to double Ireland’s ‘global footprint’ is an ambitious one

Sarah Jane Hennelly: “If I had a vote for every time people told me they were let down by Labour I’d be elected for sure”
Social Democrats reject merger overtures from Labour

SocDem chairwoman says the Labour Party has ‘lost its moral compass’

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar. Photograph: Brenda Fitzsimons
Pat Leahy: Economic crash is neither forgiven nor forgotten

The recovery has not reversed the latent volatility in the Irish political landscape

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar: believes public and political debate is riven by misconceptions. Photograph: Cyril Byrne
Steady as she goes: how Varadkar is building an election team

Focus on communication may carry message Taoiseach is set to step up action in autumn

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar: said there was a political border between the Republic and Northern Ireland, but not an economic one. Photograph: Collins
Frustrated Leo Varadkar attacks Brexiteers on border issue

‘We’re not going to help design some sort of border we don’t believe should exist’

‘Asked about a newspaper story that reported tensions between the British and Irish governments, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar let rip.’ Photograph: Collins
Varadkar’s comments on Brexit are a sharp message to London

Analysis: Taoiseach’s extraordinary outburst signifies a distinct change of mood

Former Taoiseach Brian Cowen who was conferred the honorary degree Doctor of Laws (LLD) by the National University of Ireland, meeting former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern after the conferring ceremony. Photograph: Alan Betson
Brian Cowen speaks of 'regret' over recession and accuses EU of failing State

Former taoiseach expresses regret for loss of jobs by so many during recession

US president Bill Clinton and Gerry Adams in 2000 in the Oval Office of the White House. Photograph: William Vasta/AFP/Getty Images
Flattery, persuasion and arm twisting: Bill Clinton’s peace process phone calls

Transcripts of the ex-US president’s calls to NI leaders reveal his huge influence on events

David Trimble, Bill Clinton, Seamus Mallon and Tony Blair at Stormont in 2000. Photograph: Bryan O’Brien
‘Wake me in middle of the night,’ Bill Clinton told David Trimble

Transcripts shows active role of former US president during early days of peace process

HSE chief executive Tony O’Brien pointed to the reform of cancer care in the 2000s. “A lot of unpopular and hard decisions were made at that time.” Photograph: Cyril Byrne
Health reforms dogged by political opposition, says HSE chief

Tony O’Brien says hard decisions require political courage ‘that is not often apparent’

Micheál Martin: “The history of the Irish revolution belongs to no party.” Photograph: Brenda Fitzsimons
Micheál Martin criticises Sinn Féin and rules out future coalition

FF leader also attacks Government’s ‘ideological’ hang-up on social housing

Paschal Donohoe: many of the economic choices facing the State will fall to him. Photograph: Chris Ratcliffe/Bloomberg
The political pulse: Brexit pessimism and post-austerity choices

MacGill Summer School had intense, informed debates on these two big themes

Garda overtime pay, which was cut heavily during the worst of the economic crisis, is now rising significantly again on the back of efforts to tackle gangland crime. File photograph: Getty Images
Overtime costs and lack of reform threaten Garda budgets

Agreed policy of civilianisation not acted on, leaving officers in ‘back-office duties’

The Government is alarmed by the rising cost of special needs education. File photograph: Dave Thompson/PA Wire
Government alarmed by rising cost of special needs education

New study says a spike in the number of autism cases is a factor in increased spending

Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe: “Provision for further new expenditure measures in 2018 would require that departments identify funding for such measures by reprioritisation within the overall current expenditure ceiling.” Photograph: Gareth Chaney Collins
Little room for extra spending in budget, says Paschal Donohoe

Departments urged to look to own finances amid demographic and fiscal rule pressures

The National University of Ireland is to confer an honorary doctorate on the former taoiseach Brian Cowen at a ceremony in Dublin Castle next week. Photograph: Eric Luke/The Irish Times.
Honorary National University of Ireland doctorate for Brian Cowen

Ex-taoiseach keeping low profile since exiting politics after collape of FF-Green coalition

“Sometimes we give the impression the tooth fairy is going to fund infrastructure,” Robert Watt, secretary-general at the Department of Public Expenditure. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill/The Irish Times
Location of homes a major challenge for governments - top civil servant

Robert Watt: Many homes will be built in Dublin over next 20 years and should be within M50

Simon Harris (R): ‘You cannot be worse off for having abided by the law of this land than those who didn’t abide by the law’. Photograph: Collins
Water refunds to be paid out of unspent funds in several departments

€170m will not come from ‘whip around’, Leo Varadkar says

Sinn Féin’s Gerry Adams and Mary Lou McDonald: at the start of this year they both signalled that the party needed to review its position on coalition. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill
Sinn Féin's changed coalition stance is the big political move of 2017

Opinion: Leo Varadkar has potential but he has failed to show it so far

Retiring in August: Chief Justice Susan Denham. Photograph: Aidan Crawley Chief Justice Susan Denham is retiring in August. Photograph: Aidan Crawley
New chief justice will not be in place when Denham retires

Government figures say the judge’s successor may not be appointed until October

Brian Crowley MEP has been unable to attend the European Parliament since his re-election in 2014 due to ill-health. File photograph: Cyril Byrne/The Irish Times
‘Ming’ Flanagan says he would quit as MEP if in Brian Crowley’s situation

Being present for votes in European Parliament an ‘essential element’ of MEP’s job

Solidarity TD Paul Murphy clashed with the Taoiseach in the Dáil. Photograph: Collins
Dáil uproar as end of term approaches

Inside Politics: Taoiseach and Paul Murphy clash over Jobstown comments

Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe has little wiggle room in the forthcoming budget. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill
Dilemma for Donohoe as politics vies with prudence

Minister knows fiscal space of €300 million offers few opportunities for electoral gains

Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe: said he did not expect tax receipts to surpass expectations this year. Photograph: Gareth Chaney/Collins
Budget 2018 to have €300m for tax cuts and new spending

Government will prioritise areas of greatest need given ‘limited resources’, Minister says

Leo Varadkar will. make his first major economic statement as Taoiseach. Photograph: Collins
What will we learn of Leo’s plans?

Inside Politics: Taoiseach’s first economic statement will indicate budgetary choices

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe at the National Economic Dialogue, in Dublin Castle. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill/The Irish Times
Summer statement to outline cautious tax cuts, spending plans

Coalition will announce that there is limited room for tax cuts despite economic growth

Chief Justice Susan Denham: she retires next month after six years in the role, and 25 years as a judge of the Supreme Court. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill
Agreement over selection of chief justice came after representations from Ross

Cabinet sources say Government agreed to an ad hoc process after Minister intervened

Minister for Sport Shane Ross stressed the benefits the tournament would bring to Ireland if the bid was successful. Photograph: Gareth Chaney Collins
Seanad passes Bill to support Ireland’s Rugby World Cup bid

Bill passes without vote despite concerns over TV rights and State’s underwriting of bid

The current chief justice Susan Denham, will retire in August after six years in the role, and 25 years as a judge of the Supreme Court. File Photograph: Frank Miller
New three person committee to consider chief justice selection

New system approved at Cabinet meeting will be seen as a sop to Shane Ross

Ready for the world: A banner supporting Ireland’s 2023 Rugby World Cup bid is unveiled at the Aviva Stadium. Photograph: Inpho/Billy Stickland
The old Shane Ross would have railed against rugby Bill

The legislation commits significant public resources to Rugby World Cup bid with little scrutiny

Paul Murphy at a press conference calling for a public inquiry into the Jobstown investigation. Photograph: Brenda Fitzsimons
The far-left is talking about a revolution but the way is unclear

Solidarity has seen a spike in interest after Jobstown but competition on the left is fierce

Fianna Fail party leader Micheál Martin: said Taoiseach Leo Varadkar may have prejudiced other trials and the verdicts in the cases were a vindication of the courts process. Photograph Nick Bradshaw
Government rejects Martin criticism of Varadkar Jobstown remarks

Martin describes Leo Varadkar’s ‘Prime Time’ comments as ‘ill-judged’ and ‘not fair’

Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin said the Taoiseach’s comments in relation to gardai were unfair. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill/The Irish Times
Varadkar ‘unfair to gardaí’ over Jobstown evidence, says Martin

GRA admits there is a problem with Garda credibility but not with front line officers

Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe will next week deliver the Government’s summer economic statement, likely to contain an update on the fiscal space for next year. Photograph: Gareth Chaney Collins
Budget package expected to almost double to €1bn

Fiscal space for spending and tax cuts understood to grow after talks with Europe

Scottish foreign and cultural affairs minister Fiona Hyslop attending a British Irish Chamber of Commerce discussion on cross-channel cooperation this week.
DUP deal with Tories ‘breached’ rules of devolution

Scottish foreign minister frustrated at nation’s lack of input into Brexit process

Catherine Noone is chair of the Oireachtas committee debating changes to Ireland’s abortion laws. Photograph: Brenda Fitzsimons / The Irish Times
Abortion committee row over claims FG ignored assembly report

Noone rejects Solidarity-PBP charges as ‘absurd’ as relations deteriorate in group

As part of its support for the IRFU’s bid to host the 2023 World Cup, the Government has committed to underwriting the costs of staging the tournament. File photograph: Billy Stickland/Inpho
Emergency law needed after Whelan changed mind on Rugby World Cup

Legislation will empower Government to underwrite €320m costs of tournament

The Bill will replace the Judicial Appointments Advisory Board and create a new lay-dominated commission that will propose names to the Government for appointment to the judiciary
Judges Bill expected to pass first Dáil test

Vote set to take place on controversial judicial appointments Bill on Thursday

Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau (centre) and his wife Sophie Grégoire are greeted at Dublin Castle by Taoiseach Leo Varadkar. Photograph: Julien Behal/PA Wire
When Leo met Justin: Not all socks and bromance

Inside Politics: Taoiseach and Canadian PMdefend Ceta trade agreement between Canada and EU

Minister for the Environment Denis Naughten. Photograph: Gareth Chaney/Collins
Government reaches deal with Fianna Fáil on waste charges

Agreement paves the way for pay-by-weight regime to be extended to all householders

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar: said the Government acknowledged there was a concern about a massive hike in charges under the new waste charges system. Photograph: Colin Keegan, Collins Dublin
‘Watchdog’ to monitor cost of new waste charges, Minister says

Price regulation measures will be introduced if deemed necessary, says Taoiseach

The Labour Party has warned that the new system would open the door for ‘price gouging’ by waste companies. Photograph: David Sleator/The Irish Times
Bin charges: new rules to come in over 15 months, says Varadkar

Plans to end flat charges and introduce pay-by-weight system to be challenged in Dáil

Canada’s prime minister Justin Trudeau with his son Hadrien and wife Sophie Gregoire Trudeau in Ottawa boarding a plane for Dublin on Monday. Photograph: Ryan Remiorz/The Canadian Press via AP
Justin Trudeau to meet Taoiseach and President Higgins

Canadian prime minister to attend official dinner and stay in Farmleigh House

Solidarity TDs Paul Murphy and Ruth Coppinger, Cllr Michael Murphy and TD Mick Barry at a press conference in Dublin on Friday. Photograph: Brenda Fitzsimons
Jobstown trial a huge propaganda victory for radical left

Radical left’s moment has passed despite attention-seeking populism

Solidarity TD Paul Murphy and five others had faced charges of the false imprisonment of former tánaiste Joan Burton (above) and her then assistant, Karen O’Connell, during a water charges protest on November 15th, 20142014. Photograph: Collins Courts.
Government rules out inquiry into Jobstown prosecutions

Solidarity TDs had alleged Garda ‘stitch-up’ had led to the prosecutions being brought

Citizens’ Assembly: TDs must decide if they should frame a referendum which would permit the general availability of abortion along the lines of the assembly’s recommendations, or offer the public a more restrictive regime. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill
Dáil must decide if it should frame workable abortion referendum

Many anti-abortion campaigners believe a vote for complete liberalisation would not pass

Brian Crowley: His MEP substitute Kieran Hartley has called on Micheál Martin to take action on his absenteeism. Photograph: Mark Kelleher
European Parliament has no power to sanction absent MEPs

Brian Crowley has not attended parliament since re-election in 2014 due to ill health

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar is welcomed by Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe to the National Economic Dialogue at Dublin Castle. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill
Pat Leahy: Varadkar starts to manage budget expectations

Taoiseach’s hints about budget giveaways laced with caution

Brian Crowley MEP at the 75th Fianna Fáil ardfheis in early 2014. File photograph: Cyril Byrne/The Irish Times
Substitute for Brian Crowley MEP complains at absence since 2014

Kieran Hartley writes to FF chief over lack of representation in European Parliament

Minister for Transport Shane Ross has thundered against “cronyism” everywhere in Irish life, but sees it as an especially pervasive influence in the appointment of judges. Photograph: Maxwell’s
Shane Ross’s quixotic crusade on judicial jobs Bill nears its end

Minister for Transport has expended much of his political capital on a niche issue

The Government is pressing ahead with the Judicial Appointments Commission Bill despite the opposition of the most senior judges in the State. File photograph: iStock
No guarantee judges Bill will pass by summer - Varadkar

Government pressing ahead with Bill despite opposition of the most senior judges

“I am not saying I am open to amendments but I will be listening to the concerns of TDs,” Mr Flanagan said. Photograph: Niall Carson/PA Wire
Charlie Flanagan will not respond to Ross’s judicial demands

Minister for Justice known to have some reservations about proposed new system

“There is ongoing public concern about the investigation and prosecution of white collar crime.” Photograph: Getty Images
Varadkar asks for package to fight white collar crime

New law to grant immunity to whistleblowers could form part of package

Political gamble: Máire Whelan is formally appointed to the Court of Appeal by President Michael D Higgins and Taoiseach Leo Varadkar. Photograph: Colin Keegan/Collins
Meet the new politics. Same as the old politics

Pat Leahy: Leo Varadkar has to break the mould to emulate Blair and Macron

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar with Theresa May and Mark Rutte from the Netherlands at the European Council meeting in Brussels.Photograph: Peter Cavanagh
Varadkar throws himself into EU summit with enthusiasm

New Taoiseach details meetings he had in Brussels with various European leaders

Theresa May and Leo Varadkar at a European Council meeting in Brussels. Photograph: John Thysj/Getty
Varadkar: the kind of Brexit Britain wants ‘is still an open question’

Taoiseach says talks will not be conducted as Theresa May seems to think

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