The Irish economy has performed well and entered 2025 in a strong position
The IMF Staff Report for the 2025 Article IV Consultation said the domestic economy is projected to continue growing, albeit at a slower pace in a highly uncertain global environment.
It also noted there are significant external downside risks to growth and public finances, which are vulnerable to external trade and tax policy shifts.
Ireland's 2025 Article IV Consultation was set against the backdrop of Budget 2025 which was framed in the context of a continued need to improve public services and accelerate infrastructure to support a growing population and the competitiveness of the Irish economy.
The Report sets out the views of the IMF on the current position of the Irish economy and identifies key structural factors that will have a bearing on domestic living standards in the years ahead.
The Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe said he welcomed the IMF's assessment of the results achieved and noted the risks highlighted in the report.
"I note and share the IMF's assessment of external risks, notably the reversal of globalisation, the ongoing disruption caused by regional conflicts, domestic capacity constraints, and the uncertainty in relation to corporation tax receipts," said Minister Donohoe.
"While I acknowledge Ireland's vulnerability to the rise in global uncertainty, our economy has demonstrated resilience in the face of consecutive large shocks.
"I acknowledge the IMF's recommendation of a broadly neutral fiscal stance for the upcoming budget and five-year fiscal plan."
Minister Donohoe said the Programme for Government has committed to delivering a clear and credible macroeconomic and fiscal framework and one that would prioritise continued economic resilience through investment in capital spending and funds for future needs.
"I welcome the IMF's strong support for the two savings funds which the Government has established. By the end of this year, I expect a total of €16 billion to be saved in the funds."
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Irish Independent
21 minutes ago
- Irish Independent
‘Ireland isn't tearing up migration system in relation to this' – Simon Harris on visa refusal for Palestinian children on GAA trip
Tánaiste Simon Harris said: 'Ireland isn't just tearing up its migration system or rules in relation to this.' The Fine Gael leader said there were 'legitimate checks in relation to child protection' involved, even though the tour body from the West Bank says it has repeatedly sent documentation and been ignored. But the denial of entry to 33 Palestinian children and 14 parents and sports officials was held up as an example of double standards by Peadar Tóibín, leader of Aontú. "The approach of the West to the war in Ukraine and the war in Palestine could not be more different. Ireland's approach could also not be more different. Is the refusal of visas for the 33 Palestinian children from the GAA Palestine project not an example of this?' The Tánaiste said: "Every visa has to be issued on its merits", even as he came under pressure from TDs on all sides. Mr Harris pointed to an appeals process as a possible way forward -- even though the tour was scheduled to take place this month and hosts were in place. It has been the subject of applications from the territory of the Palestine Authority as far back at least as last January. But Mr Harris said the Department of Justice 'will continue to "robustly" apply the rules. This was the case "particularly when it involves minors and particularly when it involves minors travelling without their parents and accompanied by other adults,' he said. Jennifer O'Keefe (59), a member of the Good Counsel Liffey Gaels GAA club and based in Palmerstown, was due to welcome two Palestinian children into her home later this month. In all there were 47 participants travelling to Dublin – including 33 children aged between nine and 16. The athletes were due to come from the West Bank as part of a two-week tour aiming to foster friendship, solidarity and sporting connection through the GAA. Ms O'Keefe says she was 'devastated' to learn of the refusal of the players visas. 'We're letting these children down. Their mentors and coaches have taken on our national sport as their sport of choice. Why would you do that to a group of 33 children?,' she said. 'These children have been excited and looking forward to this trip for months. They're so grateful to the Irish people for allowing the trip to happen. I just can't imagine how devastated they must feel at the prospect of not being able to travel. 'We have to fight and push and make sure that this does happen. We have to keep fighting, we can't let the children down.' Donal Dempsey of Fingallians GAA club in Donabate was also due to take two athletes overnight. Mr Dempsey says the refusal of the athletes visas was 'devastating'. 'It's really, really disappointing. I have a 13-year-old boy myself. He was really looking forward to them coming over,' he said. The new row comes a day after the Taoiseach denied there was any blockage to Palestinian child victims of Israel's war on Gaza coming to Ireland for treatment. Only two of four promised surgery flights have arrived, but Micheál Martin rejected Sinn Féin suggestions of bureaucratic impediments. Mr Tóibín called for "a compassionate response", even though there should be a strict visa system in place. There are 'dozens of children coming into this country unaccompanied on an annual basis,' he claimed, particularly from United Kingdom. The Tánaiste responded: 'We do try to take a compassionate approach.' He insisted the Government did not doubt the good faith of the organisers of the Palestinian junior GAA tour. 'Unfortunately not all people will be able to demonstrate that they satisfy the conditions to be granted a visa to come to Ireland,' he said 'These applications were given very careful consideration," he said. "A visa officer has to be satisfied that children are travelling in the company of their parents or an appropriate guardian. "Additional documents such as birth certs, consent letters are regularly requested to establish the relationship and there is an appeal.' Solidarity TD Ruth Coppinger said the question had to be asked why a Palestinian tour had been 'faced with all these barriers', and pointed to "massive" GAA child protection safeguards. Sinn Féin's Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire called for 'some political will' to sort out the issues and to quickly get them rectifiedy. But Mr Harris insisted: "If children from far flung parts of the world are travelling to this country in the company of adults -- some of whom are not their parents -- there does need to be legitimate checks.' He added: 'I don't think any immigration system in the world would grant visas, without satisfying itself in relation to visa applications for minors." GAA Palestine have said they are 'deeply disappointed and shocked' by the decision as they called on authorities to reconsider. The organisation said the visa applications were submitted in mid-May with 'comprehensive documentation' including detailed itineraries, with all applications fulfilling 'all requested requirements and provided all necessary documentation as per the application process'. It said that despite this, the visa applications of the 47 Palestinian children, including 33 children aged between 9 and 16 years, and their coaches were refused due to 'insufficient documentation'. In response to queries, spokesperson for the Department of Justice said each visa application is 'decided on its own merits' and an application will be refused if it does not 'demonstrate compliance' with certain conditions for children and adults. They said: "Confirming that appropriate child protection requirements are in place is essential when considering visa applications for minors. 'This includes a requirement that a child is travelling with their parents or an appropriate guardian, which requires additional documents to be verified such as birth certificates and consent letters. 'In adult cases, evidence of financial means, employment or other ties that indicate a person intends to return home are important criteria. These help to establish that a person has a legitimate reason to come to Ireland, and that they will comply with the conditions of a short-term visa. 'An application will be refused if it cannot demonstrate compliance with such conditions. An appeals process is available to anyone who has a visa application refused.' In a statement, GAA Palestine said it was 'under the impression that all necessary documentation and information had been provided and met the requirements for visa approval as stated by the Irish Embassy in Israel'. "Seven days before these young boys and girls were meant to leave the West Bank, we are told that additional documentation is now required – documentation that was already provided or never previously requested or indicated as necessary,' said GAA Palestine chair Steven Redmond. "We went as far as sending a volunteer to the West Bank to assist with additional documentation that was requested as part of our application.' He said GAA Palestine 'remains committed to collaborating closely with the Department of Justice to resolve this matter swiftly'. "We have a dedicated team of volunteers ready to respond and take immediate action. 'We are fully prepared to see this process through. We kindly ask the Government to partner with us in making this happen. "Volunteers across Ireland are just utterly and completely devasted after all the work and effort put into making this tour happen. It's heartbreaking to see such a promising cultural exchange fall apart at the very last moment.' The organisation called on authorities to reconsider the decision and work with them to 'facilitate the participation of these young Palestinians in future cultural and sporting initiatives'. "We extend our sincere thanks to the Irish host families, clubs, and supporters who have shown unwavering support and solidarity. We remain hopeful that this unfortunate setback will not deter us.'
Sunday World
23 minutes ago
- Sunday World
Scotland's First Minister responds to Kneecap's onstage comments at Glasgow show
'If bands say things that cause widespread concern, there shouldn't be a surprise to bands that I get asked about them' Scotland's First Minister has said that if bands such as Kneecap 'say things that cause widespread concern' it should not be a surprise that he's asked about them. John Swinney was responding to comments made about him by one of the band's members at a show in Glasgow on Tuesday. The Irish trio took to the stage for the O2 Academy show having been axed from this weekend's TRNSMT festival in the city following police concerns. Liam O hAnnaidh, who performs under the name Mo Chara, asked the crowd: 'What's your First Minister's name?' Kneecap at Glastonbury News in 90 Seconds - July 10th He then reportedly swore before declaring: 'They stopped us playing TRNSMT but they can't stop us playing Glasgow.' The First Minister who had raised concerns about comments by Kneecap, which he said were 'beyond the pale' had pushed for them to be dropped from the festival. During a visit to a hospital in Falkirk yesterday, the First Minister called for focus to shift to the issues Kneecap are raising. 'I think the most important thing at this moment is that we all focus on the issue that Kneecap are concerned about, which is the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza,' he said. 'I want to see a ceasefire implemented, I want to see humanitarian aid put into Gaza.' He added: 'I had a briefing yesterday from Unicef about the suffering of children in Gaza – it was literally impossible to listen to that, it's so awful. 'What we should be focused on, the most important issue, is ending the suffering in Gaza and getting a ceasefire and getting humanitarian aid into Gaza which is sitting on the border of Gaza today.' Referring to the fact he got 'a mention' at Tuesday's show he replied: 'What I'd say is that the last thing I want to be commenting on is about bands, I want people to enjoy their music and make their choices. 'But if bands say things that cause widespread concern, there shouldn't be a surprise to bands that I get asked about them.' Chara was subsequently charged with a terrorist offence but has been released under unconditional bail after footage emerged that appeared to show him holding a flag of the proscribed terrorist group Hezbollah. The band had previously attracted controversy after a clip that emerged from a gig in 2023 appeared to show a member saying: 'The only good Tory is a dead Tory. Kill your local MP.' Kneecap later apologised to Katie Amess, the daughter of Tory MP Sir David Amess who was murdered in 2021, as well as the family of Jo Cox, the Labour MP who was murdered in 2016. The group said their actions, including holding the Hezbollah flag, had been taken out of context. They claim they are the subject of a smear campaign against them because of their vocal support for Palestine and criticism of Israel's actions in Gaza, which they say is a genocide. Kneecap also led chants against Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who had called for the group to be axed from festivals in England, during Tuesday show. The band, said they did not believe their axing from TRSNMT was the festival's fault while Police Scotland had warned that an appearance by the band which also consists of DJ Provai and Moglai Bap, could require a large police presence. The show at the O2 in Glasgow sold out in 80 seconds prompt the band to post on social media: 'Some scenes outside the venue for tonight's gig in Glasgow. 'Hats off to the dozens of Palestine activists who've been here all day. 'Buzzing to play one of our favourite cities for a show that sold out in seconds.' Chara led chants against Israel adding that they were aimed at 'the government, not the people". The BBC reported that the biggest reaction of the night came after Chara said the UK Government had 'done nothing for Ireland and nothing for Glasgow'. Later, police said a woman was arrested for failing to leave a licensed premises and a man and woman were arrested for breach of the peace.
The Irish Sun
29 minutes ago
- The Irish Sun
Extra €1k cost in ‘sucker punch' for 90k Irish as Govt accused of ‘adding fuel to fire' amid college fee reduction calls
THE government has been accused of delivering a "sucker punch" to Irish students, ahead of a plan which will see a extra €1,000 cost in college fees. Minister for Further and Higher Education, James Lawless, recently announced plans to scrap the cost-of-living reduction to third-level fees. 2 TD Mairead Farrell is condemning the government's actions, which will see student fees return to previous costly levels Credit: Alamy The reduction, which amounted to €1,000, was created to support students financially throughout the cost-of-living crisis. Its subsequent removal means fees will return to previous levels, increasing by €1,000 from last year. Farrell said: "Minister for Higher Education, James Lawless, sent real fear through households last Sunday when he said fees would go up by €1,000 because there was no cost-of-living package in this year's budget. READ MORE IN IRISH NEWS "This was the last thing students and their parents needed or expected to hear." She added: 'This is a sucker punch to families that have simply not planned or budgeted for an extra €1,000 for every student." And that: "This will impact over 90,000 students across the state, and for many, will mean the difference between going to college or not. Her comments come following a motion by Sinn Fein in the MOST READ IN THE IRISH SUN The motion, which coincided with a student and joint opposition protest outside Leinster House, called on the government to introduce a cost-of-living package which would cancel the scheduled €1,000 fee hike and reduces fees by a further €500. It also called for student fees to be permanently abolished within within two years. COLLEGE COSTS Speaking with He said: "Last year, our expectation was that the €1,000 reduction in the contribution was going to remain and it was going to be permanent, 'It feels like we're going backwards, to be honest." Despite these concerns, Minister Lawless remains resolute that third-level students will pay €1,000 extra in fees this year compared to last year. Speaking with He added: "All of us in any walk of life have to play the hands were dealt". 2 Students from around the country gathered outside Leinster House this week to protest rising student fees Credit: � 2025 PA Media, All Rights Reserved
